Luxembourg Foreign Minister Advocates Open Borders, Coordinated EU Exit Strategy for COVID-19

Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, participated yesterday in the video conferences of the General Affairs Council (GAC) and the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of the European Union (EU).

General Affairs Council

The informal video conference of the GAC saw the ministers responsible for European affairs exchange views on the response of the EU and its member states to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Thus, the ministers drew up an inventory of the measures and actions taken so far, both at the European and national levels.

In this context, Minister Asselborn recalled that Luxembourg attaches great importance to the restoration of freedom of movement within the Schengen area and to the functioning of the single market: "Internal border controls cannot stem the spread of the virus, yet they are a major obstacle both to our economies and to the thousands of border residents".

The ministers also discussed the next steps towards a coordinated exit from the crisis based on mutual trust and information exchange. In view of its geographical situation, Luxembourg has placed particular emphasis on the need to have a "closely coordinated exit strategy between EU member states".

In addition, the participants exchanged views on the effects of the various measures on fundamental rights and the rule of law within the EU. In this regard, Jean Asselborn recalled that "extraordinary measures must be limited to what is strictly necessary, be temporary and always respect international law and European law". Luxembourg's Foreign Minister also welcomed the fact that the European Commission will closely monitor the implementation of these extraordinary measures in all the Member States in order to guarantee respect for EU fundamental rights.

Finally, the European Commission informed the ministers of the adjustments it intends to make to its work programme for the current year in order to take into account the effects of the pandemic. In this regard and in view of the need for additional financial resources in the context of the current crisis, Minister Asselborn recalled that Luxembourg believes that the volume of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) should be revised upwards.

Foreign Affairs Council

For its part, the FAC session started with topical issues, which allowed EU foreign ministers to review recent international developments. In the context of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Jean Asselborn welcomed the European cooperation efforts in consular assistance. He also stressed the importance of following a multilateral approach and fully supporting the United Nations (UN) system, including the World Health Organization (WHO), in the common fight against the pandemic.

Minister Asselborn also expressed solidarity with his colleagues from Cyprus and Greece by calling for the EU to send a clear message to Turkey regarding its illegal activities in the eastern Mediterranean.

The ministers then discussed the situation in Libya. In the face of an increasingly worrying humanitarian situation, Minister Asselborn reiterated the call for an immediate ceasefire and respect for the resolutions of the UN Security Council. While EU High Representative Josep Borrell called on member states to mobilise the capacities required to allow the EU's Operation Irini in the Mediterranean to function, Minister Asselborn informed his colleagues that Luxembourg will contribute by putting maritime aerial surveillance capabilities at the disposal of this operation, the objective of which is to contribute to the implementation of the arms embargo imposed by the UN on Libya. Jean Asselborn commented: "Through this operation, the European Union can make a crucial contribution to reducing external military interference in Libya".

Moreover, the foreign ministers had an in-depth exchange of views on cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries, and in particular Ukraine, with a view to reaffirming the EU's support for its eastern neighbours. In this context, Minister Asselborn reiterated Luxembourg's support for democratic reforms in the countries of the region, particularly in the areas of good governance, the rule of law, media independence and the fight against corruption aimed at establishing democratic, transparent and accountable institutions.

Finally, Jean Asselborn and several of his European counterparts announced the formation of a new government in Israel to reaffirm the need to advance the peace process in the Middle East. Thus, Minister Asselborn recalled that "Luxembourg continues to support the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by way of the two-state solution". He also stressed that the EU cannot accept a possible annexation of the Jordan Valley.