The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Foreign Ministers of Germany, France and Italy called on all parties in Libya on Tuesday 9 June to stop the fighting and start political negotiations.
Their joint declaration comes a few days after the Egyptian initiative of 6 June welcomed by the High Representative (see EUROPE 12502/26).
Stressing the “constructive commitments to halt fighting, resume dialogue and reach a ceasefire within the framework of the 5+5 Joint Military Committee”, they urged “all Libyan and international parties to effectively and immediately stop all military operations and engage constructively in the 5+5 negotiations, based upon the draft agreement of 23 February”.
According to the Europeans, these efforts should lead the parties to agree “swiftly”, in the framework of the 5+5 Committee, on a ceasefire agreement providing in particular for the withdrawal of foreign forces, mercenaries and military equipment delivered in violation of the arms embargo (see EUROPE 12501/35).
These efforts should also provide an opportunity to engage constructively in all aspects of the UN-led intra-Libyan dialogue in order to make progress towards a comprehensive political agreement within the parameters agreed in Berlin, the High Representative and the Ministers added. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)