The General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) is meeting in Brussels on 14–15 September. Preparations ahead of the upcoming EU summit on 29–30 October, the situation in Afghanistan following the elections, the EU’s approach towards Iran and the EU’s relations with the Southern Caucasus are important issues on the agenda. Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström and Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will chair the Council meetings.

Photo: Lucy Nicholson, REUTERS/Scanpix

A woman with an ink-stained finger holds her identification card as she waits to vote in the presidential elections at a polling station in Kabul, August 20, 2009.

Council prepares for EU summit in October
At the General Affairs Council, Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström will present the agenda for the meeting of the European Council taking place on 29–30 October. The main issues expected to be discussed at the European Council meeting on 29–30 October are the Lisbon Treaty, in the light of the Irish referendum on 2 October, climate change, economic and financial issues, the Baltic Sea Strategy and migration issues. The EU ministers will also follow up the issue of security of energy supply discussed at the European Council meeting on 18–19 June. 

Foreign ministers to discuss Afghanistan after the presidential elections
The foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Afghanistan after the first round of the presidential elections on 20 August. According to preliminary results, Hamid Karzai has won the first round of the presidential elections with over 50 per cent of the votes, which means that a second round probably will not take place (50 per cent  is the threshold over which a second round of elections is not required). The legitimacy of the elections has been questioned amid allegations of electoral rigging. At the Council meeting, the ministers will discuss the election and the consequences brought by a new government. A discussion on the EU's approach to the new government may also take place.