EU foreign ministers hold video-conference

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on 3 April 2020 participated in the second video-conference of EU foreign ministers...

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on 3 April 2020 participated in the second video-conference of EU foreign ministers.

The ministers discussed the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on three areas of foreign policy action:
1) consular cooperation and repatriation (the return of EU citizens from third countries);
2) international cooperation and assistance to third countries;
3) disinformation and public diplomacy.

In the current situation, the return of EU citizens located in third countries is among the Union's priorities. The ministers applauded the progress and the strengthened consular cooperation, coordinated by Croatia as the Council of the EU chair together with the European External Action Service and the European Commission. So far more than 350,000 EU citizens have been returned through joint action. Given that an estimated 250,000 of them are still outside the EU, repatriation efforts are to continue. In that regard, cooperation of the EU and the Croatian Presidency with third countries will be crucial, notably in terms of providing airspace and access to airports and seaports, relaxing the movement restrictions, and dealing with the issue of expired visas and unaccompanied minors. If there are no commercial possibilities for repatriation, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism will be utilized. Grlić Radman is in close contact with his EU and non-EU counterparts regarding all of said issues. 

The ministers underscored the importance of the EU's international engagement, primarily in regard to the most vulnerable countries and regions which are facing or could soon face a very difficult situation, with weakened capacities to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. The Union is preparing a comprehensive aid package (Team Europe) for those most in need. The EU is to direct its efforts especially towards the Western Balkans, Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Asia. The ministers underlined support for the UN Secretary General Guterres' efforts in regard to the global response to COVID-19 and his call for an immediate global truce. Grlić Radman emphasized the need for alleviating the socioeconomic effects of the pandemic, which includes development cooperation. He stressed the importance of mobilizing financial support for the Western Balkan countries. In addition, Grlić Radman informed his counterparts about his talk with Qatar's State Minister Al-Muraikhi in regard to keeping the Qatar Airways routes open so as to link Asia and Pacific with Europe for the purposes of repatriation.

The ministers also discussed the need for a proactive and constructive communication with EU citizens and the international public regarding both the pandemic itself and the EU's internal and external measures, as well as a response to the spread of false and unfounded information, which could have serious effects on public health.

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