After a dinner attended by their Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, on Wednesday 27 May, the foreign ministers of the EU countries will meet informally (in Gymnich format) on Thursday 28 May in Limassol (Cyprus) to discuss the situation in Ukraine and relations with Russia, but also the Middle East and the future European security strategy.
Discussions will be held with their Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and their Saudi counterpart, Faisal Bin Farhan Bin Abdullah Al Saud, on the situation in the Middle East, including in the Strait of Hormuz, and the consequences for global security and the world economy and for energy supplies.
According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European foreign ministers are expected to discuss possible common solutions to support the ongoing negotiation process and the restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait.
“We have constantly emphasised that lasting solutions are achieved through diplomacy, negotiation and respect for international law”, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stressed in a statement announcing her participation in the Gymnich. In recent days, the United States has continued to bomb Iran despite progress in negotiations between the two countries.
During the discussion, the situation in the Middle East, notably in the Palestinian territories and in Lebanon, could also be addressed. The ministers could discuss the possibility of sanctions at EU level on Israeli National Security Minister Ben Gvir, as several Member States have already implemented, following the treatment inflicted on activists from a flotilla for Gaza (see EUROPE 13872/6).
They will then discuss the continuation of Russian aggression against Ukraine and continued European support for the latter, while Russia intensely bombed it over the weekend and called on foreign nationals to leave Kyiv (see EUROPE 13874/24). The ministers are expected to consider ways of putting pressure on Russia to negotiate a lasting and just peace in good faith, whether through new sanctions or diplomatic initiatives.
On 30 April, the High Representative had announced that the Gymnich would provide an opportunity to discuss the “(EU) approach towards Russia and the best way to defend [EU] security interests” (see EUROPE 13860/10). The Member States are divided over the attitude to adopt regarding whether or not to resume a dialogue with Moscow and over the appointment of an envoy, and the High Representative wishes to take stock of the situation.
Lastly, the ministers will consider strategic security and defence initiatives, notably preparations for the new European security strategy. The issue of implementing the mutual assistance clause under Article 42.7 could therefore be addressed, as could strengthening the preparedness of European defence and capability development. According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministers will examine their countries’ capacity to “meet the challenges posed by the changing geopolitical context, and the best ways of protecting the EU’s interests in this context”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)