Brussels, 20/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - At the Foreign Affairs Council of 23 July 2012, the EU is expected to issue sanctions against some two dozen Syrian leaders and economic entities, including cotton companies.
There will be a tightening of the embargo on arms and other equipment that can be used for repressive purposes, along with tighter monitoring of ships in ports and at sea and air freight to and from the country. Diplomats say that the embargo will apply to all banned goods, whether destined for the government or the opposition, and will take the form of a regulation on shipping and aviation with immediate application. A national diplomat pointed out that tight surveillance of shipping was needed to ensure the sanctions are respected, while a European diplomat said that, until now, member states had had the option of stopping and searching a ship, but the new regulation would remove any uncertainty and make it clear that if there is any suspicion, then cargoes must be searched. Diplomats say the measures give a minimum level of rights to all member states.
The sanctions have been confirmed by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.
On Friday 20 July, the section of the conclusions document on Syria was still under discussion due to events on the ground and developments at the United Nations Security Council.
European Neighbourhood Policy south and east. In another section of the conclusions document, the ministers will criticise the attacks and other incidents along the Syrian-Lebanese border and will hail the Lebanese government's work in helping Syrians fleeing across the border from Syria to escape violence and trying to restore national unity. The EU will say that it is committed to “unity, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity” in Syria. The Council will discuss the situation in Libya after the 7 July 2012 elections, and are expected to stress the importance of a new constitution. EU High Representative Catherine Ashton may brief the ministers on her 19 July trip to Egypt. The Council will prepare for the Eastern Partnership ministerial meeting immediately after the Foreign Affairs Council.
Sudan and South Sudan. The Council will examine progress in the post-secession talks, currently in deadlock but expected to resume on 2 August 2012 in line with the African Union “roadmap” signed by Sudan and South Sudan. In its conclusions document, the Council is expected to say it fully supports the full and unconditional implementation of the African Union roadmap and UN Security Council Resolution 2046.
Mali/Sahel. The Council will discuss the situation in the Sahel region, particularly Mali, which is divided now that the North has fallen into the hands of armed Islamic groups and Al-Qaida au Maghreb Islamique (AQMI), which are now terrorising the population, destroying ancient sacred sites in places like Timbuktu and causing a mass exodus of refugees (some 167,000 have been displaced internally and a further 170,000 are taking refuge in neighbouring countries). In its conclusions document, the Council will express grave concern and support for the work being done by ECOWAS and countries in the region to try and restore order in Mali.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Council will discuss the situation in North and South Kivu (bordering on Rwanda in the east of the DRC), particularly in North Kivu, which has seen a sharp rise in violence and a deterioration in humanitarian conditions (see EUROPE 10642). In unanimous conclusions, the ministers will call on the DRC and Rwanda to find a political solution to the conflict and tackle the underlying causes of the instability.
Somalia. The Council will adopt a conclusions document without debate reiterating its appeal to the leaders and key players in Somalia to ensure that the transition is completed on time (the deadline is 20 August 2012).
China. Ashton will brief ministers on the third strategic EU-China dialogue meeting, which took place in Beijing on 9 July. The European High Representative and Chinese foreign policy adviser Dai Bingguo agreed in Beijing that the EU and China would work more closely together on international issues by means of talks on defence issues and security policy (see EUROPE 10652). Ministers will discuss preparations for the EU-China Annual Summit.
Energy. Over lunch, ministers will hold talks with EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger about the foreign affairs dimensions of the EU's energy policy and effective management of instruments available to the EU (partnerships and dialogue with non-EU countries) to address energy security issues and promote peace, stability and transparent information given that global energy demand is expected to rise by more than a half by 2030, according to forecasts by the OECD's International Energy Agency. (AN, EH and CG/transl.fl)