High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, kicked off the Munich Security Conference with a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, on 16 February.  

High Representative Borrell and the UN Secretary-General Guterres discussed the situation in the Middle East. High Representative Borrell thanked the UN Secretary-General for the vital work of UNRWA and paid homage to the 153 people killed in its service. He stressed the importance to continue funding UNRWA as it provides irreplaceable services for the Palestinian in Gaza and in the wider region.

High Representative Borrell stressed the need for increased EU cooperation with the UN, in the path towards a two-state solution.

The High Representative and the UN Secretary-General also discussed the situation in Ukraine as Russia continues its war of aggression against the country. High Representative Borrell updated the Secretary-General on his recent visit to the country.