EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and matters concerning Tunisia

EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on 20 March. A joint session of EU foreign and defence ministers will be held on the same day. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will represent Finland at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen will represent Finland at the joint session. In addition, Minister Haavisto and Minister Kaikkonen will meet NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Navy blue background with European union stars. Foreign Affairs Council 20.3.2023. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
 

The EU foreign ministers will continue their discussion on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They will exchange views on sanctions and their implementation, accountability questions, and the reconstruction of Ukraine. “The EU must continue its strong and united response to Russia’s military aggression. We must pay particular attention to ways of preventing the circumvention of sanctions,” says Foreign Minister Haavisto.

The foreign ministers will exchange views on the current political and economic situation in Tunisia and on how it affects the country’s stability and path to democracy. “The EU must stress the importance of respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law in all cooperation with Tunisia,” says Minister Haavisto.

At their joint session, the foreign and defence ministers will exchange views on the EU’s Strategic Compass and its implementation and the EU’s military support to Ukraine. In addition, Minister Haavisto and Minister Kaikkonen will meet NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

In Brussels, Foreign Minister Haavisto will also attend the EU-Iraq Cooperation Council, the European Humanitarian Forum, the International Donors’ Conference to support the people in Türkiye and Syria and the inaugural Schuman Security and Defence Forum where foreign and defence ministers from the EU and its partners convene to discuss common security challenges and responses.

Inquiries

  • Laila Clyne, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 350 492, [email protected]
  • Lauri Hirvonen, European Correspondent, Director of the Unit for European Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), tel. +358 295 350 063, [email protected]