Minister Kristian Vigenin: The EU remains fully committed to the stability of Lebanon
22 July 2013 News
The decision today by the European Union Foreign Affairs Council to include the military wing of Hezbollah on the EU list of terrorist organizations was made on the basis of the overall activity of the military wing on several occasions throughout the EU, including the bombing at Sarafovo Airport, Minister Kristian Vigenin told reporters in Brussels. He took part in the Foreign Affairs Council, where one of the topics was the situation in Lebanon. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister emphasised that the decision was the result of a compromise achieved among EU member states and it would not not hinder the dialogue with all political parties in the country, and nor would it affect legitimate financial transfers and EU aid, including humanitarian aid, to Lebanon. Today’s decision means that the EU remains fully committed to the stability of Lebanon, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministersaid. He pointed out that after six months there would be a review of the effect of the decision, which is expected to lead to increasing security not only for EU citizens, but also those of Lebanon and the Middle East. What was essential now was good coordination in implementation, the Foreign Minister said. In an address to the Foreign Affairs Council, Minister Vigenin emphasised that Bulgaria was strongly committed to the investigation into the terrorist attack at Sarafovo Airport, and in the course of this investigation, new information had arisen.
Earlier today, EU foreign ministers discussed the problems in three different countries in Africathat are in need for the assistance of the Union. They agreed that urgent conduct of the presidential elections in Mali would allow further development of the country. The EU has sent a mission to monitor the election and will continue to support and pressure the government to achieve national reconciliation.
The international donor conference for Somalia in September 2013 will be important for the future development of the country. At the conference, the priorities of the government will be presented,and funds raised to implement them.
The foreign ministers expressed support for the efforts of UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Mary Robinson for the implementation of the United Nations Framework Agreement for peace, security and cooperation in support of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the region. Specific projects are needed to improve security and development in the Great Lakes region, the ministers decided.
The Foreign Affairs Council adopted conclusions on Egypt, calling for the fastestpossible transition to a democratic process. They went on to focus on the themes of Syria, the Middle East Peace Process, as well as other matters.
Tonight there will be a ministerial meeting of the Eastern Partnership.