Summary: September 13, 2004: 2604th General Affairs and External Relations - (Brussels)
Main Results of the Council
The Council, which remains extremely concerned about the situation in Darfur, expressed readiness further to support the African Union mission in the region and to contribute to an expanded mission. It also agreed that the EU will take appropriate measures, including sanctions, against the Government of Sudan and all other parties if no tangible progress is achieved in meeting the Council's and the UN Security Council's demands.
The Council also reviewed the issue of ASEM (Asia-Europe meeting) enlargement in the
perspective of the upcoming ASEM Summit in Hanoi (8 October) and underlined the importance it attaches to EU-Asia relations. It decided that, in the absence of progress in Burma by the time of the Summit, it would tighten restrictive measures against the regime and increase support to the Burmese people.
The Council expressed its strong condemnation of the continued kidnappings and acts of terrorism in Iraq and called for all hostages to be immediately released unharmed. Endorsing the preliminary findings of an EU exploratory mission in Iraq concerning possible EU activities in the field of civilian crisis management, it asked for these findings to be further examined and elaborated with a view to assistance proposals being prepared in good time for the 5 November European Council.
SUDAN / DARFUR - Council conclusions
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
"1. The Council recalls its Conclusions of 12 and 26 July and calls upon the Government of Sudan and the SLM/A and the JEM to meet the demands set out therein. It reiterates that the fulfilment of these demands will influence future relations between the Sudan and the EU.
2. The Council welcomes the report of the UN Secretary General (UNSG) presented by Special Representative of the SG (SRSG) Jan Pronk on 2 September in the UN Security Council (UNSC) and expresses concern that the report documented incomplete compliance by the Government of Sudan with Security Council Resolution 1556. It urges the Government of Sudan to fully implement all of the commitments made to the UNSG, and to fully co-operate with his SRSG.
3. The Council remains extremely concerned about the situation in Darfur, in particular about continuing heavy fighting and attacks on civilians. The Council urges all parties to exercise utmost restraint and to fully respect the N'djamena cease-fire agreement. In this context, it appeals to all parties to publicly confirm an immediate moratorium on military operations in Darfur in contravention of the cease-fire agreement.
4. The Council notes with satisfaction the deployment of UN human rights monitors in Darfur, and appeals to all parties to fully co-operate with them. In this context, the Council reiterates its support for the recommendations of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and in particular the creation of an international commission of inquiry. The Council urges the Government of Sudan to ensure that there is no impunity, including by bringing to justice those militia leaders or Army Officers suspected of serious human rights and humanitarian law violations, and allowing the UN monitors to conduct investigations.
5. With reference to point 6 of the Conclusions of 12 July, the Council has come to the following preliminary conclusions, partly based on the above mentioned report.
6. In close co-ordination with the UN, the Arab League, the US, and other important international actors, the EU stands ready to further support the AU mission. The Council welcomes the UNSG's proposal to the AU for an expansion of the AU mission in Darfur.
The SG/HR has discussed with President Konare the scope for an EU contribution to this mission. The Council welcomes the AU's agreement in principle to prepare for an EU Fact Finding Mission in order to determine how the EU might support an expanded AU presence, on the basis of AU requests, including through a possible police strengthening mission. The Council requests the SG/HR to maintain close contact with the AU to facilitate this Fact Finding Mission, including via a early further visit to the region by his Personal Representative on Sudan.
7. The Council fully supports the action of the AU in the Abuja talks and urges the Government of Sudan, the SLM/A and the JEM to negotiate in good faith and with a sense of urgency. The Council appeals to all political actors in the region to use their influence on the Sudanese parties to facilitate these talks. As regards the Darfur talks, an early agreement on security is of utmost importance in order to avoid a further deterioration of the situation on the ground. In this context, the Council urges the Government of Sudan to take actions on the disarmament of militia.
8. The Council reiterates that cantonment of the SLM/A and the JEM represents a critical element in achieving a return of peace and stability in Darfur, and calls upon the SLM/A and the JEM for its swift implementation.
9. The Council is concerned that the peace process between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A ("Naivasha process") needs to be re-invigorated. It therefore urges both parties to resume discussions on the outstanding technical aspects and to conclude a comprehensive agreement as soon as possible.
10. In the immediate future the EU will:
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
"The Council, recalling its conclusions from 14 June 2004, expressed its concern over the recent increase in tensions in the region and urged the leaders of the DRC and Burundi as well as neighbouring countries, in particular Rwanda and Uganda to continue implementation of their respective peace accords. The Council called on all countries in the region to adhere to the Principles of Good Neighbourly relations and co-operation.
The Council welcomed the planned meeting of Heads of State of Uganda, DRC and Rwanda in the margins of the UN General Assembly and urges all participants to use these meetings to bring forward the discussions on the reduction of tension in the region. The Council reaffirmed its conviction that the resolution of conflicts in the Great Lakes Region requires a regional approach.
The Council remains strongly supportive of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.
The Council welcomed the presentation by the High Representative of suggestions for the review of the mandate of MONUC. The Council expressed its support for a more focused and robust mandate of MONUC and related increased capabilities. The Council had a discussion on different options for EU support to MONUC and asked relevant Council bodies to take this work forward and to report back, with a view to continued EU support to UN efforts to strengthen MONUC."
ASEM - Council conclusions
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
" The Council discussed the issue of ASEM enlargement and reiterated the great importance it attaches to the relations with Asia and the ASEM process. The Council looks forward to the Summit as it allows the EU to strengthen its ties with Asia. It calls for intensifying the preparation of the Summit in close cooperation with its Asian partners, in order to ensure its full success.
At the same time, the European Union is committed to democratic change in Burma, as well as to ongoing humanitarian assistance to the people of Burma.
During his mission to Asia the Special Envoy of the Presidency Hans van den Broek conveyed this message. He learned that many of the Asian partners share the concerns that EU has on Burma, but - like the EU - attach importance to the ASEM Summit and a discussion on its enlargement.
The Council noted that the situation in Burma has not improved significantly and continues to give rise to grave concern. In particular the progress hoped for at the time of the Gymnich meeting in Tullamore in april 2004 has not happened: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest, the National League for Democracy has faced continued harassment and the National Convention has not allowed genuine open debate.
The Council decided that if the Burmese Government has not fulfilled the three conditions of the Gymnich meeting in Tullamore by the time of the ASEM Summit, it will take the following action at its subsequent session on 11 October 2004:
1. The European Union will maintain the measures under its Common Position against the military regime in Burma and those who benefit from it.
2. The European Union will tighten the existing measures against the regime and increase the support to the Burmese people, and requests the General Secretariat of the Council to prepare a revised Common Position, which in addition to the existing measures includes:
3. Also, EU member states shall vote against extending loans to Burma from international financial institutions.
4. In addition, the Commission is requested to produce specific proposals to address the issue of Burmese illegal logging, including opportunities for decreasing deforestation in and export of teak from Burma.
5. Furthermore, the EU will then expand assistance to the people of Burma in the areas of health and education, defined in consultation with democratic groups, including the National League for Democracy, and managed through the UN system or non-governmental organisations.
The Council underlined that the Summit will also provide the EU with an opportunity to confront Burma with its concerns on human rights and the need for democratic reforms. The Council expects the level of Burmese participation at the Summit to be lower than at the level of Head of State/Government."
IRAN
Ministers discussed the Iranian nuclear issue over lunch. They assessed the report presented by IAEA Director-General El-Baradei on 1 September and other recent developments, notably in the perspective of the IAEA board meeting starting on 13 September. They confirmed full support for efforts undertaken by France, Germany and the UK and reiterated their requests made to Iran previously, in particular as to full compliance by Iran with suspension commitments, a crucial element also against the background of the further development of relations between the EU and Iran. Ministers also discussed the situation of human rights in Iran.
IRAQ - Council conclusions
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
"1. The Council expressed its strong condemnation of the continued kidnappings and acts of terrorism in Iraq. All hostages must be immediately released unharmed. The Council fully supports the efforts underway for their liberation.
2. The Council reaffirmed its support for the people of Iraq and the Iraqi Interim Government, as well as its commitment to support the economic, social and political reconstruction of Iraq. The Council reaffirmed the EU's commitment to support the implementation of UNSCR 1546 and to support the UN in its activities in Iraq.
3. The Council reiterated the Union's objective as stated by the European Council on 17-18 June of a secure, stable, unified, prosperous and democratic Iraq that will make a positive contribution to the stability of the region, and the willingness of the European Union as a whole to work in partnership with the Iraqi Interim Government and the Iraqi people with the aim of reaching that goal.
4. The Council recalled the Commission's communication "The EU and Iraq - A framework for Engagement" that sets out medium-term objectives for the development of EU-Iraq relations and the letter by High Representative Solana and Commissioner Patten as endorsed by the European Council.
5. The Council welcomed HR Solana's participation in Cairo at the Conference of Neighbouring Countries of Iraq, where he took the opportunity to use EU's dialogue with Iraq's neighbours to encourage positive engagement and regional support for improved security and for the political and reconstruction process in Iraq.
6. The Council welcomed the holding of the National Conference in Iraq that convened from 15-18 August in Baghdad. The selection of the National Council marks an important step in the political process.
7. The Council welcomed the visit of Minister Bot to Baghdad on 29 August and the report presented at the Gymnich meeting on the EU exploratory mission that visited Baghdad from 29-31 August to explore options for concrete EU engagement in the civilian crisis management areas of police, rule of law and civilian administration as well as elections.
8. The Council agreed to take the following next steps to further develop the EU engagement with Iraq:
(a) To deepen and broaden the political dialogue with Iraq the Council notes that a Troika meeting with the Iraqi Interim Government will be held in New York in September in the margins of the UN General Assembly.
(b) Pursuant to the June European Council conclusions the Council welcomes the acceptance of the invitation Minister Bot extended to the Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi to meet the members of the European Council on 5 November 2004.
(c) The Council endorsed the preliminary conclusions of the EU exploratory mission. On the basis of the discussion at the Gymnich meeting the Council agrees that the suggested activities that the EU could engage in, in the civilian crisis management areas of police, rule of law and civilian administration, should be further examined and elaborated. The Council, therefore, invites the Council Secretariat to start planning, in close consultation with the Presidency and in full association with the Commission, for an EU civilian crisis management fact-finding mission to Iraq. At the appropriate moment, this mission should be sent out with the aim of preparing, in good time for the European Council on 5 November 2004, a package of concrete assistance proposals taking into account ongoing Community efforts as well as contributions to other multilateral initiatives and the need for synergy.
(d) The Council confirmed that in conformity with the July GAERC conclusions, agreement on EU financial and personnel support for the preparation of elections in close coordination with the UN is the overriding priority for EU support. Given the January deadline for elections, concrete proposals for EU assistance should be endorsed as soon as possible in order to play a part in the pre-election process.
(e) The Council reiterated that the presence and role of the UN in Iraq is of crucial importance in the social, economic and political reconstruction process. The Council decided that a positive response should be given to the request of the UNSG for EU support to the UN Protection Force in Iraq. The Council is now examining how a substantial contribution can be made to this Protection Force."
BELARUS - Council conclusions
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
" The Council has learned with great concern that the incumbent President of Belarus has called for a referendum to be held in parallel with the Parliamentary elections on 17 October 2004 to change the constitution of Belarus to allow a president to run without limitations in future presidential elections.
The Council recognises the right of Belarus to hold a referendum as a way to decide on its political and constitutional organisation but stresses the need to hold such a referendum in accordance with OSCE and Council of Europe standards and norms. The Council has serious and well-grounded doubts as to whether the necessary conditions for holding a free and fair referendum in Belarus are fulfilled. On the contrary, the state of democracy, rule of law and human rights in Belarus is deteriorating, as demonstrated inter alia by the recent closure of a number of independent newspapers and the continued oppression of the opposition.
The EU has repeatedly called on Belarussian authorities to establish a fair and constructive dialogue with the opposition before any referendum on changing the constitution could be conducted. The European Union has also underlined that there should be substantial changes to the electoral code of Belarus. Their successful implementation would be an important condition for guaranteeing a free and fair referendum. Furthermore, there should be a clear improvement in the situation of the media, in particular freedom of access to the media for all political groupings. Finally, a review of the role of Parliament should be considered, in order to give it real powers.
The Council once again reiterates its hope that Belarus will take its rightful place among European democratic countries. In this case, the EU would be able to further develop the relations between the EU and Belarus, including in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy. If, however, the Parliamentary elections and the announced referendum do not take place under free and fair conditions, this cannot remain without its consequences for the relations.
Finally, the Council confirms its active engagement in the development of civil society and support of democratic forces in Belarus."
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