The Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavský called, on Wednesday 13 July, for a debate on European policy towards Russia.
“The partnership and relationship with Russia needs to be discussed. We need to have a debate on how to approach Russia in a long-term perspective. It is not an easy debate, but it is needed”, he explained when presenting the priorities of the Czech Presidency of the EU Council. “We will support a new European policy towards Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, which would reflect sanctions, the need for international isolation of Russia and the need to bring the perpetrators of war crimes to justice”, he said.
Mr Lipavský announced that this topic will be discussed at the informal meeting of foreign ministers at the end of August in Prague.
The minister said that Ukraine will be the “main priority” of the Czech Presidency of the EU Council “in the field of external relations”. “We must support Ukraine and continue to work in all the areas in which we have been active so far. We must not allow fatigue to set in or the war to be prolonged”, he argued. Mr Lipavský said that arms deliveries should continue and promised that his country would be a facilitator for the delivery of humanitarian aid and for reconstruction. “This reconstruction must be linked to the process of Ukraine’s integration into the EU”, he added.
The minister also highlighted the Western Balkans, cooperation with NATO (see EUROPE 12990/19) and transatlantic relations, stating that relations with the United States should be deepened horizontally on issues such as the economy and energy. “For the Indo-Pacific, we will have to think about how to cooperate with partners in the region on resilience, cybersecurity, etc.”, he further explained, also citing the need to continue work in the Sahel.
Mr Lipavský called as well for an EU-Israel Association Council to be organised under the Czech Presidency. This would be the first since 2012. “It is high time to hold this Council”, the minister said, adding that the Association Council could be a place to discuss the difficulties.
Explaining that the protection of human rights and democracy were traditionally part of Czech foreign policy, Mr Lipavský said the Presidency wants to focus on supporting civil society and the media, especially in Eastern Europe, and on defending the Rule of law. “It is necessary to use all the instruments at our disposal, including the sanctions regime”, he argued. The minister added that December is Human Rights Month and that many events will be organised to mark the occasion. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)