Brussels, 18/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 18 July, the member states of the European Union adopted, by written procedure, the legal basis enabling toughening of the sanctions that are linked to the situation in Ukraine - as requested by the European Council on 16 July (see EUROPE 11124). The new sanctions should be published officially on Saturday 19 July, according to one source. Nevertheless, a few other sources have stated that several days would be needed to decide on the people and entities to be added to the list of those under sanction, according to these new criteria.
During the Foreign Affairs Council on Tuesday 22 July, the EU foreign affairs ministers are due to discuss the other measures decided upon by the heads of state and government on 16 July. They are also due to adopt the launch of the CSDP mission in Ukraine on the police and security, with the start of the deployment of “advance elements” in Kiev. “It's not the deployment of the mission as such but the elements”, said a national diplomatic source, stating that the recruitment of personnel was under way. “We will be able to send the first people by the end of the month”, the source added.
The ministers are also due to return to the crash of the Malaysian Airlines plane between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur, in the east of Ukraine, which has reportedly claimed 298 lives (see other articles).
In addition, the Council is due to discuss the situation in the Middle East. The ministers from Germany, Italy and France who travelled there this week are due to give a report to their counterparts. According to a European source, the ministers are due to develop the European Council statement of 16 July in their conclusions. The member states would seem to be divided as to the nature of the message to give. “Some think they should stick to the crisis situation in Gaza, whilst others also want to recall the parameters of a negotiated solution. The first group thinks that in the current state of things insisting on the parameters would go relatively unheard”, said a diplomatic source from a member state. The text should thus both speak about Gaza, including the economic and humanitarian situation, and about the general parameters.
The Council is also due to return to the subject of Iraq and the implications of the crisis on the region. In addition, the Council is expected to discuss the military and security situation and the political situation. The Iraqi Parliament elected its president on 15 July and the EU is awaiting the establishment of a unity government.
The Council is expected to adopt a regulation, without debate, providing for additional sanctions against the Syrian regime.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton could also give a review of the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme. The deadline for reaching an agreement was set for 20 July but the negotiations could be extended.
The Council will be followed by a meeting and dinner of the Eastern Partnership ministers. (CG)