EU External Relations Council Conclusions

PRESS RELEASE: 2771st Council Meeting, General Affairs and External Relations, EXTERNAL RELATIONS, Brussels, 11-12 December 2006

Some external relations items were adopted without debate at the 2770th meeting on General Affairs (16289/06).

Main Results of the Council

The Council adopted conclusions expressing its strong commitment to the maturing of the EU's comprehensive strategic partnership with China, noting that for this partnership to develop to its full potential, it must be balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial.

The Council reaffirmed the EU's commitment to long-term support for the people and government of Afghanistan. It underlined the importance of increasing EU engagement in the rule of law sector, in which the EU is currently examining the opportunities and conditions for a potential civilian ESDP mission in the field of policing.

The Council reached agreement on a decision amending ATHENA, the mechanism to administer the common costs of EU operations having military implications.

As part of its meeting on General Affairs, the Council adopted a series of items pertaining to external relations, and the European security and defence policy, including the following.

- The Council reviewed the EU military operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It approved the High Representative's recommendations and underlined the continued need for an EU military presence to provide reassurance and to react to any possible security challenges. It noted that the security situation in BiH has evolved enough to permit the Council to decide in principle on a transition of Operation ALTHEA, subject to a definitive decision set to be taken by the end of February 2007.
- The Council amended and extended the mandate of the EU planning team (EUPT Kosovo) regarding a possible EU crisis management operation in the field of rule of law and possible other areas in Kosovo.
- The Council welcomed the significant progress made in restoring peace and stability in the Indonesian province of Aceh, notably with the holding of local elections in Aceh on 11 December. It expressed its satisfaction at the important role played by the EU-led Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM), which will conclude its mandate on 15 December, in monitoring and supporting the peace process.

The Council approved a concept paper on the monitoring and enhancement of consistent implementation of the EU's strategy against the proliferation of WMD through a WMD Monitoring Centre.

CONTENTS: ITEMS DEBATED

EU-CHINA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP - Council conclusions

WESTERN BALKANS - Council conclusions

AFGHANISTAN - Council conclusions

MIDDLE EAST

IRAN

CONTROL OF ARMS EXPORTS

ATHENA REVIEW

PRESIDENCY REPORT ON ESDP

OTHER BUSINESS
- Belarus

| Top |

• New Regional Agreement to Develop Trade in South Eastern Europe (14/12/2006)
• EU General Affairs Council Conclusions (11/12/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on Indonesia/Aceh  (11/12/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on Fiji (11/12/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on European Neighbourhood Policy  (11/12/2006)
• EU Council on Biodiversity: Conclusions of the Council and Representatives of the Governments of Member States - Message from Paris (11/12/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on Arms Trade Treaty (11/12/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on implementation of EU policy on human rights and democratisation in third countries (11/12/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on UN Reform (11/12/2006)