Foreign Minister George W. Vella attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, where he said that Malta is closely following the developments in Libya.

Ministers met to discuss recent developments in Syria, Iraq, the threat of ISIL/Da'ish, Libya, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, as well as the Ebola crisis.

At the request of Malta, Italy and Spain, Ministers discussed the situation in Libya and the ongoing efforts of the United Nations Special Representative to Libya, Bernardino Leon, in moving the opposing camps towards a dialogue and the establishment of an unconditional ceasefire. Leon, who participated in the discussion via video link, briefed Ministers on the preparations of the UN-sponsored talks scheduled for Wednesday. Addressing the Council Meeting, Minister Vella expressed the hope that in spite of the many negative indicators the talks will take place as scheduled and lead to a monitored ceasefire and further dialogue. Minister Vella also discussed the undesirable consequences were the talks fail to take place.

Following an informal session held the day before, with United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, Ministers expressed their full support for his efforts to achieve a strategic de-escalation of violence as a basis for a broader sustainable political process. Ministers also discussed the grave humanitarian situation and urged all parties to comply with international humanitarian law as regards protection and access to humanitarian aid for all people in need. Concerning Iraq, Ministers acknowledged the recent measures of the Iraqi governing towards bridging the sectarian divide while expressing serious concern regarding the humanitarian situation. The Council also held an exchange of views on elements for a possible EU regional strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the ISIL/Da'ish threat.