Foreign Affairs Council, 19/05/2017, 19 May 2017

Main results

"We believe that investing in development, in peacekeeping, in humanitarian aid, in climate change is is an essential part of our security and foreign policy"

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy

European consensus on development

The Council adopted a new European consensus on development, in the form of a joint statement by the Parliament, the Council and the Commission, setting out a new framework for development cooperation for the EU and its member states.

The new European consensus for development is the EU's response to the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development and a key EU deliverable at UN level. It sets out the main principles which will guide the approach of the EU and the member states to cooperation with all developing countries over the next 15 years, as well as a strategy for reaching the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

• Press release on the new European consensus on development, 19 May 2017

Humanitarian crises

Ministers discussed how to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Africa, Yemen and Syria. Those regions are currently facing major crises caused by conflicts in north-eastern Nigeria, South Sudan, Yemen and Syria, and by droughts in Somalia and to a lesser extent in parts of Kenya and Ethiopia. The crises have given rise to widespread devastation and displacement of population, acute food and nutrition insecurity and a shortage of essential health care.

In light of the risks posed by this situation, ministers discussed possible options to address the most urgent humanitarian needs and to avoid further escalation of the crises. They stressed the importance of diplomatic and political solutions to support peace and security.

They also examined ways to improve coordination between humanitarian and development aid instruments and effective joint initiatives of both fields. They adopted conclusions addressing this issue.

• Council conclusions on operationalising the humanitarian-development nexus, press release of 19 May 2017

EU-ACP relations post 2020

Ministers had an exchange of views on future relations between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, in view of the expiry of the Cotonou Agreement in 2020.

The discussion took place on the basis of a joint communication from the European Commission and High Representative Federica Mogherini, adopted on 22 November 2016, notably on the options proposed on the three main aspects: the structure of the future relationship, the nature of the possible agreement, and the geographical coverage.

• Joint communication - A renewed partnership with the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific