Minister Daniel Mitov participated in the regular Foreign Affairs Council meeting
09 February 2015 News
Minister Daniel Mitov participated in the regular Foreign Affairs Council meeting, which was held today in Brussels. In response to the escalation of tensions in Eastern Ukraine and in implementation of the decisions of 29 January 2015, the Council unanimously agreed on the inclusion of new persons and entities to the list of restrictive measures related to actions that undermine or threaten Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. To give space for current diplomatic efforts, the Council put the entry into force of the measures on hold until 16 February 2015.
Foreign ministers expressed support for the initiative of Chancellor Merkel and French President Hollande to halt military operations in Eastern Ukraine and find a comprehensive solution to the conflict through diplomatic efforts. "We hope that the Minsk talks this week will lead to a peaceful solution to the crisis. People should stop dying," Bulgarian Foreign Minister said.
Combating terrorism was another key topic on the agenda. Ministers agreed on the need to establish the fight against terrorism as an important element of EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. Strengthening dialogue and cooperation with key partners in North Africa and the Middle East was among the identified measures to counter terrorism and radicalization. It was decided also to deploy security experts in a number of key EU Delegations in some of these countries. The Council underlined the need to adopt a comprehensive strategy for Syria and Iraq, as well as the ISIL / Da’esh threat.
Ministers focused also on measures to tackle foreign terrorist fighters in the most affected countries, including the Western Balkans, and reaffirmed their support for Yemen in the fight against the terrorist threat. They also discussed measures against terrorist group Boko Haram.
Foreign ministers took stock of the crisis in Libya, which threatens EU’s security and contributes to the increase of the migration pressure. They expressed full support for the efforts of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Bernardino León to find a political way out at the ongoing Geneva talks and for the formation of an inclusive government of national unity.
More photos
