Riga, 05/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - Meeting at an informal Council in Riga on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 March, the EU's foreign affairs ministers are due to discuss the EU's eastern and Mediterranean neighbourhood - and in particular, Ukraine and Libya.
According to High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, the informal meeting will offer the chance “to discuss and be heard on concrete measures” regarding the situation in Libya. As regards Ukraine, the ministers are expected to discuss strengthening the OSCE monitoring mission and relations with Russia. Preparations for the Eastern Partnership summit in Riga at the end of May are also due to be addressed, according to the Latvian Presidency.
In addition, the ministers will talk about the neighbourhood policy review, following the consultation that was launched on this on 4 May (see EUROPE 11267). They are also due to consider the “strategic review”, which should contribute to a new strategy on foreign and security policy. A separate session on developments in the neighbourhood is also on the agenda, and will be attended by the foreign ministers of the EU candidate countries.
The Gymnich will be co-chaired by Mogherini and the Latvian foreign minister, Edgars Rinkevics - whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council of Ministers. European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn will also attend. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)