Report from the informal meeting of the foreign affairs ministers of the European Union
Javier Solana, Bernard Kouchner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner
© Frédéric de La Mure
- On: 03.11.2008
- In: Marseille, Palais du Pharo
Prior to the ‘Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean’ ministerial conference, the foreign affairs ministers of the EU Member States, along with Javier Solana, the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations, at the invitation of Bernard Kouchner, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, met on 3 November in Marseilles, on the eve of the US presidential elections, to finalise their plans for establishing a balanced, closer cooperation with the United States.
At the informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Avignon, the ministers had discussed how the European Union could strengthen political dialogue with the United States to carry more weight in the resolution of regional crises and to intensify transatlantic cooperation for dealing with major global challenges.
Bernard Kouchner insisted on the need to open a new chapter in transatlantic relations with the next US administration.
The EU’s priorities for this new partnership include:
- the need for the United States and Europe to work together to enhance the effectiveness of the multilateral institutions in managing crises and global imbalances, fully involving the major emerging countries;
- the situation in the Middle East, in order to encourage positive developments concerning the peace process, Iraq, relations with Syria and Lebanon, also Iran which remains a major source of concern;
- the situation in Afghanistan, where the United States and European countries are working alongside the Afghans for peace and the reconstruction of their country;
- relations with Russia and the interest of a concerted approach based on dialogue and compliance with international rules.
Press contact:
Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs
Directorate for Communication and Information
Tel: + 33 1 43 17 52 01
Anne Boillon – anne.boillon @ diplomatie.gouv.fr
Olivier Gauvin – olivier.gauvin @ diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Updated: 30.12.2008
