The General Affairs Council today discussed and adopted conclusions on the countries involved in the EU's enlargement. At the Foreign Affairs Council, ministers sent a clear signal about the need for the parties to resume negotiations on the peace process in the Middle East. The Council meeting was chaired by Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.

"These two days have been unique in an EU context, as it was the first meeting of foreign ministers under the Treaty of Lisbon. It was also the last meeting of the EU's foreign ministers ever being chaired by the rotating Presidency", says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.

The EU calls on the parties involved in the Middle East peace process to resume talks

The foreign ministers discussed and adopted conclusions on the Middle East peace process and on the latest developments in the region. The EU is concerned about the lack of progress in the peace process and urges the parties to resume talks to reach a viable two-state solution. The ministers also expressed concern over the situation in eastern Jerusalem.

“With today's meeting, we are sending out a clear and concrete signal on the EU's view of the peace process in the Middle East. It is obvious that there is a lack of clear progress. We therefore encourage each of the parties to take responsibility and to take steps towards resuming the process", says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.

The foreign ministers also adopted a declaration on Afghanistan, adopted conclusions on the Arctic and discussed Iran ahead of the meeting of the European Council on 10-11 December. 
 

Ministers adopted conclusions on enlargement countries

The General Affairs Council discussed and adopted conclusions on the countries included in the EU's enlargement process. The conclusions are based on the Commission's annual ‘enlargement package' presented in October. The package contains a strategy for continued enlargement of the EU and reports on all countries included in the enlargement process.

“We have had two successful days. We spent the majority of the meeting discussing enlargement. In the Council conclusions we reiterate the importance of continuing work on bringing these countries closer to the EU. In the case of the countries on the Western Balkans we took particularly important steps forward in our view on how this should be done.

“When it comes to Serbia, it should be mentioned that we for the last few days have taken significant steps in bringing the country closer to the EU, with the decisions on visa liberalisation when travelling to the EU that was taken the other day and the discussions at the Council meeting.

“When it comes to Iceland, the Council will return to the issue on accession negotiations as soon as the new Commission takes up the reins in the new year. There was no discussion on this issue", says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.

The issue of EU enlargement will be addressed by heads of state and government during the European Council. The conclusions from the European Council will build on the conclusions from the General Affairs Council.

Dinner with the newly appointed Catherine Ashton

On Monday evening, the ministers for Foreign Affairs had dinner together with the newly appointed High Representative Catherine Ashton. The topic of discussion during dinner was the EU's role in the world. 

Eastern Partnership Meeting

In connection with the General Affairs Council, the EU's ministers for Foreign Affairs met their colleagues from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus within the Eastern Partnership framework. Read more about the meeting via the link "Support for increased cooperation over the EU's eastern border" on the right.

One Council constellation becomes two

With the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December, the Council for General Affairs and External Relations (GAERC) has been divided into two separate councils: The General Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs Council. General coordination of EU policies and preparations ahead of EU summits will take place in the General Affairs Council. Issues related to foreign affairs will be dealt with in the Foreign Affairs Council.