Brussels, 19/01/2022 – 20:45
In the context of continued transatlantic and multilateral coordination in regards to European security, EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell participated in a first quadrilateral call with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and the OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office Poland, on Wednesday night.
They discussed Russia’s military build-up around Ukraine as well as ongoing bilateral and international diplomatic engagements related to Russian attempts to re-define security arrangements in Europe. They reaffirmed the need to uphold the fundamental principles of the existing European security architecture, as enshrined particularly within the OSCE.
They underlined their determination to continue intense consultations on identifying ways to solve the situation through bilateral and multilateral diplomatic engagement and by presenting a strong, clear and united transatlantic front.
The Foreign Ministers of EU Member States at their meeting in Brest last week agreed to further strengthen coordination with the United States and with NATO, and to enhance European Union cooperation within the OSCE, and asked HRVP Borrell to coordinate these activities.
The quadrilateral call took place following these discussions and recent exchanges among partners, including with Ukrainian counterparts, and ahead of US talks with Russia.
EU Foreign Ministers will take their discussions forward on this issue at their forthcoming meeting of the Council in Brussels on Monday. High Representative Borrell invited Secretary Blinken to join this meeting.