According to the EU ministers, the presidential elections in Afghanistan are a step in the right direction. However, Minister Czaputowicz stressed the need for the international community to put pressure on the Taliban to enter talks with Afghanistan’s new president. The ministers furthermore explored the prospects for the country’s peace process and the European Union’s strengthening its conditional support for Afghanistan. “Poland supports the international efforts for the peace process in Afghanistan,” said Minister Czaputowicz. He also underlined the importance of NATO in maintaining security in Afghanistan, recalling the involvement of Polish troops in the NATO Resolute Support mission.

Discussing security threats in the Gulf, the ministers spoke about the role of Iran as well as the EU’s possible actions to de-escalate tensions in the region.

“In our view, it is essential for the European Union and the United States to come up with a joint initiative which will be a credible proposal for the region’s countries,” said Minister Czaputowicz. Stressing the need for the EU and the US to work closely together on security in the Middle East, Minister Czaputowicz outlined the work carried out within the framework of the Warsaw Process, an initiative which offers chances to comprehensively address security problems in the region. He stressed that the Process already held fruitful discussions on cybersecurity, human rights, maritime and aviation security, and energy security. Minister Czaputowicz recalled that a next meeting of the Warsaw Process working group on the non-proliferation of ballistic missiles will be taking place shortly in Bucharest.

The EU foreign ministers also raised the current political situation in Venezuela and Hong Kong. In the case of Venezuela, the Council has extended sanctions against the country for another year. The sanctions are expected to lead to the search for common democratic solutions which would bring Venezuela political stability and would help address the most urgent needs of its population.

A meeting with Prime Minister of Sudan Abdalla Hamdok was also held in the margins of the Council.

The Foreign Affairs Council on Monday coincided with the 101st anniversary of Poland’s regaining independence. On that occasion, Minister Jacek Czaputowicz laid flowers at the monument to Józef Piłsudski, took part in a reception at Poland’s Permanent Representation to the EU, and, a day earlier, attended a Mass for Poland.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo: Gabriel Piętka / MFA