Foreign Affairs Council, 22/01/2018, 22 January 2018

Main results

Middle East Peace Process

The High Representative and the EU foreign ministers had an informal lunch with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the margins of the Council. The meeting was an opportunity for the European Union to reiterate its united and clear messages on the importance of preserving a two-state solution and the status of Jerusalem as future capital of two states.

We continue to promote the two-state solution. We oppose the settlement activity that we consider illegal under international law. To achieve this goal we need to speak and act wisely and consistently with a sense of responsibility. This is not the time to disengage; on the contrary. We believe Palestinians and Israelis need to show, more than ever before, their engagement with the international community, with key actors in this process, so that we can together work towards a negotiated outcome. Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Ahead of the informal lunch, the Council held discussions on the latest developments in the Middle East Peace Process. Ministers looked at how the EU can help ensure engagement by all relevant players in order to advance the peace process.

• Middle East peace process (EEAS)

Libya

The Council held a debate on Libya. The UN Secretary General's Special Representative Ghassam Salamé gave an overview of the state of play of the political process, including progress towards the adoption of a new Constitution and the forthcoming elections. He received the full support of foreign ministers in his efforts to bring about unity and reconciliation in the country. 

Foreign ministers also discussed the importance of EU engagement in Libya as a way of supporting the UN in its efforts to bring about political stability, as well as those UN agencies working to address the situation of migrants in Libya. Ministers also highlighted the importance of continuing to work with countries of origin, in particular in the Sahel region.

• EU-Libya relations (EEAS)

Future relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific states

Foreign ministers had an initial exchange on the Commission's recommendation and draft negotiating directives of 12 December 2017 for a future agreement between the EU and the ACP countries, as the current agreement framing the partnership, the Cotonou agreement, is due to expire on 29 February 2020. 

Foreign ministers expressed their broad support for the Commission's approach to move towards an umbrella agreement at ACP level combined with three regional tailored partnerships for Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. They underlined the importance of building on the experience gained through cooperation under the existing Cotonou agreement, in particular on political dialogue and on migration. 

Discussions on the negotiating mandate will continue within relevant Council preparatory bodies, with a view to adopting a decision authorising the opening of negotiations and the negotiating directives within the first semester of 2018.

• Cotonou Agreement (background information)