Brussels, 11/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - At common foreign and security policy level, the General Affairs Council which meets on Monday under the chairmanship of Jaime Gama will deal with the following issues:
- Western Balkans. Once more, the Council will make a general assessment of the situation by reviewing the situation in: FRY/Serbia. The Fifteen should, this time, take the decision to suspend the ban on flights (but it remains to be seen what fate will be reserved for Yugoslav airline companies) and, at the same time, to strengthen the effectiveness of financial sanctions and extend the ban on visas which affects the dignitaries and those close to the Belgrade regime. This evolution will aim to make the democratic opposition - which is in favour of lifting sanctions - understand that it is not the Yugoslav people but the Milosevic regime which is targeted; - in Montenegro. The Council will update on the way to strengthen EU support to the country's democratic regime; - in Kosovo. Without debate, the GAC will make formal specific aid of EUR 35 million aimed at improving the budgetary situation. It will also take stock of the evolution of the situation on the ground; - in Croatia. After the working lunch, the Fifteen will receive the Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Rican who will take stock of reforms under way in his country (see other page of EU declaration on presidential election); - in Bosnia Herzegovina. The GAC should reaffirm its support to the efforts of the High Representative Mr Petritsch with a view to settling certain political and constitutional problems; - the Stability Pact for South East Europe. The Council will update before the next round of working meetings and Donors' Conference (March).
- Middle East. The Council will make a general assessment of the state of progress in the peace process in the region, mainly in the light of the deterioration of the situation between Israel and Lebanon (see in EUROPE of 10 February, p.5, for Presidency declaration on this subject).
- Russia. The Council will again adopt the conclusions marking its disapproval for the abusive use of force by Moscow in Chechnya. It will gear its speech to the need, for Russian leaders, to allow civilian populations to be given assistance by NGOs, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Nielson will explain the situation during the session (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.13). The EU should, however, confirm that it remains willing to establish stable and long-term relations with Russia, as long as the latter is willing to recognise the relevance of common values and shared aims.
