Foreign Affairs Council, 26/02/2018, 26 February 2018

Main results

Current affairs

At the beginning of their meeting, the High Representative and the EU foreign ministers discussed the situation in Eastern Ghouta, Syria. They called for urgent implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 2401 adopted on 24 February, which demands that all parties cease hostilities without delay.

We expect full and immediate implementation of the UN Security Council resolution that was just adopted. I will send a letter today to the foreign ministers of the three guarantors of the Astana process - Russia, Turkey and Iran - to ask them to work for the implementation of the resolution. Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

• Syria: Council response to the crisis

Venezuela

The Council spoke about  the latest developments in Venezuela, including  the dire humanitarian situation in the country and its neighbours, as more than 1.5 million people have already left Venezuela. They exchanged views on the political stalemate in the country, with the suspension of Santo Domingo's dialogue between the government and the opposition and the Presidential elections scheduled for 22 April. Foreign ministers expressed their solidarity with Spain, following the decision by the Venezuelan authorities to declare the Ambassador of Spain in Caracas as persona non grata. Foreign ministers agreed to continue closely monitoring the situation and to keep channels of communication open, both with the opposition and with the government.

We expect free and fair elections, and for all political parties to the political process to be allowed to participate in the political process. Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

• Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the latest developments in Venezuela

Middle East peace process

EU foreign ministers and the High Representative had a lunch with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS), Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and foreign ministers, members of the LAS ministerial delegation on Jerusalem chaired by Jordan, and including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, the Palestinian Authority.

They discussed ways of reviving the Middle East peace process in an inclusive manner, with the objective of achieving a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as future capital of both states. They also discussed the importance of stepping up the international collective support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Moldova

Foreign ministers had an exchange of views on the Republic of Moldova. The Council adopted conclusions at the end of the debate. In the discussion, foreign ministers reiterated the EU's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. They also underlined the need to continue adopting and implementing key reforms, for the benefit of Moldovan citizens.

• Moldova: Council adopts conclusions