Foreign Affairs Council, 13 July 2020

Summary:

A meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) was held on 13 July 2020. The agenda included the following items:

• Debate on the EU-Turkey relations, and the impact caused by events such as Turkey's drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey's involvement in the Libyan crisis and Turkish decision to convert Hagia Sophia back to a mosque;
• Discussion on the relations between the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean in light of the consequences of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic;
• Discussion on the latest developments in Hong Kong;
• Update on the latest developments in Libya;
• Briefing about developments in the Belgrade Pristina Dialogue;
• Update on the latest developments in Venezuela.
• Adoption of conclusions concerning EU priorities in the framework of the United Nations and for cooperation with the Council of Europe.

Official

EU EEAS: Remarks by HR/VP Josep Borrell upon arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council (13 July 2020) https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/82750/

Latvia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: News, 13/07/2020: Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs calls on the EU to devise a new strategy for relationship with Turkey https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/news/latest-news/66270-foreign-minister-rinkevics-calls-on-the-eu-to-devise-a-new-strategy-for-relationship-with-turkey

Germany: Federal Foreign Office: Article, 13/07/2020: Maas in Brussels: Strengthening EU foreign policy https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/europa/maas-eu2020de/2367628

Poland: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: News, 14/07/2020: Minister Jacek Czaputowicz attends Foreign Affairs Council https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/minister-jacek-czaputowicz-attends-foreign-affairs-council-1

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News

Deutsche Welle, 13/07/2020: EU foreign ministers meet to discuss Hong Kong, Turkey https://p.dw.com/p/3fEMs

EurActiv, 13/07/2020: Greece pushes for sanctions against Turkey, but EU insists on dialogue https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/greece-pushes-for-sanctions-against-turkey-but-eu-insists-on-dialogue/

AP News, 13/07/2020: EU, Turkey clash over Hagia Sophia, Mediterranean drilling https://apnews.com/3017394f54b5ecc13fc13384a7cfb110

LSM.lv, 14/07/2020: Latvia calls on EU to oppose Erdogan's move to make Hagia Sophia a mosque https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/latvia-calls-on-eu-to-oppose-erdogans-move-to-make-hagia-sophia-a-mosque.a367082/

Anadolu Agency, 14/07/2020: 'Hagia Sophia to be open to visitors of all religions' https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/hagia-sophia-to-be-open-to-visitors-of-all-religions/1909492

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