On Monday the Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States gathered in Luxembourg for their monthly meeting within the framework of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. At the start of the final press conference, Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier paid tribute to the first President of the Russian Federation following his unexpected death. "President Yeltsin turned his eyes towards Europe and opened Russia to the world."
Central Asia – preparation of an EU strategy
Following an initial successful meeting of the EU Foreign Minister Troika with the five Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on 28 March 2007, the Council President outlined the components of the EU strategy on Central Asia to his colleagues in today's session. Specifically, these cover the areas of the rule of law, human rights and democratization; education; energy and transport; the environment; trade and economic cooperation as well as regional security issues such as border protection and the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. Later, EU Council President Steinmeier, explaining to the press the significance of the strategy on Central Asia, said, "We are pursuing what you might call farsighted security policy." The ministers, who approved the outlined components and stressed the significance of EU relations with Central Asia, will build on today's consultations at their meeting in June 2007 and submit the strategy document to the EU Heads of State and Government in June.
Statement on the security situation in the Sudan/Darfur
UN Special Envoy Jan Eliasson told the ministers of violations of the arms embargo, clashes between Arab tribes and splits within warring groups in the Sudan. The ministers were "deeply concerned about the appalling security situation". There is apparently no sign of a reduction in the violence and law-breaking. On the contrary, a recent series of groundless attacks on the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in defiance of an agreed ceasefire has claimed the lives of nine members of the peacekeeping troops in the last four weeks. Most recently, an AMIS officer was shot dead in the Sudanese city of El Fasher on 14 April 2007. Eliasson added that the Darfur crisis was also exacerbating the existing tensions between the Sudan and its neighbour, Chad.
The arrangement between the Sudanese Government, the UN and the African Union (AU) on the implementation of the heavy support package was welcomed. The UN's heavy support package comprises the second stage of a three-stage plan to restore peace to the Darfur region. However, the ministers also felt that the third stage, the deployment of a full-scale "hybrid" AU-UN mission in Darfur, was "urgently needed". In their conclusions the ministers announced that they would consider further measures for any conflict party which impeded the implementation of the necessary steps.
Extension of visa sanctions in Zimbabwe
The ministers expressed their concern about the "rapidly deteriorating situation" in Zimbabwe. However, they regarded the mandate granted to South African President Mbeki by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to mediate between the opposition and the Government as a positive move. In response to the "violence and human rights infringements in Zimbabwe" the ministers agreed to extend visa sanctions to include further Government representatives. The ministers had already imposed an arms embargo on Zimbabwe and frozen the assets of influential individuals at previous Council meetings.
Concern about the resurgence of violence in Somalia
The ministers expressed their concern about the resurgence of violence in Somalia and their sadness at the loss of civilian lives, particularly "the random firing on densely populated districts of Mogadishu". In their final statement the ministers assured the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia that they would provide "financial and other support" for the planned national reconciliation congress on condition that all key stakeholders were involved in a national reconciliation process.
Strengthening of the commitment of the Middle East Quartet in the Middle East peace process
The General Affairs and External Relations Council also discussed progress in the Middle East peace process. The ministers welcomed the commitment of the Middle East Quartet (EU, UN, US, Russia). Council President Steinmeier said he was pleased that the Arab League had reiterated its support for the "land for peace" initiative. He said that the Middle East Quartet would now strive for further contact with the Arab side, particularly the Arab League. In this context the ministers welcomed the intention of President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert to meet regularly. Substantial negotiations could lead to "an end to the occupation which has lasted since 1967 and to the creation of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state".
Preparation of the EU-US Summit and the meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council
In Luxembourg the ministers also drove forward the necessary preparations for meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council due to take place in Riyadh on 8 May and the EU-US Summit planned for 30 April in Washington. The German EU Presidency reported on the current status of preparations for the EU-US Summit and presented the draft of the Summit document for discussion. The Summit will focus on three main topics: the expansion of transatlantic economic relations, energy and climate protection as well as foreign and security policy.
In the margins of the EU Foreign Ministers Council, the EU-Russia Troika also convened.
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