Brussels, 11/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 March, the European foreign affairs ministers are expected to discuss Iran, the Middle East, Russia and Libya, but not to adopt conclusions on these subjects. The ministers are also expected partially to suspend the EU's cooperation with Burundi.
The European foreign affairs ministers will start their meeting with a swift discussion on Iran, with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini being expected to visit Tehran in April. The ministers are expected to discuss bilateral relations with Iran and areas of cooperation (such as energy and trade) and also human rights. They could also return to the role of Iran in the region. “Iran needs to play a more responsible role in the region”, a European source stated on Friday 11 March. In the view of another source, “it is important to be absolutely clear that we must not be naïve concerning the Iranian regime”. The European foreign affairs ministers also intend to discuss the human rights issue and capital punishment in Iran.
The Council could then discuss relations with Russia. According to several sources, the debate will not focus on the Minsk agreements or sanctions against Moscow but on the state of bilateral relations. The discussion is expected to enable a reaffirmation of European unity and to recommend keeping the same approach as currently with Russia. According to a diplomatic source, the objective is to check that the Council is “united on the dialogue (with Russia), as it is on the sanctions”. The last discussion on this subject dates back to January 2015. A statement for the second anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea could be published on the sidelines of the discussions on Monday.
Lunch will provide the opportunity to talk, once again, to the UN's special envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler - with the Libyan government still not having given its agreement for a government of national accord. If the ongoing meetings with Kobler fail, the ministers could give their approval for sanctions to be imposed on three people accused of spoiling the political process (see other article and EUROPE 11363).
The ministers will return from lunch to a session to hear their French counterpart, Jean-Marc Ayrault, present his country's initiative for an international conference on the Middle East. According to a European source, the objective is not to substitute for the parties but to create a favourable environment to accompany the parties to resume the peace talks. This source stated that it was about an initiative with two successive parts - first, a big consultation, and second, the preparation for a conference. “The goal is for the EU to mobilise in support of this initiative”, the source added.
The Council will be followed by the second association Council with Moldova, which will be the opportunity to review the state of relations with this Eastern Partnership country. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)