Brussels, 25/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - During lunch on Friday, on the occasion of the Summit in Brussels, the EU15 Foreign Ministers tackled various international policy issues.
North Korea: Ministers insisted on the need to coordinate the EU's position with that of its partners in the context of the Kedo programme (hence Japan and the United States) as well as on the impossibility of putting an end to this programme for the development of nuclear energy for civilian use, despite allegations that North Korea is developing a nuclear weapons programme. They called on North Korea to comply with its international nuclear non-proliferation obligations (see EUROPE of 23 October, p.9).
Middle East: Ministers felt that the EU and US roadmaps are not incompatible. However, declared one Community source, "the situation on the ground makes these roadmaps very theoretical". The same source added that "the creation of Israeli settlements makes the idea of two States devoid of all meaning".
Iraq: Ministers discussed the UN resolution which is still being prepared and reaffirmed the EU's position which mainly places emphasis on the role of the United Nations.