Brussels, 23/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - The new European sanctions against Iran, the EU's attitude towards Kosovo after the opinion of the International Court of Justice, and the situation in the Middle East (especially Gaza) and Sudan will be the main items on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council scheduled to meet on Monday 26 July under the chairmanship of Catherine Ashton. On Tuesday 27 July, on the sidelines of the Council, an EU-former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Stabilisation and Association Council will be held.
The full agenda of the Council is as follows:
Iran. The Council will adopt a package of “restrictive measures” against Iran further to UN Security Council Resolution 1929 in relation to the country's nuclear programme. The package will contain two elements: - implementation of sanctions decided at the UN; - and supplementary EU accompanying measures that go further than the UN sanctions. The European Council in June had already defined the sectors targeted (gas and oil industry, trade, financial sector, insurance, maritime and air transport, freeze on assets, etc) but, on Monday, ministers of the EU will adopt the complete list of specific measures that will then be published in the EU Official Journal. The Council will also take stock of diplomatic relations with Tehran. Catherine Ashton has had an exchange of correspondence with the Iranian chief negotiator on the nuclear issue, Saïd Jalili. She has invited him to discuss the nuclear programme. This week, on the sidelines of the international conference on Afghanistan in Kabul, she also met the Iranian foreign minister, Manuchehr Mottaki. “The message has been the same for both leaders: - Sanctions are not the end game. We are ready to negotiate, as a negotiated solution is what we are aiming for”, commented a source close to Catherine Ashton on Friday.
Western Balkans. Ministers will discuss Kosovo and the ICJ opinion (see article above) as well as Bosnia-Herzegovina. On this last point, the Council will hold a “strategic” debate in the light of a joint document prepared by Ashton and Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle - the idea being to take advantage of the elections in October to give fresh impetus to political and economic reforms by strengthening the EU's presence on the spot and using the country's prospect of accession as an incentive, diplomats explain.
Middle East/Gaza. Catherine Ashton will inform ministers of the results of her visit to Gaza early this week. Ministers will once more call for immediate and unconditional opening of the border crossing points to Gaza, not only for humanitarian aid but also to allow trade and the movement of persons. In this context, the EU27 will also discuss the EU's contribution to ensuring the security of these crossing points.
Sudan. The Council will hold a “broad strategic discussion” on EU relations with Sudan following the general elections in April and ahead of the referendum on South Sudan's self-determination in January 2011. It will also cover the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICXC) in The Hague, which recently issued a second arrest warrant for President Omar Hassan al Bachir on a charge of genocide in Darfur. It is foreseen that ministers will adopt conclusions on Monday.
Brazil/India. During lunch, ministers will continue their discussions on EU relations with its “strategic partners”, this time focusing the debate on India and Brazil.
Cuba. The Council will hear the Spanish foreign minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, who will be reporting on his recent visit to the island. After the release of 52 political prisoners, Moratinos had called for review of the EU's common position on Cuba (EUROPE 10178). The debate, however, will not be held on Monday but in the autumn, most probably in September, diplomats said on Friday.
Kyrzgyzstan. The Council will adopt conclusions. (H.B./transl.jl)