Catherine Colonna participating in the EU Foreign Affairs Council (23 january 2023)

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Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna is taking part in today’s meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

As we near the first anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the minister will emphasize the importance of stepping up European support for Ukraine, specifically by adopting a new €500 million package through the European Peace Facility. She will stress the importance of continuing to meet the needs of the Ukrainian people by following through on all the commitments taken at the “Standing with the Ukrainian People” Conference held in Paris on December 13. Lastly, she will urge support for Ukraine’s efforts to achieve a just peace, commending that country’s 10-point-peace plan.

With the human rights situation worsening in Iran, the Minister will express support for the adoption of new sanctions targeting those responsible for serious human rights violations. It would be consistent with Europe’s firm response to the regime’s actions.

The minister will call for strengthening the EU’s involvement in development as well as security and defense in the Gulf of Guinea. She will underscore the urgent need to act in response to a growing terrorist threat and the risks posed by lasting instability in the region. She will review the conclusions of her joint visit to Ethiopia with Annalena Baerbock to demonstrate support for the peace process in that country, which could pave the wave for EU re-engagement.

During the ministers’ luncheon with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, Ms. Colonna will reaffirm our commitment to the two-state solution and to strengthening relations between the EU and the Palestinian Authority.

The minister will also express support for the decision to extend an EU civilian mission in Armenia, which is playing a stabilizing role in the region.

Lastly, the minister will highlight the issue of foreign interference in order to ensure the protection of European democracy. Ms. Colonna will particularly stress the vigilance that the European Union must show in response to the influence of certain organizations that promote values incompatible with those of the EU.