Josep Borrell and Tobias Billström outside of Steninge Castle
© European Union
On Friday 12 May, EU foreign ministers gathered in Stockholm for the Informal Meeting of foreign affairs ministers (Gymnich). Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström hosted the meeting, which was chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
The Gymnich meetings are part of a long tradition dating almost 50 years. Gymnich gives EU foreign ministers an opportunity to meet informally for in-depth and open discussions on current foreign and security issues.
At a working lunch the foreign ministers discussed how the EU can further strengthen its response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including through increased support to Ukraine, more pressure on Russia and deeper dialogue with third countries on the global impact of Russia’s aggression.
Providing support to Ukraine and putting pressure on Russia are the single most important foreign policy tasks during our Presidency of the Council. I am pleased that the EU is in strong agreement on supporting Ukraine as much as we can and for as long as is needed.
On the morning of 13 May, Mr Billström also hosted an informal meeting between the EU foreign ministers and Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba.
I am honoured to welcome my Ukrainian colleague and friend Dmytro Kuleba to Stockholm for talks with the EU foreign ministers. This is an important opportunity, not least, to discuss how we can work together for a better understanding of the adverse global impact of Russia’s aggression.
