Brussels, 14/11/2014(Agence Europe) - EU foreign ministers could decide on Monday 17 November to impose sanctions on further people in connection with the Ukrainian crisis.
If they do, they will ask their ambassadors to identify further names to be added to the list of persons subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze in the EU. It will, therefore, be Ukrainian separatists who are sought, indicated a national source. A second source said that some member states were reluctant to add Russians or entities to the list: “No one realistically believes that adding ten names to the list of those under sanctions will significantly increase the pressure on the separatists or on Russia but it's about keeping up the momentum … and thus maintaining credibility”. The first source stated, however: “There is no move to put additional economic sanctions in place”.
Ministers will also discuss the action the EU might take to advance the peace process, including the role of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini, and also in relation to the reform agenda in Ukraine, whether political or economic, following the legislative elections of 26 October (see EUROPE 11185) and relations with Russia, which are not restricted to the Ukrainian issue. “That doesn't mean being soft with Russia but assessing what is in the EU's interest”, according to a source, stating that it was about reflecting more strategically;
On the sidelines of the Council, Mogherini and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin will sign the agreement between the EU and Ukraine on the status of the Council of the EU mission on the reform of the civil security sector in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine). Ministers are expected to decide on the launch of the mission on 1 December (see EUROPE 11167). Klimkin will not attend the Council meeting.
Middle East. Over lunch, the Council discussion will return to the Middle East peace process and Gaza, following the high representative's visit to the region from 7 to 9 November (see EUROPE 11194). Ministers will discuss how the EU can help bring stability to the increasingly unstable situation, how the EU can encourage a return to the peace process and the conditions in which the EU can become involved on the ground, including through the EUBAM Rafah mission. The discussion will seek to ensure that “the EU is more proactive. We aren't talking about definite measures but commitments to raise the game”, a source said. Ministers might adopt conclusions.
Bosnia and Libya. After lunch, ministers will hold discussions on Bosnia and Herzegovina and on the proposals of the UK and German ministers on the country continuing its reforms and moving closer to the EU (see EUROPE 11192).
They will also briefly discuss the tense situation in Libya, with the intention of returning to this matter in a later Council. Support for the work being done by United Nations Special Representative Bernardino Leon will be reiterated.
Ebola. The Council will take stock of the fight against Ebola, after the barrier of 5,000 deaths has been broken. A diplomatic source was hopeful that the Council would call for efforts on the proposal, keenly backed by Germany and France, for a European corps, which would be to health crises what the UN peacekeepers are to armed conflicts. Christos Stylianides, the humanitarian aid commissioner and European coordinator on Ebola will report to the member states on his visit to West Africa (Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea from 12 to 16 November EUROPE 11194). A more detailed discussion on the Ebola situation will take place at the Development Council on 12 December which will prepare for the European Council of 18-19 December where the matter will be debated.
New method of working. Before the Council , Mogherini will meet the ministers at an informal breakfast to open up a debate on the Council's methods of working. Ministers have often said they would like to take a step back and consider how the Council is organised. The General Affairs Council must not, however, become simply a “litany” of conclusions but a “genuine strategic debate”, said a European source, adding that, from now on, Mogherini wants every Council meeting to be organised around a central thematic issue.
Defence. On Tuesday 18 November, defence ministers will join the European Defence Agency's Board meeting, then will meet in the Defence Council to discuss the EU's five military operations and security challenges in the neighbourhood of the EU. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will join this meeting. Over lunch, they will discuss the prospects for the joint security and defence policy, with an eye on the European Council in June 2015.
In addition, the first EU-Georgia association council will take place in early evening on 17 November and a cooperation council with Kyrghizstan will be held in the afternoon of the following day. (CG, LC, MD)