On Monday 18 July 2016, Luxembourg’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, was in Brussels to participate in the Foreign Affairs council of the European Union; his working day began with a breakfast with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry. They discussed relations between the EU and the US, the situation in Turkey and regional issues such as Syria and Libya in particular.

Due to the recent developments in international affairs, the council began with a minute of silence in commemoration of the victims of the Nice attack on Thursday 14 July 2016 and a discussion on the fight against terrorism. The ministers then addressed the situation in Turkey.

The EU strongly condemned the attempted coup in Turkey, repeating its full support for the legitimate institutions of the country. The Council mourned the high number of victims and expressed solidarity with the Turkish people. The EU called on the Turkish authorities, including police and security forces, to show control, all to be done to prevent further violence in order to protect lives and re-establish peace.

The ministers called for respect of the constitutional order of Turkey and emphasised the importance of the primacy of the rule of law. It is crucial to ensure full respect for all democratic institutions. The Council underlined the need to respect democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms and the right to a fair trial in full conformity with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. This includes Protocol 13 on the abolition of the death penalty. In this context, the EU reiterated that the unequivocal rejection of the death penalty is an essential part of the achievement of the Union.

The ministers further discussed ways to ensure effective monitoring of the overall strategy for foreign policy and EU security, encouraging the High Representative to rapidly present a timetable and the priorities for the implementation of the strategy, particularly in the field of security and defense.

Moreover, the ministers paid special attention to China. This discussion was based on a joint communication by the High Representative and the European Commission entitled "Elements for a new EU strategy towards China" as well as on the results of the EU-China summit.

Photo by MAEE (L-R): José Manuel Garcia Margallo y Marfil, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain; Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg; Didier Reynders, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Belgium; Boris Johnson, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Britain; George Vella, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta