EU External Relations Council Conclusions

PRESS RELEASE: 2687th Council Meeting, General Affairs and External Relations, External Relations Council Conclusions (Provisional), Brussels

* Some external relations items were adopted without debate at the meeting on General Affairs (13621/05 Presse 273).

Main Results of the Council

Concerning the Middle East, the Council:

- decided to launch a police mission in the Palestinian territories under the European Security and Defence Policy. The mission, which will have a long-term reform focus, will provide enhanced support to the Palestinian Authority in establishing sustainable and effective policing arrangements;

- noted the EU's willingness in principle to provide assistance with the operation of crossings at Gaza's borders on the basis of an agreement between the parties. This followed a request by Quartet envoy James Wolfensohn on behalf of the parties that the EU consider playing a third party monitoring role at the Rafah crossing point on the Gaza-Egypt border.

Concerning the Western Balkans, the Council:

- expressed its full support for the UN Secretary General's intention to start a political process to determine Kosovo's future status. Reaffirming the EU's determination to participate fully in the definition of this status, it endorsed HR Solana's nomination of Mr Stefan Lehne as EU representative to the Kosovo future status process, to support the UN Status Envoy in the implementation of his mandate;

- invited the relevant Council bodies to examine negotiating directives with a view to opening negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina as soon as possible.

The Council reviewed its overall approach to Iran. It notably condemned in the strongest terms the comments in respect of Israel made by President Ahmedinejad. On the nuclear issue, it urged Tehran to implement all measures requested by the 24 September IAEA Board of Governors Resolution. It also expressed its deep concern at the serious violations of human rights which continue to occur in Iran.

The Council examined the EU's policy towards Belarus. It expressed its deep concern at the deteriorating situation of human rights and political freedoms in Belarus and called on the Government to ensure that the upcoming electoral process is free and fair. It confirmed its determination to intensify the EU's support for democracy and human rights in Belarus and stated its readiness to take further appropriate restrictive measures against the responsible individuals in the event of failure to uphold international standards.

CONTENTS: ITEMS DEBATED

WESTERN BALKANS - Council conclusions

MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS - Council conclusions

SYRIA AND LEBANON - Council conclusions

IRAN - Council conclusions

IRAQ - Council conclusions

BELARUS - Council conclusions

WTO/DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

UN WORLD SUMMIT FOLLOW-UP - Council conclusions

OTHER BUSINESS

- Colombia

- Cuba

IN THE MARGINS OF THE COUNCIL

- EU-South-Africa Joint Cooperation Council

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

- None

See the complete EU External Relations Council Conclusions for detailed information.

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• EU Council Conclusions on the Implementation of the Outcome of the UN World Summit (10/4/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions - Middle East Peace Process (7/11/2005)
• EU Council Conclusions - Belarus (7/11/2005)
• EU Council Conclusions - International Peace and Security (7/11/2005)
• EU Council Conclusions - Iran (7/11/2005)
• EU Council Conclusions - Iraq (7/11/2005)
• EU Council Conclusions - Syria and Lebanon (7/11/2005)
• EU Council Conclusions - UN World Summit (7/11/2005)
• EU Council Conclusions - Northern Uganda (7/11/2005)
• EU-South Africa Joint Co-operation Council (7/11/2005)
• EU General Affairs Council Conclusions (7/11/2005)
• EU Commissioner Mandelson's Remarks to General Affairs and External Relations Council (7/11/2005)