Minister Zbigniew Rau took part in the meeting of the heads of diplomacy of the EU
22.03.2021
Relations with Russia and Turkey, the EU's southern neighborhood and a discussion with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, were the main points of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.
During the debate on current international affairs, Minister Rau emphasized the need for the EU to react to the increasing repression of civil society in Russia, and that human rights should be the main element of the EU's political dialogue with Russia. He stressed that at the next meeting of the European Council it was necessary for heads of state and government to agree to continue a firm and balanced EU policy towards Russia based on the five fundamental principles.
Relations with Turkey were discussed in preparation for the EU leaders' discussions at the March European Council. The head of Polish diplomacy expressed his hope for an improvement in the relations of Turkey - an ally in NATO and a key partner of the EU - with Greece and Cyprus.
In the discussion on the Southern Neighborhood, ministers underlined the need to pursue an effective and sustainable EU policy, including increasing the intensity of high-level contacts with the EU's southern neighbors in order to encourage them to make the necessary reforms, respecting local circumstances and sensitivities. They also agreed that it was necessary to support the economic development prospects of the EU's neighboring countries and to strengthen their state structures in the field of border management.
The Council adopted a sanctions package involving 11 individuals and 4 entities responsible for human rights violations in different countries.