EU External Relations Council Conclusions

Main results of the Council

The Council welcomed the renewed momentum of the efforts to resolve the Darfur conflict through a negotiated political settlement and the deployment of the African Union (AU)-UN Hybrid Operation. It underlined how essential it is that the joint AU/UN initiative to revitalise the political track and the strengthening of peacekeeping in Darfur be backed up by strong and coherent international support. The Council also emphasised the urgent need to address the destabilising impact of the Darfur crisis on the humanitarian and security situation in neighbouring countries. In this context, it asked its competent bodies to continue planning with a view to a possible decision on a bridging operation, in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy, in support of a multidimensional UN presence in Eastern Chad and North-Eastern Central African Republic with a view to improving security in those areas.

The Council stressed the urgency of taking forward a credible Middle East peace process. It strongly encouraged the parties to continue their bilateral dialogue. It expressed the EU's determination to work with the US, other Quartet partners as well as partners in the region, in an effort to bring about an early end to the Israeli-Arab conflict. In this regard it expects the Quartet to participate in the international meeting proposed by President Bush and stands ready to play an active role.

The Council also adopted a decision approving the signing of an agreement with the United States on the processing and the transfer by air carriers to the US department of homeland security of passenger name record data (see General Affairs Council press release, 11911/07).

* Some external relations items were adopted without debate at the meeting on General Affairs (11911/07).

CONTENTS: ITEMS DEBATED

WORLD TRADE NEGOTIATIONS - DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

SUDAN/DARFUR - Council conclusions

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

RELATIONS WITH UKRAINE

LIBYA

MIDDLE EAST

Middle East peace process - Council conclusions

Lebanon - Council conclusions

WESTERN BALKANS

Albania - Council conclusions

Kosovo

IRAN

OTHER BUSINESS

Council of Europe parliamentary assembly resolution 1562

Relations with Russia

Situation in Zimbabwe

University of European Humanities

Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey

EVENTS IN THE MARGINS OF THE COUNCIL

Download the final document to see the complete Council Conclusions.

| Arriba |

• EU Council Conclusions on Middle East Peace Process (23/7/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Lebanon (23/7/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Sudan/Darfur (23/7/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Preparation for 8th meeting of Conference of the Parties (COP 8) to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (23/7/2007)