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Council of the European Union
Background brief1
Brussels, 6 February 2015
FOREIGN AFFAIRS Council
9 February 2015 in Brussels
The Council will start at 10.00, chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy, Federica Mogherini.
The Council will begin by taking stock of UN-brokered talks between parties in Libya. Ministers will
then exchange views on latest events in Yemen and be briefed on the development of an EU
regional strategy for Iraq and Syria.
Over lunch, ministers will debate external aspects of the fight against terrorism with EU CounterTerrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove, following a first exchange on 19 January.
In the afternoon session, the Council will hold a strategic and comprehensive debate on EU
relations with Africa.
In addition, the Council will take a decision on additional targeted sanctions against separatists in
eastern Ukraine and their supporters, as requested by the Foreign Affairs Council of 29 January.
The EU-Lebanon Association Council will take place at 8.45 (TV/photo opportunity), chaired by
High Representative Mogherini. The Lebanese delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Gebran
Bassil. At 9.30, a protocol to the Association Agreement enabling Lebanon's participation in EU
programmes will be signed (TV/photo opportunity).
Press conferences:
+/- 9.45
Association Council with Lebanon
+/- 16.15
Foreign Affairs Council
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Press conferences and public events by video streaming: http://video.consilium.europa.eu
Video coverage in broadcast quality (MPEG4) and photo gallery on: www.eucouncil.tv
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This note has been drawn up under the responsibility of the press office.
Press office - General Secretariat of the Council
Rue de la Loi 175 - B-1048 BRUSSELS - Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 6319
[email protected] - www.consilium.europa.eu/press
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Libya
The Council will take stock of progress in the UN-brokered political dialogue between Libyan
parties. Ministers will also discuss what more the EU can do to promote a cease-fire and political
dialogue in the country and to support the UN's mediation efforts. The Council is due to adopt
conclusions.
The EU fully supports the efforts of UN Special Representative Bernardino León to secure a
negotiated settlement and an end to fighting. It is willing to contribute to the confidence building
measures agreed in Geneva. The EU also calls those who have not yet joined the dialogue in
Geneva to participate in the discussions, which are critical to peace, stability and security in Libya.
For the EU, there is no military solution to the conflict. Only a political solution can provide a
sustainable way forward and contribute to peace and stability in Libya. The EU has also strongly
condemned the ongoing violence, the human rights abuses and violations of international
humanitarian law committed in Libya.
The High Representative declared in December: "The EU's strong commitment to the unity and
territorial integrity of Libya and the need to prevent the spread of terrorism, means that it remains
ready to consider further actions, including restrictive measures, should circumstances so require."
The Council is currently working to adapt its restrictive measures to UN Security Council resolution
2174 (2014). That could pave the way for imposing asset freeze and travel bans on persons and
entities involved in acts that threaten the peace, stability or security of Libya, or obstruct its political
transition.
The EU is the main humanitarian donor in Libya. The Commission has released €2.7 million to
provide essential assistance and protection to internally displaced persons, refugees and migrants.
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on Libya, 16 December 2014
Council conclusions on Libya, 20 October 2014
Yemen
The Council will discuss recent events in Yemen. It is expected to adopt conclusions.
The Council is due to voice grave concern about recent developments in Yemen. The recent
violence and the resignation of the executive threaten the territorial integrity of the country and the
stability of the region, making an already dire humanitarian situation worse.
For the EU, genuine dialogue and an inclusive political process is the only way to fulfil the
promises of the Yemeni transition and find a way out of the current crisis. The EU supports
ongoing efforts aimed at reaching broad political consensus, which should set a clear path towards
a constitutional referendum and elections.
The Council is also expected to express the EU's deep concern about the intensified terrorist
attacks within Yemen. The EU condemns such attacks in the strongest terms. It stands by the
Yemeni people at this critical juncture.
Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Arab world and it has the world's third highest rate of
malnutrition. The EU is a leading donor in sectors such as food security, state building, public
health, and humanitarian aid. In 2014, total humanitarian aid from the Commission and EU
member states amounted to €100.8 million.
Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the latest developments
in Yemen, 23 January 2015
Statement by HR/VP Federica Mogherini on the ongoing situation in Yemen, 20 January 2015
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Syria and Iraq
The Council will be briefed by the High Representative and the Commission about the joint
communication on an EU comprehensive regional strategy on Syria and Iraq as well as the Da'esh
threat. Council conclusions approving a final strategy could be adopted at the Foreign Affairs
Council in March.
Counter-terrorism
Over lunch, ministers will exchange views on what more foreign policy can contribute to the fight
against terrorism, in the presence of EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove. The
Council is expected to set out related initiatives in Council conclusions, which will serve as an input
for the discussion at the informal meeting of heads of state and government on 12 February.
The Council will decide to step up external action on countering terrorism in particular in the
Mediterranean, Middle East, including Yemen, North Africa, in particular also Libya, and the Sahel.
In this respect, EU partnerships with key partners will be strengthened and security/counterterrorism experts will be deployed in key EU delegations. Further capacity building projects will be
launched. EU action to counter radicalisation and violent extremism will also be reinforced,
including by developing an outreach strategy to the Arab world and by facilitating interfaith
dialogue. The promotion of international cooperation and work on factors underlying terrorism and
ongoing crises will also be intensified.
In October 2014, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted an EU counter-terrorism/foreign fighters
strategy specifically for Syria and Iraq. It sets out how EU external action can contribute to
restoring conditions conducive to political stability in the region. This can help to minimise the risks
posed by terrorism emanating from Syria and Iraq to European interests and regional stability.
EU fight against terrorism
Outline of the EU counter-terrorism strategy for Syria and Iraq, with particular focus on foreign
fighters
Africa
The Council will hold an in-depth discussion on EU relations with Africa, covering peace and
security, prosperity and partnership with regional African organisations. In addition, it will adopt
conclusions on the Boko Haram threat, the elections in Nigeria, the Central African Republic and
Mali.
The EU has two top priorities in Africa: to promote peace and security through the prevention of
conflict and terrorism and to accelerate sustainable growth and development. Partnership with
Africa is essential in achieving these objectives.
Peace and security
The Council is set to discuss how the EU can best support Africa's own efforts to prevent conflict
and combat terrorism. Ministers might also raise the issue of how to assist countries facing the
threat of Boko Haram.
The EU contributes to peace and security in Africa through a variety of actions, in partnership with
member states, African governments and regional organisations. It acts diplomatically through EU
Special Representatives for the Horn of Africa and the Sahel as well as the EU delegations. Under
the Common Security and Defence Policy, five civilian missions and four military crisis
management operations concretely support security and stability in Africa. An additional military
advisory mission in the Central African Republic will be launched soon.
The African Peace Facility is another element of the EU's efforts in this area. Since 2004, it has
contributed more than €1.2 billion to help finance ongoing Africa-led peace support operations,
including AMISOM in Somalia, MISCA in Central African Republic and completed missions in
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Sudan, the Comoros and Mali. For the period from 2014 to 2016, €750 million have been allocated
to the African Peace Facility.
Work is also ongoing to develop the EU's "train and equip" initiative. It sets out to enable and
support countries and regional organisations to take responsibility for their own security. This
should in turn reduce demand for international crisis management operations. Somalia and Mali
have been identified as priority pilot cases, together with the strengthening of the African peace
and security architecture.
Boko Haram threat
The Council is set to condemn the continuing violence and appalling atrocities committed by Boko
Haram on civilians, including women and children. The Council is to welcome and support the
decision of the states in the region to deploy a multinational force, which should be approved by
the UN Security Council. The EU stands ready to provide support with its full range of instruments,
including a possible recourse to the African Peace Facility. The Council is also set to voice
particular concern about the humanitarian consequences of the attacks and their impact on
neighbouring countries. It will pledge the EU's continued provision of immediate relief to those in
need and to increase its efforts at regional level.
Elections in Nigeria
Ahead of the Nigerian presidential, parliamentary and gubernatorial elections later this month, the
Council will set out the EU's support to peaceful, transparent and credible elections. All Nigerian
citizens should have the possibility to cast their vote. The Council will welcome the signing of the
"Abuja Accord" in which political leaders have committed to preventing violence around the
elections. The EU has provided €35 million in assistance to the Nigerian electoral process and
deployed an electoral observation mission, led by MEP Santiago Fisas Ayxelà.
Central African Republic
The Council is due to reiterate its commitment to supporting a sustainable process for resolving the
crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR). It will call to continue the political process led by the
transition authorities and urge the armed groups in CAR to participate. Once the EUFOR RCA
operation will have handed over its responsibilities to the UN-led MINUSCA mission, a new EU
military advisory mission will be deployed in Bangui. For one year, the new mission will provide
expert advice to prepare for security sector reform.
Mali
In conclusions, the Council is to voice deep concern about the persisting violence in northern Mali,
which is also a threat to the wider region. For the EU, only constructive dialogue in the context of
the talks in Algiers can settle the substantive disagreement between Malian parties. As a comediator, the EU remains committed to the Algiers process. It stands ready to facilitate the
implementation of the future political agreement through active participation in the proposed
monitoring Follow-up Committee.
Prosperity
Stimulating faster and more inclusive economic growth in Africa is critical for both poverty reduction
and security reasons. It is not made any easier, though, by the decrease in commodity and energy
prices and the Ebola epidemic. The EU remains Africa's largest economic partner, both for trade
and investment. Between 2007 and 2012, EU imports from Africa increased by 46%. Throughout
this time, the EU remained Africa's prime source of imports (34% of total African imports) as well
as its main export market (40% of African exports). The EU is also Africa's largest donor. Between
2007 and 2013, the EU and its member states disbursed around €141 billion in aid to support
Africa's development.
Ministers will debate how to ensure coherence between EU development policies and action to
curb corruption, conflict and terrorism. They will also consider how to improve the investment
climate in Africa and to encourage growth that generates jobs and reduces the incentive to
migrate.
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Partnership
The EU is committed to building strong partnerships with the African Union and other regional
African organisations. There are many shared interests and closer cooperation is required on
global issues like climate change and the post-2015 agenda for sustainable development.
Ministers are due to explore what the EU can do to help African regional organisations become
more effective in managing crises, improving governance and in promoting regional economic
integration. Africa's growing engagement with BRICs countries could also be raised in this context.
EU relations with Africa
Ukraine
In light of ongoing developments, the Council could discuss the latest developments in the conflict
in Ukraine and the diplomatic efforts.
Commenting on the latest events, High Representative Mogherini has once more insisted on an
end to the violence and asked for artillery to be immediately withdrawn from residential areas. She
joined the call on all actors in the Debaltseve area to establish a local temporary truce for a
minimum of three days, taking immediate effect. This could enable civilians to leave the conflict
zone safely.
The Council will take a decision on additional sanctions against persons and entities involved in
action against Ukraine's territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty. This follows the request
for related proposals by the extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council on 29 January.
At that meeting, the Council strongly condemned the indiscriminate shelling of residential areas,
especially in Mariupol, and the escalation of fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It voiced
the EU's expectation that Russia exerts its influence and induces the separatists to fully live up to
the commitments under the Minsk agreements.
The EU actively supports all diplomatic efforts conducive to creating a new political impetus and
will engage further as necessary. Full implementation of the Minsk agreements as a basis for a
sustainable political solution to the conflict, respecting Ukraine's independence and territorial
integrity, must remain the focus of such talks.
On 29 January, the Council also agreed to extend existing restrictive measures, targeting currently
132 persons and 28 entities over action against Ukraine's territorial integrity, until September 2015.
This will be done in full compliance with legal requirements.
Finally, the Council asked that the Commission and the European External Action Service
undertake preparatory work on appropriate action aiming at ensuring a swift and comprehensive
implementation of the Minsk agreements.
Statement by the High Representative on the latest developments in Ukraine, 4 February 2015
Council conclusions on Ukraine, 29 January 2015
Fact sheet EU-Ukraine relations
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In the margin of the Foreign Affairs Council
EU-Lebanon Association Council
The Association Council with Lebanon will discuss the extraordinary political, security,
humanitarian and social challenges Lebanon is facing at the moment, not least due to the spill-over
from the war in Syria. The EU is committed to strong engagement, intensive cooperation and
support to Lebanon in these extraordinary circumstances.
A political dialogue on regional developments, including in Syria, will take place on Sunday
8 February. The EU appreciates Lebanon's hosting of a large number of people fleeing the
violence in Syria and has provided concrete support: The Commission has allocated €449.4 million
to help Syrian refugees in Lebanon, in addition to ongoing bilateral assistance and contributions
from member states.
The Association Council will also take stock of the overall positive development of EU-Lebanon
relations and the implementation of the EU-Lebanon Association Agreement and the European
Neighbourhood Policy action plan.
A single support framework setting out EU-Lebanon cooperation, signed in 2014, sets aside €130
million to Lebanon for the period between 2014 and 2016. Assistance will focus on justice, security,
social cohesion, sustainable economic development, energy and natural resources.
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