Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Monday participated in a videoconference of the EU member states’ foreign ministers. The main topics were Ethiopia and Ukraine.
The ministers expressed concern over the situation in Ethiopia, notably the humanitarian crisis, crimes and human right violations in the Tigray region, including mass displacement to neighbouring countries. The EU will continue with the humanitarian efforts and actively engage in creating an environment for the launching of political process and the investigation of crimes and human right violations. Due to the risk of crisis spillover, the EU will cooperate with the regional partners. Grlić Radman underlined the importance of the EU’s constructive role in de-escalating the tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia and in resolving the disagreements between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt over the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
The ministers discussed the situation in Ukraine, joined by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. They expressed concerned over Russia’s activities on the Ukrainian border and in Crimea, underscoring the importance of diplomatic efforts in defusing the tensions. The EU remains committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including to the non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. Grlić Radman praised Ukraine’s efforts to implement the reforms and to deepen its relations with the EU, stressing the importance of additional reforms to improve the resilience and prosperity of the Ukrainian society.
The meeting also discussed the Iran nuclear deal, the political situation in Georgia, the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, EU’s assistance in the stabilization of Mozambique, positive steps in Libya’s political process, as well as the deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation in Lebanon. The ministers expressed solidarity with Czechia’s decision to expulse Russian diplomats linked to the explosion of an ammunition depot in 2014.
The Council adopted conclusions on the Indo-Pacific, Sahel and the Southern Neighbourhood.