The meeting was chaired for the first time by the new EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

The discussion on EU-Africa relations was held in the context of the 6th EU-African Union summit that is scheduled to take place in November 2020. The EU chiefs of diplomacy supported the need to develop a new EU strategy for Africa in light of security, migration, and climate change challenges. They stressed the need to support sustainable development of the African continent in the context of efforts to stabilise the region and address the root causes of migration.

When discussing the promotion and protection of human rights, the ministers talked about the ways to better promote respect for human rights in the world in the coming years, including the possible use of a sanctions mechanism for human rights violations. The discussion took place the day before the international Human Rights Day that is celebrated on 10 December. Many member states, including Poland, expressed their concern about the unprecedented deterioration of human rights and civil rights situation in Russia. Minister Jacek Czaputowicz stressed that Poland, as a newly elected member of the UN Human Rights Council for 2020-2022, will attach special significance to promotion of human rights, including combating discrimination against religious minorities, the rights of children and young people, and protection of human rights defenders in the world.

When discussing the situation in Libya, Minister Czaputowicz supported the international community’s efforts to resume political dialogue in the country. He also pointed to Russia’s negative role in Libya. In addition, the chief of Polish diplomacy supported Germany’s initiative to organise in Berlin an international conference to work out possible solutions to the Libyan crisis.

Minister Jacek Czaputowicz also mentioned that next year will bring intense top level contacts with China. He said that the EU-China Summit should be held directly prior to the 9th Summit of China and Central and Eastern Europe Countries (17+1) that is planned to take place on 15-16 April 2020. Minister Jacek Czaputowicz also noted that the participation of European Council President Charles Michel in the 17+1 meeting would help to coordinate the EU actions towards China more effectively.

In the informal part of the meeting, the High Representative and EU foreign ministers discussed proposals to improve the work of the Foreign Affairs Council and the EU’s involvement in regions that are crucial for its interests.

On the sidelines of the Council, Benelux and Visegrad Group foreign ministers held a working meeting devoted primarily to a discussion about the EU’s future in the context of the new institutional cycle. The participants also talked about efforts to further integrate the single market, the EU’s position in the global digital competition as well as climate and energy policy in the EU. Other topics included Brexit, EU enlargement, EU-Russia relations, and transatlantic relationship. The ministers issued a joint statement in which they confirmed their commitment to a strong EU, at the same time recognising that the new Commission’s proposals are a sign of effective solutions for challenges that face the EU. The ministers also stated that the integration perspective for Western Balkan countries must remain credible. Moreover, the participants stressed the need to develop close partner-like relations between the EU and the United Kingdom after Brexit.

Minister Jacek Czaputowicz also took part in a meeting hosted by Greece with the participation of North Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Dimitrov and Albania’s Chief of Diplomacy Gent Cakaj. Minister Jacek Czaputowicz expressed support for opening accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia during the European Council meeting in March 2020. “Both Albania and North Macedonia deserve the green light to open negotiations to join the European Union,” stressed Polish chief of diplomacy. He added that Poland is open to discussion on streamlining the future accession process.

After the Council was concluded, foreign ministers of the Visegrad Group met with the new EU top diplomat Josep Borrell. The meeting focused on the EU’s Eastern policy, neighbourhood policy, transatlantic cooperation, and the effectiveness of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo Tymon Markowski / MSZ