Foreign Affairs Council, 03/04/2017, 3 April 2017

Main results

Syria

Foreign ministers discussed the situation in Syria, ahead of the Brussels Conference on Supporting the future of Syria and the region on 4-5 April 2017. The Council adopted the EU strategy for Syria.

"It is essential to keep the focus of the international community on the situation in Syria, as we enter the seventh year of the conflict. This requires not only humanitarian support but also a commitment to facilitate a political solution to the conflict, including a genuine, meaningful and inclusive political transition. " 

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

• Council conclusions on an EU strategy for Syria, 3 April 2017
• Supporting the future of Syria and the region - Conference website

Yemen

As the conflict in Yemen enters its third year, ministers addressed the political and humanitarian situation in the country, which continues to deteriorate. 17 million Yemenis depend on external aid for their survival, and 7.3 million are at serious risk of famine. The Council adopted conclusions.

"The EU will never allow this to become a forgotten crisis."

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The Council expressed its readiness to increase its efforts to support the United Nations in its search for a political settlement to the crisis, and to increase humanitarian assistance to the population across the country to meet the growing needs.

• Council conclusions on Yemen
• Factsheet - Yemen and the EU

Libya

The Council discussed the situation in Libya. The High Representative debriefed ministers on the first Quartet meeting on Libya on 18 March 2017, in which she participated on behalf of the EU, joining the United Nations, African Union and League of Arab States with the aim of finding a solution to the crisis in Libya. In the discussion, ministers underlined the EU's commitment to supporting Libyans in finding unity and stability  for their country within the framework of the Libyan Political Agreement.