Brussels, 07/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - Macedonia, the Middle East and the Future of Europe will be the main points under discussion at the informal Gymnich-type General Affairs Council, to be held this weekend in Genval to the south of Brussels, it was confirmed on Friday by the Belgian Council Presidency (see EUROPE of 7 September). Council President Louis Michel should also insist on the question of Cuba's accession to the Cotonou Agreement. The Presidency gave details of the "informal" agenda:
Middle East: Louis Michel intends to question his counterparts on three points: 1) the easing of tension and the prospects from a political point of view; 2) the possibility of direct dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis; and 3) aid that should be provided by the international community.
Macedonia: The Presidency hopes there will be a detailed debate on the follow-up to NATO's Essential Harvest Operation, focusing on the following questions: 1) What will the role of the EU be in concrete terms as coordinator of the international community, in the context of the agreement signed on 13 August? 2) What security measures must be taken after NATO's departure at the end of its mission? The idea of a European force of 1,500 men launched by the EU envoy to Macedonia, François Léotard, has not yet been discussed by the Member States and the Genval meeting will provide the "first opportunity to do so", admits the Presidency. Until Friday, Mr Léotard's participation at the Genval meeting was not foreseen.
Russia: In the context of preparation for the EU/Russia summit of 3 October, Louis Michel should "sound out" ministers on the increasingly insistent requests by Russia to be involved in European defence policy and on the nature of such cooperation. The Commission should report on its contacts with the Russian authorities and on the creation of a specific working group responsible for reflection on a "common economic area".
Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova: With a view to the EU/Ukraine Summit on 11 September, the ministers will discuss the "Ukraine's European dimension". At the request of the British Minister, Jacques Straw, they will also take stock of EU/Belarus relations before the presidential elections to be held in Belarus on Sunday, as well as on EU/Moldova relations.
Cuba: Louis Michel will report on his visit to Cuba, where he reaffirmed the EU's determination to engage in dialogue "without prior conditions" (see EUROPE of 29 August, p.3). On this occasion, he intends to take stock of the situation regarding Cuba's accession to the Cotonou Agreement with ACP countries.
Africa: Louis Michel should explain the ambitions of the EU/Africa ministerial meeting on 11 October, his contacts with the countries initiating the "new Africa initiative", presented at the G8 Summit in Genoa, as well as the aims of his trip with Javier Solana to the Great Lakes region, from 12 to 17 September. The minister will probably also take stock of the situation in Zimbabwe, after the Commonwealth meeting in Harare, on Thursday and Friday.
Turkey: Ministers are expected to hold a detailed discussion on three questions: 1) the proximity talks on Cyprus and the meeting proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and refused by the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Rauf Denktash (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.5); 2) Turkey's position towards European security and defence policy. The Belgian Presidency trusts that Turkey will give a response this weekend to the "Istanbul document" proposed by the United Kingdom to define the modalities for association of Turkey in ESPD. The Turkish Foreign Minister, Ismail Cem, will take part in the lunch on Sunday with candidate countries and have bilateral talks with Michel; 3) EU/Turkey relations, its candidature to EU accession, and the constitutional amendments that will be examined by Turkish parliamentarians mid-September.
Indonesia: Dutch Foreign Minister Jozias van Aartsen is expected to report on his recent visit to Indonesia with a view to a visit by the Council Presidency to Djakarta in October to meet the new Indonesian authorities.
Libya: Italian Minister Renato Ruggiero should brief his colleagues on his recent visit to Libya and his meeting with President Khadafi.
Globalisation/violence: Renato Ruggiero is also expected to brief his counterparts on the difficulty encountered by Italy for the organisation of the FAO Summit in Rome and the informal meeting of NATO defence ministers in Naples, after the violence at the G8 in Genoa.
Future of Europe: The Belgian Presidency hopes to launch a detailed debate at Genval to prepare for the Laeken Declaration and is counting on Ministers to give a hint of the key elements of the future Declaration - an analysis of the European Union's strengths and weaknesses, the main themes of the Declaration and procedures to be followed for preparing the new Intergovernmental Conference. Belgium wants debate to focus on a potential future Convention (which would have the responsibility of preparing for the IGC) but without going into the nitty-gritty like who might be appointed to such a Convention, explained Presidency sources.
Governance: The President of the Commission, Romano Prodi, will present the White Paper on Governance adopted on 25 July 2001. This will be the first time that the Foreign Affairs Ministers will debate the text.