Brussels, 09/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Although events in Libya, Tunisia and Egypt and in the Arab Peninsula are on the agenda of the informal foreign ministers' council to be held in Brussels on 10 March, strategic reflection on the situation in Libya will take pride of place at this session limited to lunch. Two hours of discussion will not be too long to tackle every aspect - political, humanitarian and security - of the war in Libya where Gaddafi's forces are stepping up the bombing on insurgent positions. Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, expects ministers will make a contribution at the extraordinary European Council of 11 March, which is to define a joint EU strategy against every eventuality. EU27 ministers will have an opportunity to take forward the discussion on the options for a “Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity” with the southern neighbour countries after the European Council, during the Gymnich meeting (to be held in Gödöllõ on the evening of 11 March and Saturday 12 March).
Libya: Ministers will tackle: 1) the question of evacuating EU citizens, which is now coming to an end, and evacuating third country nationals at the border between Tunisia and Libya, the flow now having slowed down but could swell again if fighting were to intensify; 2) humanitarian needs now being assessed in Benghazi and in other Libyan towns; and 3) the political situation and the development of the military situation which are currently the subject of diplomatic talks at the UN Security Council, within the Arab League Council (on Saturday), the African Union, NATO (as part of precautionary planning) and Friday's European Council in Brussels. As things stand, there is no talk of military operations but of support for humanitarian evacuation. The possibility of a no-fly zone to protect the civilian population is favoured by the United Kingdom and France but is not on the agenda as this, as European sources told the press on Wednesday, is not the appropriate place for such discussions. The same sources pointed out that it is better to have a legal base for such matters - such as a resolution from the UN Security Council. A “coalition of the willing” could be envisaged but “we are no way near that yet”, these sources said. The idea of an independent UN inquiry by eight European ambassadors in Tripoli does not seem to be contemplated. On the other hand, extension of European sanctions to financial companies or other companies linked to the Gaddafi regime could be approved on Thursday, after written procedure (see EUROPE 10331).
Tunisia and Egypt: The exchange of views will also cover the kind of support that the EU and the international community can provide to the political process (review of the constitution, elections, creation of political parties, NGOs, associations), as well as to the economic and financial plan. Bahrain, Yemen, Oman: Ministers' attention will focus on following up events in the coming weeks and months. (A.N./transl.jl)