“Approving the eleventh sanction package against Russia is great news. It’s important to not only expand the accepted sanctions list but also prevent their circumvention. And that’s precisely what this package helps us do. I am also pleased that increased financial support for Ukraine was accepted, which we must continue to support economically and militarily,” said Minister Lipavský.

During the meeting, the ministers also approved the ninth sanctions package against Iran, with which the European Union unequivocally showed its intent to deal with nuclear threats and support human rights. Among other topics was the present-day situation in northern Kosovo and the current events in Tunisia that is being torn by a strong economic crisis. The ministers also addressed the European approach to digital diplomacy, which Czechia intensively focused on during its Presidency in the Council of the EU not long ago, and the individual positions of member states before the incoming summit between the EU and Latin American and Caribbean partners.

On the side of the Council, Minister Lipavský briefly met with his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billström, with whom he discussed Swedish membership in NATO. “Sweden has our full support in joining NATO, and I personally still believe that Sweden will join the July Summit in Vilnius as a full-fledged member,” added the head of Czech diplomacy.