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General Affairs and External Relations Council

I represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for International Development attended discussions of Defence and Development Ministers on 19 and 20 November. The agenda items covered were as follows: Foreign Ministers General Affairs Preparation of the European Council on 13 and 14 December The presidency presented the draft agenda for the European Council. The draft agenda calls for discussion of a range of issues, including migration, police and judicial cooperation, the fight against terrorism, the Lisbon strategy for jobs and growth, climate change, sustainable development, maritime policy and external issues. There will be a fuller discussion at the 10 December GAERC. Maritime Policy The Commission presented a proposed action plan on Maritime Policy. France said maritime governance would be on its presidency agenda. A number of member states intervened to welcome the strategy and to flag up the importance of subsidiarity, the competitiveness of the EU fleet and environmental sustainability. Commission Legislative Programme 2008 The Commission presented the legislative programme for 2008. The programme's priorities include growth and jobs, sustainable prosperity in Europe, an integrated approach to migration and Europe as a world partner. External Relations Information on the EU-China and EU-India Summits The presidency updated member states on preparations for the EU-China and EU-India summits, underlining that these would be an important opportunity to discuss the current situation in Burma. Preparation of the EU-Africa Summit The presidency updated member states on its plans for the EU-Africa summit. Member states noted the draft strategy and action plan, to be finalised at Sharm el-Sheikh on 5 December. I intervened to emphasise UK support for the summit's objectives, but also concern that these should not be undermined by the attendance of President Mugabe. If he did attend, it was important there was substantive discussion of human rights and governance in Zimbabwe, in plenary with President Mugabe present. Pakistan I briefed partners on recent developments, highlighting the potential impact on EU objectives for the region. It was important to maintain pressure on President Musharraf to end the state of emergency and ensure free and fair elections, as set out in the presidency statement of 6 November. The presidency reiterated these points in its statement to the press following the Council. Russia The Council discussed the recent decision by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) not to monitor the Duma elections in Russia, in response to restrictions imposed by the Russian authorities. I intervened to underline UK support for ODIHR's election monitoring activities. The UK was deeply concerned and disappointed by the unprecedented restrictions and bureaucratic obstacles Russia had imposed, preventing ODIHR from observing the Duma elections. Middle East The high representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, briefed member states on his recent visit to the region and on preparations for the US-led conference in Annapolis. The Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner briefed partners on plans being drawn up by the Commission and Council Secretariat for EU practical support to any process to emerge from the conference in Annapolis. Conclusions were agreed setting out the EU's strong support for Annapolis and the efforts of Abbas and Olmert; its commitment to support negotiations between the parties through the EU Action plan; the need for the parties to take additional steps to meet previous commitments; and support for the goals of the Paris donors' conference. Conclusions were also adopted on Lebanon, expressing concern at the continuing impasse in electing a president, but welcoming continuing dialogue and calling for free and fair elections. Iran The high representative briefed partners on his latest contact with Iran. At my request, the presidency confirmed that a fuller discussion would take place at the December GAERC. Iraq Member states welcomed Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari to the GAERC. He briefed the Council on the current situation in Iraq and welcomed the recent visits of the French and Swedish Foreign Ministers. I intervened to emphasise the importance of the EU stepping up its engagement with Iraq, which was reflected in Council conclusions. These commit the EU to further support to Iraq through the UN, through humanitarian assistance and through support to the Government of Iraq in its work on the international compact and human rights. They also encourage engagement by Iraq's neighbours and call on the Governments of Iraq and Turkey to cooperate to ensure the integrity of the border and that Iraqi territory is not used for attacks on its neighbours. Western Balkans EU Troika representative Ambassador Ischinger briefed the Council on the negotiation process. I underlined that the EU had to be ready to set out its position in December and act resolutely thereafter if negotiations failed to produce agreement between the parties. Conclusions were agreed reaffirming EU support for Ambassador Ischinger, welcoming the conduct of elections in Kosovo, but regretting the poor turnout from the Kosovo Serb community and Belgrade's call for a boycott. Conclusions also expressed grave concern at the deteriorating political situation in Bosnia Herzegovina, reiterating the Council's full support for high representative and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak. Georgia The Council discussed recent developments in Georgia. Member states noted that, although the state of emergency had been lifted, media freedom remained of concern. It was important that the government of Georgia ensured that the right conditions were in place for free and fair presidential elections. Joint session of Foreign and Defence Ministers Chad, Central African Republic and Sudan Foreign and Defence Ministers met in joint session to discuss the proposed ESDP mission to Chad. The Secretary of State for Defence underlined UK political support for the proposed mission as a key element in a comprehensive regional approach. Conclusions were agreed on current operations and missions under the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), capability development including the European Defence Agency, Human Rights Issues and cooperation between the EU and the African Union in Strengthening African Capabilities. Defence Ministers European Defence Agency The head of the European Defence Agency, Alexander Weis, briefed Defence Ministers. Ministers also agreed the 2008 budget for the Agency, on the basis that earmarked funds would be drawn down on the basis of a fully worked up business case and in consultation with member states. Operation EUFOR ALTHEA (Bosnia-Herzegovina) The Operation Commander of EUFOR ALTHEA, General John McColl, briefed Ministers. There was a discussion of the current situation and agreement on the need to maintain pressure on the parties in Bosnia-Herzegovina, to maintain a credible EU force and to make progress on police reform. Military Capabilities The high representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, presented his report on the EU military staffs' strategic planning capacity. Ministers discussed the shortfalls highlighted in the Progress Catalogue. The Secretary of State for Defence highlighted the particular shortage of helicopters for EU operations and outlined options for improving deployability of existing, but currently unsuitable, aircraft. Slovenian presidency Priorities The Slovenian Defence Minister outlined the priorities for the Slovenian presidency, including further work on military capabilities and support for work on African peace and stability. Joint session of Development and Defence Ministers Security and Development Defence and Development Ministers met in joint session to discuss security and development. A number of partners intervened to emphasise the importance of security sector reform and of incorporating development issues into training for ESDP missions. Partners also stressed the importance of early progress on an action plan to take forward this agenda. Conclusions were agreed underlining that development and security considerations should inform EU strategies and policies in order to contribute to the coherence of EU external action. Conclusions highlighted the interdependence of work on security and development, the key role of the UN and the need for a strategic approach, reflecting CFSP priorities in development planning and vice versa. Development Ministers Orientation debate on the effectiveness of EU external action The annual orientation debate focussed on the development consequences of the new joint strategy and action plan, aimed at providing a comprehensive framework for EU-Africa relations from 2008-10, following presentation of a presidency paper. Towards an EU response to situations of fragility World Bank President Robert Zoellick briefed Ministers on the Bank's approach to fragility and work on climate change. Member states agreed on the need for rapid work to improve coordination on the ground and enhance the synergy of EU development instruments. Conclusions were agreed welcoming the Commission's paper on fragility, endorsing the OECD Development Assistance Committee's Principles for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations and calling for the comprehensive and forward-looking use of Community and Member State Development Instruments to address situations of fragility. Policy coherence for development Ministers discussed work on the policy coherence for development or beyond aid agenda. Progress had been made, but a number of member states called for increased momentum. The Secretary of State for International Development called for greater effort on achieving the millennium development goals (MDGs), further progress on reform of the common agricultural policy, development-friendly trade rules and urgent action to tackle climate change. Conclusions were agreed reporting on the role that EU policies other than development had in helping developing countries achieve the MDGs. They welcome the introduction of mechanisms into EU policy formation designed to improve policy coherence for development, but note that work remained to be done. Economic partnership Agreements (EPAs) Commissioner for Trade, Peter Mandelson, briefed Ministers on progress in negotiations with the African, Caribbean and Pacific states affected by EPAs. The Secretary of State for International Development underlined the importance agreement on EPAs being reached by the end of the year. Conclusions were agreed underlining EU commitment to the negotiations, endorsing the Commission's two step approach, that aimed to achieve agreement on market access for goods by the end of the year, and calling for maximum WTO-compatible flexibility in negotiating the agreements, respecting the right of the negotiating states to determine the best policies for their development. Advancing Agriculture in Africa Ministers discussed the Commission's communication on advancing agriculture in Africa. Conclusions were agreed recognising the importance of broad-based sustainable agricultural growth for poverty reduction and food security, and in attaining the millennium development goals (MDG) in Africa. They also welcome the decision by African heads of state to increase the share of national budgets allocated to agriculture and rural development. Partnership with Cape Verde Ministers welcomed Cape Verde's prospective graduation from LDC status at the beginning of 2008. AOB: Ratification on the Cotonou partnership Agreement Ministers updated the Council on progress in ratifying the Cotonou Partnership Agreement. The UK has completed the ratification process.