Brussels, 04/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - A few days after the special European Council on 1 September (EUROPE 9730 and 9730a), EU foreign ministers will meet on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September in Avignon for an informal meeting on the crisis in Georgia. The Gymnich meeting falls between the heads of state meeting and the European Troika's visit to Moscow and Tbilisi on Monday 8 September, but it will not be entering into the details of the situation on the ground.
Another subject on the agenda - the transatlantic relationship, which will be discussed first of all on Friday. In view of the US elections in November, the French Presidency is seeking to redefine or reaffirm EU priorities in its relationship with the US. At some stage, this will include the presentation of clear European proposals to the next US government, in an attempt to rebalance the transatlantic partnership.
On the eve of the visit to Moscow and Tbilisi by Nicolas Sarkozy, José Manuel Barroso and Javier Solana, EU27 heads of diplomacy will seek, especially on Saturday morning, to prepare the next External Relations Council on 15 September, during which they might formally decide on the sending of an ESDP civilian mission to Georgia. Ministers in Avignon are also expected to formally decide on the appointment of the EU's special representative for the crisis in Georgia (diplomats say that before mentioning any names, this will involve defining his role and the way in which his mission fits in with that of the special representative for the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby). A discussion may also take place on finalising the conclusions of the next EU-Ukraine summit on 9 September (see other article). Heads of state and government underlined the importance of this during the European Council.
At the end of Saturday morning, the EU special representative for the CFSP, Javier Solana, will present ministers with his recommendations on the review of the European security strategy adopted in 2003, the revision process of which is expected to be completed before the end of the year (the French Presidency wants to adopt it during the European Council in December). Mr Solana is expected to stress the need to consolidate European industry, harmonise markets and reinforce cooperation in European security and defence.
At lunch, minsters will discuss the situation in the Middle East, following the visit of their French counterpart, Bernard Kouchner, and President Sarkozy to Syria on 3-4 September. (A.B./transl.rh)