They say they’re echoing the call by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The ceasefire call comes from French Foreign Minister Yves le Drian and his counterparts from Germany  Heiko Maas and Italy Luigi Di Mayo.

EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell has endorsed the call which was spurred by the refusal of Tripoli’s  Government of National Accord led by Fayez Al Sarraj to accept an EU blockade of Libya to enforce the United Nations arms embargo.

The government, which is backed by the UN, says the naval action has failed to stop weapons getting through to rebels led by Khalifa Haftar who are bent on occupying the capital. 

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The groupings foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell says there’s no new money involved.

Development Ministers say the programme entitled Global EU Response to COVID 19 is designed to combat the worst international crisis in decades.

It involves direct budget support, loans and guarantees from the European Investment Bank and the European Bank For Reconstruction And Development.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says the programme involves reorienting existing funds.

It is hoped it will be increased to R400-billion with contributions from member countries.

African countries have so far avoided the high infection rates in China, the US and Europe but they are lamentably under resourced to deal with the full force of a pandemic.

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It will involve searching ships in the Mediterranean carrying arms off Libya and checking on illegal fuel and oil being smuggled from the war-torn North African country.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says diplomacy cannot work without enforcement action. 

Europe will use its aerial, satellite and maritime assets to ensure the UN arms embargo against Libya is enforced.

A previous attempt to do this was blocked by the then Italian government claiming the use of warships attracted illegal immigrants to its shores.

The EU announcement came as rebels loyal to Khalifa Haftar shelled Tripoli days after agreeing to ceasefire with the Government of National Accord to allow medics to deal with the COVID 19 pandemic  

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It’s based on a closer and more equal partnership than the policy adopted in Lisbon 13 years ago.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says there’s a great deal of work to do before the October EU Africa Summit in Brussels.

Both sides have to put flesh on the bones of their desire to see enhanced cooperation and sustainable development between the 27 European nations and 54 African countries.

Borrell says they are working on embracing green energy, transforming digital technology, sustainable growth and jobs, peace, security and good governance and migration mobility.

The importance of this process is underlined by the reality that Europe’s  $250-billion investment in Africa is five times larger than that of  the US or China.   

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