Brussels, 20/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 20 March, EU heads of state and government called for “an immediate and unconditional” ceasefire in Libya and for all the different Libyan parties to rapidly come to an agreement on forming a government of national unity.
The European Council conclusions explained, “Only a political solution can sustainably lead to democratic transition”. The European Council pointed out that the EU supported the efforts made by the United Nations (UN) and announced that it would be increasing its support for the UN mission in Libya and the unity process. French President François Hollande affirmed: “We must do everything to get a political agreement”.
The leaders stressed “as soon as an agreement to form a government of national unity is found, the EU, together with the countries in the region and international partners, will be ready to contribute to its implementation by drawing on all the instruments at its disposal”. The EU High Representative will present proposals during the Foreign Affairs Council in April, as requested during the Council on 16 March. The Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel, emphasised, “if we do nothing, the EU will pay the price of massive arrivals of immigrants and radical terrorists”. He pointed out that Libya is only a few kilometres off Europe's shores.
During the Council, Federica Mogherini explained that the EU had to build assistance and support for the political process in Libya, on the condition that the government of national unity, when it is in place, requests it. Prospects for military intervention are not planned. The EU High Representative explained: “We do not envisage EU or external intervention but we are looking at all the different kinds of possible support, even at a security level, for the government of national unity”. Mogherini again referred to security policy and common defence measures. Hollande explained: “There is no question of there being any intervention there, there would be no grounds for this”. He pointed out that the UN Security Council did not support this idea.
EU leaders added that the EU, together with its partners, would be investing more in the fight against terrorism in the region. Heads of state and government emphasised that “the Libyan crisis is a serious threat to international peace and security, which requires the EU's complete attention”. The Belgian Prime Minister pointed out, “The analysis is simple but dramatic. We have an explosive cocktail with a lot of weapons, the circulation of money and a terrorist network. In addition to the total lack of a state, for the time being”.
The European Council explained that the EU would continue to monitor the situation “very closely” on the ground, over the next few months. Michel concluded: “We must follow the situation very closely, almost on a daily basis, so as to adapt the most appropriate and optimal way of responding, which can be both useful and efficient and in the interest of Europe”. (Camille-Cerise Gessant and JK, JC, IL, SP)