Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier welcomed the participants in the traditional "Gymnich" meeting of EU foreign ministers in Bremen. The German Presidency's "half-time score" was good, Dr Steinmeier said at the beginning of the meeting, but there were still difficult challenges to address: Germany wanted to advance the European renewal process, as well as the Euro-Atlantic economic partnership. The issue of meat exports was to be resolved as soon as possible in order to smooth the path towards negotiations on a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Russia.
According to Dr Steinmeier the agenda for the Gymnich meeting, which begins today, included classic foreign-policy themes and the European Neighbourhood Policy.
Committed to stability in the Middle East
The EU foreign ministers would hear a report by High Representative Solana on the Arab League meeting and discuss the current situation. "We want to encourage regional efforts towards progress in Israeli-Palestinian relations, and we will continue our commitment", said Dr Steinmeier.
Prospects for Kosovo
Now that the proposal on the future status of Kosovo drawn up by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari has been submitted to the UN Security Council, this was also a central issue for the EU foreign ministers, Dr Steinmeier continued. The task now was to work towards a Security Council decision, within a reasonable period of time, which guaranteed security and stability in the Balkans.
Iran will feature twice on the agenda
Following the recent UN Security Council Resolution 1747 of 24 March, the issue of Iran's nuclear programme continues to concern the foreign ministers, who will also discuss the arrest of the 15 British sailors. UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett will inform her colleagues about current developments in this case. Dr Steinmeier stated on this issue, "It is clear that this meeting will also send a signal of solidarity."
Dr Steinmeier invited the European members of the UN Security Council (the UK, France, Slovakia, Italy and Belgium) to preliminary talks on the two issues concerning the Security Council, i.e. Kosovo and Iran. "Our aim is to agree on a common position on these issues", said Dr Steinmeier.
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