Rådsmøde nr. 3466 (udenrigsanliggender) den 23. maj 2016

Europaudvalget 2015-16
Rådsmøde 3466 - udenrigsanliggender
Offentligt

Council of the

European Union

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(OR. en)

PRESSE 26

PR CO 25

OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

3466th Council meeting

Foreign Affairs

Brussels, 23 May 2016

President

Federica Mogherini

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security

Policy

PRESS

Rue de la Loi 175 B – 1048 BRUSSELS Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 9773 / 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026

[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press

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Rådsmøde nr. 3466 (udenrigsanliggender) den 23. maj 2016 - Bilag 1336877:

23 May 2016

CONTENTS

ITEMS DEBATED

EU regional strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Da'esh threat ................................................... 4

EU global strategy on foreign and security policy ............................................................................... 5

External aspects of migration ............................................................................................................... 6

EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia .................................................................................................. 7

In the margins of the Council ............................................................................................................... 8

–

Eastern Partnership ministerial meeting .................................................................................................................. 8

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

–

Association agreement with Georgia ....................................................................................................................... 9

Association agreement with the Republic of Moldova ............................................................................................ 9

Democratic Republic of Congo ............................................................................................................................... 9

South Sudan ............................................................................................................................................................. 9

Restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya ............................................................................................ 9

Modernised global agreement with Mexico ............................................................................................................ 9

Position of the EU within the sanitary and phytosanitary sub-committee established by the association

agreement between the EU and the Republic of Moldova .................................................................................... 10

Position of the EU within the joint committee established by the framework agreement between the EU

and the Republic of Korea ..................................................................................................................................... 10



Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated

in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks.

 

Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's internet site

(http://www.consilium.europa.eu).

 

Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by

an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's internet site or may be obtained from the Press

Office.

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DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

–

Draft declaration of the Union for the Mediterranean ministerial conference on regional cooperation and

planning (Jordan, 2 June 2016).............................................................................................................................. 10

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

–

45th meeting of the EEA Council .......................................................................................................................... 10

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ITEMS DEBATED

EU regional strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Da'esh threat

Ministers reviewed the implementation of the EU's regional strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as

the Da'esh threat, which was adopted by the Council on 16 March 2015. They discussed the

implementation of the main chapters of the strategy and the impact of ongoing humanitarian and

stabilisation efforts.

The Council adopted conclusions outlining its priorities in working to achieve lasting peace,

stability and security in Syria, Iraq and the wider region. The conclusions also outline ways in

which the implementation of the strategy should adapt to respond to the change of circumstances

since March 2015.

Council conclusions on the EU regional strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Da'esh threat.

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EU global strategy on foreign and security policy

Ministers had a discussion over lunch on the future EU global strategy on foreign and security

policy. This strategy is intended to guide the European Union's foreign and security policy in the

coming years.

EU global strategy on foreign and security policy

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Rådsmøde nr. 3466 (udenrigsanliggender) den 23. maj 2016 - Bilag 1336877:

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External aspects of migration

Ministers had a discussion on the external aspects of migration. They took stock of the

implementation of the Valletta action plan. They notably reviewed the state of play of high-level

dialogues with partner countries and the ongoing work with countries in Sahel and in the Horn of

Africa. They also touched upon the implementation of the EU-Turkey statement from March 2016

and stressed their commitment to tackling the migration challenge in a collective way.

The Council adopted

conclusions on the external aspects of migration.

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Rådsmøde nr. 3466 (udenrigsanliggender) den 23. maj 2016 - Bilag 1336877:

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EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1.

Recalling its conclusions on Libya of 18 April and also in the light of the ministerial

meeting on Libya in Vienna on 16 May, the Council underlines the need to enhance the capacity of

EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia to disrupt the business model of human smugglers and

trafficking networks and to contribute to broader security in support of the legitimate Libyan

authorities. In this regard, the Council welcomes the expressed readiness of the President of the

Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord, Mr Serraj, to cooperate with the EU on

the basis of these conclusions.

To that end, the Council agrees to extend the mandate of EUNAVFOR MED Operation

Sophia by one year and, while retaining the focus on its core mandate, to add two further supporting

tasks:

capacity building and training of, and information sharing with, the Libyan Coastguard and

Navy, based on a request by the legitimate Libyan authorities taking into account the need for

Libyan ownership;

contributing to information sharing, as well as implementation of the UN arms embargo on

the High Seas off the coast of Libya on the basis of a new UNSC Resolution.

The Council underlines the need for preparatory work, including on planning, to continue

without delay. On the basis of this work, it will then take a Council Decision to extend and amend

EUNAVFORMED's mandate and start the implementation of the new tasks. The Council stresses

the importance of continuing coordination with international partners such as UN and NATO.

The Council underlines the urgency regarding the situation in Libya and human smuggling

and trafficking in the Central Mediterranean and will work on timely EU action in response. It

deplores the loss of so many lives at sea and commends the role the operation and the Member

States played in saving tens of thousands of human lives."

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In the margins of the Council

–

Eastern Partnership ministerial meeting

Before the Council, EU Foreign Affairs ministers met their counterparts from Armenia, Azerbaijan,

Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine for the 7th annual Eastern Partnership

ministerial meeting. The meeting was chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and

Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.

This meeting provided the opportunity to take stock of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) one year after

the fourth Eastern Partnership Summit held in Riga on 21-22 May 2015. Ministers discussed the

progress made in the implementation of the cooperation agenda, as well as the progress in reforms,

and noted the contribution of the EaP to stability in the region. The High Representative concluded

the meeting by commending the unity of all ministers and their collective commitment to the

partnership.

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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Association agreement with Georgia

The Council adopted a decision finalising the conclusion of the association agreement between the

European Union and Georgia. This decision concludes the ratification process. The association

agreement is expected to enter into force on 1 July 2016. (8141/16)

Association agreement with the Republic of Moldova

The Council adopted a decision finalising the conclusion of the association agreement between the

European Union and the Republic of Moldova. This decision concludes the ratification process. The

association agreement is expected to enter into force on 1 July 2016. (8146/16)

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Council adopted conclusions on the Democratic Republic of Congo:

For details, read the

Council conclusions

(+COR 1).

South Sudan

The Council adopted conclusions on South Sudan:

For details, read the

Council conclusions

(+COR 1).

Restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya

Following the deletion of one vessel from the list of vessels subject to restrictive measures in view

of the situation in Libya by the United

Nations Security Council sanctions committee, the Council

adopted a decision to reflect this change in its legislation.

Modernised global agreement with Mexico

The Council adopted two decisions authorising the Commission and the High Representative to

negotiate a modernised global agreement with Mexico. The decisions contain the negotiating

directives.

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Position of the EU within the sanitary and phytosanitary sub-committee established by the

association agreement between the EU and the Republic of Moldova

The Council adopted the EU position to be taken within the sanitary and phytosanitary sub-

committee under the EU-Moldova association agreement with regard to its decision to modify an

annex to the agreement to include a modified list of the EU

acquis

concerning sanitary,

phytosanitary and animal welfare, to which the Republic Moldova intends to approximate its

domestic legislation.

Position of the EU within the joint committee established by the framework agreement

between the EU and the Republic of Korea

The Council adopted the EU position to be taken in the joint committee established by the

framework agreement between the EU and the Republic of Korea in relation to the adoption of the

rules of procedure of the joint committee, and the establishment of specialised working groups and

the adoption of their terms of reference.

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

Draft declaration of the Union for the Mediterranean ministerial conference on regional

cooperation and planning (Jordan, 2 June 2016)

The Council adopted the EU position to be taken on the draft declaration of the Union for the

Mediterranean ministerial conference on regional cooperation and planning. The conference, co-

chaired by Commissioner Hahn and his Jordanian counterpart, will take place on 2 June 2016, in

Jordan.

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

45th meeting of the EEA Council

The Council established the EU's common position for the 45th meeting of the European Economic

Area Council to take place in Brussels on 25 May 2016.

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