Brussels, 28/08/2014 (Agence Europe) - European foreign affairs ministers will meet in Milan on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August for an informal Council (Gymnich) during which they are expected to address issues of current importance.
During the afternoon of Thursday 28 August, the ministers are therefore due to assess the outlook of the Middle East peace process in the light of the truce that was brokered on 26 August (see EUROPE 11141). They will also discuss the Eastern Partnership - with particular focus on the situation in Ukraine which is further deteriorating (see other article) and on relations between the European Union and Russia.
During the morning of Saturday 30 August, the ministers will discuss the Southern Mediterranean neighbourhood and security issues - particularly the crises in Libya, Syria and Iraq.
The Gymnich will by co-chaired by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Italy's Foreign Affairs Minister Federica Mogherini (whose county is currently holding the rotating presidency of the EU Council of Ministers). Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle will also attend. As is usual for informal Councils, no conclusions are due to be adopted. (CG)