Czechia completely supports Ukraine politically, militarily, humanitarianly, and in stabilization and promotes this effort as a key priority of the Presidency. “We have to continue in providing extensive military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Therefore, we approved, with the other member states, the EUMAM military mission that will help with training the Ukrainian armed forces. We were able to negotiate further funding from the European Peace Facility for military aid,” summarized Minister Lipavský.

The ministers of foreign affairs also discussed the position of the 27 members in relation to China’s increasingly assertive policy. The main condition for which EU member states can effectively counter China’s ambitions to change the current international order is EU unity. In light of experience with Russia, the EU must continue working on decreasing strategic dependence on China, thus increasing the EU’s resilience, especially in the areas of key technology and industrial sectors.

At the same time today, the EU reacted to the ongoing repression of citizen protests in Iran by increasing the sanctions list with more individuals and entities that are violating basic human rights. “Today’s decision from the EU sends a signal that Iran cannot count on negotiations over nuclear issues to protect it from pressure on its compliance with international obligations in other areas, whether it be human rights or respect for the sovereignty of UN member states,” added the head of Czech diplomacy.

Minister Lipavský and his EU counterparts agreed on more military aid to Ukraine and increased sanctions against Iran.