The ministers discussed the external aspects of implementation of the action plan against disinformation, which had been developed by the European Commission and the European External Action Service. As Minister Czaputowicz pointed out, the EU and its member states should consistently enhance their capacities to prevent and fight disinformation ahead of the upcoming European Parliament election, and this year’s elections in some EU member states and partner countries, e.g. Ukraine. According to Poland’s foreign policy chief, it is also necessary to step up measures to raise public awareness of disinformation across the EU, and to build resilience to the threats posed by disinformation. In his words, collaboration with NATO and external partners, and encouraging the private sector to play a greater role in tackling disinformation should also feature prominently in the EU toolkit. “Our ability to defend ourselves against the threat of disinformation can only increase if the measures we take are well-coordinated and comprehensive,” concluded Minister Czaputowicz.

The discussion on EU-LAS cooperation was held in the run-up to the fifth ministerial meeting to be held in Brussels on 4 February. “The forthcoming EU ministerial meeting with LAS representatives, and the EU-LAS summit scheduled for late February are proof that mutual relations are heading in a good direction,” observed the MFA chief. He also expressed his hope that a stronger involvement of the EU in the region, and a closer relationship with the LAS countries will lead to a more intense discussion on such global issues as security, illegal migrations, terrorism, and the protection of minorities, including Christians.

 The Foreign Affairs Council also held a preparatory discussion ahead of the EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting. Moreover, the participants adopted the first list of entities subject to the regime of restrictive measures against the use of chemical weapons created last October. The list includes natural and legal persons from Russia and Syria. During the FAC meeting, Minister Czaputowicz briefed the other EU foreign ministers about the Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East, to be co-hosted by Poland and the United States in Warsaw on 13-14 February 2019.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Jacek Czaputowicz held talks with High Representative Federica Mogherini and the Foreign Ministers of Germany Heiko Maas and the United Kingdom Jeremy Hunt.

The Foreign Affairs Council was directly followed by the 22nd meeting of EU and ASEAN foreign ministers. The agenda included dialogue and cooperation on regional and global issues, as well as an EU-ASEAN strategic partnership. Furthermore, the ministers covered current developments in both regions, and relations between the EU and the countries of Southeast Asia. They expressed hope for forging a closer relationship on connectivity, or multidimensional links between both regions.

Speaking in the meeting, Minister Czaputowicz presented a position on the situation in Ukraine, with a special focus on international law violations committed by the Russian Federation. “We condemned in the strongest terms Russia’s use of force against Ukrainian navy vessels in the Kerch Strait,” emphasized Poland’s top diplomat, adding that the international community must take appropriate steps to stop international rules and obligations from being systematically infringed. “Every country needs security to be able to thrive and work together with foreign partners, be it in Europe or Asia,” observed the minister.

Moreover, Minister Czaputowicz informed the other attendees about the outcomes of the COP24 climate summit. “The Katowice conference gave the world the tools with which to implement and take stock of climate action aimed at both alleviating and adapting climate change,” he stressed.

In the margins of the EU-ASEAN ministerial, the Polish foreign policy chief held bilateral talks with his counterparts from Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore.

ASEAN has ten member states from Southeast Asia: Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. ASEAN and the European Union have held official dialogue since 1977. EU-ASEAN ministerial meetings are held regularly every two years, with the previous one hosted by Bangkok in 2016.

 

MFA Press Office
Photo: Gabriel Piętka / MFA