The Council discussed the situation in Ukraine in the context of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. It also addressed the state of reforms and the security situation in this country. “In the five years since the events at Maidan, Ukraine has done more to modernise its state and economy that in the previous two decades,” the Polish foreign minister assessed. “However, the reform process must be continued, with conditional support from the EU,” he added. He also stressed that Poland is actively supporting Ukraine in this process in areas such as decentralisation and crisis management. The meeting participants also expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in Ukraine, specifically in the context of the Russian aggression in the Kerch Strait. In this context, the head of Polish MFA expressed satisfaction with the political consensus that was reached concerning the adoption by the EU of further individual sanctions in response to Russia’s aggressive actions in the region of the Sea of Azov.  

The meeting participants also addressed the situation in Syria and preparations for the third Brussels conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region” that will be held from 12 until 14 March 2019. Its main goal, like in the past years, will be to mobilise financial support for the people of Syria. 

The ministers also discussed the developments in Venezuela, among others, in the context of recognising Juan Guaido as the interim president by the decisive majority of EU Member States and the first meeting of the International Contact Group in Montevideo, which was held on 7 February.

During the meeting, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Federica Mogherini, presented information about her recent visit to the region of the Horn of Africa.

During the Council meeting, the chief of Polish diplomacy presented information about the Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East held in Warsaw on 13 and 14 February, which brought together representatives of 62 states.  Minister Czaputowicz indicated that, despite various opinions about the sources of disability in the Middle East region that were presented during the meeting, the fact that the ministerial was attended by a number of regional actors and countries from outside the region is a demonstration of new, positive dynamics. He underscored that the meeting initiated a process that will be continued in working groups and encouraged EU Member States to participate in them. 

‎In addition, during his visit to Brussels, Minister Czaputowicz met with the foreign ministers of the Visegrad Group. They discussed the group’s position with respect to the planned Summit of V4 prime ministers with Israel.

Minister Czaputowicz also met with the chief of German diplomacy Heiko Maas. They talked mainly about the Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East, the Berlin Process, and the Munich Security Conference.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo Tymon Markowski / MSZ