European Union - Jean-Yves Le Drian’s participation in the meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers (via video conference, 15 May 2020)

Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, took part in the video conference of EU foreign affairs ministers on May 15.

This meeting was devoted to the political and security consequences of the current health crisis in the EU’s southern neighborhood, and more broadly in the Middle East. During the meeting, the ministers discussed the ongoing regional crises, notably in Libya, where renewed efforts to implement the Berlin statement are needed, in Syria, in Yemen and in Iraq, in order to stress the importance of the coalition’s efforts, in light of the resurgence of Daesh’s terrorist activities, while respecting the country’s sovereignty.

The discussions notably focused on the Middle East peace process, in the context of the inauguration of the new Israeli government. The EU must reaffirm its attachment to the two-state solution within the framework of the internationally agreed parameters for resolving the conflict, and warn against any prospect of the partial annexation of the occupied territories, which would undermine efforts to find a just and lasting resolution to the conflict.

Lastly, in addition to the regular review of the work being carried out at the European level in the context of the fight against Covid-19, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and the ministers had an opportunity to discuss other current international issues, notably the success of the summit between the EU and the Western Balkans countries held via video conference on May 6; the necessary international support for the transition in Sudan; and the EU’s attachment to respect for international law in the in the eastern Mediterranean.