High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell spoke on Sunday by phone to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu to reiterate European Union solidarity with the people of Turkey, in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck the Elazig province in Eastern Turkey, last Friday.

On this occasion, they also discussed the current situation in the Middle East and Gulf region, as well as the latest developments in Libya. High Representative Borrell recalled his readiness to work on behalf of the EU with all international partners towards a more peaceful and stable Middle East and Gulf region. He expressed concern about the security situation around the Libyan capital Tripoli, the difficulties to achieve ceasefire and to start the political settlement of the Libyan conflict.

High Representative Borrell and Minister Çavuşoğlu agreed to continue their contacts to work on all these pressing issues that affect the stability of the region and hence the security of the European Union.