At UN, Mogherini stresses importance of international cooperation

In a wide ranging speech to the UN Security Council on Monday 6 June, Federica Mogherini stressed the vital importance of cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations, the need to revive peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians and for a continued diplomatic effort to stop the war in Syria. She also spoke about the situation in Libya and EU steps to manage migration. Before the briefing, she also held talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the EU representation at the UN.

EU puts UN and multilateralism at core of work

Mogherini began by stressing the importance of working so closely with and through the UN and its Agencies. The High Representative pledged that multilateralism would be at the core of the new Global Strategy for foreign and security policy. "Our European Union has put multilateralism at the core of our common external action. We have learnt the hard way, that unilateralism doesn’t pay off."

Israel and Palestine: let’s not wait for another open war

Mogherini turned to an older conflict in the Middle East, the one between the Israelis and Palestinians which "will soon enter its eighth decade". She told the Security Council: "Let us not wait for the next open war between the Israelis and the Palestinians - because this is what will happen, if they don’t go back now to meaningful negotiations." Last year, she recalled, our European Union pushed to revitalise the Middle East Quartet. We have had several meeting at principals’ level, to draw together the way forward. Here in New York we invited Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Arab League to also join the discussion". A few days ago in Paris, Mogherini said, "we discussed how the international community can help and accompany this work. As you know the Quartet Report will be made public very soon."

Syria - "Europe is doing its part"

Mogherini turned to the ongoing war in Syria. Europe, the High Representative stressed, "is doing its part: we reopened our humanitarian office in Damascus, we are engaged on the ground as the first donor to Syria, and we play our role in encouraging and accompanying the political track. Staffan de Mistura knows he can always count on our full and active support. I was personally in Geneva, meeting the parties, during the last round of talks. All international actors need to do whatever they can to make the cessation of hostilities, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the negotiations work, and finally move towards a political transition for Syria. Our divisions would only benefit Daesh, and chaos."

Libya - a unity Government essential

And the European Union is actively engaged also on Libya , Mogherini explained. "in Vienna last month we all restated our support to the government of national accord. Our European Union has started to mobilise a package of 100 million euros to make Libya’s new start possible and make Libyans live their lives in safety and dignity." She continued by saying: "The Libyan government has invited our Union to provide training to the Libyan coast guard and navy. I spoke with Prime Minister al Serraj about the modalities last Friday. For us it is key that anything we do is planned and delivered according to Libya’s full ownership and Libya’s priorities."

New EU plan on migration

Turning to migration, Mogherini said Operation Sophia was part of the EU broad strategy to deal with migration. "Tomorrow in Strasbourg we will present - together with my colleagues in the European Commission - the plan for a new “migration partnership” with our friends in our region and in Africa. Migration and displacement are one of the great challenges of our era. It's a global phenomenon that requires a global answer. And our response is the measure of our very humanity"