Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the 13 November, 2006, EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39580/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The November General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting included a Joint Session of Foreign and Defence Ministers. Ireland was represented by my colleagues, Noel Treacy, T.D., Minister for European Affairs and Tom Kitt, T.D. Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Defence. The Vice President of the European Commission, Commissioner Margot Wallström, presented the main elements of the Commission's work programme for 2007. The programme focuses on four priority areas:continuing to build prosperity under the Lisbon Strategy; developing social solidarity; protecting Europeans against the threat of crime, terrorism, communicable diseases; developing a strong EU voice in the world. The Presidency introduced the annotated draft agenda for the European Council to be held in Brussels on 14/15 December 2006. The issues to be addressed by the European Council are Enlargement; Justice and Home Affairs; Innovation and Energy; and External Relations. The GAERC will finalise the European Council agenda at its December meeting.

Ministers received a briefing from Mr. Martti Ahtisaari, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the future status process for Kosovo, and held a discussion on EU policy towards Kosovo. Also on the Western Balkans, the Council adopted negotiation mandates for visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. A negotiation mandate was adopted for a visa facilitation agreement with Albania (with which the EU already has a readmission agreement). The Council discussed EU relations with Russia and considered, but did not conclude, draft negotiating Directives for a new Agreement to provide a comprehensive framework for EU-Russia relations. As regards relations with Uzbekistan, the Council decided to extend the arms embargo and visa restriction imposed in connection with the events at Andijan in May 2005. It decided to reinstate technical meetings with Uzbekistan with the aim of bringing about improvements in the human rights situation.

At a Joint Session for Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, High Representative Solana and Commissioner Michel provided a positive assessment of the political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following the second and final round of parliamentary elections in that country. Ministers also discussed Afghanistan, and the possibility for an enhanced EU contribution to international efforts to stabilise the political and security situation there. Finally, the Joint Session reviewed developments in the European Security and Defence Policy over the last six months, noting inter alia the activity report of the Head of the European Defence Agency, and the outcome of the Civilian Capabilities Improvement Conference held in the margins of the Council. Over lunch, the Council discussed Enlargement, Middle East Peace Process and Iran.

The Commission summarised its recent Communication on Enlargement which included an individual assessment of all candidate and potential candidate countries as well as an overall enlargement strategy paper. The Commission's strategy paper will form the basis of a comprehensive debate on all aspects of enlargement, due to take place at the December European Council. As expected, substantive discussion on the strategy paper did not take place at last week's GAERC. On Turkey, whose failure to implement the Ankara Protocol has given rise to difficulties in the accession negotiations, the Commission stated that it would bring forward its recommendations ahead of the December GAERC.

On the Middle East, Ministers reviewed recent political and security developments in Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon, and discussed the prospects for a Government of national unity in Palestine. The Council decided to extend the EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point for a further six months. On Iran, High Representative Javier Solana informed Ministers that little progress had been made up to that point in discussion at the UN Security Council on a draft Resolution on the Iranian nuclear issue.