Having recognized that Ebola “represents and unprecedented crisis which requires an unprecedented response,” the Foreign Affairs Council concluded the need to make an increased effort fighting it, EU High Representative Catherin Ashton said following the meeting in Luxembourg. The Council also discussed situation in Libya, Syria and Iraq as well as in Ukraine and Middle East.
In addition to more than 500 million euros worth assistance to the fight against Ebola already pledged from the EU and its Member States, the Council recognised the need to make an increased effort in cooperation with the UN, Ashton said.
“It is of course necessary to get additional health workers on the ground as soon as possible, as well as the necessary money and equipment, if we are to contain the spread of the disease and bring it under control,” Ashton said.
The EU is preparing terms of reference for a possible EU Coordinatot who would ensure the most effective engagement between the European Union, Member States and the United Nations, she added.
The EU ministers discussed situation in Libya, which they “find extremely worrying,” and challenging for Europe, Ashton said, adding that the Council “call on all the stakeholders to make sure that they stop the fighting and support the political dialogue.”
“We believe the Libyan people deserve to see a return to a peaceful political transition. And we want to do all we can to assist them,” she said.
The Council remain “extremely concerned” about the security and humanitarian situation in Iraq and Syria and ministers have agreed “that the actions of ISIL are totally unacceptable and we need to do all we can to contribute to the international efforts to defeat such terrorist groups,” Ashton said.
Discussing the situation in Ukraine, the ministers reaffirmed their call “for full and swift implementation of the Minsk Protocol and Minsk Memorandum.”
“Despite some progress, more needs to be done as this whole process remains very fragile,” Ashton said.
The EU ministers also discussed the latest developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
