Brussels, 08/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - Libya (toughening of sanctions, preparation of a EURFOR Libya mission to support possible humanitarian operations) and Côte d'Ivoire will be at the heart of the debate in the Foreign Affairs Council to be chaired by Catherine Ashton in Luxembourg on Tuesday 12 April. Also up for debate will be the situations in Syria, Yemen and Bahrain, the Middle East peace process, Belarus and the Caucasus. Ministers will discuss how the European diplomatic service, the EEAS, is working 100 days after its official start. The full Council agenda is as follows:
Southern Neighbourhood. The meeting will begin at midday with an exchange of views on the situation in Libya, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain. Ministers are expected to adopt, without discussion, a toughening of independent EU sanctions against the Gaddafi regime in Libya. This will see the list of those who are not to be granted a visa extended and a few companies - particularly in the oil and gas sectors - added to the list of entities whose assets in Europe are frozen, diplomats said on Friday. Ministers will also take stock of on-going preparations for the possible launch of a CSDP mission (EUFOR Libya) which will provide military support if an EU humanitarian operation is tackled in Libya, most probably in Misrata (see related article). European diplomats, careful not to be seen to be moving too quickly, made it very clear on Friday afternoon that no request for such a move had yet been received from the United Nations. However, if such a request was made (as is expected in the coming hours or days, it is said), “the EU will be ready to act”. On Tuesday, ministers will adopt conclusions on Libya in which they will restate their desire to contribute to a “political solution” in Libya, working closely with the UN, the Arab League and the African Union. At the behest of a number of member states (including France and Italy), representatives of the Libyan National Transition Council (NTC) could be invited to an informal meeting with ministers on the sidelines of the Council. On Friday afternoon, Ashton was still consulting with member states to determine if such a meeting would be appropriate and useful. On Tuesday, ministers will also adopt conclusions on Syria, Yemen and Bahrain. As well as condemning the violent repression of demonstrations in each of these three countries, ministers will also discuss the possibility of imposing sanctions. The European Parliament, in a resolution adopted on Thursday 7 April, has already called for such action to be taken (see EUROPE 10354). At this time, there are no plans for the Council to decide on restrictive measures, a diplomat said.
Côte d'Ivoire. Ministers will discuss the situation in the country and will adopt conclusions. The partial lifting of the sanctions that are in place will also be discussed (see related article).
Belarus. The Council will hold an exchange of views on the human rights and fundamental freedoms situation, which is still giving cause for concern. On 21 March, the Council extended the sanctions that had been imposed (visa ban, freezing of assets) on the Lukashenko regime. A further toughening of restrictive measures “is under discussion” but will not be approved on Tuesday (though perhaps at a future Council meeting), diplomats said on Friday.
Caucasus. The Council discuss the Nagorny Karabakh conflict and the possible contribution the EU could make to resolving it.
Human rights. Working from a paper from Ashton, ministers will hold a policy debate on the future EU human rights strategy, with the aim being to adopt this strategy by summer.
EEAS. 100 days after the inception of the European diplomatic corps, on 1 January 2011, ministers will discuss the way the European External Action Service (EEAS) is working. They will consider how to increase cooperation between the EEAS and national diplomatic services and how Ashton could make better use of EU foreign ministers.
Middle East. Member states will take stock of the peace process ahead of the next meeting of the Quartet.
Burma/Myanmar. The Council will extend the sanctions that are in place by a further year. (H.B./transl.rt)