European Council Conclusions on External Relations

The European Council stresses the importance of deepening the relations between the European Union and its partners in an increasingly globalised World. The Summits held this semester with Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, China, India, ASEAN and Africa contributed to reinforce the EU's relations with these partners and to strengthen common ground in facing global challenges.

The summit held in July with Brazil launched a strategic partnership, aiming at upgrading the bilateral relationship and enhancing the political dialogue on global and regional issues as well as cooperation on a wide range of areas of common interest.

The European Council welcomes the second EU/Africa summit held on 8/9 December in Lisbon. The summit expressed the determination of the two sides to move to a new level in their relationship. To this end a Joint Africa/EU Strategy was adopted as well as an Action Plan aimed at ensuring concrete delivery on the new political and developmental ambitions. The Summit agreed to set up 8 partnerships on Peace and Security, Democratic Governance and Human Rights, Trade and Regional Integration, Millennium Development Goals, Energy, Climate change, Migration, Mobility and Employment, and Science, Information Society and Space. These partnerships will enable the joint addressing of issues of mutual concern, including of global nature, as well as helping the EU to make a better contribution to African development. The European Council acknowledges that in order to reach within the next three years concrete and tangible results, additional and combined efforts will be required from all relevant actors.

On Kosovo, the European Council noted the conclusion of the Troika process on 10 December and the final report submitted by the Contact Group to the United Nations Secretary-General. It expressed its gratitude to the Troika for having tirelessly explored all options to secure a negotiated settlement of the Status of Kosovo. In particular, it thanked Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, the EU's Representative to the Troika, for his efforts.

The European Council underlined that the negotiating process facilitated by the Troika between the parties on Kosovo's future Status has been exhausted. In this context, it deeply regretted that the two parties were unable to reach a mutually acceptable agreement despite the Troika's comprehensive and good faith efforts, fully supported by EU Member States.

The European Council welcomed the fact that both parties have committed repeatedly during the Troika process to refrain from any activities or statements which might endanger the security situation and to avoid violence. This commitment to peace, which is also important for regional stability, must continue.

The European Council agreed with the UN Secretary-General that the status quo in Kosovo is unsustainable and, thus, stressed the need to move forward towards a Kosovo settlement, which is essential for regional stability. Such a settlement should ensure a democratic, multi-ethnic Kosovo committed to the rule of law, and to the protection of minorities and of cultural and religious heritage.

The European Council underlined its conviction that resolving the pending status of Kosovo constitutes a sui generis case that does not set any precedent.

The European Council noted that the United Nations Security Council will address this issue in December. The European Council underlined that the EU stands ready to play a leading role in strengthening stability in the region and in implementing a settlement defining Kosovo's future status. It stated the EU's readiness to assist Kosovo in the path towards sustainable stability, including by an ESDP mission and a contribution to an international civilian office as part of the international presences. The General Affairs and External Relations Council is invited to determine the modalities for the mission and when to launch it. The Secretary-General/High Representative is requested to prepare the mission in discussion with the responsible authorities in Kosovo and the United Nations. The EU will also be ready to assist economic and political development through a clear European perspective, in line with the European perspective of the region.

The European Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union. It considered that a stable and prosperous Serbia fully integrated into the family of European nations is important for the stability of the region. In this regard, it encouraged Serbia to meet the necessary conditions to allow its Stabilisation and Association Agreement rapidly to be signed and, in the light of Serbia's considerable institutional capacity, and recalling its conclusions of December 2006, it reiterated its confidence that progress on the road towards the EU, including candidate status, can be accelerated.

The European Council reaffirms that the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) is a core priority within the EU's external action. The European Council, recalling its conclusions of June 2007 and keeping in mind the character of the ENP as a single and coherent policy framework following the principle of differentiation, welcomes the progress achieved. It welcomes the Commission's Communication of 5 December 2007 as well as the results of the ENP Conference on 3 September 2007 and invites the upcoming Presidencies to take this work forward in order to develop both the eastern and southern dimensions in bilateral and multilateral formats on the basis of the relevant Commission communications and proposals.

The European Council emphasises the strategic relevance of the relationship of the EU with the Mediterranean countries and welcomes the progress in developing the political and security dialogue, in the creation of an area of shared prosperity and in the implementation of the social, cultural and human partnership in accordance with the conclusions of the ministerial meetings of foreign affairs as well as in other important fields such as migration. The European Council welcomes Albania and Mauritania into the Barcelona Process.

The European Council welcomes the prospects for concluding a Framework Agreement with Libya in line with the Council Conclusions of October 2007, which should constitute a turning point on the development of a new stage in the relationship of the EU with this Mediterranean country, including on migration issues.

The European Council supports the progress achieved at the first meeting of the Transatlantic Economic Council on 9 November 2007 and looks forward to further tangible steps in the run-up to the next EU-US Summit.

The European Council welcomes the debate held and the conclusions adopted at the November General Affairs and External Relations Council on an EU response to situations of fragility, which highlight the importance of democratic governance, rule of law, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the fight against poverty, having in mind the need to prevent and address situations of fragility and develop instruments to ensure quicker and more flexible responses in order to progress in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of the most vulnerable countries.

The European Council calls on the Commission to produce by April 2008 a report on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and on what the EU can do to accelerate it. It will take stock at its meeting in June 2008.

The European Council warmly welcomes the adoption of an EU Consensus on Humanitarian Aid, which will be signed on 18 December by the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament and shall be subsequently developed through a roadmap for action. This EU Consensus on Humanitarian Aid will guide the EU humanitarian aid policy on the basis of the principles of impartiality, neutrality, humanity and independence.

The European Council remains seriously concerned by the situation in Burma/Myanmar. It reiterates the continuing important role of ASEAN, India and China and welcomes recent joint statements with them in support of on-going UN work by Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Sergio Pinheiro. The appointment of Mr Piero Fassino as EU Special Envoy for Burma/Myanmar to support the UN's good offices mission underlines the importance that the EU attaches to the improvement of the situation in Burma/Myanmar and the UN process.

In line with the General Affairs and External Relations Council conclusions of 15 October, the European Council reaffirms that the EU stands ready to review, amend or further reinforce restrictive measures against the Government of Burma/Myanmar in the light of developments on the ground.

The EU is determined to assist the people of Burma/Myanmar further on their path to democracy, security and prosperity.

The European Council reaffirms its deep concern at Iran's nuclear program and underlines that the acquisition by Iran of a nuclear military capability would be unacceptable. In this regard, it deplores that Iran has still not complied with its international obligations as reiterated in UNSC Resolutions 1696, 1737 and 1747, to suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities in order to restore confidence in the entirely peaceful nature of its programme.

The European Council furthermore regrets that neither High Representative of the EU Javier Solana, following his discussions with the Iranian nuclear negotiator, nor the Director-General of IAEA Mohamed El Baradei were able to report a positive outcome, particularly in the fulfilment by Iran of the requirements of the UN Security Council.

The European Council calls upon Iran to provide full, clear and credible answers to the IAEA, to resolve all questions concerning Iran's nuclear activities, to ratify and implement the Additional Protocol and to fully implement the provisions of the Comprehensive Safeguard Agreement, including its subsidiary arrangements. It emphasises that carrying out these actions and the transparency measures as requested by the IAEA would constitute a positive step to build confidence concerning Iran's nuclear programme.

The European Council reaffirms its full and unequivocal support for efforts to find a negotiated long-term solution to the Iranian nuclear issue and underline that the proposals presented by the High Representative on 6 June 2006 would give Iran everything it needs to develop a civil nuclear power industry while addressing international concerns.

The European Council reiterates its full support for the work in the UN Security Council to adopt further measures under Article 41, Chapter VII, of the UN Charter and recalls that, following the General Affairs and External Relations Council conclusions on Iran of 15 October, consideration has begun on additional measures that might be taken in support of the UN process and the shared objectives of the international community. In light of the upcoming decisions to be taken by the UN Security Council, the next General Affairs and External Relations Council will decide what action the EU will take.

The European Council expresses its full support for the negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis launched at the Annapolis Conference and continued at the Paris Conference of Donors.

The European Council is greatly concerned about the situation in Lebanon. It considers that the delay in electing the President of the Republic is fraught with danger. The European Council joins the United Nations Secretary-General in attempting to convince all parties concerned to endeavour to respect the Lebanese constitutional process.

The EU is extremely concerned about the military escalation in eastern Congo and the consequent sufferings for the civilian population. It calls for an immediate end to the hostilities and reminds all parties that there is no military solution to the problem. The European Council reiterates its confidence in MONUC to fully play its role on the ground with a view to stabilising the region as soon as possible.

The European Security Strategy adopted in 2003 has proved very useful. It provides the Union with the relevant framework for its external policy. In the light of all evolutions which have taken place since, in particular the experiences drawn from ESDP missions, the European Council invites the SG/HR, in full association with the Commission and in close cooperation with the Member States, to examine the implementation of the Strategy with a view to proposing elements on how to improve the implementation and, as appropriate, elements to complement it, for adoption by the European Council in December 2008.

| Arriba |

• EU pledges commitment to development for African Cotton producing countries (6/2/2008)
• EU and Iraq discuss ways of enhancing Energy Cooperation (31/1/2008)
• EU Council Conlcusions on Western Balkans (28/1/2008)
• Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on closure of the regional offices of the British Council in Russian Federation (18/1/2008)
• European Commission strengthens cooperation with China on employment and social affairs (11/1/2008)
• Declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the third anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan on 9 January 2005 (8/1/2008)
• Safety of humanitarian aid workers following recent events in Burundi and Somalia (4/1/2008)
• European Commission to finance staff for UN Special Envoy for Burma with more than € 570.000  (21/12/2007)
• "Debate on the European Council - 2007: The Twin-Track Approach in Action" - Speech by European Commission President Barroso (18/12/2007)
• How the European Commission is responding to the needs of the Palestinians (17/12/2007)
• The Presidency Conclusions of the Brussels European Council (14/12/2007)
• European Council Conclusions on Economic, Social and Environmental Issues (14/12/2007)
• EU Presidency Statement- United Nations Plenary Meeting: Debate on the Question of Palestine (10/12/2007)
• New EU humanitarian "kite mark" launched (10/12/2007)
• Sommet Europe Afrique de Lisbonne: Signature des documents de stratégie pays et programmes indicatifs nationaux 10ème FED (9/12/2007)
• "From Working for Africa to Working with Africa: An EU/Africa Partnership for the 21st Century"- Speech by President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso (8/12/2007)
• EU and Africa aim for deep transformation of their relationship at 2nd EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon (6/12/2007)
• EU-Africa Summit: Approval of final communiqué and presentation of the Declaration of Lisbon (6/12/2007)