The first meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council chaired by Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier focused on the European Neighbourhood Policy, the situation in the Western Balkans following the elections in Serbia and developments in the Middle East peace process. In addition to the situation in Darfur and Somalia, the Foreign Ministers of the 27 Member States also discussed the implementation of the UN Resolution on Iran's nuclear programme as well as external relations in energy. Moreover, the Ministers reached agreement on a mandate for the assumption of negotiations with Ukraine on a new enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. Finally, it was decided that work on the Direct Trade Regulation with the Turkish-Cypriot community should be resumed. It was thus possible to conclude a key point unresolved at the Council in December.
The Council agreed on the mandate to commence negotiations with Ukraine on an enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier said, "Europe wants to, and indeed will, do what it can to help ensure that Ukraine continues its reform course." A Troika meeting on this issue is to be held in early February.
Following that, there was a first substantial discussion on strengthening the European Neighbourhood Policy. Fostering stability and growth in our neighbouring states is a key concern of the German Presidency. "We regard it as one of the key instruments in the European Union's toolbox," said Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier.
The Foreign Ministers expressed their great concern about the ongoing crisis in Darfur and the resulting security situation. The Member States are to work towards ensuring that, within the framework of the three-stage plan, the Government in Khartoum really does move towards accepting an international military presence with a UN mandate. The UN Special Envoy Jan Eliasson will report on developments to the Council in February.
Somalia was discussed again. Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, "It is crucial that the intra-Somali dialogue is now resumed." Above all, a power vacuum had to be averted. The EU would therefore support African efforts to set up an African mission, and other partners in the international community were called upon to play their part.
A common position on Iran was discussed, calling for UN Resolution 1737 to be implemented in full and without delay. "I believe that this would send a clear message that the international community stands united," said Foreign Federal Minister Steinmeier and emphasized that efforts to bring about a dialogue would continue. However, he said that this would require a signal from the Iranian side.
External relations in energy was named as a central issue for the future. This is part of the Energy Action Plan to be adopted at the European Council in March 2007. The aim is to guarantee energy supplies in Europe in the long term. Foreign policy has a pivotal role to play here by promoting dialogue with producer and transit countries, as well as other states which depend on energy supplies. There is a broad spectrum of measures available for this, ranging from the energy dialogue to contractual agreements. Federal Foreign Minister stated, "I believe we should include a passage on our energy cooperation in the forthcoming Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Russia."
The strong performance of the democratic forces in the elections in the Western Balkans was welcomed by the EU Foreign Ministers. The election result would not make it easy to form a government but "it presents opportunities, in particular to keep Serbia on a European course," the Foreign Ministers stated in their conclusions.
EU High Represenative for the CFSP Javier Solana reported on his recent trip to the Middle East. The positive developments should be highlighted and, wherever possible, supported and strengthened.
All in all, Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier regarded the first meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council under the German Presidency as a busy start to the Presidency, which had led to fruitful and substantial discussions.
