The President of the EU Council, Federal Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, travelled together with EU Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner to Libya on 10 June for two days of consultation. The aim of the trip is to bring about progress in the case of the imprisoned Bulgarian nurses and the Palestinian doctor. The German EU Presidency and the European Commission are striving to exert the necessary influence on Libya so that the individuals in question are released as soon as possible.
On Sunday (10 June) the Federal Foreign Minister travelled to Benghazi where he first of all talked to the parents of the HIV infected Libyan children and then visited the Benghazi Centre for Infectious Diseases and Immunology (BCIDI) where he met infected children and their doctors. The Federal Minister said after the visit:
"Today's visit to this hospital moved me deeply. I admire the strength and courage with which everyone involved – doctors, nurses and parents – are helping the children by easing their suffering. I'm pleased that we Europeans were able to play our part and that we will continue to do so. We have a deep moral obligation to help these children".
In the evening the Minister travelled on to Tripoli for political talks and to meet the imprisoned Bulgarian nurses. He is due to travel back to Berlin on Monday evening.
