The interim Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, will participate on Monday in the meeting of the heads of diplomacy from the EU member states, which will take place in Luxembourg.
According to a Foreign Ministry (MAE) release sent to AGERPRES on Sunday, the main topics on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting will be the EU’s relations with the states in the Gulf region, as well as the prospects of the Eastern Partnership (EAP).
Also, during a working lunch, the recent developments in Ethiopia and Nicaragua will be discussed.
Topics of interest will also be addressed, such as the situation in Afghanistan, Tunisia, the Western Balkans, climate diplomacy, the Cyprus file, the situation in Belarus and Mali, the MAE said.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the heads of European diplomacy will attend a working breakfast with Libyan Foreign Minister Nayla El-Mangoush.
During the discussion on the Gulf region, Aurescu will advocate for joint EU action to increase interaction with partners in this area and with other regional and international actors, in order to maintain stability and security, including with regard to increased traffic safety.
European Foreign Ministers will also have a first exchange of views on the forthcoming EAP Summit on December 15. According to the MAE, Bogdan Aurescu will underline the strategic importance of the meeting, during which in-depth discussions will take place on the vision of post-2020 development of the EAP and the challenges to be met by the partner states in the Eastern Neighborhood, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the security situation in the region.
He will also emphasize the importance of supporting the European perspective of the partners, taking into account the will expressed by the three associated states, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine, for advanced cooperation with the EU, without affecting the inclusive nature of the Eastern Partnership. In the context of the existence of prolonged conflicts on the territory of five of the six partner states, the minister will point out the support of our country for the development of dialogue and cooperation in the security field with them.
During the working lunch on the situation in Ethiopia, Aurescu will express Romania’s concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the decision of the authorities in this country to expel seven members of the UN staff. He also expressed support for the statement by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell urging the Ethiopian authorities to reconsider the decision, as well as for the imposition of EU sanctions in connection with the situation in the Tigray region that does not affect the civilian population.
The discussion on the situation in Nicaragua will take place against the background of the rapid deterioration of the domestic political situation, before the November 7 elections, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, European ministers will analyze how the EU will relate to these developments and proposals for action to help prevent further deterioration in the situation in this country.
At the same time, at the working breakfast with the Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Bogdan Aurescu will express support for the political process carried out under the auspices of the UN, assumed by Libya, as well as for the implementation of the Conclusions of the two Berlin Conferences on Libya. 2020 and June 2021). He will encourage the Libyan authorities to hold general elections as an essential step in stabilizing the country, and stress the importance of the entire international community supporting support for the Libyan arms embargo and initiatives to withdraw Libyan mercenaries and foreign forces from the territory.
