On 21 November 2023 in Brussels, Belgium, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs, participated in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (EU),in its development configuration. The main item on the agenda was European engagement in Africa, which has become particularly topical following a series of coups d'état in the Sahel region.
During the discussion on the European Union's engagement in Africa, the State Secretary, Andris Pelšs, underlined: “Despite the difficult situations, cooperation with Africa must continue. We need a united and common approach in response to the political changes in the region. Strategic communications must be strengthened to counter Russia's false narrative about the West. In particular, support for youth, women and cooperation projects at the local level needs to be continued”.
The European Commission also reported on international developments: the Ukraine Facility and support for Ukraine's reconstruction, the European Union's assistance to Palestinian civilians, and closer cooperation with the World Bank Group.
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The format of the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU on development cooperation deals with development cooperation and humanitarian aid. The meetings are chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and take place every six months.