Midden-Oosten, Syrië, Oekraïne en Mali belangrijkste kwesties op agenda EU-ministers van Buitenlandse Zaken (en)

European Union Foreign Ministers met in Brussels Monday for their monthly meeting on International issues. The Middle East Peace Process, Syria, Ukraine and Mali took up most of the agenda although a forthcoming summit on Russia, developments in Egypt and the Western Balkans were also discussed.

The meeting is chaired by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and brings together all 27 EU Foreign Ministers.

Middle East - call for bold steps for peace and deep dismay at Israeli settlement plans

Ministers debated recent developments in the Middle East. The Council stressed that now is the time to take bold steps towards peace and underlined the urgency of renewed, structured and substantial peace efforts in 2013. It expressed its deep dismay and strong opposition to Israeli plans to expand settlements in the West Bank, in particular plans to develop the E1 area.

In the Conclusions Ministers said the E1 plan, if implemented, would seriously undermine the prospects of a negotiated resolution of the conflict. At the same time, the Council welcomed the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Fully recognising Israel's legitimate security needs, it reiterated the EU's call for the immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from the Gaza Strip.

Syria - discussions with Moaz Al-Khatib

During a working lunch, ministers exchanged views with Moaz Al-Khatib, President of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. The Council reiterated its full support to the efforts of Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi in finding a political solution to the crisis in Syria. The EU recalled that all those responsible for the crimes must be held accountable and that there should be no impunity for such violations and abuses.

Ukraine - Association Agreement dependent on progress in three areas

The Council reaffirmed the EU's engagement with Ukraine, in the context of the Eastern Partnership, towards political association and economic integration. The Council reaffirmed its commitment to the signing of the Association Agreement as soon as the Ukrainian authorities demonstrate determined action and tangible progress in three areas, the compliance of the 2012 parliamentary elections’ with international standards and follow-up actions, as well as Ukraine’s progress in addressing the issue of selective justice and preventing its recurrence, and in implementing the reforms defined in the jointly agreed Association Agenda possibly by the time of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November 2013.

Mali - concern over political and security crisis

The Council expressed its deep concern about the serious political and security crisis affecting Mali, in particular in the north of the country and its concern about the delays in the political transition process. In addition, the Council approved the crisis management concept for a CSDP operation to provide military training and advice to the Malian Armed Forces. The Council welcomed the High Representative's proposal to appoint an EU Special Representative for the Sahel and invited her to take the process forward without delay.

Security and Defence Policy

In Security and Defence Policy news Ministers voted to extend the EU Training Mission to Somalia for another two years which is providing vital support for the new Somali Government by training a professional army. In addition they adopted a crisis management concept for a possible EU military training mission Mali.

Read the Conclusions in full here