Today, on the occasion of the Rome-Med Dialogues, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, had a meeting with Josep Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Their cordial discussion gave an overview of the main issues at stake for the EU Foreign Ministers.
In reaffirming that the holding of elections in Libya on 24 December is a priority for the institutional transition, Minister Di Maio highlighted the importance that this process should be inclusive and credible. He therefore expressed his appreciation for the decision to deploy a mission of EU electoral experts, which is an important sign of European commitment in Libya.
On Ethiopia, Di Maio expressed concern about the ongoing military conflict, highlighting that the priority is the immediate cessation of hostilities, followed by the beginning of an inclusive political dialogue, full humanitarian access to conflict areas, and independent investigations into any human rights violations. In this regard, full support was reiterated for the negotiation and mediation efforts of Olusegun Obasanjo, the African Union Special Envoy; President Kenyatta; Annette Weber, EU Special Representative for the Horn; and Jeffrey Feltman, the United States Special Envoy.
In relation to the crisis on the border between Poland and Belarus, Minister Di Maio noted that this is a European crisis that must be addressed in a solidarity-based and shared way, to ensure the sustainable management of refugee flows, in full respect for human dignity.
Finally, the situation moved on to the East of Ukraine and the Strategic Compass, which is a valuable opportunity to strengthen the EU’s growing role as a provider of resilience and stability, particularly in the neighbouring areas.
