EU Ministers pledge support for Ebola, condemn ISIL & support Ukraine
A series of international crisis - Ebola, ISIL, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine dominated October's meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg.
The meeting was chaired by High Representative Catherine Ashton i who spoke of the importance of a coordinated response to Ebola from Europe. The meeting also discussed ISIL and agreed a further tightening of sanctions on Syria. The Foreign Affairs Council is a monthly meeting on Foreign Ministers from all European Union countries.
Ebola - more money and support for health workers
Ministers voiced deep concern about the ongoing spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa and the increasing number of people being infected and dying from it. Joining in the international effort, the EU and its member states have already committed over half a billion euros to provide urgent medical care and to support the affected governments in mitigating the side effects of the outbreak.
To encourage additional health personnel to work on the ground, the EU is providing a guarantee that international health workers who volunteer will be provided with appropriate care, locally or through medical evacuation, within available resources, should they become infected.
Speaking after the meeting Catherine Ashton said "we have already seen the pledging from the EU and its Member States of over €500m in assistance to the fight against Ebola, and recognise the need to make an increased effort, in close cooperation with the United Nations. We welcome the efforts of those Member States playing a leading role in this struggle."
She went on to say "good coordination between everyone involved is essential, so we are preparing terms of reference for a possible EU coordinator who can ensure the most effective engagement between the European Union, member states and the UN."
Catherine Ashton also publicly paid tribute to the heroic efforts of those already in the field dealing with Ebola, including through NGOs like Médecins Sans Frontières.
ISIL crisis in Syria and Iraq
The 28 EU Foreign Ministers unreservedly condemned the atrocities, killings and human rights abuses perpetrated by ISIL and other terrorist groups in both Syria and Iraq as well as by the Assad regime in Syria. The EU is determined to contribute to the international endeavour to defeat these terrorist groups.
In their conclusions ministers said non-inclusive policies in Iraq, and instability in Syria caused by the Assad regime's brutal war against its own people have allowed ISIL to flourish. As a consequence of its policies and actions, the Assad regime cannot be a partner in the fight against ISIL. The Council also reinforced EU sanctions against the Syrian regime, adding 16 persons and two entities to the list of those subject to sanctions.
Speaking after the meeting to the press Catherine Ashton said "we remain extremely concerned about the security and humanitarian situation in Iraq and Syria. And we all agreed on the fact that the actions of ISIL are totally unacceptable and we need to do all we can to contribute to the international efforts to defeat such terrorist groups."
She went on to say "the conclusions we adopted today give a comprehensive picture of the position that we have agreed upon. Ministers today endorsed as well the EU's counter-terrorism/foreign fighters strategy for Syria and Iraq."
Ukraine - call for swift implementation of Minsk Protocol
Ministers welcomed the Minsk Protocol of 5 September and the Minsk Memorandum of 19 September as a step towards a sustainable political solution of the crisis, which needs to be based on respect for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Council takes good note of the decreased overall level of violence as a result of the agreed ceasefire but regrets and condemns the continued numerous violations of it.
The Council welcomes the releases of hostages so far and calls for all the remaining hostages to be released. It commends Ukraine's efforts to implement its commitments, in particular through the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of the laws on amnesty and on interim local self-governance.
Speaking to the press Catherine Ashton said "we discussed the situation in Ukraine, reaffirming our call for full and swift implementation of the Minsk Protocol and Minsk Memorandum. Despite some progress, more needs to be done as this whole process remains very fragile.
She went on to say "we also reconfirmed our commitment to support Ukraine, including through humanitarian aid to the affected population (63 million euros so far), by working together for economic and political reforms, sending an Advisory Mission for Security Sector Reform and by working towards an energy agreement between Ukraine and Russia. The two sides will meet tomorrow in the presence of Commissioner Gunther Oettinger as you know."
Middle East Peace Process / Gaza
The Council discussed the situation in Gaza, including prospects for a durable cease-fire, the reconciliation between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas and recent announcements of Israeli settlement activities.
The High Representative debriefed ministers on the outcome of the donor's conference for Gaza on 12 October in Cairo, which she co-chaired. The EU and its member states pledged more than €450 million for the reconstruction of the Gaza strip on that occasion.
Links:
Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council