The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, accompanied by Undersecretary Maria Tripodi, is in Luxembourg today to participate in the meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council.
Today’s discussion focuses primarily on the war of aggression against Ukraine, with the remote participation of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. On this occasion, the 27 EU Member States will discuss how to continue to exert pressure on the Russian Federation through the adoption of the twentieth sanctions package and how to support Ukraine in its efforts to rebuild and stabilize the country. The Council will adopt new designations to target Russia’s hybrid activities and expand measures related to destabilization activities in Moldova.
The meeting will continue with a session on the Middle East and a meeting with the Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam. The focus will be on the prospects for the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and Gaza, preparations for the first EU-Syria High-Level Political Dialogue, scheduled for May 11, and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Minister Tajani will reaffirm Italy’s willingness to contribute to multilateral initiatives for security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as Italy’s support for the reform process initiated by the Lebanese government and Italy’s commitment, together with international partners, to avoid a security vacuum in the south of the country once the UNIFIL mission is concluded, as already expressed to the Lebanese authorities during Minister Tajani’s mission to Beirut on April 13.
The Ministers will also address ongoing developments in the South Caucasus, with particular attention to the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, preparations for the first EU-Armenia Summit, scheduled for May 4-5 in Yerevan, and the internal situation in Georgia. Finally, the conflict in Sudan will be addressed, to discuss the follow-up to the Berlin Conference of April 15, the third anniversary of the outbreak of the war. The Council will adopt an EU Declaration, reaffirming support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Sudan, and authorize a Memorandum of Understanding on the protection of critical infrastructure.