Raad Algemene Zaken vergadert over EU-relaties met VS en Rusland, en problemen in de Arabische wereld en Mali (en)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, will participate on Monday, December 10, in the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton i (HR). This will be the last FAC meeting to take place during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The EU’s Foreign Affairs Ministers will begin their discussions with a working lunch, during which they will review EU relations with Russia as well as the domestic and foreign policy outlook in the country in preparation of the EU-Russia Summit on December 21.

Furthermore, during the lunch, ministers will discuss future prospects for the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP), following the vote on the Palestinian resolution in the UN General Assembly and the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza. Subsequently, the ministers will have an opportunity to exchange views with Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, President of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, before continuing with the formal plenary session of the FAC.

During the FAC plenary, the ministers will discuss developments in the Southern Neighborhood, mainly the situation in Syria, as well as recent developments in Egypt, while Baroness Ashton will also provide feedback on the recent fact-finding mission to Libya to explore possible cooperation on border management.

Ministers will continue their deliberations with a discussion on the Western Balkans and particularly the foreign policy aspects of the enlargement package to be adopted by the General Affairs Council on December 11.

Ministers will conclude their meeting with an exchange of views on EU relations with the USA following the re-election of President Obama, with particular focus on foreign policy priorities.

Council Conclusions will be adopted on Ukraine, DRC, Mali, DPRK, on the MEPP and Syria.

In the evening, Baroness Ashton will host an informal dinner for the Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union, during which the Ministers will exchange views on the role of the EU in conflict resolution and peace building.