Luxembourg, 24/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 23 June, the EU foreign affairs ministers called on all parties to create an environment that ensures that the parliamentary elections in Libya on 25 June are “inclusive and credible”, and are conducted in a peaceful environment throughout the country, “encouraging in particular the participation of minorities and women”. This will lead to “the constitution of a Parliament capable of embodying national consensus and playing its role in forming a Government with wide political support”, the EU foreign affairs ministers state in their conclusions.
The ministers reiterated that Libya is “at a highly critical stage in its transition to democracy, which can be successful if all stakeholders commit to constructive political engagement based on nationally agreed principles.”
The Council underlined its concern as regards the “significant deterioration” of the political and security situation in Libya and condemned the “widespread” acts of violence. The EU “continues to call on all sides to refrain from the use of force and to address differences by peaceful political means and through an inclusive and transparent dialogue in order to fulfil the democratic aspirations of the Libyan people”, the EU ministers added. The EU reiterated its “full” support for the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and called on the international community to act in a closely coordinated and coherent way led by the UN.
In addition, the EU expressed deep concern for the recent loss of lives at sea of migrants departing from Libya, and called on the Libyan authorities to address - also with the support of the EU and the rest of the international community - human trafficking and smuggling, to ensure control of all its borders, and to ensure adequate search and rescue capabilities. (CG)