EUROPEAN UNION Brussels, 18 March 2011

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Remarks by High Representative Catherine Ashton

at the VIP corner
on the latest developments regarding Libya1

As we all know, Resolution 1973 means that the conditions that were set out last week by the
European Council are now fulfilled.

We have see reports that the Libyan regime has announced a ceasefire, and along with our
colleagues we're looking at the details of that.

During the last week, I have been to Cairo, to Paris and to London, and of course have maintained
close and regular contacts with all our international partners, including the Arab League, who
I visited in Cairo to give them the details of the European Council discussions and African Union –
I have been talking with Jean Ping.

Tonight, I will travel to Paris where I will meet tomorrow, I hope, with Ban Ki-moon, certainly with
Amr Moussa of the Arab League, and Jean Ping of the African Union.

What is key for the European Union is that we look at what we can do to strengthen economic
sanctions and to intensify our humanitarian support for the people of Libya.

I was extremely pleased that the resolution made explicit mention of sanctions against the Libyan
oil assets.

The Political and Security Committee (PSC) is meeting right now to discuss options for how best
we can support humanitarian efforts on the ground.

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P R E S S
FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 299 97 80 - Michael.Mann@ec.europa.eu
Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu
COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON@ec.europa.eu
www.eeas.europa.eu

EN
On Monday, the Foreign Affairs Council will meet and decide upon a concerted set of measures at
European Union level. And of course, all of these actions fall into the overall framework of our
long-term support for the entire region as it continues its transition to freedom and democracy.

Joint statement by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, and EU High
Representative Catherine Ashton on UN Security Council resolution on Libya:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/120012.pdf

Press briefing by Catherine ASHTON, EU High Representative / EC Vice-President, on the recent

developments in Libya
http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/videoplayer.cfm?ref=76372

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