On 13 December 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, took part in the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, at which EU foreign ministers discussed the EU-Africa relations, Central Asia, Venezuela, current security situation in Ukraine, developments at the EU-Belarus border, and China.
The EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, informed the ministers about the situation near the Ukrainian border and the state of affairs at the EU’s border with Belarus. Edgars Rinkēvičs voiced the opinion that the EU should respond to Russia’s aggression of a military nature with appropriate measures, including economic and sector-specific sanctions. At the same time, close coordination should take place in those matters with transatlantic partners, as well as considering all opportunities for strengthening Ukraine’s resilience and defence capabilities.
As concerns Belarus, we welcome the EU’s solidarity and unity, which, alongside engagement with third countries and sanctions have already yielded results, the Latvian Foreign Minister said. He called for work to be continued on further sanctions, so that they could be applied rapidly if there are no improvements to the present situation. Latest developments at the border between the EU and Belarus demonstrate the need to also work on amendments to the Schengen Border Code, which would enable Member States to respond appropriately to any future hybrid threat instrumentalising migration, Edgars Rinkēvičs noted.
The ministers discussed current challenges in Africa and the EU’s joint action in support of African countries. The discussion was part of preparations ahead of the EU-African Union Summit in Brussels in February 2022, on which an exchange of views is planned at the European Council later this December.
The meeting also addressed developments in the relations between the EU and Central Asia, following up on the EU-CA Foreign Ministers Meeting of 22 November 2021, especially issues concerning increase in the EU’s political dialogue and cooperation with the region’s countries and connectivity-related updates. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and EU support for the country were also discussed.
Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed Latvia’s support for expanding EU-Central Asia cooperation in order to balance the influence of other countries in the region, in particular, taking into account recent developments in Afghanistan and the consequences of COVID-19. Cooperation in business and trade should be encouraged and connectivity with Central Asia facilitated, thereby reinforcing resilience and stability in a wider region, the Minister noted. The existing EU-Central Asia cooperation platforms must be used, as well as considering how the EU’s new initiatives could contribute to the strengthening of the mutual dialogue. Regional cooperation remains one of the principal conditions for security, stability and sustainable development, Edgars Rinkēvičs emphasised.
The Minister noted that Latvia was alarmed about the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which poses threat to regional security; the humanitarian situation and systematic violations of human rights, especially against women and children, are a cause for special concern. Edgars Rinkēvičs said he was convinced that it was important for the EU to sustain dialogue and develop bilateral contacts with Central Asian partners to enhance joint efforts in addressing challenges caused by the Afghanistan crisis. The close neighbourly relations and contacts between our Central Asian partners should be used in particular to reinforce our position and messages vis à vis Afghanistan on vital issues such as irregular migration, the fight against terrorism, human trafficking and drugs smuggling, Edgars Rinkēvičs underlined.