23/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Human rights at heart of EU's external relations. On 22 July, the EU Foreign Affairs Council reasserted the importance of placing human rights at the heart of the EU's policies and relations with third countries, and of dealing effectively with human rights issues, making use of the whole range of instruments available to the EU. In the conclusions that it adopted, the Foreign Affairs Council reiterates its firm commitment to implementing the June 20 action plan and strategic framework (see EUROPE 10641). The work of the EU special representative for human rights is hailed, and the resolve to act in close collaboration with the other European institutions and civil society reiterated. (CG/transl.fl)