Human rights in the world and the future of Africa-EU relations are the two main topics on the agenda of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Monday 9 December - the first to be chaired by the High Representative, Josep Borrell. On the eve of International Human Rights Day, the agreement of all Member States to work towards a European sanctions regime could send a strong signal.
But the EU Council will begin by addressing a large number of topical issues, some of which could go back to the European Council.
Libya and Libya/Turkey. With regard to Libya, “there is nothing positive so far, despite the efforts of the international community to help actors find their way back to dialogue”, a diplomatic source said on Friday. The issue of the memorandum of understanding signed between Ankara and Tripoli on the delimitation of maritime territory and military cooperation will undoubtedly be raised in terms of its impact on the countries of the central and eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus has announced a possible recourse to the Court of Justice to settle the dispute.
The situation in Bolivia after the disputed elections at the end of October will be discussed. The results of the election observation mission confirm the EU’s concerns that motivated it to call on the interim government to engage in dialogue with the opposition in preparation for new elections.
The situation in Hong Kong could be addressed at the request of the United Kingdom. The political situation in Moldova - the consequences of European assistance for reforms and the peace process in the Transnistrian region - will also be addressed at Romania’s request.
European Council. Josep Borrell, who is very keen to coordinate work with the European Council and to be its messenger by gathering information from the ministers, will provide an update on the European Council on 12 and 13 December: climate, the EU’s future multiannual financial framework, including instruments dedicated to external action, the traditional update on Russia concerning the renewal of sanctions a few days after the summit on Ukraine in the Normandy format on 9 December in Paris, but also “a little Africa and a little security and defence policy”, a diplomatic source said on Friday.
Iran. Josep Borrell will provide a brief update on the results of the ongoing talks on Iran’s nuclear programme within the framework of the JCPOA (the Joint Commission met in Vienna on Friday).
Arctic. The High Representative may wish to refer to the conclusions on the Arctic that will be adopted without debate, following the discussion at the ‘Gymnich’ Council last August. These conclusions should call for an update of the EU strategy for the Arctic, which dates back to 2016.
“A lot of water has flowed under the bridge”, commented a European source on Thursday, particularly with regard to the impact of climate change, socio-economic developments and security aspects.
Africa/EU. Ministers will have an exchange of views on the future strategic relationship between the European Union and Africa - an issue on the European Council’s agenda at the request of President Charles Michel and several Member States, including Germany, France and Belgium. The draft conclusions of the European Summit call on the Commission and the High Representative to provide the necessary basis for a discussion at the June European Council on relations with Africa and the forthcoming EU-African Union Summit.
The EU/Africa strategy dates back to 2007, and the EU/AU summit in Abidjan is already the basis for a very broad and solid relationship. “Africa is a continent with which the EU shares a common destiny. Everyone will recognise the importance of the relationship and the need to work on a revised strategy”, a diplomatic source said on Friday.
This exchange could be an opportunity for France to ask for more European presence in theatres of operations in the Sahel, particularly after the accident that caused the deaths of 11 soldiers from the Barkhane force in Mali.
A joint meeting of EU/AU Foreign Ministers is planned in Africa, at a date yet to be decided, as a first step towards the AU/EU Summit in Brussels at the end of 2020 or early 2021.
Africa is a priority for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has chosen to make her first trip outside the EU to Addis Ababa, the seat of the African Union, where she will travel on Saturday 7 December (with return on Sunday) to demonstrate the strategic importance she attaches to the AU/EU partnership (see EUROPE 12381/20).
“The African Union is a partner on which the European Union relies. Together, we will continue to work on common interests and common objectives, in the spirit of true partnership as equals”, she said on Friday. The Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, will accompany her before travelling to Kenya for the Summit of ACP (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) heads of state.
DRC. The EU Council will adopt, without debate, conclusions on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which will send a message of encouragement and support for the work of the new authorities. The list of persons subject to EU sanctions will be renewed but made more flexible on this occasion.
Sudan. The EU Council will adopt, without debate, conclusions welcoming the political transition and reaffirming the EU’s commitment to assist the country in its political, economic and social transition to ensure a successful transition to democracy. However, the EU Council is expected to reiterate its concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation and call on the authorities to remove bureaucratic obstacles to humanitarian assistance.
Promoting and protecting global human rights. Ministers will discuss the EU’s work on human rights (2020-2024 action plan), focusing on the instruments at the EU’s disposal, its priorities for the future and ways to strengthen its engagement - in particular support for human rights defenders - and the gender dimension. Ministers will highlight the situation in specific countries.
They will also reflect on ways to strengthen the EU’s sanctions policy to better protect human rights. According to a European source, all Member States are now in favour of opening discussions on a proposal for a European sanctions regime for human rights violations (see EUROPE 12381/24). This proposal could be finalised for next year, according to the same source. The European Parliament has been calling for such a mechanism for several years, but the subject divides the Member States (see EUROPE 12183/21).
EU Council working methods. Over lunch at the end of the session, Ministers will have an informal exchange of views on the working methods of the Foreign Affairs Council, with a view to making its positions more effective and better integrated into the work of the European Council and international fora through consensus building (see EUROPE 12343/2, 12250/15). The discussion will focus on the priorities identified by the High Representative in his letter to the Foreign and Defence Ministers.
The EU Council will adopt conclusions on the implementation of the Civil CFSP Pact without discussion. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang with Agathe Cherki)