Video conference of foreign affairs ministers, 14 August 2020

Main results

Ministers address the pressing situations in the Eastern Mediterranean and in Belarus after the August 9 Presidential elections. The ministers also touched upon the situations in Lebanon, Venezuela and Bolivia.

Today the EU reacted in unity and decisively in defence of EU interests and values, within the Union and beyond our borders. We will always stand up for international law, democracy, human rights and freedoms.

Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Eastern Mediterranean

The ministers discussed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, following a grave deterioration of the security situation in recent days. They reaffirmed the EU’s full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus and reiterated that sovereign rights of EU member states must be respected. Immediate de-escalation by Turkey was considered crucial.

Ministers recalled the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council of 13 July. They reiterated strong support for the High Representative's efforts to re-establish dialogue and facilitate re-engagement with Turkey. At the same time, the High Representative is to prepare options on further appropriate measures in case tensions do not abate. 

A broader discussion about relations with Turkey will be held later in August, at the Gymnich.

Belarus

The EU foreign ministers addressed the Belarusian Presidential elections that took place on 9 August.

Ministers reiterated their repeated call to the Belarusian authorities to stop the disproportionate and unacceptable violence against peaceful protesters and to release those detained. During their discussions, the ministers sent a strong signal of the EU’s support to the Belarusian population in their desire for democratic change. 

The Ministers reiterated that the elections were neither free nor fair. The European Union considers the results to have been falsified and therefore does not accept the results of the election as presented by the Belarus Central Election Commission. The European Union will therefore put forward to the Belarusian authorities a proposal for EU support in in establishing and facilitating a dialogue between the political authorities, opposition and broader society in view of resolving the current crisis.

Ministers also agreed on the need to sanction those responsible for violence, repression and the falsification of election results. The work on additional listings within the existing sanctions framework for Belarus will start immediately.

The ministers agreed to revert to reviewing EU-Belarus relations at their upcoming informal meeting end of August. 

Other items

Ministers took stock of the situation in Lebanon following the devastating explosion in Beirut port on 4 August. The High Representative and the Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement updated ministers about the rapid and substantial EU efforts to assist Lebanon.

Ministers covered the situation in Venezuela, in particular the current deadlock on the upcoming legislative elections. High Representative Borrell outlined his contacts over recent weeks with the Maduro government and main opposition groups in this regard.

Ministers also took stock of the situation in Bolivia, noting the need for peaceful dialogue and for all parties to set aside their differences and commit to a solution that addresses both COVID-19 related concerns and the right of the people to vote.

• Video conference of Foreign Affairs Ministers: Main outcomes (EEAS)