While discussing current international issues, Minister Rau indicated that the EU needs to address the continued repression by Belarusian authorities of journalists and human rights activists. He also recalled the long-awaited publication of an economic support plan for a democratic Belarus by European Commission, in line with the EU leaders’ guidelines as of October 2020. Last but not least, the head of Polish diplomacy expressed his concerns about reports of crimes against civilians in Ethiopia and attacks on religious sites. Minister Rau backed Finnish diplomatic actions in this respect, taken on behalf of the EU. That part of the talks was also devoted to the situation in Iran and Myanmar, as well as the recent G5-Sahel summit in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena.
 
In preparation for the European Council’s March session, when heads of state and government are to take a major decision on EU-Russian relations, the ministers brought up the subject of Russia. In his remarks, Minister Rau highlighted that in its relations with the Kremlin the EU should focus on protecting human rights, strengthening its resilience to aggressive hybrid actions, including disinformation, and maintaining a unified position on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Enhancing a positive offer for the Eastern Partnership states and developing relations with Central Asia countries will also be of key significance. The head of the Polish MFA also pointed out that persecuting Alexei Navalny and the brutal repression against demonstrators cannot be left without an appropriate response on the part of the EU, including sanctions against those responsible. As other ministers shared Poland’s position on this issue, the Council took a political decision to promptly adopt sanctions against individuals involved in the illegal detention of Alexei Navalny. The sanctions will be imposed under a new horizontal EU global human rights sanctions regime.
 
While discussing the situation in Hong Kong, the ministers said that China’s violations of its pledge to respect the “one country, two systems” rule, despite protests by the international community, call for a coordinated response from the EU and its international partners.
 
During discussions between EU member state foreign ministers and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Minister Rau spoke in favour of an ambitious agenda for transatlantic cooperation on global issues, among others health, climate, and commerce, as well as regional ones, such as policy towards the EU’s neighbourhood. The chief of Polish diplomacy pointed to the need for the US to step up its global engagement in response to the assertiveness of powers which do not share Western values. Minister Rau thanked the new US administration for its declaration to maintain a strong presence in Europe, including in Central and Eastern Europe, and to continue involvement in the Three Seas Initiative. He expressed support for the American idea of convening a global summit of democracies and declared Poland’s willingness to engage in this area as a founding member of the Community of Democracies.
 
In the margins of the FAC, Minister Rau together with the foreign ministers of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia held a meeting with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. Poland’s top diplomat also spoke to Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Olivér Várhely and took part in a discussion with colleagues of the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny.
  
MFA Press Office

Photo: Sebastian Indra / MFA