EU Foreign Ministers discuss Afghanistan, Iran, Common Security and Defence Policy and Russia
Press release 310/2011
11 November 2011
The EU Foreign Affairs Council will convene in Brussels on 14 November. Finland’s representative in the meeting will be Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja. The main topics of the meeting will include Afghanistan, Iran, EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), and the latest situation in the EU’s southern neighbourhood and the Horn of Africa region.
The meeting will be preceded by a dinner meeting summoned by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton with Russia as the main theme. The Ministers will discuss the relations between EU and Russia including Russia’s forthcoming WTO accession and various international issues. The EU-Russia Summit, to be held in December, will also be reflected in the discussion.
The Council discussion about the situation in Afghanistan is part of preparation process for the International Afghanistan Conference to be held in Bonn on 5 December. The intention is to address the situation of the country and the future actions of the EU in a comprehensive manner. The Foreign Ministers also intend to discuss issues concerning the Iranian nuclear programme and next steps in light of the latest IAEA report.
The Council will also discuss the current development in the southern neighbourhood of the Union. As regards Tunisia, the topic of discussion will be the situation after the elections organised in October, and, as concerns Libya, the opportunities for cooperation and, for example, the preparations for an election process after the declaration of liberation on 23 October. Finland supports the strengthening of civil society and ensuring the rights of women in the reforms of societies in Northern African. The EU has continued the preparation of sanctions with an aim to influence the Syrian government in order to stop violence.
As concerns the Horn of Africa, the Council will address the situation in Somalia and the comprehensive EU strategy prepared for the Horn of Africa region.
After the EU Foreign Affairs Council Foreign Minister Tuomioja will attend an informal dinner with EU enlargement as the main topic.
Further information: European correspondent Tarja Fernández, tel. +358 40 590 9855, and Katja Pehrman, Diplomatic Adviser to Foreign Minister Tuomioja, tel. +358 40 181 9257