Foreign Affairs Council, 19/06/2017, 19 June 2017

Main results

Gulf Crisis

EU foreign ministers discussed the current crisis in the Gulf region.

EU ministers urged de-escalation of the crisis through dialogue and negotiation. They expressed their full support for the mediation efforts of Kuwait.

"Foreign ministers gave a strong message of unity and determination of the European Union to back the Kuwaiti mediation efforts. They need all our support and we stand ready to help."

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Ministers highlighted that the crisis requires urgent resolution and that Gulf unity is important to the EU but also vital for the stability of the region. 

The High Representative recalled that the EU values its bilateral relations with all parties concerned, as well as its relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

EU-NATO cooperation

Foreign ministers discussed EU-NATO cooperation with NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller. The discussion was based on a joint progress report by the EU High Representative and the Secretary-General of NATO. The Council adopted conclusions on the report, welcoming progress in the implementation of the common set of proposals and calling for further steps in the same direction.

• EU-NATO cooperation: Council welcomes progress made (press release, 19/06/2017)
• EU cooperation on security and defence (background information)

Counter-terrorism

Foreign ministers debated the external aspects of counter-terrorism, a timely discussion in view of the recent attacks in the EU and beyond. They underlined that counter-terrorism is the highest security priority for the EU. The Council adopted conclusions on counter-terrorism.

• EU external action on counter-terrorism: Council adopts conclusions
• EU fight against terrorism (background information)

Iraq

The Council discussed Iraq, focussing on the latest developments, in particular in Mosul and Nineveh province, and on the future stabilisation of the country. The Council adopted conclusions.

• Iraq: Council adopts conclusions

Migration  

Foreign ministers discussed the external aspects of migration in preparation for the European Council of 22-23 June. They took stock of the progress made on the Partnership Framework.

Ministers expressed their continued support for the current approach, which they considered should be strengthened in order to produce more results, given the number of lives being lost on the Central Mediterranean Route. Cooperation with partner countries should be reinforced with a view to further fighting traffickers, reducing the number of arrivals of irregular migrants to the EU and ensuring returns and readmission.  Supporting improved migration management in Libya with a view to helping protect  migrants and refugees also continues to be a key objective for the EU.

• Partnership Framework on Migration: Commission reports on results and lessons learnt one year on, press release of 13 June 2017

EU Global Strategy

The Council had a discussion on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, on the basis of a report presented by the High Representative on the first year of implementation.

Foreign ministers welcomed the report and highlighted the important work achieved over  the year, not only in the area of security and defence cooperation, but also in building the resilience of states and societies in the East and South, and on advancing an integrated approach to conflicts and crises.

They welcomed the ongoing work on updating existing or preparing new regional and thematic strategies. In this context, the Council adopted conclusions on global maritime security.

• One-year report Global Strategy implementation report
• Council adopts conclusions on global maritime security