Foreign Affairs Council/General Affairs Council

Monday 30th June 2014 Written Statements

[The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington)]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 June, and I attended the General Affairs Council on 24 June. The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, and the General Affairs Council (GAC) was chaired by the Greek presidency. The meetings were held in Luxembourg.

Commissioner Füle (Enlargement) was in attendance for some of the discussions at the FAC. Commissioners Šefcovic (Inter-institutional relations and Administration) and Füle were in attendance for some of the discussions at the GAC. President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy was present for the GAC ministerial lunch which discussed preparations for the 26 and 27 June European Council.

Foreign Affairs Council

A provisional report of the meeting and conclusions adopted can be found at: http://www.consilium.europa. eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/143347.pdf.

Introductory remarks

Baroness Ashton updated Ministers on the situation in Kosovo following the elections on 8 June. On Iran, she reminded Ministers that the E3+3 joint plan of action was due to expire on 20 July.

Under AOB, the Foreign Secretary raised the global summit to end sexual violence in conflict, which launched the new international protocol. Implementation was the next step, and the Foreign Secretary looked to the EU to mainstream this into its crisis response and conflict prevention work. In addition under AOB, Croatia highlighted the severity of the recent floods in the Balkans, and Poland argued for broadening the remit of the European Endowment for Democracy’s work.

Ukraine

The newly appointed Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin attended part of the FAC to present President Poroshenko’s peace plan. Mr Klimkin stressed that the peace process should be inclusive, and reflected on the risk of further destabilisation of the situation. He acknowledged the need for social and economic development in eastern Ukraine. On Crimea, he set out the political, economic and humanitarian challenges that faced the Government of Ukraine. Klimkin said Ukraine had begun preparations for implementation of the EU/Ukraine association agreement, and noted that the Government of Ukraine was committed to European integration. He underlined the importance of energy security.

Ministers continued the discussion after Klimkin left. The Foreign Secretary noted the importance of continued diplomacy and of maintaining pressure on Russia to de-escalate, including by being ready to move to further measures. Ministers agreed to establish a civilian common security and defence policy mission, a key UK priority, and decided to prohibit the import into the EU of goods originating in Crimea or Sevastopol without a certificate of origin from the Government of Ukraine. Ministers agreed conclusions which make it clear that preparatory work on sanctions continues so that further steps can be taken should events in eastern Ukraine so require, and restate the Council’s strong condemnation of the illegal annexation of Crimea. The conclusions also welcome President Poroshenko’s inauguration; express support for his peace plan as a major chance for de-escalation, and call on Russia to support the peace plan and adopt measures to stop the flow of illegal fighters, arms and equipment into Ukraine. Ministers also encouraged the Ukrainian authorities in their reforms, expressed concern about the human rights situation in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, and looked forward to an end to the gas dispute.

Southern Neighbourhood

Ministers discussed Libya, and agreed conclusions calling for political dialogue and peaceful elections on 25 June, reaffirming EU support for improving Libya’s border controls and securing arms stockpiles. The Foreign Secretary welcomed the work of international envoys.

On Egypt, Baroness Ashton issued a statement expressing Ministers’ concern about the recent court cases, including the sentences pronounced against the al-Jazeera journalists. After the FAC the Foreign Secretary told the press that he was “absolutely appalled” and said that

“Egypt has taken a major step in the wrong direction”.

Ministers also discussed the importance of the EU providing more support to Tunisia to promote economic growth to underpin Tunisia’s political reforms.

Iraq and Syria

Ministers discussed the latest developments in Iraq, in the presence of Nikolay Mladenov, UN Special Representative for Iraq. Ministers were united in concern about the rapidly deteriorating security situation, strongly condemning the attacks perpetrated by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Mladenov set out his five-point plan for Iraq, including humanitarian assistance, an inclusive political process, and work with the Kurds.

The Foreign Secretary said that Ministers may need to consider a new architecture to handle the transnational threat that ISIL represented, involving regional actors. He called for humanitarian assistance for Iraq, and continued pressure on the Syrian regime for a political solution, humanitarian access and chemical weapons destruction.

Ministers agreed conclusions on Iraq, condemning ISIL’s attacks and human rights abuses. The conclusions call on Iraqi leaders to unite to fight terrorism and underline the need for political reconciliation and more inclusive Government. The conclusions also pledge €5 million of EU humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of internally displaced persons.

On Syria, Ministers agreed to extend sanctions to 12 Ministers.

Kidnap for Ransom

Ministers agreed conclusions on Kidnap for Ransom, a key step in our drive to develop international consensus against paying ransoms. In line with the commitments made at the G8 summit and UN Security Council Resolution 2133, the conclusions condemn the use of Kidnap for Ransom and unequivocally reject the payment of ransoms and political concessions. They reaffirm the EU’s commitment to uphold UN resolutions which require all UN member states to prevent terrorists benefiting directly or indirectly from ransom payments.

Other business

Ministers agreed without discussion a number of other measures, including the following:

The Council adopted conclusions on Thailand; Afghanistan; on the Union’s approach on responsible sourcing of minerals; on the 10th anniversary of the EU guidelines on human rights defenders; and on the role of the private sector in development.

The Council amended EU restrictive measures against the Central African Republic in the light of UN Security Council Resolution 2127 (2013).

The Council extended the restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova until 31 October 2014.

The Council adopted the EU’s annual report on human rights and democracy in the world in 2013.

The Council approved the EU priorities for the 69th UN General Assembly.

The Council extended the mandates of the EU special representative for human rights and of the EU special representative in Afghanistan until 28 February 2015 and agreed on the budget for their activities.

The Council approved the budget for the activities of the EU special representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period from 1 July 2014 until 30 June 2015.

The Council approved the association agendas between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova, and between the European Union and Georgia.

The Council approved the EU position for the first meeting of the Association Council with central America.

General Affairs Council

The 24 June 2014 General Affairs Council (GAC) focused on: the enlargement and stabilisation and association process; a report on following up European Council conclusions; the preparation of the 26 and 27 June European Council; the European semester process; the application of article 10 of protocol 36 to the treaties; the 18-month programme of the Council; the EU maritime security strategy; and the EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region. Under any other business, the GAC discussed EU cohesion policy and the flooding in Bulgaria.

A provisional report of the meeting can be found at:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/genaff/143363.pdf.

Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process

The GAC considered Albania. Since the GAC last discussed the issue, Albania has made progress on key justice and home affairs (JHA) reforms, including a seven-fold increase in cocaine seizures and action to dismantle a fraudulent passport factory, tackling illegal migration. The Government therefore agreed candidate status, but only on a clear understanding in the GAC conclusions that Albania still has much work to do and will need to show sustained political commitment to tackling deep-rooted problems, including through concrete and measurable steps. Candidate status is a symbolic step which has no implications for migration, no automaticity for joining the EU and is not a decision to open accession negotiations. The Government will adopt a very rigorous approach at every stage of this long process to ensure that Albania roots out corruption, cracks down on organised crime and firmly institutionalises the rule of law.

In my intervention, I also raised the importance of the GAC returning in December to the issue of reform of transitional controls on free movement for future enlargements, in the context of its consideration of the Commission’s annual enlargement package to be published this autumn.

Report on following up European Council conclusions

The presidency presented its report on the implementation of European Council conclusions covering: economic issues; the European semester process; climate and energy; and justice and home affairs.

Preparation of the June European Council

The GAC discussed the draft conclusions for the 26 and 27 June European Council, which the Prime Minister and other EU leaders will attend. The June European Council will include a dinner in Ypres on 26 June to commemorate the outbreak of the first world war followed by a Council meeting on 27 June in Brussels.

The June European Council is expected to focus on: the future justice and home affairs programme; economic issues, including better regulation; climate and energy including a Commission report on EU energy security; and Ukraine. Association agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine will be signed. The issue of the EU’s strategic priorities and institutional changes is also likely to be discussed.

I reaffirmed the need for clear objectives on job creation, growth and competitiveness; and called for text on the EU’s priorities to be as focused and ambitious as possible.

European Semester

Following discussion at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council on 19 June and the Economic and Financial Affairs Council on 20 June, the GAC approved the European semester country specific recommendations (CSRs) published by the Commission to all non-programme EU member states.

The advice to the UK is to continue reducing the deficit, tackle youth unemployment, reform the housing market and invest in infrastructure. This is generally in line with the Government’s long-term economic plan and reflects the advice of others.

Application of Article 10 of Protocol 36 to the Treaties

The Council discussed the UK’s decision pursuant to article 10 of protocol 36 to the treaties to opt-out of all pre-Lisbon police and criminal justice measures. The Council noted that the UK Government and the Commission had reached an understanding on the list of non-Schengen pre-Lisbon police and criminal justice measures that the UK Government would seek to rejoin. In respect of the Schengen pre-Lisbon police and criminal justice measures, the Council recalled that it had previously provisionally noted a broad technical agreement on the draft Council decision although at this stage not all reservations could be lifted.

18-month programme of the Council

The new EU presidency trio of Italy, Latvia and Luxembourg presented their programme for the Council for the period of 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2015. This will focus on: growth and jobs; fundamental rights; climate and energy; and the post-2015 development programme.

The EU Maritime Security Strategy

The GAC adopted the EU maritime security strategy (EU MSS). The strategy aims to define the maritime security threats, risks and interests affecting the EU, while also strengthening the EU’s response to them. It will also serve to inform future action plans—due to be produced under the Italian presidency—which incorporate maritime security considerations more widely across EU policies.

The EU MSS is broadly consistent with the UK’s maritime security objectives and we will continue to work with European and other international partners on this global issue.

EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region

The Commission presented its communication and action plan for the EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region. Italy confirmed that it would take this forward during their presidency.

Under any other business, the GAC discussed the idea of holding formal sessions of the General Affairs Council dedicated to cohesion policy to allow greater scrutiny at a political level of its implementation over the 2014-20 multi-annual financial perspective, and its contribution to the Europe 2020 strategy. No clear conclusions were reached on this at this stage.

The GAC also considered and expressed sympathy for the recent flooding affecting Bulgaria which has caused considerable damage to infrastructure.