Brussels, 06/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - Foreign Affairs Ministers from the Member States will be meeting up in Genval near Brussels for an informal meeting of the Council for General Affairs. The meeting will be chaired by the Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister, Louis Michel. On Sunday, a working dinner is planned with ministers from candidate countries to discuss the "future of Europe". The formula adopted at Gymnich Castle, near Bonn, in 1974 will be adhered to. This will mean in effect that there will be no fixed agenda to follow. Louis Michel indicated, however, in a letter to his counterparts that a number of issues would be discussed:
The Conflicts in the Middle East and Macedonia: Saturday 8 September - the dinner will provide an occasion for a round up of the news on the situation in the Middle East and Macedonia. This will be based on the introduction on the subject by the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, and Commissioner Chris Patten who were out there this week. Ministers will be discussing the possibility of sending a special European force of 1,500 troops to Macedonia when NATO leaves. This idea was proposed by the EU's Special Envoy to Macedonia, François Leotard. According to the Financial Times, Mr Leotard revealed his plan during a visit to Moscow this week. Mr Leotard claimed that by taking the lead in military operations, the EU would be showing for the first time in its history that it was capable of dealing with a crisis. Mr Leotard had already presented his plan to France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Ukraine: The afternoon should be devoted to preparations for the EU/Ukraine Summit scheduled for 11 September in Yalta. The Summit agenda will include discussions on: 1) the economic and political situation in the Ukraine and the most recent developments in Europe, particularly enlargement and security; 2) EU/Ukraine relations, civil rights questions, co-operation in the field of justice and internal affairs, the environment and energy; 3) international questions of mutual interest (Moldavia and Transnistria, Belorussia, the Balkans, Russia and proliferation and disarmament).
Russia: EU/Russian relations will also be discussed Saturday afternoon in view of the forthcoming Summit with Mr Putin on 3 October in Brussels.
Turkey: As planned at the last General Affairs Council meeting in July, ministers will hold an "in-depth" discussion on Turkey.
Africa: still on Saturday, the President of the Council, Louis Michel and the High Representative, Javier Solana are expected to inform their counterparts about the African visit planned for 12-17 September in support of the peace process in the region (see EUROPE 4 September page 4). Michel Malherbe, the spokesman from Louis Michel's Office explained that the objective of the trip was to seize the opportunity of the dialogue already begun in order to review the situation whilst actually out there with the High Representative Javier Solana. Louis Michel is also intending to inform his counterparts about the preparation for the EU/Africa ministerial meeting scheduled for 11 October in Brussels, if this date proves acceptable to African countries.
Europe's Future: Sunday morning will be given over to the debate on the "future of Europe", within the perspective of informal European Council debates in Gent on 19 October and the European Summit in Laeken on 14-15 December. The Commission will be presenting its White Paper on Governance, adopted on 25 July (published at the beginning of August in Europe/Document, No. 2247/2248). The dinner with countries seeking access to the Union will also be concentrating on the theme of the future of Europe.