Foreign Affairs Council, 17-18/11/2014, 17-18 November 2014

Council supports a relaunch of the dialogue on Ukraine

At a Foreign Council Affairs meeting chaired by Federica Mogherini, EU foreign ministers discussed the state of play in Ukraine on 17 November, and on 18 November EU defence ministers talked about security and defence. 

Ukraine was the main focus of this month's Foreign Affairs Council. EU ministers had an extensive discussion on recent events in the region, the prospects for peace and Ukraine's reform agenda.

Following the recent heavy shelling and reports of armed convoys moving into separatist-held areas from across the Russian border, the Council urged all parties to implement fully the Minsk Protocol and to respect the conditions of the ceasefire.

The EU has a major role to play in averting further deterioration of the military, socioeconomic and humanitarian situation. The Council supports renewed dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow to resolve the issue.

New sanctions under consideration

Having assessed the situation on the ground, EU ministers asked the EEAS and the European Commission to present a proposal on further sanctions against separatists.

The Council will continue to follow the situation on the ground closely and decide whether such sanctions should be applied.

Ukraine reforms

The Council welcomed the holding of parliamentary elections on 26 October and called for the rapid formation of a new government.

EU ministers asked the authorities in Kyiv to commit to pursuing administrative and economic reforms, including constitutional changes and greater decentralisation.

The Council also set 1 December 2014 as the launch date for the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine).

18 November 2014: security and defence on the Council's agenda

EU defence ministers meeting in the defence format of Foreign Affairs Council discussed the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). 

EU leaders will discuss the goals of the CSDP at the June 2015 European Council meeting. They have called for a more efficient policy, a stronger defence industry and a boost in military capabilities.

In the presence of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, EU defence ministers discussed the situation in the broader European neighbourhood (mainly Ukraine, Iraq, Syria and Libya). They also looked at the status of the five European military operations in Bosnia, the Central African Republic, Mali, Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.

Other topics on the agenda

Middle East

EU foreign ministers took stock of developments in the Middle East peace process, following the High Representative's trip to the region. The EU is deeply concerned at the growing tension and increasing violence on the ground.

The EU is particularly eager to restart discussions on a peace process for the region, with US Secretary John Kerry, within the UN Security Council framework, as well as at regional level with other Arab countries.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Based on the initiatives of certain member states, EU foreign ministers discussed Bosnia and Herzegovina's prospects for EU membership. The High Representative mentioned that ministers agreed to launch a process on a new basis without altering the conditions attached to the enlargement process.

Ebola

EU Ebola coordinator Christos Stylianides briefed the Council on the key findings and priorities for action he has identified following his recent trip to West Africa.

The Council welcomed his commitment to strengthening the European Union's collective response and coordinate his work with the United Nations, regional organisations and other key partners.

Libya

EU ministers also discussed the work done by Bernadino León, UN Special Envoy for Libya, the UN's mediation efforts in the country and how the EU can support Libya in setting up a stable, democratic and inclusive state.

Ministers also adopted without discussion:

• a cyber defence policy framework
• a policy framework to improve long-term defence cooperation
• conclusions on the action plan on visa liberalisation for Georgia