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General Affairs and External Relations Council

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (Mr. Jack Straw) and Sir John Grant (UK Permanent Representative to the EU) represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels on 27 February 2006. The agenda items were covered as follows: Preparation of the European Council, 23/24 March 2006 The Presidency presented an annotated draft agenda for the 23/24 March European Council meeting to be held in Brussels. The focus of the European Council will be its annual review of the strategy for growth and jobs set out at Lisbon in March 2000 and re-launched last year. The Presidency hopes the European Council will identify a series of priority actions to be implemented by the end of 2007 to fulfil these commitments. These priority actions should form a good basis on which to implement the second cycle of the Lisbon strategy in spring 2008. In a short discussion, Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy Commissioner Wallstrom welcomed the annotated draft agenda particularly the focus on economic and energy issues. Several Member States intervened on the structure of the draft agenda and priority action points. Financial Perspective: Inter-Institutional Agreement (IIA) The Presidency presented its paper on progress in negotiations with the European Parliament on a proposal for renewal of an agreement between the EU institutions on budgetary discipline and improvement of the EU's annual budgetary procedure. The Presidency reported that the trilogue meeting between representatives of Parliament, Council and Commission on 21 February had been constructive and that they aimed to reach an agreement on a new Inter-Institutional Agreement by April. The Presidency announced that the next trilogue meeting would take place on 21 March. Western Balkans Enlargement Commissioner Rehn briefed the Council following his recent tour with Commission President Barroso of the Western Balkans. They had underlined the region's perspective of ultimate EU membership if the countries met the strict conditions. Commissioner Rehn expressed his hope that negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia and Montenegro could be concluded by the end of this year but a precondition was full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). If Belgrade's co-operation with the ICTY does not improve, the Commission would be obliged to disrupt SAA negotiations. CFSP High Representative Solana briefed the Council on the efforts of his personal representative. Ambassador Mirolsav Lajcak, to forge consensus between government and opposition parties in Montenegro on the modalities for the proposed referendum on the future of the state union with Serbia. The Council reaffirmed its support for the efforts of Ambassador Lajcak. In a brief discussion of Kosovo, Member States underlined the need for further progress on standards implementation including decentralisation, and for the future status settlement to incorporate strong assurances in respect of the rights and cultural heritage of minority communities. The Council adopted Conclusions covering Montenegro, Kosovo and ICTY co-operation. Schengen visa fees The Council held a short discussion on the draft decision to increase administrative fees for Schengen visa applications. The proposed increase results from the introduction of biometric identifiers and the establishment of a visa information system. Several Member States highlighted the need to take into account foreign and neighbourhood policy concerns when deciding on proposed increases to Schengen visa fees. The possibility of exemptions might also apply in certain circumstances. The Presidency took note of the concerns expressed. These will be taken into account in future negotiations with a view to the Justice and Home Affairs Council taking a decision on 27/28 April. Iraq The Foreign Secretary briefed the Council on his recent visit to Iraq and explained that the rapid formation of a competent and effective government was important for national unity. He urged the Council and Member States to offer support to Iraq's politicians and to the democratic process during this critical period. The Council adopted Conclusions condemning the bombing of the Holy Shrine in Samarra and subsequent violence. Reactions in the Muslim world to publications in the European media The Council discussed the cartoons that had appeared in European media recently and adopted Conclusions which recognise that freedom of expression is a fundamental right of a democratic society and strongly condemned the violent acts that followed publication of the cartoons. The Conclusions also encouraged the exercise of freedom of expression in a spirit of respect for religious and other beliefs and convictions and acknowledged the offence and distress felt by Muslims worldwide as a result of the cartoons. Ministers agreed to enhance dialogue with the Muslim world on these and other issues through various fora. Middle East Peace Process CFSP High Representative Solana briefed on his visit to Israel and the West Bank. External Relations Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said that the Commission would contribute €120 million in assistance to the interim Palestinian Authority in response to the Quartet's call on 30 January to support measures taken by the interim government to stabilise the public finances. Iran German Foreign Minister Steinmeier briefed Partners on the latest developments on the nuclear file. CFSP High Representative Solana and External Relations Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner also briefed the Council on their recent meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki which included discussion of the EU-Iran Human Rights Dialogue. The Presidency agreed that Ministers should discuss Iran again following the 6 March International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting. The Council adopted Conclusions which regretted Iran's decision to withhold co-operation with the IAEA; deplored Iran's resumption of enrichment-related activities; reaffirmed the EU's commitment to a diplomatic solution and called on Iran to reconsider its position on its nuclear issues activities and other areas of concern in order to avoid further deterioration of its relationship with the EU. The Council also called on Iran to properly protect diplomatic missions in Iran and to lift discriminatory restrictions against individual EU Member States. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) The Council had a brief discussion on a possible EU mission in support of the UN during the election period. CFSP High Representative Solana urged Member States to respond positively. Several Member States expressed their support for EU-UN co-operation with some seeking clarity on the proposed EU mission's mandate. The Council adopted Conclusions welcoming the new constitution and the adoption of electoral law; encouraging the Transitional Government political parties and civil society to work together to ensure transparent elections in accordance with international standards; considering appropriate ways to provide support to the UN. AOB—EU/Mercosur relations Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos briefed the Council on his visit to Latin America in advance of the EU-Latin America/Caribbean (LAC) Summit. He stressed the importance of concluding negotiations on an EU/Mercosur Association Agreement. External Relations Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner reassured the Council that the Commission was committed to achieving a successful conclusion to negotiations as soon as possible. AOB—Children and armed conflict French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy briefed the Council on his recent visit with UNICEF to Uganda and Burundi. He urged the Council to take a more visible stance to address the plight of child soldiers. The Presidency noted that work was already in hand to develop a strategy for implementing EU guidelines on children and armed conflict. AOB—Human Rights Council The Council had a brief discussion on the latest draft UN Human Rights Council Resolution with several Member States offering views. The Presidency noted the exchange, and tasked the Political and Security Committee to look at next steps.