The European Union Foreign Affairs Council Monday discussed the situation in Sudan and the violent clashes going on between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces since 15 April.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell stressed the crucial importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities and return to regional negotiations, and reported on the evacuation of EU staff and citizens, said an EU statement after the end of the meeting held in Luxembourg this evening.
The Council exchanged views on the war in Ukraine. At the beginning of the Council discussion, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, addressed EU ministers via video conference and briefed them about the latest developments on the ground and Ukraine’s military priorities and needs, especially in terms of ammunition and missiles.
Borrel stressed that in total the EU and its member states have already facilitated the delivery of over 13 billion euros (USD 14.3 billion) in military support to Ukraine.
The Council then discussed the implementation of the EU action plan on the geopolitical consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This is a key instrument setting out the EU’s strategy to increase its bilateral engagement with key partners in its immediate neighbourhood, Asia, Africa and Latin America. The aim of the plan is to strengthen EU partnerships around the world through political and economic engagement.
On China, Borrell underlined that there are areas where the interests of the EU and China converge, and they need to work together, such as to address global challenges like climate change, debt management and global health.
He also stressed that the EU expects China to act in defence of international rules and norms, in their entirety and not selectively, especially when it comes to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The EU foreign policy chief welcomed the statement in which China distanced itself from the “unacceptable remarks of its ambassador to Paris,” in contrast with China’s recognition of Ukraine – including with Crimea – in 1991.
The Council approved conclusions on Ethiopia and adopted sanctions against human rights violations in Iran, drug trade benefitting the Syrian regime and on- persons and entities affiliated to ISIL and operating in the Cabo Delgado region in Mozambique.
The ministers discussed Moldova and agreed to establish new civilian EU CSDP (common security and defence policy) partnership mission that will strengthen Moldova’s crisis management structures and enhance its resilience to hybrid threats.
Source: Kuwait News Agency