• Council of the EU

Foreign Affairs Council, 28 May 2018

Highlights of the Foreign Affairs Council of 28 May 2018, in Brussels.

EU will continue to support the Iran nuclear deal despite US withdrawal

Main results

Iran

The Foreign Affairs Council held a debate on Iran, in particular the Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), following the US withdrawal from the agreement as announced on 8 May. The debate followed up on the EU leaders' discussion in Sofia on 16 May, when they unanimously agreed that the EU will stay in the agreement as long as Iran remains fully committed to it, and gave the Commission a green light to be ready to act whenever European interests are affected.

Ministers underlined the importance of preserving the JCPOA, which is key for the security of the region, and in turn, for Europe and beyond. They also welcomed the steps already taken by the European Commission to protect European companies who have engaged with Iran following the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions. They commended all efforts, notably those of the High Representative and the E3 foreign ministers (France, Germany, the UK) to ensure that Iran continues implementing the agreement, whose goal is to prevent the country from developing a nuclear weapon.

We reconfirmed the strong political message of unity in respect to the nuclear deal with Iran. For the European Union, this is not about economic interests, it is about security. Because in the absence of the nuclear deal with Iran, we believe the security of the region and of Europe would be at stake.

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Ministers also touched upon other issues outside the scope of the JCPOA, in particular the EU's concerns over Iran's ballistic missiles programme and the role of Iran in regional conflicts, not least in Syria and Yemen, as well as the human rights situation. These issues are being addressed outside the JCPOA. Most recently, the EU led an effort involving several member states to engage with Iran on Yemen, with a meeting taking place at diplomatic level in Rome on 3 May to discuss concrete steps to build confidence.

Foreign ministers also stressed the importance of the EU to the transatlantic relationship, and the need to continue engaging the US, a long-standing partner and ally, on all issues, including Iran.

Venezuela

Foreign ministers exchanged views on Venezuela, following the presidential and regional elections on 20 May and the re-election of Nicolás Maduro for a second six-year term. The Council adopted conclusions on Venezuela, stressing that the elections and the outcome lacked credibility as the electoral process did not provide the necessary guarantees for inclusive and democratic elections. Against this background, the EU calls for the holding of fresh presidential elections in accordance with internationally recognised democratic standards and the Venezuelan constitutional order.

The conclusions state that in this context EU will act swiftly, according to established procedures, with the aim of imposing additional targeted and reversible restrictive measures that do not harm the Venezuelan population, whose plight the EU wishes to alleviate.

Gaza

Over lunch, foreign ministers discussed the situation in Gaza following recent developments, including in relation to the move of the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. They agreed on the need to act immediately to avoid further loss of life, including by improving humanitarian access. They also stressed the importance of reviving a political process, and re-confirmed the united EU position on the need to find a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Council discussed the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Foreign ministers stressed the importance of following the electoral process which is expected to lead to the general election scheduled for 23 December 2018 in a credible, legitimate, consensual and inclusive way. Ministers also expressed their concern over the dire humanitarian situation, in the light of the recent Ebola outbreak.

Post-Cotonou agreement

Foreign ministers took stock of progress in the preparations of a Council decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations on the future partnership between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries (post-Cotonou agreement).

The Council asked EU Ambassadors (COREPER) to continue, in the coming days, the work aimed at the finalisation and adoption of the negotiating mandate under the leadership of the Bulgarian Presidency.