In a wide ranging speech to the UN Security Council on Monday 6 June, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini stressed the vital importance of cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations, the need to revive peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians and for a continued diplomatic effort to stop the war in Syria.
She also spoke about the situation in Libya and EU steps to manage migration. Before the briefing, she also held talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the EU representation at the UN.
On the Middle East conflict, Mogherini told the Security Council:
"Let us not wait for the next open war between the Israelis and the Palestinians - because this is what will happen, if they don’t go back now to meaningful negotiations."
On the war in Syria, the EU High Representative stressed that Europe "is doing its part… All international actors need to do whatever they can to make the cessation of hostilities, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the negotiations work, and finally move towards a political transition for Syria. Our divisions would only benefit Daesh, and chaos."
And the European Union is actively engaged also on Libya, Mogherini explained:
"Our European Union has started to mobilise a package of EUR 100 million to make Libya’s new start possible and make Libyans live their lives in safety and dignity." She continued by saying: "For us it is key that anything we do is planned and delivered according to Libya’s full ownership and Libya’s priorities."
Turning to migration, Mogherini said Operation Sophia was part of the EU broad strategy to deal with migration. "Tomorrow in Strasbourg we will present - together with my colleagues in the European Commission - the plan for a new “migration partnership” with our friends in our region and in Africa."
(Source: EU Neighbourhood Info)
