LOC13:04
10:04 GMT
BRUSSELS, Nov 13 (KUNA) -- German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Monday that the EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels today will discuss two main issues.
"The first one is how to keep the nuclear agreement with Iran. Europe wants to uphold the agreement and today with my British and French colleagues, as well as (EU High Representative) Mrs Mogherini we will discuss on how to engage in dialogue with the United States in order to maintain the agreement, but also to put the difficult role of Iran in the region in new context," he told reporters ahead of the meeting.
"The second issue is the agreement we are having on future defence and security cooperation. This is an important step towards autonomy and strengthening of the European security and defence policy," he said.
Gabriel said "we are very worried about developments in the Middle East" and hoped that the resigned Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Al Hariri "will return soon and stability will be restored in Lebanon."
On his part, Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary "we are here on the European end of the effort to keep the Iran nuclear deal going after what we were doing last week in Washington trying to make sure that they don't unscramble it on Capitol Hill and the White House."
"Clearly the effort is all about see what we can do to push back some of the disruptive things that Iran is doing in the region, while keeping that essential nuclear deal going where by Iran pledges not to develop nuclear weapons in exchange for economic operations," he told reporters.
He said EU ministers will discuss the stability of the Middle East region "and everybody wants to see a sovereign and independent Lebanon as I said in a statement last night. "
Johnsons aid EU foreign ministers will also be looking at the new European plans for defence and security cooperation and the UK is supportive of these .
French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said "we are worried about the situation in Lebanon, Lebanon has a historical relationship with France and we care about its stability, territorial integrity and constitutional respect. We wish the country to return to stability the soonest possible.".
"For a political solution to take place in Lebanon freedom of movement for all political figures is necessary," he told reporters.
Le Drian said today's EU foreign ministers meeting "will be marked by the commitment to a structured enhanced cooperation (in defence). It is a strong commitment for the reinforcement of a Europe for defence." (end)
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