Brussels, 07/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - During their Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 10 February, the EU foreign affairs ministers will discuss actions to be adopted for Ukraine. According to a European diplomat, some member states would like to discuss sanctions, without such measures necessarily being adopted. The ministers are due to discuss the de-escalation in violence, the constitutional process and possible economic and financial aid. The diplomat said that the economic and financial package requires time, that the work is under way and that member states should be taken into consideration and also the international community and financial institutions. Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle will be in Kiev on 12-13 February.
The European Commission has refused to comment on the words of US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe Victoria Nuland, who - during a telephone conversation which was recorded without her knowing - said “F*** the EU!” A European diplomat recalled that just because the EU does not react in the media does mean it not do so at the diplomatic level.
The ministers will also discuss the way to move forward toward signing the association agreements with Moldova and Georgia, which is scheduled for August 2014 at that latest.
Developments in the southern neighbourhood. The Council will return to the situation in the southern neighbourhood, including Syria, after the launch of the Geneva II peace conference, and they will also return to the impact of this crisis on Lebanon and Iraq. The ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on these countries. They will also talk about the new constitutions in Egypt and Tunisia, and could adopt conclusions. They are expected to talk about the situation in Libya and adopt conclusions on Yemen.
The ministers will adopt, without debate, the negotiation mandate for a political dialogue and a cooperation agreement with Cuba, and they will adopt conclusions on the EU's priorities in EU human rights forums.
The Council will be followed by a dinner with the foreign affairs ministers from the accession candidate countries. (CG/transl.fl)