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General Affairs and External Relations - Council Conclusions

Main Results of the Council

MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS

The Council held an exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East, with particular reference to the Palestinian presidential election scheduled for 9 January 2005 and preparations for an EU observation mission. The Presidency noted that Ministers would return to the subject on the occasion of the 16-17 December European Council, which would adopt conclusions.

Note: the fifth meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council was held in the margins of the Council on 13 December.

IRAN - Council conclusions

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The Council discussed the EU's relations with Iran in the light of the agreement reached with Iran on 15 November 2004 following talks with France, Germany and the UK, supported by the High Representative, and the recent meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors (25-29 November 2004).

2. The Council welcomed the adoption, without a vote, on 29 November 2004 of the Board of Governors' resolution on Iran's nuclear programme and called on Iran to comply fully with its provisions.

3. The Council welcomed the confirmation by the IAEA that Iran had voluntarily suspended all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, thus paving the way for negotiations on a long term arrangement, as provided for in the agreement of 15 November 2004. The Council underlined that sustaining the full suspension of all enrichment related and reprocessing activities is essential for the continuation of the overall process.

4. The Council stressed that a long term arrangement resulting from negotiations, which started on 13 December, will have to provide objective guarantees that Iran's nuclear programme is exclusively for peaceful purposes.

5. The Council underlined its full support for the negotiating process and recalled its commitment to contribute to a positive outcome. In light of the IAEA's confirmation of full suspension, it confirmed that the EU would resume negotiations with Iran on a draft EU-Iran Trade and Cooperation Agreement together with parallel negotiations on a political agreement. It confirmed the EU's readiness to explore ways to further develop political and economic co-operation with Iran, following action by Iran to also address the other concerns of the EU regarding the fight against terrorism, human rights and Iran's approach to the Middle East Peace Process."

UKRAINE - Council conclusions

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The Council welcomed the political agreement reached by parties in the Ukrainian Parliament on 8 December 2004, paving the way for a free and fair repetition of the second round of presidential elections. At a difficult moment, Ukraine has chosen a peaceful and democratic path.

2. The Council welcomed the efforts undertaken by Ukrainian leaders, supported by the EU, led by the Secretary General/High Representative Solana with participation of President of Poland A. Kvasnievski and President of Lithuania V. Adamkus, and other international mediators, to find a non-violent, political solution within the legal framework of Ukraine.

3. The Council noted the verdict of the Supreme Court of Ukraine of 3 December 2004, which together with the agreement reached in the Ukrainian Parliament form the basis for the repetition of the second round of elections on 26 December 2004.

4. The Council underlined once more the importance of democratic elections for EU-Ukraine relations based on common values and shared interests, and calls on all sides to ensure that the elections of 26 December 2004 will be held in accordance with international standards for democratic elections, including freedom of media and expression.

5. The Council underlined the importance of effective election monitoring on 26 December. The European Union and its Member States will contribute substantially to the OSCE/ODIHR International Election Observation Mission.

6. The Council reiterated its support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and urged all sides to refrain from public statements which could risk aggravating regional tensions.

7. Stressing the strategic importance of Ukraine as a key neighbour and partner of the EU, the Council invited the High Representative and the Commission to propose ways to strengthen EU cooperation with Ukraine, making full use of the Action Plan with Ukraine, following the completion of free and fair presidential elections."

EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY - Council conclusions

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"The Council welcomed the Commission's proposals for European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) action plans with Israel, Jordan, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Ukraine.

It endorsed these action plans, which result from intensive consultations with ENP partners that were conducted by the European Commission, in close co-operation with the Presidency and the Secretary-General/High Representative.

In this context, the Council reaffirmed the importance it attributes to the European Neighbourhood Policy. The Council reiterated that the ENP aims at increased stability, security and prosperity for the EU and its neighbours and that it will build on mutual commitment to common values, including democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights, to the principles of market economy, free trade, sustainable development and poverty reduction, as well as to essential concerns, including the fight against terrorism and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and efforts towards the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts as well as cooperation in justice and home affairs matters. The Council emphasised that the intensity and level of ambition of relations with each ENP partner will be differentiated, reflecting the degree to which common values are effectively shared, the existing state of relations with each country, its needs and capacities, as well as common interests.

The Council invited the Committee of Permanent Representatives to prepare the necessary decisions enabling the Co-operation or Association Councils with the respective ENP partners to confirm these action plans and to launch their implementation. As concerns Ukraine, the Council stressed the paramount importance of free and fair elections, as reflected in the action plan. The Council agreed to the content of the action plan, and will forward the action plan to the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council as soon as developments in Ukraine make it possible to envisage implementation of its provisions. The Council noted that the Partnership and Co-operation Agreements, as well as the Association Agreements established within the Euro-Mediterranean Process, provide the framework for pursuing the implementation and monitoring of the Action Plans.

The Council stressed the importance of timely implementation of the action plans by both the EU and ENP partners. It recalled its intention to undertake a first review of the implementation of the action plans at the latest two years from their adoption, on the basis of assessment reports to be prepared by the Commission, in close co-operation with the Presidency and the SG/HR on issues related to political cooperation and the CFSP, and with the contribution of ENP partners.

The Council took note of the intention of the Commission, and the Secretary-General/High Representative for issues related to political co-operation and the CFSP, to present country reports on Egypt and Lebanon to the Council by March 2005, in view of engaging consultations with partner countries about action plans. It also noted that the Commission, and the Secretary-General/High Representative for issues related to political co-operation and the CFSP, intend to prepare country reports on Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia by the same date, so as to allow for the Council to decide on opening consultations on establishing action plans with one or more of these countries. It invited the Commission, and the Secretary-General/High Representative for issues related to political co-operation and the CFSP, to take forward this work.

Recalling the GAERC conclusions of 14 June 2004, the Council reiterated that the European Neighbourhood Policy is open to Belarus and all Mediterranean countries including Libya once they have met the necessary conditions for inclusion."

AFRICAN GREAT LAKES - Council conclusions

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"The Council expressed its very deep concern about the multiple reports of military operations by Rwandan armed forces into the DRC. It condemned any threat to and violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC and strongly opposed any attack by Rwandan or other foreign forces on the territory of the DRC. It called upon the Rwandan Government to abide by the Declaration of Principles to which it subscribed in Dar es Salaam on the 20th of November 2004, to respect the sovereignty of the territory of the DRC and to withdraw any forces it may have in the DRC.

The Council welcomed the intention of the AU to bring together, with a sense of urgency, the presidents of Rwanda and the DRC, in the presence of the AU, the UN and other stakeholders. The Council announced the EU's willingness to attend such a meeting.

The Council underlined the importance of addressing the key problem of the FDLR and ex-FAR/Interahamwe, which was undermining peace and security in the region and constituted a source of instability and a threat to the local population as well as an impediment to good neighbourly relations. It called upon Rwanda and the DRC to search with a strong sense of urgency and in mutual agreement in a multilateral framework for a solution to the threat caused by the presence of these groups in Eastern DRC. It insisted upon the need to resolve this crisis within existing mechanisms such as the Tripartite Commission and the Joint Verification Mechanism, in close cooperation with MONUC, which had just been expanded and had its mandate enlarged. It underlined the crucial role of the United Nations in supporting security in the DRC, in particular through MONUC. It gave full support to the call made by the PSC of the AU upon Rwanda and the DRC to fully cooperate with the UN and the AU towards the speedy operationalisation of the Joint Verification Mechanism.

The Council called upon the Transitional National Government to continue to act with restraint in order to avoid a military escalation. The Council stressed that the countries in the region should implement, without delay, the principles and recommendations of the Dar-Es-Salaam Declaration.

The Council stressed the importance of the continued transition process in the DRC, especially in the preparation of the election process and in the implementation of the necessary reforms, in particular SSR. It called upon all countries of the region to give the transition in the DRC all their support.

The Council welcomed the organisation of a constitutional referendum in Burundi on 22 December 2004 as an important step for the peace process and especially for elections to be held from February until April 2005. The Council called upon all parties in Burundi to take their civic responsibility and to refrain from actions that might cause a rise in tension or political instability.

The Council adopted an EU regional approach for the Great Lakes region as set out in document

SUDAN - Council conclusions

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The Council has taken note with great concern of the latest report of the UN Secretary General to the UN Security Council. It is seriously concerned about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Darfur and calls upon all parties to abide in full by their commitments made in N'djamena and Abuja, in particular the security and
humanitarian Protocols.

2. The Council encourages the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A to conclude the negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement before the end of the year, as agreed by the Memorandum of Understanding which was endorsed in UN Security Council Resolution 1574. The early conclusion and speedy implementation of such agreement could create a basis for efforts to integrate the other marginalised regions of Sudan and create a new political coalition for peace. The EU expresses its willingness to provide political and material support for the post-conflict reconstruction of Sudan, once peace is restored.

3. The Council condemns attacks and other cease fire violations by all parties in the Darfur conflict and urges them to respect the cease fire agreements. In particular, it condemns the recent SLA attacks on Tawila and the Kalma refugee camp, which led to a serious intensification of hostilities. It also calls on the Government of Sudan to exercise restraint in the face of rebel provocation to avoid further escalation of the violence, including by honouring its commitment to refrain from hostile military flights in and over Darfur. Furthermore, all parties should fulfil without delay their responsibility of providing information to AU/CFC on the respective positions of their forces.

4. The Council recalls its previous conclusions and underlines that the EU will continue to monitor the situation in Darfur and will consider to take appropriate measures which could include sanctions, against the Government of Sudan as well as the rebel groups, in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1556 and 1564, if no tangible progress is achieved in this respect. In this regard, the Council is prepared to consider targeted sanctions.

5. The Council takes note of the announcement by the Government of Sudan that a number of people suspected of human rights violations have been arrested and will be put on trial.

The Council encourages the Government of Sudan to provide detailed information to the UN International Commission of Inquiry about these arrests, as well as any other information pertinent to the work of the Commission.

6. The Council welcomes the resumption of the negotiations in Abuja on 10 December and urges parties to the conflict to strive for a political solution for Darfur. In particular, the Council urges the rebel movements to negotiate in good faith and not to delay the negotiation process.

7. The Council expresses its concern on the situation in the eastern regions of Sudan and calls on parties in the region to strive for a peaceful settlement. In particular, the Council notes that the arming of militias was a significant factor in the escalation of the Darfur conflict, and urges the Government of Sudan as well as other parties to abstain from arming militias in the Eastern region.

8. The Council reiterates its support to the efforts of the African Union (AU) to contain and resolve the crisis in Darfur. The EU is contributing both financially (more than 100 million Euro) and in terms of logistics, planning and monitors to AMIS II. The Council recognises that Darfur is a major challenge for the AU and it will continue to assist the AU in addressing this challenge in a spirit of partnership and transparency. The EU recognises the need for AMIS II to rapidly become fully operational and to efficiently fulfil its mandate of pro-active monitoring, in compliance with the decision of the AU Peace and Security Council of 20 October. The EU looks forward to further discussions with the AU on the EU's active engagement in supporting the AU. The Council condemns the attack on an AMIS investigation team on 1 December, which resulted in one member of the team being injured.

9. The Council notes with grave concern that, due to the continuing increase in the number of IDPs, there remains an urgent need for additional humanitarian assistance. In view of the need to raise substantial additional amounts of funding, the EU will consider further increasing the significant humanitarian support it has already provided and encourages other donors to also provide additional support for humanitarian operations. The Council also welcomes the UN's 2005 Work Plan on humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation for US$ 1,5 billion for the whole of Sudan, and expresses its intention to make an early and generous contribution to this appeal."

OTHER BUSINESS

China/arms embargo

Over lunch, Ministers held an exchange of views concerning the EU arms embargo against China, following the 8 December EU-China Summit at which the EU side had confirmed its political will to continue to work towards lifting the embargo, and in view of the European Council meeting on 16-17 December.

EU-Africa dialogue

The Council took note of a presentation by the Portuguese delegation on the question of a second Africa-Europe Summit (after the April 2000 Cairo Summit), following the exchange of views on that subject at the EU-African Union Ministerial Troika meeting in Addis Abeba on 6 December.

The President noted that the issue would be further discussed under the incoming Presidency.

Guinea-Bissau

The Council heard an intervention by the Portuguese delegation on the situation in Guinea Bissau as well as on the question of the resumption of the budgetary support programme for Guinea Bissau.

On the latter issue, the Commission reaffirmed its readiness to explore possible solutions in order to enable aid to be resumed.

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