Brussels, 17/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European foreign affairs ministers will meet in Brussels on Monday 20 July to discuss current threats and challenges in Southern Europe. In particular they will focus on the support the EU can bring Tunisia, after the terrorist attack in Sousse at the end of June. This might be through a common security and defence policy (CSDP) mission. They will also focus on the support the EU can bring Libya, with a peace agreement having just been signed.
The ministers will first hold an exchange of views on the agreement made in Vienna on the Iranian nuclear programme (see EUROPE 11359). The consequences of this on relations between the EU and Iran, as well as the outlook that the agreement opens up for Tehran's re-engagement alongside the EU on certain regional issues will be two points for coverage during the debate. The ministers are expected to approve conclusions that will mention the mechanism on lifting sanctions, as the Vienna agreement provides for, but on condition that a UN Security Council resolution be approved in the meantime.
The peace agreement concluded in Skhirat (Morocco) between the Libyan parties (see EUROPE 11358), except the government of Tripoli which is not recognised, will be the starting point for the ministers' second debate, which will also be attended by UN special envoy Bernardino Leon. The ministers are also expected to discuss the procedure to be taken as regards people who have not initialled the agreement or who are impairing its implementation, even if no sanction is provided for in the immediate term. The discussion on ways to accompany the agreement is also due to be resumed, especially in the area of security.
The third debate will be dedicated to Tunisia. The 28 ministers will discuss the support that can be brought to the country's authorities as regards its democratic transition and strengthening security. The European External Action Service (EEAS) has put together a document on the different options of support, including the use of Community assistance instruments, projects for reforming the security sector, new trade arrangements, and technical assistance. Gilles de Kerchove, the EU counter-terrorism coordinator, will put forward his own recommendations for the EU's support for fighting terrorism (see EUROPE 11361).
Over lunch, the ministers will be joined by Tunisia's prime minister, Habib Essid, and foreign minister, Taieb Baccouche. The European ministers might propose to them that the EU set up a CSDP advisory and training mission - an idea mentioned in the EEAS document. Such a mission would have the objective of supporting the Tunisian authorities in securing the border with Libya. It is expected that conclusions on Tunisia will be approved.
In the afternoon, the ministers will continue with an exchange of views on the Middle East peace process (conclusions are also expected), before speaking about the new 2015-2019 action plan on human rights and democracy.
At the end of the day, the ministers will again speak quickly about diplomacy with regard to climate change (with conclusions at the end), relations with Cuba and Colombia (after an express request from Spain), and the EU naval operation in the Mediterranean, EUNAVFOR Med (which will be fully operational at the end of July). An update will be given on the situations in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) after the recent agreement to overcome the crisis (see EUROPE 11360), and in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where there are fears of instability after the parliament of the Serb entity approved on Wednesday 15 July the organisation of a referendum on abolishing the central justice institutions that had been set up at the request of the international community.
The EU foreign affairs ministers' meeting will close with the Stabilisation and Association Council between FYROM and the EU.
The ministers are expected to adopt a raft of conclusions without debate on Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mali, the Central African Republic, migration, and energy diplomacy. (Jan Kordys)