Only ten days after their exceptional Foreign Affairs Council, the Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States are meeting again in Brussels.
They will first discuss the situation in the Sahel and how Europeans could consolidate and intensify their support to the region as it experiences a deterioration of its security and humanitarian situation.
According to one source, France, which is engaged on the ground, would like to see the EU and other Member States become more involved in the Sahel. This commitment could be made at the European level, but also in the context of French operations: Barkhane and Takuba (under development).
The discussion will take place a few days after the Pau Summit, at which France and the G5 Sahel countries (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) redefined their cooperation (see EUROPE 12403/20). This discussion will help prepare the high-level conference with the G5 Sahel countries which the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, intends to organise in the margins of the European Council on 26 and 27 March.
Ministers could discuss the revision of their strategy on the Sahel, which dates from 2011 (see EUROPE 10299/10). Several States would also like the mandate of the EUTM Mali training mission - currently being revised - to be strengthened so as to allow accompaniment in the camps where Malian soldiers are stationed, to ensure follow-up of the training received. More than 14,000 soldiers have already been trained. EUTM Mali could also be extended beyond Mali's borders, depending on the requests of the authorities concerned. The civilian missions in the region - EUCAP Sahel Mali and EUCAP Sahel Niger - are also due to be reviewed by the end of June.
However, beyond the security aspect "there is a demand for more robust action at the political level on the EU side", added a European source, while another highlighted development.
Ministers will also return to Libya in the aftermath of the Berlin Conference. According to several sources, discussions will depend heavily on the outcome of this conference. "History cannot be written until the conference has taken place", one diplomat summarised. "We will see the result and see how we can support it, in close coordination with the UN. We will need to assess the needs, opportunities and conditions for new commitments by the international community", summarised another source.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, could come up with concrete proposals such as the appointment of a European special envoy or European support for the ceasefire and compliance with the arms embargo. However, according to one source, the return of the ships from Operation Sophia is not on the agenda. Similarly, ceasefire monitoring would require a UN mandate, according to another source.
The situation in Libya, scheduled as a 'quick' “topical item” at Monday's meeting, is expected to be discussed at greater length at the Foreign Affairs Council in February.
Climate diplomacy will also be discussed and conclusions adopted. This discussion follows on from the December European Council, where Heads of State and Government stressed the importance of an international commitment on climate change (see EUROPE 12387/6). In their conclusions, ministers should call on the EU and member states to reflect on a strategy to convince third countries to be more ambitious on the climate front. An appointment clause should be set for June. Ministers could also discuss possible concrete actions, partners to be favoured and tools to be mobilised.
Lunch will be devoted to the Middle East in several aspects: the situation in Iraq and tensions with Iran, and the Middle East Peace (non-) Process.
Ministers are therefore expected to follow up their Council meeting on 10 January (see EUROPE 12401/1) on tensions with Iran and to hear Mr Borrell's report on his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (see EUROPE 12405/30). "The situation (on the ground) remains fragile, efforts must continue", explained one diplomat, adding that there was a need to discuss support for Iraq. The Council should also discuss the activation by the E3 countries (Germany, France and the United Kingdom) of the dispute resolution mechanism of the Nuclear Agreement (see EUROPE 12403/19).
The discussion on the Middle East follows the request made at the December Council by Luxembourg Minister Jean Asselborn to discuss the recognition of the Palestinian State (see EUROPE 12386/6) and a request from his Irish counterpart, Simon Coveney. This recognition is a national competence, but the heads of diplomacy should discuss the situation on the ground, with a view to new parliamentary elections in Israel and possible elections in Palestine. The debate could be an opportunity for a European re-engagement in the matter while the American plan is still awaited.
Ministers will soon return to the situation in Bolivia ahead of the general elections on 3 May. The debate could focus on the question of what support the EU can provide to stabilise the situation in the country and to ensure the proper organisation of the elections.
The Council will also discuss how to recreate diplomatic spaces for the resumption of the political process in Venezuela, following the turbulent re-election of the President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó (see EUROPE 12397/2). Some ministers may request the preparation of additional sanctions.
An update could be made on the follow up to the discussions concerning the Turkey’s actions in Syria and its illegal drilling activities in the Mediterranean. According to a European source, discussions on persons or entities that could be sanctioned in connection with drilling are still ongoing in the Council working group (see EUROPE 12367/8).
Upon his return from India, the High Representative should report on his meetings with the authorities. Negotiations on a new roadmap for a strategic partnership up to 2025, covering cooperation on security, the digital economy or the fight against climate change, began on 15 January and the roadmap could be approved at the EU-India summit on 13 March. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with Agathe Cherki)