On 7-8 December, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part in the European Union's General Affairs and Foreign Relations Council meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, the agenda of which included discussion on the EU enlargement process, the agenda points of the European Council, and other topics.
In preparation for the European Council of 11-12 December, the EU foreign ministers discussed the issues on the agenda of the event: climate change policy, institutional issues, the Stockholm programme in the judiciary and the interior affairs, financial supervision, and the EU Strategy 2020.
During the discussion, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins emphasised that Latvia is urging not to delay the decision on the establishment of the External Relations Service. Minister Riekstins noted that the decision should be grounded on guidelines approved earlier, and the involvement of all member states should be ensured in its drafting. When speaking about the revision of the EU budget, Minister Riekstins called upon the Commission to present proposals on the budget reform before July 2010 and accentuated the need to launch a debate on the budget principles.
At the General Affairs Council, a joint 18 months programme was presented for the three European Council Presidencies by Spain, Belgium and Hungary during the time period from January 2010 to June 2011. One of the challenges of the programme will be institutional reforms in relation to the Treaty of Lisbon. During this session, the ministers also discussed the EU enlargement and the process of stabilisation and association, as well as the European Commission's communication "Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2008-2009" regarding the progress by the West Balkan countries and Turkey on their course towards the EU. The Council noted the progress achieved by Croatia during the year, as well as its co-operation with the International Tribunal for former Yugoslavia. The Council indicated, however, that a part of documents required for the court proceedings have not been received yet.
Those present took note of the Commission's recommendations to open consultations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Council is planning to consider the issue during the next presidency. Returning to the conclusions on Serbia by the Council of April 2008, the ministers decided that the EU would start implementing the Temporary Agreement. The ministers will consider the ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement within the next six month. Also taking part in the discussion was Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor of the International Tribunal for war crimes in former Yugoslavia.
At the External Relations Council, a discussion was held on the situation in the Western Balkans, as well as on the progress of the EUFOR ALTHEA operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the planned changes in the operation.
The ministers also discussed the Middle East Peace Process and the current situation in Iran in relation to the nuclear issue, human rights and the EU-Iranian relations.
During the GAERC, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins together with his Estonian and Slovenian colleagues met with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton. The parties discussed the EU institutional issues, and the EU External Action Service in particular. Minister Riekstins emphasised that, when setting up the service, an important field in external action should be considered, namely, the provision of consular assistance to the EU citizens in third countries, as well as an adequate Member States' representations should be ensured in various posts of the new service. The Eastern Partnership was also reviewed.
(End of text)
