Brussels, 17/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 20 January, the EU's 28 foreign affairs ministers will again discuss the Middle East peace process at a time when relations between the EU and Israel continue to be tense. On 17 January, the ambassadors from France, Italy, Spain and the UK were summoned by Israel in response to these countries summoning the Israeli ambassadors to give an explanation regarding the continued settlement building (see EUROPE 10995). In the view of Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the position of these ambassadors is incessantly biased against Israel and in support of the Palestinians. This is unacceptable and gives the impression that they are just looking for the means to blame Israel, Lieberman says. The EU regularly reiterates that it is opposed to the settlement building, which is illegal under international law. “Is the EU summoning the ambassadors because of a few houses being built? When did the EU call in the Palestinian ambassadors to complain about the incitement that calls for Israel's destruction?” said Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The EU ministers adopted conclusions in December but had planned to speak again about this during the Council on 20 January in order to encourage the endeavours of US Secretary of State John Kerry in the peace negotiations and to see how the EU might support the US initiative (see EUROPE 10985).
Iran and Syria. During the Council, the EU's 28 foreign affairs ministers are due to adopt the decision to suspend some sanctions against Iran, provided for in the joint action plan (see EUROPE 10998). After checking, during the morning of Monday 20 January, that Iran has properly implemented its commitments and the agreement of the E3+3 partners (Germany, France, United Kingdom and China, United States, Russia), the decision will be taken without debate. “All the texts are ready and re-read by the member states, but we need to push on the right button at the right moment”, said a European source. The decision, accompanied by a legal act, is due to enter into force during the day of 20 January. Europeans will suspend sanctions, for six months, on the insurance and transport of oil, on restrictive measures on petrochemical products and trade in gold and precious metals, and raise the threshold authorised for financial transactions.
The ministers are also due to adopt conclusions on the situation in Syria - two days before the Geneva II peace conference scheduled for 22 January, which will be attended by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. They will speak about Europe's contribution to a political solution, about the destruction of the chemical weapons, about the humanitarian side of the conflict - in particular, access to Syria - and about the repercussions of the conflict on the neighbourhood. As part of this, the Council could also discuss the violence in Lebanon and Iraq, before the first EU-Iraq cooperation Council, scheduled for the end of the day on 20 January. The EU's 28 foreign affairs ministers will also speak about Egypt, after the referendum on 14-15 January, before returning to this at more length during the Council on 10 February. The EU's commitment in Afghanistan after 2014 will be discussed, and conclusions are due to be adopted.
Russia on the lunch agenda. Over lunch, the Council will discuss relations with Russia in order to prepare for the summit on 28 January (see EUROPE 10998). It could also discuss the Eastern Partnership - to which it will return at greater length on 10 February. (CG with MD/transl.fl)