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EU: General Affairs and External Relations Council

My right honourable friend the Minister for Europe (Geoff Hoon) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary (Margaret Beckett), Sir John Grant (UK Permanent Representative to the EU) and I represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels. The agenda items covered were as follows: General Affairs Preparation of the European Council: The Council discussed the European Council agenda, focusing on energy and climate policy, the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs and the EU’s ““better regulation”” initiative. There was broad support in the Council for an ambitious approach on climate and energy at the European Council. The Government believe that this is an important opportunity for the EU to take action on climate and energy security and expect the European Council to send a clear signal of EU leadership including on carbon capture and storage, internal liberalisation, and use of renewable energy sources. External Relations Uzbekistan: The presidency briefed the Council on negotiations with Uzbekistan on a human rights dialogue. The Government support the presidency’s attempts to engage the Uzbek Government in constructive discussion of human rights issues focused on results and underpinned by the EU’s human rights principles. There was consensus in the Council reflected inthe conclusions, which acknowledge Uzbekistan’s readiness to hold a further round of expert talks; stress the need for an early, meaningful and regular human rights dialogue; and urge Uzbekistan to fully implement its international human rights obligations. Western Balkans: Discussion focused on Bosnia. The High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, briefed the Council on the decision by the Bosnian Peace Implementation Council, of which the UK is a member, to extend the term of the Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and to reduce the EU peacekeeping force in Bosnia from 6000 to around 2500 in response to the improved security situation. A number of speakers underlined the importance of Bosnian progress on the conditions set out by the Council in December 2005 which would allow negotiation on a stabilisation and association agreement with the EU to be concluded. The Council conclusions welcomed the formation of a new government in Bosnia and Herzegovina and encouraged the new authorities to ensure a swift and effective implementation of those conditions. The conclusions also took note of the Peace and Implementation Council’s decision to extend the term of the Office of the High Representative and confirmed the EU’s decision to reduce the troop numbers of the peacekeeping force in Bosnia (EUFOR). My right honourable friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Adam Ingram) made a Statement to the House of 1 March (Official Report, cols. 1083-94) welcoming the drawdown in EUFOR numbers and announcing the UK’s consequent decision to withdraw the majority of its 600 troops. Middle East Peace Process: The Council discussed developments on the formation of a national unity government (NUG) following the Fatah-Hamas agreement in Mecca on 8 February. The Council agreed to reserve judgment until a NUG was formed and the full details of its platform are known. The Council looked forward to further work by the quartet, including in co-operation with Arab partners and was briefed by External Relations Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, on Commission work on capacity-building support and co-ordination of assistance to the Palestinians, which the Government strongly support. The Council did not issue conclusions. Iran: The presidency briefed the Council on behalf of the E3 (Germany, France, UK) on discussion of next steps following Iran’s failure to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737. A number of partners underlined the need for a firm international response while keeping open the door to further dialogue with Iran in line with the EU’s agreed twin-track approach. Following discussion the Council adopted conclusions deploring Iran’s non-compliance with Security Council Resolution 1737, underlining support for further measures by the United Nations Security Council and reiterating EU support for a robust international response while calling on Iran to open the way for a negotiated solution. Sudan: My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary wrote to her counterparts prior to the Council, underlining the seriousness of the humanitarian and security situation in Darfur and calling for clear EU support for urgent Security Council consideration of further measures against those responsible for the violence in Darfur. She also made clear the Government's support for the presidency’s work to secure more funding for the African Union mission in Sudan. The Council discussed the situation in Darfur and adopted conclusions expressing concern at the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur, urging all parties to respect their ceasefire commitments and underlining support for consideration by the Security Council for further measures against those impeding the peace process. The conclusions also acknowledge the need urgently to address the funding of the African Union mission in Sudan and urged contributions from international partners. A number of member states, led by the presidency, indicated that they would provide, or were considering providing, additional financial support to the African Union mission.