EU defense ministers discuss developments in Gabon

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) – The EU defense ministers gathered on Wednesday to discuss recent developments in Africa and the bloc’s support for Ukraine.

The EU defense and foreign ministers hold a two-day informal meeting in Toledo, Spain, hosted by the Spanish government that assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1.

On the way to the reunion, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the ministers will discuss the news about the military takeover in Gabon.

A group of high-ranking Gabonese military officers announced earlier on Wednesday that they had seized power and declared the results of Saturday’s general election null.

Borrell noted that the information about the developments in the country is “confusing,” but stressed that if a military coup is confirmed, it “will increase instability in the whole region.”

At their meeting in Toledo, the EU defense chiefs will also assess the situation in Africa’s Sahel region and options to “improve” EU policy towards the conflict zone as it is a “big issue for Europe,” Borrell added.

He explained that the ministers will also hold a “deep discussion” on maintaining support for Ukraine and “study the ways of ensuring the stability and sustainability for the financial support for” the country.

According to Borrell, the EU must continue backing Ukraine even when the war ends, and this “has to include security guarantees.”