EU External Relations Council Conclusions

Sommaire: 20 November 2007, Brussels - Council of the European Union Press Release: 2831st Council meeting, General Affairs and External Relations - External Relations, 19-20 November 2007

* Some external relations items were adopted without debate at the 2830th meeting on General Affairs (15238/07).

Main results of the Council

The Council had a strong focus on security and defence and on development issues, with Africa-related issues figuring prominently throughout the agenda. In particular, ministers reviewed preparations for the Lisbon Africa-EU summit.

The Council held its six-monthly review of the European security and defence policy (ESDP). In that context, it

o took note of preparations for the future operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA in Eastern Chad and Northeastern Central African Republic;

o extended the mandate of the EU Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina for another two years until the end of 2009;

o noted with satisfaction the progress made on military capabilities and approved the "Progress Catalogue 2007";

o welcomed the fact that member states have committed the required EU Battlegroup packages up to and including the first semester of 2010;

o endorsed the declaration of the ministerial Civilian Capabilities Improvement Conference 2007 held in the margins of the Council and welcomed the adoption of the "Civilian Headline Goal 2010".

Meeting together for the first time within the Council, defence and development ministers jointly discussed how to achieve policy coherence between security and development. Recalling that there cannot be sustainable development without peace and security, and that without development and poverty eradication there will be no sustainable peace, the Council invited member states, the Commission and the Council Secretariat to take the work on security and development forward under the guidance of future presidencies.

On Kosovo, the Council reaffirmed its full support to the Troika and to Ambassador Ischinger. In view of the imminent conclusion of the Troika process on 10 December, it looked forward to the intensification of the negotiations and urged the two parties to show greater flexibility, to respond positively and constructively to the Troika's initiatives, making every effort to secure a negotiated settlement of the status of Kosovo. The Council confirmed that the EU stands ready to play a significant role in Kosovo in the future and is preparing accordingly.

Regarding the Middle East, the Council reiterated its strong support for the upcoming international meeting at Annapolis and the efforts of Palestinian President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. It looked forward to the achievement of concrete results leading to meaningful final status negotiations. It welcomed the EU Action Strategy submitted by the EU High Representative in full association with the Commission, which will be the basis for further work by the EU taking into account the results of the Annapolis meeting.

The Council adopted strengthened and additional restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar, following the brutal repression of peaceful protestors and continuing human rights violations by the Burmese authorities. The measures include an extension of the list of persons subject to an entry ban and freeze of assets, and an extension of the ban on investments in Burmese state-owned companies. Additional measures are targeted at the sources of the regime's revenue, such as the logging, timber and mining industries (see "General Affairs" press release, doc. 15238/07).

CONTENTS: ITEMS DEBATED

RELATIONS WITH CHINA

RELATIONS WITH INDIA

PREPARATION OF THE AFRICA-EU SUMMIT

EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY - Council conclusions

PAKISTAN

MIDDLE EAST

Middle East peace process - Council conclusions

Lebanon - Council conclusions

IRAN

IRAQ

WESTERN BALKANS - Council conclusions

GEORGIA

For details, download the complete External Relations Council Conclusions.

Ref: CL07-272EN
Source UE: Conseil
UN forum:
Date: 20/11/2007

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