FOREIGN MINISTERS' INFORMAL (GYMNICH)
MEETING, SEPTEMBER 2006
Letter from Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, Minister
for Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Chairman
The EU Foreign Ministers' Informal meeting (Gymnich)
took place in Lappeenranta on 1-2 September 2006. I represented
the UK.
The agenda items were as follows:
MIDDLE EAST
Discussions at the Gymnich affirmed the need
to move forward the Middle East Peace Process, with Partners exchanging
views on how the EU could best contribute. On Lebanon, External
Relations Commissioner, Ferrero-Waldner reported on the Stockholm
donors' conference on 31 August, noting that the Commission had
pledged €118 million. Member States reaffirmed their commitment
to the implementation of UNSCR 1701, including through a substantial
European contribution to the UNIFIL force in Southern Lebanon.
IRAN
Ministers discussed Iran in the light of UNSCR
1696 and the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency
on 31 August on Iranian non-compliance. Ministers agreed to return
to the issue at the General Affairs and External Relations Council
on 15 September and in the meantime expressed their support for
the role of the High Representative, Javier Solana in Iran.
EU-RUSSIA
Partners exchanged views on the options available
to the EU in pursuing a long-term relationship with Russia, including
a possible successor agreement to the Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement between the EU and Russia which runs until 2007.
8 September 2006
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