Prime Minister Xavier Bettel (far left) at EU - Arab League summit in Egypt;
Credit: ME
Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, participated in the EU-League of Arab States Summit, which took place on 24-25 February 2019 in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt.
This summit brought together for the first time the Heads of State or Government of the League of Arab States and the European Union to strengthen Arab-European ties and dialogue and discuss common challenges, such as security, trade, migration and multilateralism.
"Our two regions are partners on many levels," said the Prime Minister in his speech at the plenary session entitled "Enhancing the Euro - Arab partnership and addressing global challenges together". Prime Minister Bettel said it is in the interest of the European Union to transform the two regions into a zone of sustainable development, prosperity, stability and shared security, saying that this will launch the process necessary to boost trade, socio-economic and cultural collaboration.
The Prime Minister noted that all participating countries face common problems such as terrorism, radicalisation and climate change. But these problems can not be solved either by isolated countries or by isolated regions, however great they may be.
Regarding migration, Prime Minister Bettel noted that it is essential to tackle the source of the problem: "Many people who cross the Mediterranean are refugees fleeing wars ravaging their countries of origin. We must finally find political solutions to these conflicts in order to find peace." In this context, Prime Minister Bettel recalled the importance of respect for human rights and the values of democracy and tolerance.
On the side-lines of the summit, Prime Minister Bettel met with several Arab heads of state and government to deepen bilateral relations and address major international issues.
