Brussels, 02/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - US Secretary of State John Kerry has indeed been invited to participate in the informal Foreign Affairs Council in Vilnius on Saturday 7 September in the morning, EUROPE has learned from a source, who was not able to confirm whether or not Kerry will attend. If he does go to Lithuania, Kerry would discuss the Middle East - and very likely also Syria - with his European counterparts.
A letter sent to ministers by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, quoted by AFP, states that Kerry “will participate in the meeting on Saturday 7 September in the morning. This will be a good opportunity for an exchange of views with him on the main issues” (our translation).
Nevertheless, Kerry's attendance at the meeting still seems up uncertain due to the recent developments on Syria in the US. On 9 September, the US Congress is due to debate and vote on US military intervention.
The southern and eastern neighbourhood, as well as Defence Europe, are due to be discussed by the ministers at the Gymnich on 6-7 September. (CG/transl.fl)