02:29Belgium: Steinmeier fears Saudi-Iran conflict could derail Syria peace process
German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, declared that the Syrian conflict will be the foremost point of discussion during the European Council meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, Monday.
"I think we will spend the most time discussing the situation in Syria", Steinmeier stated. "Many things became very fragile since the evident new conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. We have to strive for a European policy but also within our national means, so that this conflict does not explode,” added the German minister.
Steinmeier also spoke on the conflict in Ukraine, saying the meeting will address “how to go further with Minsk Agreement, adding “we are now at a stage when the right to vote - the local elections - will have to be met in eastern Ukraine.” The foreign minister does however envisage challenges to implementing the Minsk agreement, stating “in order to get there we need to overcome burdens not only in the sense of Russia and separatists but also in the Ukrainian parliament.”
The meeting will be chaired by EU Head of Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini and will be followed by a press conference.
02:29German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, declared that the Syrian conflict will be the foremost point of discussion during the European Council meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, Monday.
"I think we will spend the most time discussing the situation in Syria", Steinmeier stated. "Many things became very fragile since the evident new conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. We have to strive for a European policy but also within our national means, so that this conflict does not explode,” added the German minister.
Steinmeier also spoke on the conflict in Ukraine, saying the meeting will address “how to go further with Minsk Agreement, adding “we are now at a stage when the right to vote - the local elections - will have to be met in eastern Ukraine.” The foreign minister does however envisage challenges to implementing the Minsk agreement, stating “in order to get there we need to overcome burdens not only in the sense of Russia and separatists but also in the Ukrainian parliament.”
The meeting will be chaired by EU Head of Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini and will be followed by a press conference.