High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini meets with UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief coordinator Mark Lowcock

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, met today in Brussels with newly appointed United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock.

In the discussion, High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini and UN Under Secretary General Lowcock discussed the current situations in Syria, Yemen and Somalia, as well as on the Rohingya refugee crisis.

In regard to Syria and the situation in Eastern Ghouta, they stressed that the recently adopted UN Security Council Resolution needs to be fully and immediately implemented, ensuring a cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and urgent humanitarian access. They also discussed preparations for the second Brussels Conference on 'Supporting the future of Syria and the region" that the European Union and the United Nations will co-chair on 24-25 April 2018. The event will be an opportunity to further mobilise the international community in support of the Syrian people and for the neighbouring countries affected by the conflict.

On Yemen, Federica Mogherini conveyed the need for continued humanitarian access and the EU's support to the UN led negotiation process. The situation in Somalia was also raised with the need to address the short and long terms needs in a coordinated and coherent manner.

High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini also confirmed that the EU remains fully mobilised politically and through extensive humanitarian assistance to help to address the Rohingya refugee crisis and will continue constructive engagement with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Federica Mogherini also expressed appreciation for the leading role of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in coordinating the relief assistance by the international community in times of major humanitarian crises. She highlighted the need for global leadership and shared responsibility in addressing them in the context of effective multilateralism. The European Union will continue to work closely together with OCHA and the wider UN system in strengthening multilateralism and global governance.