"Today's meeting should define a 'path of hope'" were the words spoken yesterday by Luxmembourg Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, as he took part in discussions on the Syrian crisis at the traditional meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in New York.

Minister Asselborn is in New York from 28 September to 1 October 2015 for the 70th United Nations General Assembly has been using the opportunity to meet with Heads of State and Government, as well as Foreign Ministers of UN Member States, in order to hold bilateral talks on current issues in international politics.

The Minister engaged in several discussions related to the situation in Syria and mass migration, taking part in both a traditional meeting of EU Foreign Ministers and an informal ministerial meeting, both on the subject.

At these meetings the Minister outlined four key points in giving new hope to the Syrian people, a population now experiencing their fifth consecutive year of war. These points included the need to "fully support Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura in his efforts towards finding a political solution"; a need to "push for improved access [...] and for improved delivery of humanitarian aid, including medial aid, to reach the millions of people in need in Syria"; the need to "keep our promise and fulfil our pledges to fund the humanitarian appelas"; and the need to "follow a long-term strategy which brings together humanitarian and long-term stabilisation and development assistance, for Syria as well as for its neighbours".

Jean Asselborn met with Secretary General for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, to examine the possibilities of giving new impetus to efforts in finding a political solution to this far-reaching and bloody conflict, whilst addressing in-depth the humanitarian, security and political situation of Syria.

The Foreign Minister of Luxembourg also engaged in an informal ministerial meeting on Ukrain, in the present of Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pavlo Klimkin, with whom he met in Kiev earlier this month. Minister Klimkin reported the latest politica developments of the country and the situation in the East and Crimea, emphasising the importance of local elections which respect the provisions of the Minsk agreement.

The Minister joined the Minister for the Environement of the Grand Duchy, Carole Dieschbourg, at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF), under the auspices of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the EU. The MEF assembles the major developed and developing economies from around the world with a view to facilitating dialogue and UN climate negotiations, whilst exploring concrete initiatives which would increase the production of clean energy and simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Lastly, the Luxembourg Minister conducted bilateral talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, Ramtane Lamamra, and of the Principality of Andorra, Gilbert Saboya Sunyé, as well as the CEO of the International Crisis Group (ICG), Jean-Marie Guéhenno.

 

Photo by MAEE (L-R: Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn;