On Thursday 19 November, the Foreign Ministers will exchange views on a wide range of topical issues via videoconference, before discussing multilateralism at greater length and holding talks with their Palestinian counterpart, Riyad al-Maliki.
They will open their meeting with a series of topical issues that they should quickly address. This point is “particularly loaded”, one diplomatic source acknowledged.
United States. Diplomatic leaders are expected to quickly consider how to redefine and reinvigorate relations with the United States after the 3 November presidential election and Joe Biden’s victory (see EUROPE 12598/2). A more in-depth discussion is scheduled for the Council of the EU on 7 December.
Afghanistan. Ahead of the 23-24 November donor conference in Geneva, Ministers are expected to take stock of the situation in Afghanistan, including the ongoing intra-Afghan negotiations, while the level of violence in the country remains high. A European source warned that support from the EU, the country’s main donor, to a future government would be linked to safeguarding the social achievements of recent years (see EUROPE 12573/12).
In addition, the EU and several countries, including Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, agreed on 17 November on 10 key elements for sustainable international support for peace and development in Afghanistan (see statement: https://bit.ly/2IKW7zh ).
Belarus. The heads of diplomacy will then return to the situation in Belarus, which is not improving with the continuing repression of peaceful demonstrators. Following the death of an activist on Sunday, the EU threatened to adopt additional sanctions (see EUROPE 12601/22).
The discussion should therefore provide an opportunity both to take stock of the situation and to comment on the issue of sanctions. “The question is knowing whether and how to go further”, a diplomatic source summarised. However, as the meeting is informal, no decision is expected on further action.
Nagorno-Karabakh. The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh will also be briefly discussed. While a ceasefire was agreed on 9 November (see EUROPE 12601/14), the EU now wants negotiations to begin for a lasting peace and a final status for Nagorno-Karabakh. “The EU would like to play a political role in the future discussion”, explained a European source.
Mediterranean. The Greek and Turkish ministers could also brief their counterparts on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, following the visit of the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to Varosha (Cyprus) and his statements on a two-state solution and the announcement of new Turkish seismic operations in the Eastern Mediterranean (see EUROPE 12595/17).
Ethiopia. Ministers will discuss the alarming situation arising from the conflict in the Tigray region and the risk of the spread of violence. “It’s a very complex conflict. We are following it with extreme concern. The situation is extremely risky for the stability of the region”, a senior EU official said on Tuesday 17 November. Since Josep Borrell’s call for immediate appeasement and the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič (see EUROPE 12601/15), the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has stepped up outreach, in particular with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, and African regional organisations that are trying to mediate to end the conflict.
The objective of the discussion is to identify how best to support efforts in this direction, rather than to consider sanctions. Despite Amnesty International’s reports of human rights violations, “there is still time to try to apply pressure. The EU has support these regional efforts”, the senior official said. Mr Lenarčič met on 16 November with the Belgian Minister for Development Cooperation, Meryame Kitir, to discuss ways of obtaining humanitarian access.
Progress towards resolving the conflict in Libya, the presidential elections in Moldova, which saw the victory of Maia Sandu (see EUROPE 12602/22), and the local elections of 15 November in Bosnia and Herzegovina could also be discussed.
Strategic compass. The High Representative will also brief Ministers on the analysis of all threats, in the context of the creation of the ‘strategic compass’. The subject will also be on the table of their Defence counterparts on Friday (see other news).
Multilateralism. The heads of diplomacy are then expected to discuss multilateralism. The subject, initially planned at the EU Council meeting on 12 October, was postponed due to lack of time. Ministers should in particular discuss ways to reinvigorate the multilateral system, but also to strengthen the EU’s role and influence in the multilateral system and to foster international partnerships and alliances.
The outcome of the discussion will aim at enriching future work on a joint communication by the High Representative and the Commission on strengthening the EU’s contribution to rules-based multilateralism, scheduled for the first half of 2021.
Palestine. Finally, Ministers will hold virtual talks with their Palestinian counterpart (see EUROPE 12580/13). This meeting is part of the Council's follow-up to the situation in the region and to the meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi at the end of August in Berlin (see EUROPE 12546/6).
Beyond bilateral relations, Europeans should focus on intra-Palestinian reconciliation, the organisation of elections and the peace process.
In parallel with the video conference, the Council of the EU will adopt conclusions on the new EU action plan for human rights and democracy (2020-2024). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with Aminata Niang)