Raad Buitenlandse Zaken, 13/11/2017, 13 november 2017

Agenda highlights

Current affairs

The Foreign Affairs Council will start by a review of pressing issues on the international  agenda. The High Representative and foreign ministers may touch upon:

• the situation in Myanmar/Burma
• the latest developments on the implementation of the JCPOA (Iran Deal) following the visit of the High Representative to Washington (6-7 November)
• the situation in Venezuela, on which the Council is expected to adopt conclusions

EU-Africa relations

The Foreign Affairs Council will discuss Africa-EU relations ahead of the 5th African Union - EU Summit, taking place on 29-30 November in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

• EU-Africa relations (background information)

• 5th African Union - EU Summit, 29-30/11/2017

EU strategic communications

Foreign ministers will take stock of the current work on EU strategic communications, in particular in the East but also in the South and in the Balkans. They will have an exchange of views.

• East StratCom Task Force (EEAS)

Security and defence

Over lunch, foreign ministers and defence ministers will exchange views on security and defence in the context of the implementation of the EU Global Strategy. The Council will adopt conclusions on security and defence.

• EU cooperation on security and defence (background information)

Permanent structured cooperation (PESCO)

In the margins of the Council, member states wishing to join PESCO are expected to jointly sign the notification letter addressed to the Council and the High Representative.

• Factsheet on the permanent structured cooperation (EEAS)

EU-NATO cooperation

EU defence ministers will discuss EU-NATO cooperation with the Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg.

• Factsheet on EU-NATO cooperation (EEAS)

EDA steering board meeting

The meeting of the European Defence Agency's steering board with defence ministers is expected to be held after the Foreign Affairs Council (defence).

• Website of the European Defence Agency