MFA Under-Secretary of State Paweł Wojciechowski’s teleconference on Haiti aid

On Monday, January 18, MFA Under-Secretary of State Paweł Wojciechowski held a second Foreign Ministers' teleconference on Haiti aid connecting Ministers of France, Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. The teleconference was organised at the initiative of France’s Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.

The Ministers addressed issues of EU humanitarian aid and the state of security in the quake-stricken region. Catherine Ashton expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the January 18 Foreign Affairs Council session, particularly at the volume of aid funds arranged. Catherine Ashton also pointed out that it is imperative for the aid organised to be efficiently delivered to those in need. During the teleconference relief efforts by the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) were appraised highly by the Foreign Ministers and the High Representative Catherine Ashton.

Foreign Ministers of France, Italy and Britain also stressed the key importance of security as a precondition for the success of relief efforts. The subject was also on the agenda of the January 18 Political and Security Committee session dedicated to preparing stability efforts, based on the current EU and Member States’ capacity.

Catherine Ashton has declared her determination to continue close cooperation with the UN, the US and South American countries in bringing assistance to Haiti.

Piotr Paszkowski
Press Spokesman