Brussels, 08/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - Special Envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi will be at the Council of Foreign Affairs lunch on Monday 8 March to discuss the situation - particularly any questions linked to a political solution - and to review the latest developments such as the leader of the opposition's initiative of a political dialogue or the softening of the Russian position. “I don't think we'll come out of it saying that we've resolved all the issues but things can come about”, a European source stated. According to another source, the ministers are due to speak about how to improve assistance - be it humanitarian or civil. And although the issue will not be decided at the European Council, according to European sources, the EU could - in the next three months - relax its economic sanctions to the advantage of the opposition.
During the Council, the ministers will also discuss the situation in three other countries of the southern neighbourhood - Egypt, where parliamentary elections have just been postponed; Libya, in connection with border management; and Tunisia, which still does not have a new government.
They will also hold an in-depth discussion on the strategic partnership with Russia in order to prepare the discussion on the subject at the European Council on 15 March. The objective is to see how the EU can be more proactive and united in its relations with Moscow, said a European source. The issues of human rights, energy, visas, trade - including the customs union, and international issues (Syria, the Middle East, and the frozen conflicts) are also due to be tackled.
The ministers will furthermore speak about relations with Japan, ahead of the EU-Japan summit on 25 March. This summit should be the occasion to start negotiations with a view to a free trade agreement and a framework agreement. As well as bilateral relations, the Council could discuss global economic governance as part of this framework, and security in South East Asia, with inter alia the latest developments in North Korea.
After a quick exchange of views on the Council of 18 February, the ministers will then have an exchange of views on the latest developments in Iraq, including the political situation and the consequences of the conflict in Syria but also of the implementation of partnership and cooperation agreement signed in May 2012.
Conclusions will be adopted on Pakistan in anticipation of the May parliamentary elections and in which the ministers are due to recall that the EU supports the organisation of peaceful and credible elections and that it is ready to deploy an electoral observation mission. They are also due to affirm the EU's commitment to Islamabad.
Lastly, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton will give quick feedback on the E3+3/Iran negotiations in Almaty on 26-27 February, on the sixth Belgrade-Pristina dialogue meeting on 4 March, and on Mali. (CG/transl.fl)