EU Foreign Affairs Council: 23 June 2014
EU Foreign Affairs Council: Support for Ukraine peace plan, condemnation of ISIS
The monthly meeting of all 28 Foreign Ministers of EU members took place against a backdrop of continuing violence in Ukraine and Iraq in crisis. The meeting, which is chaired by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, endorsed the Ukrainian President's peace plan and heard from its new Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. They also discussed the latest developments in Iraq with UN Special Representative Nikolay Mladenov.
The meeting, which was held in Luxembourg on 23 June, also adopted the EU's annual report on human rights and democracy in the world in 2013 and welcomed the 10th anniversary of the EU guidelines on human rights defenders.
Ukraine: support for Poroshenko peace plan, Association Agreement to be signed Friday
At the meeting Foreign Ministers discussed the situation with Ukraine's new Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and in particular dwelt on President Petro Poroshenko's peace plan for Ukraine. The Minsters supported the plan as a major chance for de-escalation and called on all sides to honour a ceasefire and create the conditions needed to implement the plan.
Speaking at a press conference afterwards Catherine Ashton, said: "we called in particular of course on Russia to support the plan and use its influence to ensure its implementation. We want to see the spiral of violence ending and we called on all sides to do their maximum to protect civilians and to let humanitarian organisations do their job."
The Council also agreed to establish a Common Security and Defence Policy mission to assist Ukraine in the field of civilian security sector reform, including police and rule of law. In that regard, the Council approved a related crisis management concept so that operational planning can be pursued with a view to an early deployment in the summer.
In addition, the Council completed the preparatory work for the full signature of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. As part of the EU's non-recognition policy vis à vis the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, the Council also prohibited the import of goods from Crimea and Sevastopol if they don't have Ukrainian certificates.
Iraq: Condemnation of ISIS, support for Iraqi authorities
Ministers debated the latest developments in Iraq with Nikolay Mladenov, UN Special Representative for Iraq. The Council expressed its deep concern about the rapidly deteriorating security situation, strongly condemning the attacks perpetrated by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
The Council reiterated the EU's support to the Iraqi authorities in the fight against terrorism, emphasising that the security response needs to be combined with a sustainable political solution involving all Iraqi leaders and communities. In response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis, the Commission brought total EU humanitarian funding for 2014 to €12 million.
Speaking after the meeting Catherine Ashton said "there is great concern on the rapidly deteriorating situation, including the latest reports this morning that ISIS having taken control of a number of border posts to Syria and Jordan." She went on to say that "as well as a serious security crisis, this is a major humanitarian disaster. We are doing all we can to help, and we already made available 12 million euros in humanitarian assistance. EU ministers remain firmly committed to Iraq's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is essential for the stability of the whole region. And together with our international partners, we will continue to support the Iraqi authorities in their fight against terrorism."
Egypt: Sentences draw concern
Ministers also discussed the sentences pronounced today against journalists in Egypt. The High Representative said: "Ministers around the table were extremely concerned about the sentences pronounced this morning against the Al Jazeera journalists, and those pronounced in absentia against a number of European journalists. We've also expressed great concern about the death sentences against more than 180 people in Minya and the recent decision by the court to start the process of imposing death sentences against 14 leading figures from the Islamist movement."
Link between conflict and minerals examined
The Council adopted the following conclusions on the Union's approach on responsible sourcing of mineral saying that "the Council recalls that trade in minerals holds great potential for development. However, when minerals are sourced from conflict-affected and high-risk areas their trade can intensify or perpetuate violent conflict and undermine development, stabilization efforts, good governance, human rights and the rule of law. Breaking the links between conflict and minerals extraction is a complex challenge and one that is critical to stability and peace.
Kidnap for ransom
In the light of recent notorious kidnapping cases, Ministers also strongly condemn the use of kidnapping for ransom by terrorist groups and unequivocally reject the payment of ransoms and political concessions to terrorists. They expressed grave concern about the threat posed by kidnapping for ransom by terrorist groups, in particular in West Africa, Yemen and Syria.
EU guidelines on human rights defenders
The Council adopted the following conclusions on the 10th anniversary of the EU guidelines on human rights defenders saying that on the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the EU Guidelines on human rights defenders, the Council reiterated its strong support to human rights defenders all over the world and paid respect to their efforts to promote and protect human rights in often difficult environments. The right of every individual to exercise their freedom of expression, opinion, association and assembly to promote all human rights and fundamental freedoms is indisputable.
Links:
Ukraine
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Council conclusions
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press release on the CSDP mission
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press release on trade restrictions with Crimea and press release on the Association Agreement .
Iraq
Human rights and democracy in the world in 2013
