Brussels, 07/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - The president of the Syrian National Coalition, Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, will join the end of the lunch of the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 10 December, a senior European official confirmed on Friday 7 December. His participation - at the request of several member states - will be an opportunity to discuss the coalition and its representativeness of society. The Council has recognised this coalition as “the legitimate representative”, but some member states are still concerned at the few Kurdish representatives or at the absence of Alawites and deserters from the government (see EUROPE 10734). The ministers will assess the latest developments in the country, ahead of the Friends of Syria meeting in Morocco on 12 December. In addition to the development of the opposition, they will discuss the efforts of Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi and the channelling of humanitarian aid into the country. They will also discuss the sanctions and their adjustment. According to one diplomat, the EU plans to take measures against new people, but the additional designations will not be announced at the Council. Conclusions are due to be adopted.
Middle East. Over lunch, the ministers will discuss the peace process after Palestine's attainment of non member status at the United Nations General Assembly. They will also discuss the ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, and the recent announcements of new settlements by Israel, and the issue of the Palestine Authority's tax revenue. In addition, the ministers will discuss how the EU can contribute to breathing new life into the peace process. On Friday, the conclusions were still under discussion. According to a European source, the member states would discuss measures on products coming from the settlements, without banning them. On a national basis, countries could also ban visas for settlers known to be violent.
Egypt and Libya. The current situations in Egypt (see EUROPE 10746) and Libya are also on the Council's menu. The ministers will review the preparations for European support to border management in Libya.
Ukraine. The ministers will adopt the conclusions without debate, having discussed them at the last Council. They are due to return to the elections of 28 October, and the Council should give its opinion on the possible signing of an association agreement.
Russia, Balkans and the United States. During their lunch, the heads of diplomacy will speak about the next EU-Russia summit on 21 December. They will also discuss enlargement to the Western Balkans - a subject on which the General Affairs Council on 11 December will adopt conclusions. The Council will speak in particular about the third high level meeting between Belgrade and Pristine on 4 December (see EUROPE 10745). The ministers will also return to the EU-United States relationship after the American elections - particularly with regard to cooperation on foreign policy and economic relations. The subject, which was planned for the Council of 19 November, was not tackled due to a lack of time.
Mali. The Council will proceed, without debate, to the formal adoption of the crisis management concept on which it had given its agreement in principle on 20 November (see EUROPE 10734 and 10733). This formal agreement will enable the operational planning and launch of a CSDP military support mission for training and the restructuring of the Malian army, comprising 250 instructors and military advisers. The Council will also adopt conclusions that will replace this support as part of an overall approach to support for a future African force to recapture the north of the country, in coordination with the African Union, ECOWAS and the UN.
DRC. The Council will adopt conclusions on the gravity of the security and humanitarian crisis in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Somalia. The Council will adopt, without debate, the decision slightly changing the mandate of the Somalia training mission. The extension of the mandate will be decided before the end of the year. (CG-AN/transl.fl)