Meeting of EU Foreign Affairs, Development and Defence Ministers in Brussels
Government Communications Unit
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Defense
Press Release 155/2009
15 May 2009
The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) will meet in Brussels on 18 and 19 May. Main themes of the meeting include preparations for the June European Council meeting and the EU-Russia summit, military crisis management operations in Somalia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, provision of support to developing countries during the economic crisis, and transatlantic cooperation in the field of development. Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen, Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors and Defence Minister Jyri Häkämies will represent Finland at the meeting.
General affairs
The General Affairs and External Relations Council will start making preparations for the European Council meeting taking place in Brussels on 18 and 19 June. The Presidency will submit a draft agenda for the European Council, setting out the following main items to be addressed: institutional issues with regard to the Treaty of Lisbon, preparation of the Copenhagen Conference on climate change and the current economic and financial situation.
External relations
The Council’s agenda includes preparation of the EU-Russia summit. The Ministers will discuss the strengthening of the partnership between the EU and Russia and the EU’s common message to Russia. Finland hopes that the summit will speed up negotiations on a post-PCA agreement, including related energy issues. Finland is also of the opinion that, despite the economic crisis, the summit should commit itself to further measures to open up the economy and prevent protectionism.
The Ministers will discuss the situation in Iran. Discussions are likely to focus on the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme, but the country’s human rights situation may also come up. As far as the nuclear programme is concerned, Finland is in favour of pursuing a double-track policy which includes imposing sanctions on Iran in parallel with making efforts to seek settlement to the situation. Finland emphasises the importance of the EU’s unity and cooperation with the USA.
The Council will address the acute humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka and measures to respond to the situation. Finland emphasises that humanitarian actors should be guaranteed access to the victims, and internally displaced persons should be treated in accordance with international law. A lasting peace can only be achieved by means of a political solution.
Further topics to be discussed at the meeting include Georgia and Moldova and action to combat illegal immigration into the EU in the Mediterranean. Finland highlights the importance of Georgia’s rapprochement with the EU and the EU’s support for Moldova’s European perspective. Finland is in favour of EU-level action to support Member States in the Mediterranean.
Defence issues
The session of Foreign and Defence Ministers will discuss Bosnia and Herzegovina and Somalia, including EU crisis management operations in these countries. The Council will adopt conclusions on the European Security and Defence Policy and those on the situation in Somalia.
The Defence Ministers will focus primarily on the development of the EU's military capabilities, military crisis management operations and the EU's cooperation with its partners. A defence minister-level meeting for the steering board of the European Defence Agency will be organised in connection with the Council meeting.
Finland considers it important that the Althea operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina be converted into a support and training operation, in which Finland is preparing to participate. Finland is of the opinion that the EU should be prepared to continue supporting the fight against piracy and emphasises that a lasting solution calls for the improvement of stability and the rule of law in Somalia. If the EU operation to prevent piracy (Atalanta) is continued, Finland will look into the possibility of taking part in the operation also by using a navy vessel.
Development issues
The Development Ministers will discuss measures to provide support to developing countries during the global economic downturn. Finland highlights the importance of providing development cooperation funding, keeping to the commitments concerning the effectiveness of development cooperation and promoting ecologically, economically and socially sustainable development.
The Ministers will discuss transatlantic partnership for sustainable development over dinner, a theme based on an initiative put forward by Finland in January 2009. The goal of the initiative is to increase development policy dialogue between the EU and the USA to promote common development policy interests, eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development. An important aspect of the initiative is strengthening the position of the Least Developed Countries (LDC).
The Development Ministers will discuss democratic governance, including associated political dialogue with developing countries. In addition, the Ministers will discuss progress in negotiations on economic partnership agreements with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states. Issues relating to Kenya and climate change will also be addressed. As for the latter, Sweden will present to the meeting a related final report drawn up by the Swedish commission for climate and development.
The Council will also adopt the conclusions on the EU strategy for supporting disaster risk reduction in developing countries and the conclusions on the access to local sustainable sources of energy in developing countries.
Further information: Sanna Ek, Counsellor, EU Affairs, Government Secretariat for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2150, Markku Lampinen, Counsellor, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5330 or +358 40 7266 124. Meeting of Development Ministers: Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, Counsellor, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 6272 or +358 40 7217 159. Meeting of Defence Ministers: Rasmus Hindrén, Adviser, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 1608 8268 or +358 50 350 6058