Brussels, 08/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - During the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 12 May, EU foreign affairs ministers could extend the list of people against whom sanctions have been taken out because of their connection with the Ukrainian crisis. The ministers could also add entities to the list “on their own merits” because of a new legal basis. Until now entities could only be sanctioned if they belonged to people who were sanctioned. According to a source, in addition to people, “a short list” of entities might therefore be made subject to sanctions, in connection with the annexation of Crimea. This would be individuals or businesses involved in expropriation or the confiscation of property in Crimea, said another European diplomatic source. These are both confiscated entities and their new owners. According to this source, the sanctions could also concern people/entities that might undermine or threaten the security of Ukraine and that might hinder the work of international organisations, implying the OSCE. At the time of EUROPE's going to press, no information had filtered through on the number of people or entities concerned, or on whether or not such a list had been decided upon by the ambassadors.
Nevertheless, these additional sanctions would also depend on the way the situation evolved on the ground. “What happens over the weekend will influence Monday's Council”, said another source. In this person's opinion, in addition to Putin's statements, if there is no referendum on 11 May (see other article), if the celebrations on 9 May go well and there is no further violence, some member states might not be “enthusiastic” about the idea of extending the sanctions list.
Decision expected on aid to civil security sector. The EU foreign affairs ministers will also discuss options for helping Ukraine in terms of security, particularly police and justice, according to a document from the European External Action Service. “The EU is ready to help Ukraine in reforms in the civil security sector (…). A decision is expected for Monday”, said European Council President Herman Van Rompuy on 7 May. The choice could be made from between, amongst others, a CSDP mission, which is supported, for example, by the UK, Sweden, Poland and Lithuania, and extending what the European Commission has already done.
The president of the OSCE, Didier Burkhalter, has been asked to report to ministers on his operational roadmap initiative, which can be summed up in four words - “ceasefire, disarmament, dialogue and elections”. Neither the EU, nor the OSCE were able to confirm to EUROPE if he will be present at the Council.
At their meeting, the ministers will discuss the Middle East peace process, the currently suspended peace talks and the reconciliation between Palestinian factions, with conclusions likely to be adopted. Over lunch, the Council will also discuss the European neighbourhood policy and its future - a subject which was previously debated at the Gymnich in March. The ministers could also discuss the kidnapping of the schoolgirls in Nigeria and the situation in South Sudan, and are due to adopt, without debate, the conclusions on setting up a human rights dialogue with Burma, on human rights guidelines, on the freedom of expression on and off line, on the EU approach to development and security challenges, on the EU policy on the Arctic region, and on Georgia's participation in EU programmes. The Council will be followed by an EU-Albania stabilisation and association Council. (CG)