Foreign ministers discuss EU-Turkey relations and the US

Brussels (14 November) - EU foreign ministers met on Monday in Brussels, at a regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), to discuss developments in the neighbouring and partner countries of the European Union. Ministers mainly focused on the situation in Turkey, the Eastern Partnership policy and finding solutions for conflicts in Syria and Libya.

'In the case of Turkey, there is currently frustration on both sides - Turkey is a candidate country for EU membership, but no progress is being made on its accession negotiations. This state of play is unsatisfactory and that is why the discussion today was dominated by a serious reflection on where we are in our relations with Turkey.'

Miroslav Lajčák

'In the case of Turkey, there is currently frustration on both sides - Turkey is a candidate country for EU membership, but no progress is being made on its accession negotiations. This state of play is unsatisfactory and that is why the discussion today was dominated by a serious reflection on where we are in our relations with Turkey,' stated Slovak Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák after the FAC meeting.

He believes it is important to hold a critical but direct dialogue with Turkey, in which both sides communicate with each other rather than sending messages through the media.

'On the one hand, the EU cannot tolerate clear deviations from the European rules and values regarding fundamental freedoms. On the other hand, however, we care about our relations with Turkey, our strategic partner, and the ministerial debate was dominated by the view that we must do our utmost to maintain these relations at a satisfactory level,' said Mr Lajčák. He also pointed out that this weekend he had had a telephone conversation in this spirit with his Turkish partners Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Ömer Çelik.

At their meeting on Monday in Brussels, the EU foreign ministers also discussed the Eastern Partnership programme, with emphasis on its future. Ministers confirmed the political importance of this part of the European Neighbourhood Policy. 'We assessed our position in this partnership and discussed the developments in individual countries, and I reminded my counterparts that, in addition to the tasks for our partners, we as a Union must also fulfil our part of the commitments, which means introducing a visa-free regime for Georgia and Ukraine and setting out an offer for those Eastern partners which have already exhausted everything the Eastern Partnership currently offers,' said Mr Lajčák.

During a working lunch, ministers discussed the Southern Neighbourhood and evaluated recent developments in Syria and Iraq, as well as the security and political situation in Libya. They focused on the prospect of finding a political solution and supporting political activities. At the same time, they stressed the importance of greater EU engagement and of the EU's dialogue with regional stakeholders, as well as greater engagement in humanitarian initiatives aimed at easing the suffering of the civilian populations in conflict areas. 'We also raised the point that, given the situation in the US, where one administration is drawing to a close and the new one will not begin for another few months, there is scope for the EU to take on a greater role, and an expectation that it will do so,’ said Mr Lajčák.

The EU foreign ministers concluded their Council at a joint meeting with defence ministers, where they dealt with the implementation plan on security and defence and discussed the prospective cooperation between the Member States in the field of defence.

On Sunday evening, before the beginning of the FAC meeting, EU foreign ministers met at an informal working dinner to assess the outlook for EU-US relations after Donald Trump's new administration takes office.

'It is absolutely clear that nobody has questioned the election results, nor our readiness and willingness to cooperate with a new US administration,' said Mr Lajčák.

'During the informal dinner, the vast majority of ministers pointed out the importance of our partnership with the US. It is an equal partnership, so we need to communicate our expectations and indicate the policies that must be complied with and that we consider it important to pursue, such as the Iran nuclear deal, the climate agreement, trade agreements and others,' said Mr Lajčák following the informal meeting of ministers on Sunday evening in Brussels.

Doorstep by Slovak Foreign Minister M. Lajčák following the Informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers

Doorstep by Slovak Foreign Minister M. Lajčák ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council

Press briefing by Slovak Foreign Minister M. Lajčák following the Foreign Affairs Council