FOREIGN MINISTERS' INFORMAL (GYMNICH)
MEETING, MARCH 2007
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 Bremen on 30-31 March 2007. My Right Honourable
Friend the Foreign Secretary represented the UK.
The agenda items were as follows:
WESTERN BALKANS
Foreign Ministers discussed UN Status Envoy
Martti Ahtisaari's proposals to the UN Security Council on the
future status of Kosovo and agreed on the need to work towards
a UN Security Council Resolution which would pave the way for
implementing the status settlement.
There was reaffirmed support for Ahtisaari's
proposals along the lines set out in Conclusions from the February
General Affairs and External Relations Council, which express
full support for Ahtisaari and his efforts in conducting the political
process to determine Kosovo's future status and the EU's readiness
to play a role in the implementation of the status settlement.
EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD
POLICY
Foreign Ministers had a broad ranging discussion
of the European Neighbourhood Policy. There was support for work
underway by the Presidency and Commission to strengthen the policy.
BELARUS
High Representative for the Common Foreign and
Security Policy Javier Solana briefed Foreign Ministers on recent
discussions between Helga Schmid, Head of the Secretariat's Policy
Unit, and the Belarusian authorities.
CENTRAL ASIA
The Presidency briefed the meeting on the Ministerial
Troika with the five Central Asian Foreign Ministers in Astana
on 28 March.
MIDDLE EAST
PEACE PROCESS
High Representative for the Common Foreign and
Security Policy Javier Solana briefed partners on the recent Arab
League meeting.
Foreign Ministers discussed the EU's reaction
to the Palestinian National Unity Government and ways the EU can
support negotiations between the parties.
Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on capacity
building and the Commission's proposals for a new International
Mechanism for Support to the Palestinians.
IRAN
My Right Honourable Friend the Foreign Secretary
briefed partners on developments since the seizure of 15 service
personnel on HMS Cornwall. Foreign Ministers agreed a statement
of support for the UK deploring Iran's detention of the personnel,
calling for their immediate return and undertaking to decide on
further measures if the 15 are not released.
Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on Iran's
nuclear programme following the adoption of UN Security Council
Resolution 1747 on 24 March.
SUDAN
Foreign Ministers discussed the deteriorating
humanitarian and security situation in Sudan and will return to
the issue at the next General Affairs External Relations Council
in April.
ZIMBABWE
My Right Honourable Friend the Foreign Secretary
underlined the gravity of the situation in Zimbabwe and called
for resolute EU action against those responsible for the government's
excessive use of force against the opposition.
DRC
Foreign Ministers discussed recent events in
Kinshasa.
SOMALIA
Foreign Ministers discussed the renewed violence
in Mogadishu and an upcoming visit by the EU Troika to discuss
preparations for a reconciliation conference with the Transitional
Federal Government.
BALLISTIC MISSILE
DEFENCE
Ballistic Missile Defence was raised briefly.
Foreign Ministers looked forward to discussion in NATO.
7 April 2007
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