Although it isn’t on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council of Monday 26 February, the tragic situation in Syria may be discussed by the ministers.
It is already planned that the Dutch and Swedish ministers will address the Council at the start of its meeting on the Turkish offensive at Afrin and the mass bombing of eastern Ghouta, the issue could rapidly become a more general debate, explained a national source on Thursday 22 February. Other sources say that would be astonished if Syria was not discussed, but said there would not be much of a debate.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called on behalf of the EU on Friday 23 February for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Ghouta (see other article).
Moldova. The ministers will then discuss the situation in Moldova, which was for a long time considered the shining star of the Eastern Partnership. The EU has signed an Association Agreement, a free trade agreement and a visa liberalisation agreement with Moldova, but a European diplomatic source says the country is ‘becoming a problem.’
Moldova is facing endemic corruption and has introduced a new electoral law (that the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission disapproves of) ahead of the general elections in November.
In a conclusions document to be adopted, the first since February 2016, the ministers are expected to call for reforms to continue in Moldova, noting that the EU is prepared, under certain conditions, to get more involved in the country, explains a European source.
A small breakfast meeting of the ‘Friends of Moldova’ will be held before the Council, a meeting to be attended by Moldovan justice minister Tudor Ulianovschi.
Venezuela. The council will examine the situation in Venezuela following the announcement that presidential elections will be held on 22 April.
A European source explained that the idea is to put pressure on the government ahead of the elections, to call for a resumption of dialogue with the opposition, to give a clear signal that if the situation does not improve with the elections, then additional measures may be on the cards. A European diplomatic source said that the EU's priority today is very clearly the holding of the elections and ensuring they can take place in conditions that are as honest and transparent as possible. The source added that the EU was prepared to send an election observation mission and adjust its response in line with the Venezuelan opposition’s attitude to the elections since the EU's response might be made more complicated if the opposition decides to boycott the elections.
Middle East. For the third time in three months, the Council will discuss the Middle East Peace Process. After talks with the Israeli prime minister in December 2017 (see EUROPE 11923) and then talks in January with the president of the Palestinian Authority (see EUROPE 11944), the ministers will have a breakfast meeting with the Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and the six foreign ministers of the Arab League’s Monitoring Committee (Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates).
A European source says the aim of the talks is to point out to the EU's Arab partners that it will not be possible to find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without their clear commitment.
The discussions may also cover tangible projects that the Arab nations could participate in. The Swedish and Jordanian ministers might talk about a ministerial conference they are coordinating this spring on UNRWA’s financial situation (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees).
Burma. As expected (see EUROPE 11965), a conclusions document will be adopted by the Council on Monday without debate, calling on Mogherini to propose an extension of the current arms and repressive equipment embargo on Burma, to submit tangible options for strengthening the embargo and to propose individual sanctions on military leaders responsible for grave human rights violations in the country.
In a separate conclusions document on Cambodia and the Maldives, the ministers will hope that in the light of recent developments in the two countries, they may consider specific targeted measures if the situation does not improve. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)