Brussels, 19/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - No tangible decisions to be made but plenty of important subject matter for debate at the meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday in the Foreign Affairs Council to be chaired by Catherine Ashton.
The meeting will start with lunch at 1.00pm (after the General Affairs Council, see separate article) with a broad debate on the Middle East and international efforts to get the Israelis and Palestinians around the negotiating table. Ministers will also examine the situation in Gaza and recent development in Lebanon. The Council is expected to publish a conclusions document on the latter, repeating the EU's support for the national unity government of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability.
The ministers will then exchange views on the situation in Iraq where agreement was reached last week confirming Djalal Talabani and Nouri al Maliki as the president and the prime minister, and the formation of a new government eight months after the elections. Here too, the Council is expected to publish conclusions highlighting the importance of introducing a stable and representative government that is able to make progress towards national reconciliation.
The nuclear programme of Iran will also be discussed by the ministers. Catherine Ashton will brief them about her recent contacts with the Iranian authorities. On Friday 12 November, the EU high representative for foreign affairs responded favourably to Iran's offer to resume dialogue on the nuclear programme on 5 December with the 3+3 Group countries (Germany, China, the United States, France, Russia and the United Kingdom). The EU has taken note of Iran's reactions as reported upon in the media but is still waiting for a formal response from Tehran, explain sources close to Catherine Ashton. The location of the meeting has yet to be decided. The Iranians suggest Istanbul, but Ashton prefers Vienna or somewhere in Switzerland, explain the same sources.
After lunch, the politicians will discuss the situation in Sudan ahead of the referendum on independence for southern Sudan (see related article below).
The Council will also examine preparation for international summits with strategic partners: Africa in Tripoli on 29-30 November, Russia in Brussels on 7 December, and the OSCE in Astana (Kazakhstan) on 1-2 December.
The situation in Burma/Myanmar after the 7 November elections and the liberation of Aung San Suu Kyi on 13 November will also be debated. The ministers will hold an initial discussion on the political repercussions of the Burmese events on relations with the EU. Diplomats point out, however, that no conclusions or decisions are expected on any change of policy towards the country. (H.B./transl.fl)