Foreign Affairs Council meets in Brussels to discuss Latin America and EU-Turkey relations

On 13 July, foreign ministers of the Member States of the European Union will convene for a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. Finland’s representative at the meeting will be Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto. The main issues on the agenda will be the situation in Latin America and the Caribbean and the EU-Turkey relations. Other topical matters of discussion will be Hong Kong and the Middle East Peace Process. The meeting is the first EU meeting at ministerial level where ministers are physically present after the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic.

By reviewing the situation in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Foreign Affairs Council will continue its series of discussion on the global consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in different continents and on the EU actions to alleviate the situation. The coronavirus epidemic has led to serious effects in different parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. In Finland's opinion, Member States must urge international financial institutions to channel sufficient and effective support to the region. In Latin America, especially the situation in Venezuela and its regional effects will require the attention of the EU also in future.
Foreign ministers will also discuss the EU-Turkey relations. Finland considers that the dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Turkey should be continued. The EU should conduct long-term Turkey policy and be consistent in its own positions. The EU-Turkey relations must be developed in a strategic manner. At the same time, the EU should be determined in its response to Turkey’s destabilising actions in Eastern Mediterranean.
The meeting will be chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. Ministers will also discuss the situation in Libya and the EU-India summit.

Inquiries: Matti Nissinen, European Correspondent, tel. +358 295 351 780
The Foreign Ministry's email addresses are in the format [email protected].