Brussels, 20/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - During Monday's General Affairs and External Relations Council, the first to be held with observers from the ten future EU Member States, Council took stock of relations between the EU and Russia, with an eye to the Summit to take place in St Petersburg on 31 May. Javier Solana, EU High Representative for CFSP, also talked of a possible EU mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
During the lunch, the Foreign Affairs Ministers discussed Iraq, amongst other things. "The climate for talks was a very good one", said Georges Papandreou, Council President, underlining the Ministers' goodwill "to go forward" and to forget the "divisions of the past".
Lastly, the Council adopted conclusion on the Balkans (see p.10), the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), and a declaration on the military capabilities of the EU (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.5 and 4), and the Middle East (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.5).
Democratic Republic of Congo: Javier Solana indicated that the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, had asked the EU to send a mission into the province of Ifaro. "I believe that the EU will be able to co-operate", declared Mr Solana, adding that no formal discussions had taken place as yet. According to certain sources, this mission could be of limited duration, with the aim of "preparing the ground" for international troops.
Relations between the EU and Russia: "We have the foundations of a joint statement, and we hope to be able to present it at the Summit", said Mr Papandreou. However, according to diplomatic sources, Russia can see no point in adopting a joint statement. Furthermore, it would only accept such a statement if it contained a reference to a regime without visas between the EU, and the granting of financial compensation to Russia after enlargement of the EU. Lastly, Russia has apparently expressed reluctance to broach the subject of Chechnya and the ratification of the Kyoto protocol at the Summit. Although the majority of Member States are apparently "upset" at Russia's conditions, other delegations (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy and Poland) believe that they should be discussed. These sources stress the fact that the situation may move forward. Certainly, Russian Premier, Igor Ivanov, will this week meet several European Foreign Affairs Ministers, including the French and German Ministers, Dominique de Villepin and Joschka Fischer.