Foreign Minister Soini to the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg 

Press release 67/2016
15 April 2016

The EU Foreign Affairs Council will convene in Luxembourg on 18 April.  Finland's representative at the meeting will be Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini. The agenda highlighs include the external dimensions of migration, the EU Regional Strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the ISIL/Da'esh threat, the Eastern Partnership, and Libya.

The discussion on the external dimension of migration and the actions that the EU has taken to date will be chaired by High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini. The topic will also be handled at an informal lunch with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grand.

The meeting will also examine the EU Regional Strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the ISIL/Da'esh threat, adopted in March 2015.  The Ministers will discuss the implementation of the Strategy and possible need of updates a year after it was adopted.

Other topics on the agenda will be the EU's Eastern Partnership and the implementation of the Joint Declaration, adopted at the Riga Summit a year ago. The purpose is to prepare the upcoming annual Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers' meeting in May.

Developments in Libya and especially the EU's support to Libya will be discussed at the Foreign Ministers' and Defence Ministers' joint dinner. The Foreign Affairs Council is to adopt conclusions on Libya.

Additionally, an informal discussion will be held with Colombian High Commissioner for Peace Sergio Jaramillo on the progress in the Colombian peace process.

The EU-Tunisia Association Council will meet in conjunction with the Foreign Affairs Council.

Inquiries: Riikka Taivassalo, Special Adviser to Minister Soini, tel. +358 46 923 4581 and Sari Rautio, European Correspondent, tel. +358 295 351 534.