Brussels, 05/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - European Union foreign affairs ministers will meet in Vilnius on 6-7 September for their informal gymnich Council. The ministers and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton will begin with a discussion on the preparations for the European Council in December 2013 on the future of security and defence in Europe. The defence ministers are meeting in Vilnius on 5-6 September.
The heads of diplomacy will also discuss the EU's eastern neighbourhood. The Eastern Partnership summit will take place in Vilnius at the end of November and Russia is threatening the eastern partners with economic retaliation if they sign the association agreements with the EU (see EUROPE 10904 and 10914). Then, joined by colleagues coming from St Petersburg and the G20, the ministers will speak about the Mediterranean neighbourhood. The situation in Syria, and also in Egypt and the Middle East, could be discussed.
During the morning of Saturday 7 September, the ministers will continue their discussion. It is still planned for US Secretary of State John Kerry to attend, even if the Americans have not officially confirmed his presence. For an hour and a half he is due to discuss Syria and also the Middle East peace process with his European counterparts.
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle will also attend the discussions, as will the leader of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee. (CG/transl.fl)