European Foreign Ministers will discuss the Eastern Partnership, Venezuela, Syria and China on Thursday 31 January and Friday 1 February at their informal meeting in Bucharest ('Gymnich' Council).
On Thursday, at a working lunch, ministers will discuss the Eastern Partnership, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2019. Ministers are expected to revisit the implementation of the "20 results for 2020" and the future of the partnership, but also the situation in the six partner countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine).
The heads of diplomacy will then discuss the situation in Venezuela, a subject added to the agenda at the last minute due to recent developments. They are expected to discuss the advisability of recognising the President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, as the legitimate President of Venezuela if the Maduro regime does not respond to the Twenty-Eight’s request to quickly announce new elections, which is unlikely to happen (see EUROPE 12181). France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom have even set an eight-day deadline for the announcement that elections will be held, failing which Mr Guaidó would be recognised as their legitimate interlocutor (see EUROPE 12180).
The ministers will also discuss Syria, as the United States has announced its withdrawal and the regime is gradually reoccupying the territory with the help of Russia. The Syrian regime is increasingly normalizing its relations with certain Gulf countries and could return to the Arab League as early as March. The meeting could also provide an opportunity to discuss the Brussels 3 conference, which is scheduled to take place from 12 to 14 March in Brussels. According to Colin Scicluna, Deputy Director-General of the European External Action Service for the Middle East and North Africa, the aim of the conference is to focus on political matters, to allow for a UN political process and to discuss accountability. Emphasis will also be placed on the role of civil society, particularly women. He also hoped that pledges would be higher than last year.
Finally, on Friday morning, the ministers will discuss China and then be joined by their counterparts from the candidate countries (Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey) to continue the discussion. They are expected to discuss strategic relations between the EU and China, but also the latest crisis between Beijing and Taiwan. In early January, China threatened to reunify China and Taiwan, by force, if necessary, in the event of a formal declaration of independence. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)