On 27 May 2024, in Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, took part in a meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council focusing on support to Ukraine defending itself against Russia’s war of aggression, as well as on the situation in the Middle East.
The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, opened the discussion by briefing the ministers about the tragic consequences of Russian air strikes in Kharkiv last weekend. He thanked the Council for support so far and, highlighting the serious situation in the Kharkiv region, appealed for further assistance in order to strengthen air defence and more effectively protect Ukraine’s territory against the increasing Russian attacks on civilians and the civilian and national strategic infrastructure.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže: “The situation in Ukraine directly correlates with the security situation in Latvia and also in the European Union. We will not be safe until Ukraine prevails; therefore, Ukraine must receive all the necessary support, and all possible decisions in support of Ukraine must be taken, including military deliveries and the EU’s 14th package of sanctions against Russia, which also includes a ban on exports and transit of manganese ore and the use of windfall profits from immobilised Russian assets.”
The EU Foreign Affairs Council expressed its solidarity with Estonia, Finland and Lithuania in relation to Russia’s hybrid activities targeting their borders.
The Member States discussed the current situation in the Middle East with the regional partners – Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates – as well as the Secretary General of the League of Arab States.
The Ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Georgia, which has deteriorated due to the law “On transparency of foreign influence” approved by the Georgian Parliament. Baiba Braže: “We have always been, and remain friends of Georgia on its path to the EU; however, the Government’s recent decisions jeopardise this path. At the moment, it is important to continue supporting Georgian civil society so that the democratic debate does not subside, especially in view of the fact that more than 80% of Georgian citizens support Georgia’s accession to the European Union.” The Minister also invited the EU institutions to come up with possible directions for EU action in the light of developments.
Following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs took part in the Brussels VIII Conference “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” and met with Ayman Al Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan. The Latvian Foreign Minister invited her Jordanian counterpart to visit Latvia. With regard to the situation in the region, Minister Braže noted that Latvia’s interests lie in as concerted and active engagement by the EU as possible so that the EU would maintain credibility and influence, including through dialogue with global partners and further support to Ukraine.
