Foreign Affairs Council, 20 January 2020

Summary:

A meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council was held on 20 January 2020. The agenda includes the following items:

• Briefing on the outcome of the Berlin conference on Libya, followed by a discussion on how the European Union (EU) can engage more forcefully in the process towards a political solution;
• Update on the latest developments in Bolivia;
• Update on the latest developments in Venezuela;
• Briefing on the High Representative's visit to India;
• Exchange of views on the security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel region and the role the European Union can play as leading partner and donor;
• Discussion on ways to step up and enhance its climate diplomacy, followed by the adoption of conclusions on the matter;
• Informal discussion on the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) and the wider Middle East.

• Primary Source

News

Deutsche Welle, 20/01/2020: EU plans to refocus 'Sophia' naval mission on Libya https://p.dw.com/p/3WT97

EurActiv, 20/01/2020: EU to use revamped ‘Operation Sophia’ to enforce Libyan arms embargo https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-to-use-revamped-operation-sophia-to-enforce-libyan-arms-embargo/

Politico, 20/01/2020: Borrell says Iran nuclear deal mediation timeline still not clear https://www.politico.eu/article/josep-borrell-says-iran-nuclear-deal-mediation-timeline-still-not-clear/

Politico, 20/01/2020: EU ministers seek revamp of Operation Sophia to help tackle Libya crisis https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-ministers-seek-revamp-of-operation-sophia-to-help-tackle-libya-crisis/

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Official

Outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council, 20 January 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/42196/st05192-en20.pdf

EU EEAS: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell upon arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council, 20 January 2020 https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/73218/

EU EEAS: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the press conference of the Foreign Affairs Council, 20 January 2020 https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/73234/

French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs: Jean-Yves Le Drian’s participation in the Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels, 20 January 2020) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/european-union/news/article/european-union-jean-yves-le-drian-s-participation-in-the-foreign-affairs-246395

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