Council conclusions on Libya Foreign Affairs Council meeting Luxembourg, 20 October 2014 The Council adopted the following conclusions: 1. The EU is concerned by the situation in Libya and its impact on the civilian population, which threatens the possibility of achieving the aspirations of the Libyan people of a peaceful political transition and is having a negative impact across North Africa and the Sahel region and is of concern for the EU as well. 2. The EU strongly condemns the ongoing violence, all human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law committed across the country. The EU urges all parties to urgently observe an unconditional ceasefire. The EU is convinced that there is no military solution to this conflict. Only a political solution can provide a sustainable way forward and contribute to peace and stability in Libya. 3. In this regard, the EU fully supports, including through the action of European Special Envoys, the efforts of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to secure a negotiated settlement and the work of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The EU welcomes the UN facilitated dialogue between members of the House of Representatives initiated in Ghadames on 29 September and continued in Tripoli on 11 October in presence of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki – moon and the Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini. It calls on all parties to fully cooperate with the UN-led initiative by engaging in a peaceful political process to resolve the ongoing crisis, abstaining from actions that risk undermining it. 4. The EU welcomes the agreements reached so far, and calls upon all parties to respect and implement them and to remain constructively engaged in this political process. The EU and Member States are exploring with UNSMIL ways to support the confidence building measures. 5. The EU underscores the legitimacy of the House of Representatives as the sole legislative authority in Libya. It urges Libyas government and all elected members of the House of Representatives to reach out to all parties and engage constructively in an inclusive political dialogue, also to find a solution to the institutional crisis, as the country cannot afford to be divided. Libya needs a strong government of national unity. It encourages the Constitutional Drafting Assembly to continue to pursue its work on a constitutional text that will enshrine and protect the rights of all Libyans. The EU does not recognise any parallel authority or entity outside of the legal and democratic institutional framework. 6. The EU stresses the importance that the international community acts in a united manner on Libya on the basis of the principles and understandings agreed at recent meetings, namely in New York and Madrid. It supports complementary efforts of Libya’s neighbours and partners, including EU Member States that promote inclusivity, national consensus and reconciliation and their efforts to address Libyas crisis. The EU emphasises that all initiatives should feed into the overall UN-led mediation process. It also encourages all partners to refrain from actions which might exacerbate current divisions and undermine Libyas democratic transition. 7. The EU calls on all parties in Libya to ensure the protection of civilians and the facilitation of assistance to people in need, and supports all efforts made to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation, notably the displacement of people and disruption of access to basic services. The EU has immediately mobilised funds to address the most pressing needs but the rapidly declining conditions will require additional international support to respond to the displacement and needs of the affected population. 8. The EU stands ready to implement UNSCR 2174 in order to address threats to Libya’s peace and stability, including violations of the arms embargo. Those responsible for violence and those who obstruct or undermine Libyas democratic transition must be held accountable. 9. The EU calls on all Libyans to unite in the fight against terrorism. Libyas hard fought freedom is at risk if Libyan and international terrorist groups are allowed to use Libya as a safe haven. Libya will only stand a chance to address this threat, weapon proliferation and trafficking, if all armed forces come under the control of one central authority which reports to a democratic and inclusive parliament. 10. The instability in Libya poses a direct threat to the EU, through terrorism, increased irregular migration and trafficking of illicit goods, including arms. The EU reiterates its commitment to continue supporting Libya in sectors like security, migration, civil society, protection of vulnerable groups and promotion of human rights. The EU stands ready to assist Libya in the field of border management, including as already being provided through EUBAM. 11. The EU remains strongly committed to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:58:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015