Bernard Kouchner chaired the first GAERC Council of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union
B. Kouchner, J. Solana, J.P. Jouyet, B. Ferrero-Waldner
© Le Conseil de l'Union européenne
- from: 22.07.2008
- to: 23.07.2008
- In: Brussels
The Council welcomed Radovan Karadzic's arrest. It is addressing several major external relations issues of the European Union: the preparation of the EU-Ukraine Summit, the situation in the Middle East, Zimbabwe, Iran and combating piracy off the coasts of Somalia.
Bernard Kouchner, the French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, chaired the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 22 and 23 July, which brings together the EU foreign affairs ministers, the Commission and the Secretary-General of the Council, High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) on a monthly basis.
The General Affairs and External Relations Council presented the French Presidency goals for EU diplomacy over the next six months, which revolve around the aims of strengthening dialogue with its neighbours and main partners, the EU's role in the organisation of the European continent and its action in common security and defence matters.
This Council enabled the 27 EU foreign affairs ministers to discuss some major issues:
- The ministers held a policy debate on the future of EU-Ukraine relations in view of the Evian summit on 9 September and reviewed the ongoing negotiations and the future of the Ukraine's relationship with the EU.
- A debate was held, in the presence of Tony Blair, the Quartet's special envoy, on the situation in the Middle East and particularly the risks that blockages on the ground pose for the peace process.
- Lastly, the Council reviewed the worrying situation in Zimbabwe, three months after the second round of presidential elections. The Council applied greater EU sanctions against those responsible for the campaign of violence that marked these elections. The subject will be discussed with President Thabo Mbeki at the forthcoming EU-South Africa Summit on the 25 July.
The Council saluted the formation of a new government in Serbia with a clear European vision. They welcomed the arrest of Radovan Karadzic on Monday evening. This illustrates the commitment of the new government in Belgrade to contribute to peace and stability in the Balkans region.
During the meeting, the situation in Somalia was also raised, in particular the ongoing discussions within the EU to support the Djibouti interim agreement and to contribute to the implementation of Resolution 1816 of the UN Security Council to combat piracy in the waters off the coast of Somalia.
The Council took stock of the EUFOR TCHAD/RCA operation, which has reached its full operational capacity, and examined the prospects for renewing this operation in March 2009.
Javier Solana gave an account of his last contacts with the Iranian authorities.
Lastly, the Council discussed the situation of growing tension between Georgia and Russia in the two conflict zones, in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. An EU-Kyrgyzstan Cooperation Council was held in the margins of the Council.
See a selection of photos in the gallery below and view other images on the website of the Council of the European Union.
- Updated: 23.09.2008
