EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg
24 June 2024 News
Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov participated today in the ordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. The foreign ministers of the member states started their work by discussing the Russian aggression against Ukraine with the participation of Ukraine's first diplomat Dmytro Kuleba. He briefed them on the current situation and the specific needs of the country in the context of the ongoing Russian aggression. The Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister praised the Peace Summit for Ukraine held in Switzerland, which confirmed the need to achieve a just and lasting peace on the basis of international law and the UN Charter. ‘The EU's united support to Ukraine on all fronts must continue and be sustainable, predictable and timely’, Deputy Minister Kondov added. The Ministers discussed the main aspects of common support while taking into account the urgent needs on the ground, with a focus on the operationalisation of the European Peace Facility Support Fund for Ukraine, the finalisation of the document on Ukraine's security guarantees, the continuation of humanitarian support, etc.
The Council also discussed the current situation in the Middle East. High Representative Josep Borrell briefed ministers on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the region, the possibilities for resuming the activities of EUBAM Rafah when the conditions are right, the EU's efforts to support the Palestinian Authority and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). ‘Bulgaria is deeply concerned about the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza and the deterioration of the overall security environment in the region. All EU efforts should be aimed at de-escalating tensions, releasing hostages and supporting the roadmap proposed by President Biden’, Deputy Minister Kondov said in his statement.
Among the highlights of the regular June Council meeting were also relations with the Western Balkan countries. The first diplomats of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and Kosovo took special part in an informal format. The focus of the discussion was on the challenges that the partners are facing in the foreign and security spheres as a result of the radically changed geopolitical environment and security situation in Europe. The EU's support for enhanced cooperation in the field of foreign and security policy was noted, as well as the gradual integration, including by exploiting the opportunities of the Western Balkans Economic Growth Plan. ‘The EU's security cooperation with its partners in the Western Balkans is key to the stability of the region and efforts in this direction should continue. It is also necessary for the partners to adhere to the EU's fundamental principles and values related to respect for human rights, the rule of law and good neighbourly relations while implementing in good faith and in a comprehensive manner the necessary reforms on their European path, underlining the validity of the principle of own merits in the context of the European integration of the EU candidate countries’, the Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister said.
The ministers also discussed the deteriorated domestic political situation in Georgia in the context of the upcoming general elections in the autumn. Strong concerns were expressed about the adoption of the controversial and contradictory to European values law on transparency of foreign influence, despite numerous protests in the country, EU calls and the President's veto. The foreign ministers noted with concern the attacks on journalists, independent media and civil society representatives, which should be stopped immediately. They urged the EU to continue to send clear and strong messages to the Georgian authorities in this regard. ‘We are deeply concerned about the developments in Georgia. The EU should engage with the authorities on the issues at stake, encouraging them to refrain from such unacceptable actions and to stick to the European path of development of the country in line with the aspirations of the Georgian population. The country also has an important role to play in the security of the Black Sea region, which is of strategic importance for the EU’, Deputy Minister Ivan Kondov stressed. The issue is also to be discussed by the European Council at the end of June.
The Council discussed the situation in the African Great Lakes region and in Tunisia.
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