Brussels, 18/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 21 October, the EU ministers for foreign affairs will meet in Council to discuss the situation in Egypt and the EU's aid to the country. During the special Council of 21 August (see EUROPE 10904), they had tasked High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton with examining the issue of EU assistance to Egypt under the European neighbourhood policy (ENP), and examining the association agreement on the basis of Egypt's commitment to the principles that underpin it. The ministers said that the EU would follow the situation in Egypt closely and that the EU's cooperation would be adjusted accordingly. They also stated that assistance to the socio-economic sector and to civil society would continue. According to a high level European official, the objective of the discussion on Monday is “to see if the member states are on the line of 21 August or if some would like the EU to be more restrictive or more open”. “At this stage, there is no indication that any state has changed its position in relation to what was decided in August”, the official added. Another source stated that it would not be a question of cutting the funds but of suspending or redirecting them if measures had to be taken.
During Monday's Council, the ministers are also due to adopt conclusions taking note of the Court of Auditors' report on Egypt, which is critical with regard to European aid - considering it well-intentioned but ineffective (see EUROPE 10869). Ashton will also report on her visit to Egypt at the beginning of October (see EUROPE 10936).
Syria, Libya and the Eastern Partnership on the Council's agenda. The ministers will also discuss the situation in Syria - including the mission of the Organisation for the Protection of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the humanitarian situation and the political solution. The Geneva II conference could take place at the end of November. At the request of France, conclusions should be adopted.
The Council will return to the situation in Libya from a security point of view. “There has been a prime minister who has been kidnapped. It would have been a bit strange not to talk about it”, said a European diplomat, adding that the member states will discuss what more they can do to help the creation of a state (our translation throughout). The ministers will also discuss Libya from an immigration point of view as the country is one of the main points of departure for immigrant boats.
In addition, the ministers will discuss the priority of the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers - the Eastern Partnership - and its latest developments, in preparation for the Vilnius summit at the end of November, and they will discuss the summit's final statement. Ukraine and its progress in implementing the criteria for signing its association agreement will be discussed, but no decision is due to be taken during this Council.
The ministers will briefly talk about Burma, before hosting lunch for 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.
The ministers are due to adopt the conclusions on Bosnia-Herzegovina without debate - conclusions in which the ministers are due to stress their concern about the failure of the high level dialogue, and in particular the failure of Bosnia's political leaders to implement the Sejdic-Finci judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (see EUROPE 10940). Conclusions on Yemen and the importance of the transition process, and on the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, are also expected. (CG/transl.fl)