EU Council Conclusions on External Relations

Main results of the Council

In the context of its six-monthly review of developments under the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) in the presence of defence ministers, the Council:

- reiterated its determination to contribute significantly to police reform in Afghanistan. Given the size of the task, the Council expressed the EU's commitment to substantially increase its efforts through EUPOL Afghanistan, with the aim of doubling the original number of experts working in the mission.

- noted that the full operational capability of Operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA which aims to protect civilians and improve the humanitarian situation in the region is expected to be achieved before the end of June;

- noted the deployment of an advance team to Guinea-Bissau to launch the mission EU SSR Guniea-Bissau by June. The mission has a comprehensive character, having tasks with police, judicial and military components contributing to security sector reform;

- agreed to expand the activities of the EUPOL COPPS mission in support of the Palestinian Civil Police, to cover the area of the criminal justice system;

- welcomed progress made on capabilities, notably in the elaboration of the Capability Development Plan, as well as on battle groups, with member states having committed in detail the required battle group packages until the second half of 2009 and packages until the first half of 2011;

- welcomed the results achieved in developing the strategies, policies and projects of the European Defence Agency.

The Council welcomed the strong support for the pro-European forces in the recent elections in Serbia. It hoped that a new government with a clear European agenda will soon be formed and will engage constructively in the Stabilisation and Association process. It reiterated that Serbia will be able to advance further on its EU path, including candidate status, once the necessary conditions are met. The Council looked forward to the signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the margins of its June meeting. It welcomed the launching of the dialogue on visa liberalisation with BiH on 26 May.

The Council also held its six-monthly review of development cooperation issues, in the presence of development ministers, adopting conclusions aimed in particular at speeding up progress towards the UN's millennium development goals.

In its general affairs meeting, the Council approved negotiating directives for an agreement that will provide a new comprehensive framework for the EU's relations with Russia.

* Some external relations items were adopted without debate at the 2960th meeting on General Affairs (9866/08).

CONTENTS: ITEMS DEBATED

WORLD TRADE NEGOTIATIONS - DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

GEORGIA - Council conclusions

AFRICA
Somalia - Council conclusions
Zimbabwe - Council conclusions

WESTERN BALKANS - Council conclusions

MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS - Council conclusions

LEBANON - Council conclusions

IRAQ- Council conclusions

EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY

EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY

AFGHANISTAN - Council conclusions

CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT

EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY - Council conclusions

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

RIGHTS OF THE CHILD - Council conclusions

BURMA/MYANMAR - Council conclusions

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS - Council conclusions

ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS - Council conclusions

IN THE MARGINS OF THE COUNCIL

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
none

For details, download the complete External Relations Council Conclusions.

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• Middle East: European Commission to provide €44 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians and Iraqis (13/6/2008)
• EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner in Russia for bilateral talks  (3/6/2008)
• EU Council Conclusions on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) (27/5/2008)
• EU Council Conclusions: Speeding up progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (27/5/2008)
• EU Council Conclusions on General Affairs (27/5/2008)
• European Commission: EU must stand by its promises and deliver on development aid if we are to meet the Millennium Development Goals  (9/4/2008)
• "The EC in Afghanistan: Ongoing Commitment and Future Priorities" - Speech by European Commission President Barroso (3/4/2008)
• European Commission provides €300 million to PEGASE and UNRWA in fulfilment of its Paris Pledge to support the Palestinian people (25/3/2008)