The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington)
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs attended the informal Foreign Ministers meeting on 4 to 5 April in Athens, Greece.
The informal format of the Gymnich allows EU Foreign Ministers to engage in a free-ranging discussion on a number of issues. In contrast to arrangements in the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), Ministers do not agree any formal written conclusions. The next FAC is due to be held on 14 April.
The Gymnich was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton of Upholland. Discussion centred on issues in the EU’s eastern and southern neighbourhoods.
Commissioners Füle (enlargement and European neighbourhood policy) and Georgieva (international co-operation, humanitarian aid and crisis response) were in attendance for some of the discussions. Elmar Brok MEP, chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, attended lunch with the Foreign Ministers.
Foreign Affairs Council
Ukraine
Ministers discussed the situation in the eastern neighbourhood countries, focusing in particular on Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. The Foreign Secretary emphasised the importance of support for Ukraine, in particular in this crucial pre-election period. He also stated the importance of rebalancing the EU’s relationship with Russia and over the long term reducing our energy dependency; the immediate tasks were to continue the preparatory work on the possible next phase of sanctions, and on the consequences of annexation for Crimea. Discussion among Ministers ranged widely over these topics.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ministers discussed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Foreign Secretary made a strong case for increasing EU engagement, aimed at supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s development into a fully functioning state. Baroness Ashton ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina alongside Ukraine and Syria as one of the EU’s main external policy challenges.
Syria
Ministers discussed the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Syria, and the regime’s non-compliance with UN Security Council resolution 2139. They underlined the importance of the resolution being fully implemented. Ministers also discussed progress on the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons.