Mogherini chairs monthly meeting of EU Foreign Ministers

Met dank overgenomen van Europese Dienst voor Extern Optreden (EDEO) i, gepubliceerd op maandag 16 november 2015.

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini i today chairs the monthly meeting of EU foreign ministers, which will focus on diplomatic work related to tackling root causes of terrorism, such as the situation in Syria.

"Our whole agenda, our daily work of all the ministers, of all the European institutions is already centered on fighting Da'esh with all the possible means and its ramifications, not only in Syria, not only in Iraq, but everywhere is spreading; and also forms of terrorism in other parts of the world like Africa," Mogherini told journalists before the Council began.

"Our agenda with partner countries in the Arab world or Africa is not only focused on migration, it is also on security, counter terrorism and our values, our common values that are European ones, but also are universal ones: the ones of democracy, of freedom, of the right to live life in peace and respect," she added.

The High Representative will report to ministers on recent work on the Syria crisis, including the establishment of a contact group led by the United Nations Special Envoy, Staffan de Mistura. He will join ministers today to work together on the follow up of the decisions taken on Saturday in Vienna.

"The European Union is ready to support and to do its part on all the relevant points that were agreed in Vienna, in particular the work we can do with the opposition groups to bring them to the table and also to start the political transition in Syria," Mogherini underlined.

Ministers also discuss the Middle East Peace Process. On the agenda, too, the results of the Valletta Summit on migration and the further action that needs to be taken on the Eastern migration route.

The High Representative is due to report on recent visits to Ukraine and Georgia.

Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini upon arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council

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