EU - Jean-Yves Le Drian to attend the Foreign Affairs Council (Luxembourg, 14 October 2019)

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Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves le Drian will take part in the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on October 14.

The ministers will discuss the following points:

  • - Syria: with the UN special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, in attendance, the ministers will discuss Syria in view of Turkey’s unilateral military offensive in the northeastern part of that country. France will reiterate its condemnation of that intervention and, along with the other EU member countries, will once again call for a rapid halt to that offensive. The ministers will continue their efforts toward achieving a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian crisis.
  • - Afghanistan: the ministers will discuss the situation in Afghanistan in a context marked by the Afghan presidential election and the prospect for a resumption of talks between the Americans and the Taliban.
  • - Ukraine: the ministers will discuss Ukraine before an informal luncheon with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko. France will reaffirm its support for Ukraine and its desire to stand by that country as it carries out reforms, especially those relating to the rule of law. It will review the main advances achieved in the so-called Normandy Format talks.

The ministers will also exchange views on other current issues: the situation in Iran and tensions in the Gulf; the situation in Libya following discussions held at the UN General Assembly, and particularly during the ministerial meeting co-chaired by France and Italy on September 26; Iraq in the context of the protest movement that has emerged in the country since October 1; and Venezuela. Turkish drilling in Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone will also be discussed.