Brussels, 10/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - A hefty agenda awaits EU ministers for the last Foreign Affairs Council of the year, to be held on the afternoon of Monday 13 December, with Catherine Ashton in the chair. The Council will be preceded in the morning by an Association Council with Morocco, a meeting of ministers from the countries of the Eastern Partnership and a Cooperation Council with Tajikistan. The detailed agenda for the Council is as follows:
Middle East. Ministers will hold an in-depth discussion on the state of play in the peace process in the light of major developments over the last few days, including the US decision not to seek a freeze on Israeli settlement-building on the West Bank as a pre-condition for the continuation of direct talks between Israel and Palestine. Ashton has said that the EU “regrets” this decision, and takes the view that the settlement-building is “illegal” and “an obstacle to peace” (see EUROPE 10273) but ministers will certainly express their views. Ashton will also set out for ministers a number of options for supporting the economic development of the Gaza Strip. Diplomats have announced concrete infrastructure, equipment and training measures designed to support greater opening of the Gaza crossing points. The Council will adopt conclusions.
Western Balkans. The Council will give its reaction to the outcome of the general election which is due to take place in Kosovo on 12 December, the day before ministers meet. It will also discuss the situation in Serbia and briefly, in Bosnia and Herzegovina (a longer debate on Bosnia is scheduled for January). A wider debate on enlargement is planned for the General Affairs Council the next day (see related article, below).
Sudan. The Council will again hold an exchange of views and adopt conclusions on concrete humanitarian and security aid the EU can provide in Sudan before and after the 9 January referendums on self-determination for South Sudan and the status of Abyei. The conclusions will depend on the possible scenarios, from the most optimistic to the most pessimistic, which Rosalind Marsden, who heads the Taskforce on Sudan, will set out for ministers.
Côte d'Ivoire. The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on the political situation in the Côte d'Ivoire, which currently has two presidents and has been suspended from the African Union. The EU, like the rest of the international community, has called for the people's vote, which made Alassane Ouattara president, to be respected.
DR Congo. The Council will adopt conclusions welcoming the invitation extended to the EU to observe the general elections in November 2011 and will underline the importance of free, credible and inclusive elections.
Somalia. The Council will hold a short debate on the political situation in Somalia and take stock of the EU's support for the Federal Transition Government.
Iran. Ashton will brief ministers on her meetings in Geneva on 6-7 December where she discussed the Iranian nuclear programme with Iranian negotiator Said Jalili (see EUROPE 10272).
Strategic partners. Over lunch, Ashton will set out the broad thrust of the interim report she will present to the European Council on 16-17 December on the EU's future relations with its “strategic partners”. September's European Council called on the high representative to assess future relations with all the strategic partners and to define the interests and means which the EU could make available to support these interests. Ashton will also set out for ministers the political priorities of EU's foreign policy for 2011.
Afghanistan. Ministers will continue the debate begun at the Development Council on Thursday 9 December.
Various. The situation in Moldova after the elections will be discussed, as will the OSCE (the outcome of the recent summit and Lithuania's priorities as forthcoming OSCE President). (H.B./A.N./transl.rt)