18/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - Catherine Ashton and Hillary Clinton sign a framework agreement on US involvement in EU crisis management operations. On Tuesday 17 May, the High Representative of the EU, Catherine Ashton, and the American Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Hillary Rodham Clinton, signed a framework agreement on the involvement of the US in EU crisis management operations. However, the agreement relates only to the involvement of American civilians in EU operations. The United States is already contributing to the EU's rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and its security reform mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (EUSEC). The signature of the agreement removes the obligation for an ad hoc renegotiation of the conditions for American participation in other EU crisis management missions. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the meeting between Mrs Clinton and Lady Ashton in Washington on Tuesday. At this meeting, the heads of American and European diplomacy discussed a raft of issues, including Libya, Syria and Iran, according to a press release issued by the American Department of State. (A.By./transl.fl)