EU External Relations Council Conclusions

Main results of the Council

The Council strongly condemned the brutal crack-down on demonstrators in Burma/Myanmar. In view of the seriousness of the current situation and in solidarity with the people of Burma/Myanmar, the Council deemed it necessary to increase direct pressure on the regime through stronger measures as well as additional restrictive measures on exports, imports and investments in the sectors of logs and timber and mining of metals, minerals, precious and semi precious stones. It will therefore adopt a package of measures that do not harm the general population but that target those responsible for the violent crack-down and the overall political stalemate in the country. The EU stands ready to review, amend or reinforce these measures, in the light of developments on the ground and the results of the good offices mission of UN Special Envoy Gambari. The Council requested relevant bodies to elaborate further restrictive measures, including a ban on new investments. The Council expressed its determination to assist the people of Burma/Myanmar further on their path to democracy, security and prosperity.

The Council reviewed the human rights situation in Uzbekistan and expressed continued serious concern. At the same time it welcomed some positive steps. It decided to renew for 12 months the arms embargo and visa restrictions. With a view to encouraging the Uzbek authorities to take positive steps to improve the human rights situation, the Council decided that the visa restrictions would not apply for a period of six months, at which point the Council will review if the Uzbek authorities have made progress towards meeting the a series of conditions in the field of human rights, including full unimpeded access to prisoners, the operation of NGOs without constraints and the release of human rights defenders.

The Council decided that the EU will conduct a bridging military operation in Eastern Chad and North Eastern Central African Republic (EUFOR TCHAD/RCA) in the framework of the European security and defence policy. This follows notably the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 1778 (2007), which approves the deployment in Chad and the CAR of a multidimensional presence and authorises the EU to provide the military element thereof. By addressing the regional dimension of the Darfur crisis, the deployment of EUFOR TCHAD/RCA and a UN police mission, in parallel to UNAMID in Sudan, is a crucial step to facilitate a long lasting solution to the conflict in Darfur.

The Council welcomed the signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and of the Interim Agreement with Montenegro as an important step on the country's path towards the EU. The Agreements were signed on 15 October in the margins of the Council meeting.

Concerning Libya, the Council expressed its satisfaction for the conclusion of the case of the Bulgarian medical personnel in connection with the HIV-AIDS infection in Benghazi. Acknowledging the potential of EU-Libya co-operation in many areas of common interest, it agreed that the EU and Libya should as soon as possible open discussions on an EU-Libya framework agreement which will include areas of mutual interest such as human rights and migration, and invited the Commission to present draft negotiating directives to this effect.

CONTENTS ITEMS DEBATED

RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

UZBEKISTAN - Council conclusions

CHAD/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC/SUDAN - Council conclusions

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

BURMA/MYANMAR - Council conclusions

IRAN - Council conclusions

ZIMBABWE

RELATIONS WITH THE WESTERN BALKANS - Council conclusions

LIBYA - Council conclusions

IRAQ - Council conclusions

MIDDLE EAST

Middle East peace process - Council conclusions

Lebanon - Council conclusions

OTHER BUSINESS

Trade relations with ACP countries

EVENTS IN THE MARGINS OF THE COUNCIL

Signature of SAA and of interim agreement with Montenegro

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

None


For details, download the complete External Relations Council Conclusions.

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• Conclusions du Conseil de l'UE sur la Libye (16/10/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Iran (16/10/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Western Balkans (16/10/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Burma/Myanmar (16/10/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Middle East Peace Process (16/10/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Iraq (16/10/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Chad, the Central African Republic and Sudan (16/10/2007)
• EU General Affairs Council Conclusions (16/10/2007)