Brussels, 22/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 22 September, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called on the Libyans to make “courageous and responsible choices” now for the country's future. The final text of the agreement for the formation of a national unity government has just been finalised.
“It is time for courageous and responsible choices for Libya”, Mogherini stated in a press release. She said that the negotiations for the formation of a national unity government had recently made “substantial progress”. Indeed, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General for Libya Bernardino Leon announced on Monday 21 September that the text of a “definitive” and “consensual” agreement had been put together and that it was now for the Libyan parties to approve the text or reject it. “Now it's up to the parties to show they are ready to rebuild their country”, Mogherini therefore said.
In Mogherini's view, the text “has to be agreed as soon as possible, as well as the names for the senior political positions, so that a new government of national accord can be formed without further delay”. According to Leon, all the participants have reportedly affirmed their readiness to discuss the allocation of these posts after the Eid al-Adha religious festival that takes place on Thursday 24 September.
While the participants in the talks have thus far “shown responsibility”, Mogherini stated that “the last mile is usually the most difficult”. “It requires leadership, commitment and the common willingness to work together for the sake of all Libyans that deserve peace, stability and prosperity”, she added.
Mogherini once again stated that the EU would continue to support the negotiations and that it was ready “to provide immediate support to the new government” with a €100 million package. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)