Lajcak Discusses Syria and Lebanon at Foreign Affairs Council

Bratislava, February 16 (TASR) – At a regular Foreign Affairs Council session in Brussels on Monday, Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak discussed the situation in Syria, the Foreign and European Affairs Ministry’s press department informed TASR on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, the foreign affairs ministers discussed Syria in the context of the latest diplomatic initiatives, including discussions in Geneva and London and also a meeting of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in Munich.

Lajcak noted that the discussion focused on two aspects – the attitude to humanitarian aid in the most dangerous areas of Syria and a halt to the fighting, as the top priorities are currently the introduction of a sustainable ceasefire, access to humanitarian aid for the civilian population and the continuation of the Geneva negotiations.

The consequences of the crisis in Syria were also on the table during a working lunch with Lebanese Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Minister Gebran Bassil. Lebanon is one of countries affected most by the war in Syria and by the presence of more than a million refugees, about a quarter of the number of people living in the country.

According to the ministry, the ministers assured Lebanon of support and solidarity in this complicated domestic and regional situation.

“Lebanon borders Syria and has the most refugees. Its stances are very edifying for us,” said Lajcak.

Lajcak also met Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Fatmir Besimi. On behalf of Slovakia, Lajcak vowed support for Besimi in addressing the migration crisis, including in the post of Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which Slovakia will hold in the latter half of the year. Lajcak also assured Besimi that Slovakia will dedicate itself to Macedonia’s European integration.