Brussels, 11/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - Although the work of the foreign affairs ministers on Tuesday in Luxembourg will be dominated by the IGC on the Constitution (see above), the agenda for the General Affairs and External Relations Council is relatively full, as follows:
Iraq. During the lunch which will follow the IGC, Chris Patten will present the strategy recently proposed by the Commission to accompany the installation of the provisional government in Iraq (see EUROPE of 10 June, p.9). The Council should approve this communication and it will also discuss a joint letter sent by Messrs Patten and Solana to the ministers this week making a series of suggestions. The Commission will also try to get the green light to begin implementing concrete measures, such as the preparation of meetings with the Iraqi government. The Commission would also like the Council to consider the possibility of naming an EU special envoy to Iraq.
ASEM. The ministers will discuss a thorny issue which requires a quick solution: the possible accession of Burma/Myanmar to the ASEM. The EU remains opposed in theory to the accession of the country which is currently subject to sanctions (visas, freezing of assets) as a result of multiple human rights abuses. At the same time, the EU does not want to risk its good level of cooperation with the ASEM. There is therefore a need to find a solution which will achieve a "good balance" between these two positions. Time is short, as the ASEM Summit will take place in Hanoi in October and ministerial meetings are planned for July and August.
Croatia. In preparation for the European Council, the ministers will state that there is agreement on the opening of accession negotiations with Croatia. The conclusions of the European Council will probably state that an IGC should be called "early in 2005" to that end.
Middle East. The discussion (following the adoption of conclusions) will be relatively brief as the ministers will return to this dossier at dinner on Thursday evening at the Summit.
Iran. The Council will briefly touch on the problems posed by Iran's nuclear programme, in light of the recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As the IAEA will also meet on Monday to publish a new resolution on Iran, the ministers will probably limit themselves to a simple exchange of views (see below).
Western Balkans. The Council will approve conclusions on Monday. On Tuesday there will be another EU Troika meeting with Serbia and Montenegro.
ESDP. The Council will approve the report by the Council Presidency on the state of progress of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) over the last six months. The Council will also examine the progress made for the preparation of the EU mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which should relieve the NATO SFOR mission by the end of the year. The Council should announce that it will be ready to launch an "EU mission for the rule of law" in Georgia in mid-July. This mission, at the request of the Georgian government, should last 12 months, and will aim to tackle urgent reforms to the legal system (particularly the penal system). The ministers will look at the preparatory work for the European Defence Agency (see EUROPE of 4 June and 8 May). The Council will also mention the role of the ESDP in Africa and cooperation with the UN on crisis management.
Weapons of mass destruction. The Council will round up the implementation of the EU strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, approved at the summit in December 2003. It will prepare a declaration, which will be approved by the European Council, on sanctions on illegal exports of weapons of mass destruction.
Egypt. The EU/Egypt Association Council will meet on Monday evening (see EUROPE of yesterday, p. 11).
Bulgaria/Romania. Ministerial meetings for accession negotiations will take place on Tuesday, first with Romania (after an Association Council), then with Bulgaria.