Foreign Affairs Council, 20/06/2016, 20 June 2016

Main results

With our discussion on Sahel and the decision on the extension of EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia, we remain very much focused on our work on migration and to continue fighting human smugglers and traffickers. Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Sahel 

The Council discussed the EU comprehensive approach to security and development in the Sahel region and adopted conclusions. 

Ministers discussed how to strengthen the political dialogue and partnership further with G5 countries on security, migration and development, including possibly through strengthening the regional dimension of ongoing missions EUCAP Sahel Mali and EUCAP Sahel Niger and the operation EUTM Mali. 

The High representative debriefed ministers on the G5 Sahel ministerial meeting held in Brussels on 17 June and her meeting in the margins with Libya, Chad and Niger on border management. She also informed about the ongoing work on partnership frameworks,  which in Sahel concern Mali and Niger. Ministers were also briefed on the state of play of the Emergency trust fund for Africa, which has reached a total of EUR 2.3 billion of EU funds, and under which EUR 530 million have already been committed to projects in the Sahel region. In the discussion, ministers also underlined the importance of the full implementation of the Mali peace agreement, exactly one year after its signature.

• Council conclusions on the Sahel

EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia

The Council extended until 27 July 2017 the mandate of the EUNAFOR MED Operation Sophia, the EU naval operation to disrupt the business model of human smugglers and traffickers in the Southern Central Mediterranean. The Council also reinforced the operation's mandate by adding two supporting tasks: training of the Libyan coastguards and navy and contributing to the implementation of the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya.

• EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia: mandate extended by one year, two new tasks added

Middle East peace process 

Ministers had a discussion on the Middle East peace process, in light of the ministerial meeting on a Middle East peace initiative which took place in Paris on 3 June 2016. Ministers were briefed by the EU Special Representative to the Middle East Fernando Gentilini, who notably informed about the state of play on the forthcoming Quartet report.

• Council conclusions on the Middle East peace process