The 'Foreign Affairs' Council of the European Union held yesterday in Luxembourg discussed the need for United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, to reach a lasting solution to the country's crisis.
At the Council, attended by Luxembourg Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, the ministers called for an inclusive and peaceful transition.
The ministers stated that there could be no lasting peace in Syria under current leadership nor until the legitimate demands and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society were addressed, with Minister Asselborn declaring "We must avoid a vacuum in Syria, but the country's future does not rest on the shoulders of Bashar al Assad".
The military escalation in Syria was cited as a potential prolongation of the conflict which threatened to undermine the political process by exacerbating the humanitarian situation and instigating a growing radicalisation.
Concern was shown over the recent Russian military attacks against targets other than Islamic State and the terrorist groups designated by the UN, with ministers calling for their immediate cessation.
The ministers present then assessed the recent political developments in Libya following the announced by the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN, Bernardino Léon, concerning the final package of the political agreement on 8 October 2015.
The appointment of senior officials to form a new national government union in Libya was welcomed by the Council, who called on Libyan parties to endorse and support the union with a view to rapidly regaining peace and prosperity.
Talks also focused on the external aspects of migration policy, with ministers discussing the follow-up of the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans conference which took place last Thursday.
The ministers finally discussed the future of relations between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countires, in light of the expiry of the Cotonou Agreement in 2020.
Photo by European Union (Jean Asselborn)
