EU Foreign Affairs Council is held in Brussels
22 July 2024 News
Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov represented Bulgaria at the regular July meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which took place in Brussels on 22 July. Europe's top diplomats discussed Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, the current situation in the Middle East, digital diplomacy and exchanged views with European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño.
Traditionally, the work of the Council started with a discussion on the Russian military aggression against Ukraine with the participation by video conference of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The foreign ministers condemned Russia's deadly attacks on civilian objects such as the children's hospital in Kiev, energy infrastructure and other objects important for people's lives and the country's economy. The focus of the discussion was the current situation in the country and the support provided by the EU, with a general call for increased assistance in order to protect the population, restore electricity supply, strengthen defence capabilities and reconstruct Ukraine. ‘Bulgaria continues to contribute to the EU's common efforts to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Our country announced participation in reconstruction projects during the June conference in Berlin on the reconstruction of Ukraine and will continue to support the country’, Deputy Minister Ivan Kondov said in a statement on the topic. He stressed the need to provide predictable, sustainable and long-term support to Ukraine in all areas. The ministers agreed on the need to deepen cooperation and dialogue with countries from different regions, as well as with regional and international organisations in order to engage them more actively in support of Ukraine and in defence of international law and the UN Charter.
An important focus in the work of the foreign ministers was the situation in the Middle East and the development of the overall security situation in the region. The focus of the discussion was on the need to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to accelerate support for the Palestinian Authority and the reform processes in view of the risks of financial collapse, as well as preparations for an EU-Israel Association Council. ‘We call for restraint and prevention of regional escalation. We are deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. It is necessary to ensure unimpeded access to humanitarian aid and the restoration of vital services for the population in Gaza’, the Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister stressed during the discussion. ‘The implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735 is crucial and will support the efforts of the United States, Qatar and Egypt in their mediation role for a lasting ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza’, he added.
The European Commission and the EEAS present a report on the progress made in the EU and Member States' work on digital diplomacy. The document identifies key priority actions, bilateral and regional initiatives and partnerships, and results achieved, highlighting the EU's leading role in international efforts to establish an international legal framework in the digital domain based on universal human rights values.
The foreign ministers also held talks with the President of the European Investment Bank, Nadia Calviño, with whom they discussed the possibilities for strengthening cooperation with the Bank in order to implement the EU's foreign policy priorities. The EIB has been instrumental in implementing projects in Ukraine through the EU for Ukraine initiative, which has established a trust fund for the country's reconstruction. The Bank also supports investment programmes with Southern Neighbourhood partners. It is expanding its activities to other regions and areas of interest to the EU.
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