Brussels, 19/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - Largely dominated by external policy issues, in particular the humanitarian crises in Africa and the situation in the Middle East, the General Affairs/External Relations Council on Monday 22 January will also cover parliamentary elections in Serbia held the day before. Foreign ministers are also expected to endorse the negotiating brief for an enlarged partnership agreement with Ukraine. On the fringe of the Council on Monday evening, a troika will be held between the EU and Montenegro. The next day, another meeting of the same kind is scheduled with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Points on the agenda of the Council to be chaired by Frank-Walter Steinmeier are:
Lisbon Strategy. The Commission vice-president, Margot Wallström, will be presenting the annual progress report on implementation of the strategy for growth and employment in Member States, including specific country-by-country recommendations. This question, which will be back on the agenda of the Spring European Council on 8 - 9 March this year, will not be the subject of lengthy discussion.
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Kept out of the debate in December because of the omnipresent Turkish question, ministers will discuss the Commission's communication on implementation of ENP (EUROPE 9320).
Ukraine. The Council is then expected to adopt the EU negotiating brief with Ukraine with a view to renewing the partnership and cooperation agreement due to expire this year. Wishing to show their support for Ukraine's European perspective, some Member States (Poland and Hungary, followed by the United Kingdom and Sweden) hoped a political declaration from the Council would accompany the negotiating brief. Others (France, Spain and the Netherlands), on the other hand, prefer to keep to the strict ENP framework without mentioning the prospect of membership.
Western Balkans. With a view to preparing the troika with Montenegro, ministers will adopt conclusions on signing a European partnership agreement. This kind of partnership, which provides a framework for priority action and a financial framework to promote stability in the country, exists for all Balkan States and has become necessary since Montenegro's independence in May 2006.
During their working lunch, EU27 ministers will hold a first exchange of views on parliamentary elections in Serbia, held the previous day. A more in-depth debate on the European prospects for the country is expected to be held during the next Council on 12 February. By then, UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari will have submitted his report on the status of Kosovo, “probably around 2 February” according to one diplomat. Although a gesture by the EU27 in favour of rekindling talks with Belgrade on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement is not to be expected on Monday, conclusions could be considerably more ambitious in the event of a breakthrough by pro-European forces during Sunday's ballot.
Sudan. While the situation in the country remains “worrying” and the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) remains “totally under-financed”, according to one diplomatic source, the Council will adopt conclusions for extending EU civilian and military support for AMIS for a period of up to six months. Ministers will also speak of their support for deployment of the hybrid force (United Nations and African Union) in Darfur, but uncertainty remains concerning the more general question of mobilising AMIS funding.
Somalia. The departure of Sharif Hassan Cheikh Aden, who was dismissed from his post as president of the Somali transitional parliament on Wednesday (EUROPE 9346), is “not a good sign of this government's resolve to dialogue”, one diplomat said on Friday. In its conclusions, the Council will recall that the EU is willing to provide financial support for the stabilisation mechanism as it is established under UN Security Council - Resolution 1725. A financial allocation of €15 million should thus be made for this, Louis Michel, Development Commissioner, announced.
Iran. In its conclusions, the Council intends to send a “clear message to Iran” on the “strictest possible” implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1737, the diplomatic source stated. Monday's meeting will not, however, result in concrete measures, he admitted. “The door remains open, but someone must come through the door”, he pointed out.
Middle East. Over lunch, ministers will discuss reactivation of the Middle East peace process. After talks between US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on one hand, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's Foreign Minister, on the other, the Council will adopt conclusions calling for the Quartet to be convened as soon as possible.
Libya. Conclusions on the fate of the Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian doctor, condemned to death by the Libyan Supreme Court (see EUROPE 9341), will be adopted. While it is a matter of “saving those people”, and while Bulgaria can count on the “unfailing support” of the other Member States, “care is needed so as not to block the way or create obstacles,” commented the diplomat.
Energy. External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner will address the external policy issues of the energy package adopted on 10 January (see EUROPPE 9341). Ministers will have their first exchange of views ahead of the spring European Council.
Death penalty. At the request of Italy, the Council will have an exchange of views on its idea for an international moratorium on the death penalty. Work on how to submit a formal request on the dealth penalty to the United Nations is already ongoing within the EU, the German Presidency said. The Presidency intends to ask the Embassies in New York and Geneva to take soundings on this issue, before consulting NGOs and then coming back with proposals on how to proceed.
Berlin Declaration and Constitutional Treaty. The Presidency will briefly take stock of the procedures it intends to follow to take forward these two matters (particularly establishing points of contact - “focal points” - in Member States).
The Council will also adopt, without discussion, a declaration in which it undertakes without delay to resume work for the adoption of the draft regulation on trade with the northern part of Cyprus. Political agreement on this declaration was reached in December, when the Council decided to suspend negotiations with Turkey on eight chapters (see EUROPE 9326). (ab)