EU President Charles Michel advocates for a strong and unified European approach to international conflicts. Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen also welcomed efforts to reach a ceasefire in Libya. The country has been plagued by a civil war for years, with General Haftar threatening to seize the capital Tripoli.
If the crisis in Libya escalates, EU President Michel fears a large refugee influx from North Africa. The European Union's geopolitical influence is often questioned because it lacks its own military forces for foreign interventions.
Michel stated it is of great importance that the EU speaks with one voice in major international conflicts. Not only must Commission President Von der Leyen, High Representative for Foreign Affairs Borrell, and himself be aligned, but also the prime ministers and presidents of the most influential member states. He referred specifically to Macron, Merkel, and Johnson.
German Chancellor Merkel has invited the parties involved in the Libyan conflict to come to Berlin on Sunday. Merkel hopes to initiate a peace process. The US, Russia, China, Turkey, and France are also invited to participate. The internationally recognized government of Libya will also be present in Berlin.
Russia urges the conflicting parties in war-torn Libya to also travel to Berlin next Sunday for a peace conference. Only then can it be ensured that they accept all decisions that are agreed upon, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday.
For the summit, the prime minister of the internationally recognized Libyan government, Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and his main opponent, warlord Khalifa Haftar, have been invited. It is still unclear whether they will be present in Berlin. According to the German government, representatives are also expected from the United States, Russia, Great Britain, France, China, Turkey, Italy, and the United Nations.
Haftar’s militias control large parts of the country amid the civil war. Shortly before Merkel’s invitation, talks with the conflicting parties on a ceasefire in Moscow ended without results.