Joint European-US statement welcomes Tunis agreement, calls for support and implementation

France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Malta, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States have welcomed progress in Libya’s political process and the agreement reached by Libyan parties during the small-group meeting in Tunis on August 20 regarding the restructuring of the Board of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) and the electoral framework.

In a joint statement issued Tuesday, the ten countries praised the Libyan participants for their constructive engagement and willingness to bridge differences in the interest of Libya and the Libyan people.

The countries said they looked forward to the final signing of the agreement and called on all Libyan actors to support and implement it, describing the deal as an important and credible step toward holding inclusive and transparent national elections and unifying state institutions.

The statement said the progress achieved, beginning with the first meeting in Rome and continuing through subsequent meetings in Tunis, should provide a foundation for further compromise, confidence-building and decisive progress toward a stable, united and prosperous Libya.

The signatories also renewed their support for the efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh to facilitate a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process. They reaffirmed their firm commitment to Libya’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.