Special session of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council to discuss the Middle East situation

Government Communications Unit
Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Press Release 259/2006
31 July 2006

The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) will hold an extraordinary meeting on 1 August in Brussels.  The Council will be chaired by the Finnish Foreign Minister, Erkki Tuomioja. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paula Lehtomäki will also represent Finland at the meeting.

The discussion will focus on the situation in the Middle East. The aim is to strengthen European Union commitment in the efforts made to solve the Middle East problems. As far as Lebanon is concerned, the ministers will discuss immediate cessation of hostilities, aims of reaching a political agreement and action to overcome the humanitarian crisis.  The Council meeting will also discuss an international operation planned to be carried out on the basis of a UN mandate and the role of EU Member States in this operation.

The Council will also consider the situation in Palestinian regions. The security and humanitarian situations especially in the Gaza region are still severe. Finland considers that the EU should take initiative in relaunching the Middle East Peace Process and reviving the political process in all sectors.

Further information: Jarno Syrjälä, Head of Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5026