CCTV9英语新闻：EU ministers meet in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, Libya

Foreign ministers of the European Union have gathered in Brussels for a Foreign Affairs Council meeting. Monday's talks focused on security situations in various regions, with particular emphasis on Ukraine and Libya.

 

The situation in Ukraine topped the EU foreign minister's meeting in Brussels on Monday. The diplomats agreed that continued sanctions against Russia must remain in place and keep the pressure on the Kremlin to do more to end the growing violence in eastern Ukraine.

 

On Libya and the migration deal struck at the informal EU leaders summit in Malta last week, the message was clear: the E-U is not trying to dump its migrant problem on Libya, but rather it wants to save lives and prevent exploitation by smugglers and traffickers.

 

The EU Foreign Affairs Chief Federica Mogherini pointed out the European Union has helped save thousands of lives. The problem she says is in Libyan waters where 45-hundred migrants and refugees have died in the past year.

 

Mogherini travels to the U.S. at the end of this week. She's expected to meet members of Congress and White House representatives including Jared Kushner, a senior advisor and President Trump's son-in-law. She hopes to find common ground and areas for cooperation with the new administration.

 

By the way. U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence is expected in Brussels the week.

 

These visits could serve as an important indicator for the future of transatlantic relations with the U.S. as the EU tries to maintain a united front when it comes to foreign policy.