The EU's Foreign Affairs Council, taking place in Luxembourg on Monday 25 June, will focus on the situations in Yemen, the Horn of Africa and Jordan.
In the morning, before the ministerial meeting begins, the foreign ministers will meet their defence counterparts to discuss the EU's cooperation in terms of security and defence. The Council will adopt conclusions on this subject.
The ministers are expected to discuss permanent structured cooperation (PESCO). PESCO's rules of governance for projects should also be adopted on Monday.
The proposal for the European Peace Facility, which was tabled by the Commission for 2021-2027 (see EUROPE 12040), will be the subject of a debate – as will strengthening the EU's ability to fight against hybrid threats.
NATO. The ministers will be joined by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss EU-NATO cooperation, ahead of the NATO summit on 11 and 12 July.
According to a diplomatic source, the challenge "will be to get Stoltenberg and the non-EU members of NATO to accept that what the EU sets up contributes to the sharing of the burden in terms of common spending and does not aim to distend the transatlantic link nor to take the place of NATO".
Although initially appearing enthusiastic, in recent months Stoltenberg has seemed more wary, as has the USA (see other article).
Yemen. Over lunch, the ministers will discuss the situation in Yemen with UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, who presented his peace plan to the United Nations Security Council on 18 June.
The discussion, initially planned for May, will take place in the context of the military operations in the port of Hodeidah being stepped up. The region of Hodeidah is one of the most densely populated in the country and 70% of Yemen's food imports pass through the port.
For the first time since 3 April 2017, the Council will adopt conclusions on Yemen. The ministers are expected to give their support to Griffiths' work, to reiterate the importance of facilitating the channelling of humanitarian aid to the population, and to call on the warring parties to show restraint as the fighting draws nearer to the most populated areas.
Venezuela. The EU Foreign Affairs Council is expected to adopt, without debate, additional sanctions against Venezuela and Burma.
According to several European sources, with regard to Venezuela, 11 people could have an EU visa ban and assets freeze imposed on them. At the end of May, the EU warned that it would move swiftly to adopt new measures against the country (see EUROPE 12028).
Another source said the ministers are expected to adopt targeted measures on Burma/Myanmar. Seven people are reportedly concerned. In April, the ministers adopted a legal framework relating to targeted sanctions against some people from the armed forces and border police (see EUROPE 12010).
Horn of Africa. The Council will then discuss the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, notably how to boost the EU's commitment to encourage a regional dialogue – but also maritime safety, economic development and migration, which will be at the centre of the conclusions it adopts.
Conclusions are also expected on the Sahel region and Mali. These could reaffirm the EU's comprehensive strategic commitment for the Sahel region and call for coordination to be strengthened with all the international actors. The conclusions are also expected to underline the need to make progress on the implementation of the agreement for peace and reconciliation in Mali.
The ministers will furthermore review relations between the EU and Jordan. The Council could adopt a decision reviewing and strengthening the rules of origin scheme, in order to support this country that is hosting over 657,000 Syrian refugees.
In addition, the ministers will debate the EU's global strategy on the basis of the second annual report of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)