Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels
12 July 2021 News
The regular monthly meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council took place today in Brussels. Bulgaria was represented by Ambassador Dimitar Tsanchev, the country's permanent representative to the EU. The agenda included discussions on the geopolitics of new technologies, the EU's Strategic Compass in the field of security and defense and Ethiopia, as well as an informal meeting with the Israeli Foreign Minister.
Ministers began their work by discussing the growing role of new digital technologies as a factor in international security and geopolitics. The discussion showed broad support for the development of a multifaceted and ambitious EU digital foreign policy aimed at building partnerships with like-minded countries, strengthening the EU's leadership role in establishing international standards in the field of new technologies based on a human rights approach and promoting large technology companies to take social responsibility.
The participants in the meeting discussed the process of developing the EU Strategic Compass in the field of security and defense, aimed at strengthening the implementation of the EU Global Strategy 2016 in the areas of crisis management, resilience, capabilities and partnerships. The Council reaffirmed the importance of the EU's integrated approach to international crises and conflicts and its determination to establish the EU as a global security provider while maintaining a focus on the immediate neighborhood. Ministers agreed that strengthening the EU's own capabilities would increase its added value as a partner, including its role in transatlantic cooperation, which remains a cornerstone of European security.
The Foreign Affairs Council discussed recent developments in the northern Ethiopian province of Tigray and the prospects for ending the armed conflict following a unilateral ceasefire announced by the Addis Ababa government. Priority has been given to preserving Ethiopia's territorial integrity as an important condition for regional stability in the Horn of Africa. Member States reaffirmed their strong calls for an end to hostilities and the immediate provision of unhindered humanitarian access and protection of the civilian population in accordance with international humanitarian law. Strong concerns were expressed about serious human rights violations and a call for accountability.
The working lunch with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid confirmed the strategic nature of EU-Israel relations. The prospects for their strengthening in all areas of mutual interest were discussed. High Representative Josep Borrell proposed holding a meeting of the Association Council in the near future. The EU stressed the need to consolidate the results of the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire and to create the conditions for the resumption of the Middle East peace process, and in this regard, the positive dynamics in the region as a result of the normalization of Israel's relations with some Arab countries were welcomed.
The situation in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Libya, Belarus, Moldova and Niger was reviewed in the framework of "current issues" and under the item "miscellaneous". Member States reported on events: a joint visit of the Ministers of Austria, Lithuania and Romania to the South Caucasus (June 25th and 26th 2021), a Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition against ISIL (Rome, June 28th, 2021), a Ministerial Meeting of the 20 (Matera, June 29th and 30th, 2021), Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Stockholm Initiative on Nuclear Disarmament (Madrid, July 5th, 2021), International Conference on Reforms in Ukraine (Vilnius, July 7th and 8th, 2021).
The Council adopted Conclusions reaffirming the EU's global approach to connectivity as a key prerequisite for achieving the objectives of socio-economic recovery from COVID-19, including energy and digital transformation. The Council Conclusions outlining the EU's priorities for the 76th session of the UN General Assembly were also adopted, as well as the Council Decision to launch a new EU military training mission in Mozambique to train the armed forces to ensure the protection of the civilian population and to restore security in the province of Cabo Delgado.