Luxembourg, 08/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - By adopting a declaration and conclusions in Luxembourg on Monday, the General Affairs Council reaffirmed the European Union's total support for the American retaliation (the declaration, which recalls that Member states are "prepared to act according to their means", as the extraordinary Council of Brussels had done, does not mention British participation in the strikes triggered on Sunday by he United States on Afghanistan), as well as for the Afghan people, who are not the target of these strikes.
"The EU affirms its total solidarity with the United States and its full support for the action being undertaken in legitimate defence and in compliance with the Charter of the United Nations and UN Resolution 1368", says the declaration, which continues: "All information clearly demonstrates and in a convincing manner the responsibility of Osama Bin Laden and the Al Qaida network in the attacks of 11 September. One month later, and despite repeated pressure, the Taliban regime has refused to take its responsibilities and hand over the suspects so that they may be taken before the courts. The Al Qaida network and the regime that supports and shelters it are now suffering the consequences of their action. The EU stresses that the targeted actions launched on 7 October are not an attack on Islam nor against the Afghan people, for whom the EU is determined to provide its aid and support. The EU and its Member States are in the process of rapidly responding to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the neighbouring countries and have already decided to provide 316 million euro (see below). The Afghan people has the right to a truly representative government. We believe that the UN has an essential role in this context. The military operation that has just been undertaken is but one part of a broader multilateral strategy in which the EU is committed to taking its part. This implies a comprehensive fight against organisations and financial structures that support terrorism. The EU will continue its close contacts with countries in the region and other partners."
In its conclusions, the Council stipulates that the Union and Member States will do al they can to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries. This has to be in close collaboration with the United Nations, the UNHCR and other specialised agencies, the ICRC, the United states, the neighbouring countries and other partners in the context of multilateral organisations. To that effect, the Council welcomes the first measures taken by the Commission to assist the refugees, and urges it to present new ones without delay.
EU to make systematic assessment of relations with third countries depending on their possible support for terrorism
In its conclusions, the General Affairs Council also affirms the EU's determination to attack the sources of financing of terrorism, in close collaboration with the United States. The Council "notes that the Commission is taking the necessary measures to freeze the assets of people identified by the Committee on Sanctions set up in the framework of Resolution 1267" (on the choice of this formula that avoids providing a follow-up to the regulation proposed by the Commission and approved by the European Parliament last week, see below and EUROPE of 6 October, p.4)
The Union will pursue close dialogue with its partners of the Barcelona process, notably at the ministerial meeting of 6 November, as well as with the Gulf States. It will back the intention of the African partners to draw up an initiative against terrorism on the occasion of the EU/Africa ministerial of 11 October. A meeting of the European conference at ministerial level will be organised on 20 October, with, for the first time, Russia, Ukraine and Moldova as "special guests" (see above).
The Council will call for a systematic assessment of the Union's relations with third countries in terms of their potential support for terrorism and will call for a reference framework to be drawn up to this end. Given the current situation, the Union's relationship with specific third countries will have to be re-examined, noted the Council, adding that 1) the dialogue with Pakistan (which was started by the Troika's mission) would be continued and deepened; the Council invites the Commission to assess means of reinforcing Community assistance to Islamabad, particularly in terms of signing a third generation co-operation agreement with Pakistan; 2) consultation with Iran would be strengthened with a view to signing a trade and co-operation agreement with Iran; 3) the EU will be deciding how to extend its co-operation with India with a view to the future summit with India; 4) the Council will invite its competent bodies and the Commission to provide it with proposals aiming to strengthen the Union's commitment to and relations with central Asian countries.