State Secretary Andreja Metelko Zgombić 8 April 2019 attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. The topics included Afghanistan, Eastern Partnership and Venezuela.
The discussion on Afghanistan focused on current peace efforts and how the EU can best contribute to these efforts. The Council adopted conclusions on the Afghanistan's peace process. In the conclusions, the Council reaffirms its political commitment and long-term support to the people of Afghanistan on their path towards peace, security and prosperity. It confirms the EU's readiness to support the peace process and its implementation, with the aim of preserving and building on the political, economic and social achievements of the people of Afghanistan. The ministers reiterated the importance of the meaningful participation of women in all peace initiatives, including formal and informal peace negotiations. Metelko Zgombić stressed the importance of maintaining Afghanistan’s international community-backed achievements in the past 18 years. Croatia will continue to support the efforts to overcome conflicts and develop Afghanistan through its participation in Resolute Support and contributions to LOTFA.
The ministers discussed the Eastern Partnership in view of its ministerial meeting on 13 May and the high-level event on 14 May, which will mark the 10th anniversary of the partnership. They highlighted the importance of the partnership, which is based on shared values and principles, and an approach combining inclusivity and differentiation. The Council welcomed the progress achieved with Eastern Partnership countries within the "20 deliverable for 2020" framework, and in particular the tangible and concrete results in trade, people-to-people contact, visa liberalisation, transport, connectivity, infrastructure and economic reform. They agreed that implementation of reforms in sectors such as governance, anticorruption and the judiciary require additional efforts.
In regards to Venezuela, the Council discussed the outcome of the second meeting of the International Contact Group. The ministers agreed to step up work on the two tracks of the ICG: facilitating humanitarian access, and creating the conditions for free, fair, transparent presidential elections. They agreed on the need to intensify the work to start a political process towards a democratic and peaceful transition.
The Council expressed concern over developments in Libya. The ministers urged all parties to implement immediately a humanitarian truce, refrain from any further military escalation and return to the negotiations. The High Representative reported on her participation in the Arab League Summit of 21 March.