Brussels, 2 September 2020
In yesterday’s meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the members of the European Parliament held a series of debates to discuss the EU’s external activities and its geopolitical position. The agenda of the meeting included a debate on the developments in Syria and the political situation in Lebanon and Venezuela as well as the ongoing talks in the EU-Mercosur association agreement.
In her intervention on Lebanon, EPP vice coordinator Željana Zovko expressed her condolences to the families of victims of the explosion in Beirut. She also asked for the plans of European High Representative Borrell to engage with the new government of Lebanon and stated that in the upcoming reforms one needs to find a clear balance to allow a society of multi-confessionalism.
During the exchange of views with the European Chargé d’Affaires for Syria Gilles Bernard, Zovko inquired how the EU is monitoring the gradual strength of the ISIS in Syria as it remains a big concern for the European security. In addition, Zovko asked for an evaluation of the recent meeting of the Syrian Constitutional Committee that took place in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations.
Zovko also intervened in the discussion on Venezuela. She expressed her regret for the current situation and asked how the European Union can be of a further help, taking into account the worsening humanitarian situation in Venezuela. She also spoke about the ongoing political conflict in the country and reiterated the need to achieve new elections in order to allow people to democratically elect its representatives.
Regarding the EU-Mercosur agreement, Zovko asked the Commission to elaborate on the biggest advantages of the deal for the European Union. After the meeting Zovko stated that she welcomes the progress made in the EU-Mercosur agreement as it is a success and an opportunity for the EU economy and a needed leverage for the EU’s presence in the region.