On 23 March 2020, the EU Ministers for Foreign Affairs held a videoconference, chaired by Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Ministers exchanged views on the international response to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), with a particular focus on the repatriation of EU travellers stranded abroad. Ministers also discussed how to step up international cooperation and solidarity in order to support the most fragile countries. Foreign Ministers condemned the attempt to discredit the European Union, through disinformation and the stigmatisation of EU citizens abroad in relation to coronavirus. Ministers also had the opportunity to touch on some pressing issues on the international agenda such as the implementation of the EU-Turkey statement, and the state of play of discussions on the new CSDP operation in the Mediterranean.

This video shows Josep Borrell Fontelles delivering a speech following the meeting.