EU Foreign Ministers discuss real political processes with regard to Eastern Partnership member states

On 27 April, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins participated in the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Luxembourg.

During the GAERC meeting, the EU foreign ministers discussed the status of Croatia's EU accession negotiations, the realisation of EU neighbourhood policy, as well as questions associated with the planned 7 May Prague Summit on the Eastern Partnership, and the EU Employment Summit as well as the 8 May planned EU Troika and Southern Corridor meeting of partnership states. The Middle East peace process and the situations in Burma/Myanmar and Sri Lanka were also on the discussions agenda.

In discussing the Croatia - EU accession negotiations, the progress of which is presently being delayed by the Croatia-Slovenia sea border question, member states have noted the contribution of the EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement, Olli Rehn, and the suggested resolutions which would allow for an acceptable agreement between both parties.

On the basis of the annual report of the European Commission on the achievements in European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) in 2008 and on the results of reforms in each of the ENP states, the foreign ministers continued their discussion on the realisation of European Neighbourhood Policy. Latvia rates highly especially two of the initiatives from 2008 within the framework of the ENP – the Eastern Partnership and the Union for the Mediterranean. These new initiatives play a significant role in the strengthening of the EU and its neighbourhood state relations. Foreign Minister Riekstins noted that for Latvia it is important to continue developing a closer co-operation with the Eastern neighbour states, to realise joint projects within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, and to offer political support for the path of reforms in each of the Eastern Partnership member states.

In evaluating the issue of human rights abuses in Burma/Myanmar, the EU foreign ministers voted to extend by another 12 months the existing sanctions against Burma/Myanmar.

In preparation for the planned 7 May Prague Summit on the Eastern Partnership, the EU foreign ministers emphasised the political significance of this initiative. The Eastern Partnership summit will facilitate the realisation of the Council of Europe resolution to realise the Eastern Partnership thus envisaging a stronger and more active EU policy implementation with the eastern states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The GAERC summit also debated the further directions of the Middle East peace process, the situation in Gaza, as well as U.S. and EU contributions to the facilitation of the peace process.

Taking note of the  ever increasing cases of illegal immigration in the Mediterranean region, the EU member state foreign ministers emphasised the necessity to discuss this issue no only within the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council but also within GAERC, and to look at the external relations aspects, including the possibility of concluding readmission agreements with third states.

Similarly, the foreign ministers focussed attention on the possible involvement of the EU in the fight against the increase in piracy off the coast of Somalia.

The GAERC working luncheon was the setting for ministerial discussions on the outcome of the 5 April informal Heads of State and Heads of Government meetings with the U.S. President, also on the political and economic situation in Ukraine, and  EU – Moldova relations ��� noting especially the 5 April parliamentary elections in Moldova. The EU foreign ministers also evaluated the outcome of the Durban Review Conference which took place in Geneva from 20 – 24 April.

Within the GAERC framework, on 27 April, the EU – Egypt Association Council meeting and the EU – Croatia Stabilisation and Association Council meetings are scheduled to take place. On 28 April, the EU – African Union three-way meeting and the EU – Russia Permanent Partnership Council meeting are scheduled. 

Inese Allika,
Latvian Permanent Representation / EU Councillor / Press Secretary
Tel. +32 (0) 2 2383 206
Mob. tel. +32 (0) 47 37 56 428

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