The informal ministerial meeting for Foreign Affairs focused on the Middle East, Iran and Russia

The EU member states where unanimous on the fact that the peace process of the Middle East must be revived. According to the ministers, the uniform action taken during the summer has had a positive effect on the area.

When discussing the situation in the Middle East, KEHYS, the Finnish NGDO Platform, wants to point out that coherence, a central goal in development policy, demands an efficient continuum concept. Fast provision of humanitarian assistance by the international community is important and it must be followed by coherent transition to rehabilitation and reconstruction and development.

Finland should promote the continuum concept as a strong element in EU-policy. According to the KEHYS, the role of the Union could be emphasized more towards it being a coordinating actor that focuses especially on the reasonable use of resources and a more efficient use of expertise within each one of the member states.

“We should have the wisdom to think far enough instead of limiting support only to solve acute needs”, says Secretary General Rilli Lappalainen of KEHYS.

The EU High Representative Javier Solana and the Commissioner for External Affairs Benita Ferrero-Waldner also took part of the ministerial meeting. The meeting in Lappeenranta was unofficial, which means that no conclusions were made.