(L-R) Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Republic of Moldova; Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Cooperation, Foreign Trade and the Greater Region;
Credit: MAEE
Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, participated in the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of the European Union, which was held on Monday 11 December 2023 in Brussels.
On Sunday evening, the minister participated in an informal dinner organised by High Representative Josep Borrell with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarusian opposition, to take stock of the situation in Belarus. Ahead of the FAC, the ministers also had an exchange of views with their Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, during which they addressed the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Foreign Affairs Council then provided an opportunity for EU ministers to examine the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in Gaza and the latest developments in the Sahel.
“Despite the multiple crises facing the EU at the moment, it is important that the EU keep issues related to Russian aggression against Ukraine at the top of the agenda,” said Xavier Bettel. In this context, the minister emphasised that it is important to move forward with concrete measures that would support Ukraine, including, in particular, the European Peace Facility and the Ukraine Facility. He stated that Luxembourg would continue to attach great importance to the fight against impunity.
Regarding the situation in Israel and Gaza, Minister Bettel reiterated his call for the extension of the truce. “Whatever term is used, the essential thing is that hostilities cease and that the suffering of civilians is put to an end,” stressed Xavier Bettel in this regard. As for the role of the EU, its actions must be guided by international law and international humanitarian law as well as its commitment to peace in the Middle East and the two-state solution, he added.
The ACE meeting was followed by the EU's annual ministerial meeting with Eastern Partnership countries, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. In this context, Minister Bettel had meetings with his counterparts from Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan. He was also able to meet the High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, to update on the situation in this Western Balkan country.
Minister Bettel will also participate in the General Affairs Council (GAC) of the European Union, which will be held on Tuesday 12 December 2023 in Brussels.
The meeting will allow the ministers responsible for European Affairs to prepare the European Council of Thursday 14 and Friday 15 December 2023. The ministers will also examine the conclusions on enlargement, on the management of demographic developments in Europe as well as on the evaluation of the annual dialogue on the rule of law.
Ahead of the GAC meeting, Minister Bettel will participate in the meeting of the Benelux Committee of Ministers, together with his Belgian and Dutch counterparts.
