DUBLIN, Ireland, March 6, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, is today meeting EU Foreign Ministers in Latvia to discuss the situation in Libya and Ukraine.
Speaking ahead of the two- day meeting in Riga, Minister Flanagan said:
“I remain extremely concerned by the situation in Libya, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss how the EU can best respond to this evolving crisis on its borders.
“The convening of UN-brokered talks on Libya, under the leadership of UN Special Envoy Bernardino León, is an important development. My hope is that this process will soon lead to a political agreement on the formation of a national unity government along with a cessation of hostilities.”
The meeting will also discuss the latest developments in Ukraine. Minister Flanagan added:
“I strongly support and welcome the diplomatic efforts made by Germany and France to end the spiral of violence and offer renewed hope for a political solution to the crisis. Though the situation in eastern Ukraine clearly remains very fragile and there are continued violations, the 14 February ceasefire appears to have taken hold after a troubled beginning.
“It is important now that all sides demonstrate their commitment to the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements by deeds as well as words.”
Foreign Ministers will also discuss preparations for the forthcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in May, between the EU and six Eastern neighbouring countries; Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
“The Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga will map a way ahead for the EU’s Partnership with six Eastern neighbours including Ukraine. It will be an opportunity to show that the Partnership is advancing and that it provides an appropriate framework for EU relations with each of our Eastern partners. The EU is seeking to build closer relations with its Eastern neighbours; the Eastern Partnership is part of this process. It is not seeking to create dividing lines in Europe”, Minister Flanagan said.
This 6-monthly informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers is known as the ‘Gymnich’.
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