Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 18.07.16

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Council of the
European Union
EN
11355/16
(OR. en)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRESSE 42
PR CO 41
OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
3482nd Council meeting
Foreign Affairs
Brussels, 18 July 2016
President Federica Mogherini
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy
Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2015-16
UPN Alm.del Bilag 270
Offentligt
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1
 Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated
in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks.
  Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's internet site
(http://www.consilium.europa.eu).
  Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by
an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's internet site or may be obtained from the Press
Office.
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CONTENTS1
ITEMS DEBATED
Fight against terrorism .........................................................................................................................4
EU Global strategy...............................................................................................................................6
China....................................................................................................................................................7
Latin America ......................................................................................................................................8
Migration..............................................................................................................................................9
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
– Somalia.................................................................................................................................................................. 10
– Afghanistan ........................................................................................................................................................... 10
– Pakistan ................................................................................................................................................................. 11
– South Sudan........................................................................................................................................................... 11
– Preparation of the EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial meeting ..................................................................... 11
– EU- Lebanon Euro-Mediterranean agreement - Protocols on accession of several countries to the EU and
on participation in EU programmes....................................................................................................................... 11
– EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Council............................................................................................... 12
– Decision on the conclusion of a protocol for the participation of Azerbaijan in EU programmes ........................ 12
– EU priorities at the United Nations and the 71st UNGA....................................................................................... 12
– Restrictive measures against the Democratic Republic of Congo ......................................................................... 12
– EUCAP Sahel Niger.............................................................................................................................................. 13
– EU-Central America association council agreement ............................................................................................. 13
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COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY
– Code of conduct and discipline for EU civilian CSDP missions........................................................................... 13
– Staff regulations of the European Union Institute for Security Studies................................................................. 13
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
– Schengen Evaluation - Netherlands....................................................................................................................... 13
TRADE
– EU-Jordan Euro-Mediterranean agreement - Rules of origin - Syrian refugees.................................................... 14
– EU-Egypt Euro-Mediterranean agreement -Protocol on accession of Croatia to the EU...................................... 14
EMPLOYMENT
– Union for the Mediterranean ministerial conference on Employment and Labour ............................................... 14
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ITEMS DEBATED
Fight against terrorism
In the aftermath of the attack in Nice, ministers discussed the fight against terrorism. They observed
a minute of silence at 12.00 to pay tribute to the victims. Ministers expressed their condolences to
France, expressed their solidarity and readiness to continue supporting France in the Sahel and in all
external operations, also on the basis of article 42.7, as invoked by France in November 2015. They
also discussed the ongoing work on counter-terrorism.
Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy underlined that all
ministers agreed that we need to eradicate the roots of the hatred that we saw hitting Nice, Dhaka,
Bagdad and other places in Europe, Africa, in the Arab world and in Asia. She noted that it's a
common threat to all of us, and that only a common approach that can be the answer.
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Turkey
Over lunch, EU ministers discussed the latest development in Turkey. The Council then adopted the
following conclusions:
"The EU strongly condemns the attempted coup in Turkey and reiterates its full support to the
legitimate institutions of the country. It deplores the high number of casualties and stands in
solidarity with the Turkish people. The EU welcomes the common position of the political parties in
support of Turkey's democracy.
The EU calls for restraint to be shown by Turkish authorities, including by the police and security
forces. All must be done to avoid further violence, to protect lives and to restore calm.
The EU calls for the full observance of Turkey's constitutional order and stresses the importance of
the rule of law prevailing. It is crucial to ensure full respect for all democratic institutions of the
country including the elected government and the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The EU
underlines the need to respect democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms and the right of
everyone to a fair trial in full compliance with the European Convention for the Protection of
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, including Protocol 13 on the abolition of the death
penalty. In this context, the EU recalls that the unequivocal rejection of the death penalty is an
essential element of the Union acquis.
Turkey is a candidate country and a key partner for the European Union. The EU remains
committed to working together with a democratic, inclusive and stable Turkey to address our
common challenges."
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EU Global strategy
EU foreign ministers had a discussion on the follow-up to be given to the EU global strategy on
foreign and security policy that the High Representative presented to the European Council on 28
June. The strategy is intended to guide the EU foreign and security policy in the years to come.
Ministers welcomed the document and expressed their readiness to continue the work in the
implementation phase.
The High Representative concluded the debate underlining her intent to present in the Autumn a
framework with processes and timelines. This framework will detailed the work to come to
operationalise the vision set out in the strategy, on strands such as security and defence, but also
policy coherence and civilian policies including sustainable development and migration, as well as
the link between development and humanitarian aid.
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China
The Council discussed the EU strategy towards China and adopted Council conclusions.
Full text of the Council conclusions - EU Strategy on China
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Latin America
The Council discussed EU relations with Latin America, mainly with Venezuela but also on
Colombia and Cuba. The High Representative also underlined the importance of the forthcoming
EU-CELAC Foreign ministers meeting that will take place in the Dominican Republic on 25-
26 October.
On Cuba, on 11 March 2016, the EU initialled a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement
(PDCA), the first ever bilateral agreement between the EU and Cuba. The objective of EU remains
to sign the PCDA by the end of the year.
On Colombia, the Council took positively note of the agreement of 23 June on a bilateral and
definitive ceasefire and the end of hostilities.
The Council adopted the following conclusions on Venezuela:
"1. The EU and Venezuela have strong historic and cultural links and share the same fundamental
values and democratic principles. Venezuela is also a country where more than 600 000
European citizens currently reside. Those ties and close relations with the Venezuelan people
underline the interest of the European Union in the political, social and economic stability of
Venezuela.
1. In this context the European Union fully supports the efforts by Former Presidents Mr. José
Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Mr. Leonel Fernández and Mr. Martín Torrijos to facilitate an
urgent, constructive and effective dialogue between the government and the parliamentary
majority in Venezuela. These efforts provide a crucial opportunity to create enabling
conditions and a framework for peaceful and shared solutions to the country's
multidimensional challenges. Therefore, the European Union urges all institutions and
political players to engage in this process in full respect of the democratic and constitutional
framework, rule of law and human rights and fundamental freedoms, including those of jailed
opponents who cannot exercise their rights.
2. The European Union stands ready to support the efforts of dialogue in every way possible. In
this context, the Council encourages the High Representative to maintain regular contacts
with Mr. Rodriguez Zapatero and to support the work of the three former Presidents. The
Council invites the High Representative, the EEAS and the Commission services to explore
further ways for possible EU support to foster dialogue and overcome the economic and
social challenges that the country is facing, including through assistance appropriate to most
urgent needs.
3. The reconciliation in Venezuela is of the utmost importance both for the European Union and
for countries in the region. The European Union believes that regional countries and
organisations, as well as other main international partners, have a key role to play to
encourage the government and the opposition to engage in a genuine dialogue and in
addressing the pressing needs of the people of Venezuela."
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Migration
Due to time constrains, the High Representative informed ministers that she would update member
states in the coming days via other means on the state of play of the tasking set by the European
Council in its June conclusions.
In these conclusions, the European Council called for a mobilisation of all EU relevant instruments
and sources of funding. It highlighted the need for a partnership framework of cooperation with
individual countries of origin and transit, focusing on saving lives at sea, increasing returns,
enabling migrants and refugees to stay closer to home and, in the long term, helping third countries'
development in order to address root causes of irregular migration by using all relevant EU policies
and tools in close collaboration with member states. Federica Mogherini was appointed, both in her
capacity as vice President of the Commission and as High Representative, to lead the
implementation of this approach, in coordination with EU institutions and member states.
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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Somalia
The Council is adopted conclusions on Somalia, calling for a credible and accountable electoral
process, which will ensure the necessary legitimacy for the elected leadership. The Council
highlights the importance of finalising the constitutional review process, establishing effective
Somali security and defence forces, strengthening rule of law and enhancing stabilisation efforts, as
well as speeding up the consolidation of the administrative structure of the federal Somali state.
Read the full text of the conclusions
Afghanistan
The Council adopted conclusions on Afghanistan, endorsing the second annual implementation
report of the "European Union Afghanistan Strategy: 2014-16". The Council affirms in particular
that the EU and member states overarching strategic goal should remain the development of
Afghan institutions to safeguard progress to date and to make further progress in the development
of a more effective and ultimately sustainable Afghan state. Key objectives are to promote
security; reinforce democracy; encourage economic and human development ; strengthen the rule of
law, including the fight against corruption, and the protection and promotion of human rights in
particular the rights of women, including in the context of the peace process and continue the fight
against the narcotic and drug industry.
The conclusions also mention the forthcoming Brussels Conference on Afghanistan, scheduled
for 4-5 October and to be co-chaired by the EU and the Afghan government. The conference is
expected to focus in particular on: progress in Afghan state and institution building through
implementation of the reform agenda; international support in view of sustained funding at or
near the current levels until 2020 as well as regional support for a political process towards peace
and reinforced cross-border economic cooperation.
Read the full text of the conclusions
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Pakistan
The Council adopted conclusions on Pakistan. The EU relations with Pakistan are framed by a 5-
year engagement plan adopted in 2016. The Council endorses the 2016 report on the
implementation on the engagement plan, and to welcome the fact that relations with Pakistan have
expanded in scope and intensity during implementation.
The Council invites the High Representative and the European Commission to initiate consultations
with Pakistan on a framework for engagement beyond the EU-Pakistan 5-year engagement plan,
with particular priority given to human rights, the strengthening of democracy, rule of law and
governance, as well as migration including readmission.
Read the full text of the conclusions
South Sudan
The Council adopted conclusions on the recent outbreak of violence in South Sudan.
Read the full text of the conclusions
Preparation of the EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial meeting
The Council adopted the agenda for the EU-GCC joint council and ministerial meeting, held in
Brussels on 18 July.
EU- Lebanon Euro-Mediterranean agreement - Protocols on accession of several countries to
the EU and on participation in EU programmes
The Council approved two decisions on the conclusion of a protocol to the EU-Lebanon Euro-
Mediterranean agreement to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus,
Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania.
It also adopted a decision on the conclusion of a protocol to the EU-Lebanon Euro-Mediterranean
agreement which enables Lebanon to participate in EU programmes.
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EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Council
The Council adopted the EU's common position in view of the eighth meeting of the Stabilisation
and Association Council with Albania, to take place in Brussels on 8 September 2016.
Decision on the conclusion of a protocol for the participation of Azerbaijan in EU
programmes
The Council adopted a decision on the conclusion of a protocol which enables Azerbaijan to
participate in EU programmes such as Creative Europe or Horizon 2020. The participation of
Eastern neighbourhood partners in EU programmes seeks to promote reform and modernisation in
these countries.
EU priorities at the United Nations and the 71st UNGA
The Council adopted the EU priorities at the United Nations and the 71st United Nations General
Assembly (September 2016 – September 2017). The coming year will be focused on consolidation
and implementation of the agreements reached in the past year. These include the 2030 agenda for
sustainable development, the Addis Ababa action agenda of the third international conference on
financing for development and the Paris climate agreement.
The priorities mention that the EU remains committed to strengthening the United Nations and
continue playing an active role at the UN in all areas of relevant activities. The priorities also
stresses the need for a truly global responsibility sharing on migration and refugees; solving crises
and sustaining peace; tackling terrorism and violent extremism as some of the key challenges.
Read the full text of the EU priorities at the United Nations and the 71st United Nations General
Assembly
Restrictive measures against the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Council adopted amending legal acts which transpose into EU law the recent UN Security
Council resolution renewing UN sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo until 1 July 2017.
This Security Council resolution also provides certain amendments to the arms embargo exemptions
and the designation criteria.
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EUCAP Sahel Niger
On 18 July 2016, the Council extended the mandate of EUCAP Sahel Niger until 15 July 2018 and
agreed on a budget of €26.3 million for the period 16 July 2016 to 15 July 2017. The Council also
adapted the mission's mandate to assist the Nigerien central and local authorities as well as the
security forces in developing policies, techniques and procedures to better control and fight
irregular migration.
Link to press release
EU-Central America association council agreement
The Council adopted a decision on the EU position on the EU-Central America association council
regarding the replacement of appendix 2 to annex 2 of the agreement. This appendix is based on the
Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) of 2007. The modification seeks to
update it to reflect the HS of 2012.
COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY
Code of conduct and discipline for EU civilian CSDP missions
The Council adopted a code of conduct and discipline for EU civilian CSDP missions (11036/16).
Staff regulations of the European Union Institute for Security Studies
The Council adopted the decision concerning the staff regulations of the European Union Institute
for Security Studies (5978/16).
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
Schengen Evaluation - Netherlands
The Council adopted an implementing decision setting out a recommendation on addressing the
deficiencies identified in the 2015 evaluation on the application of the Schengen acquis in the field
of return by the Netherlands (11126/16).
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TRADE
EU-Jordan Euro-Mediterranean agreement - Rules of origin - Syrian refugees
The Council approved a decision for a temporary relaxation of the rules of origin under the EU-
Jordan Euro-Mediterranean agreement so as to enhance Jordan's exports to the Union and create
additional employment opportunities, especially for Syrian refugees.
In the framework of the International Conference on Supporting Syria and the Region, held in
London on 4 February 2016, Jordan declared its intention to permit Syrian refugees to participate in
the formal labour market in Jordan.
The decision follows a request made by Jordan on 12 December 2015.
EU-Egypt Euro-Mediterranean agreement -Protocol on accession of Croatia to the EU
The Council approved a decision on the signing and provisional application of a protocol to the EU-
Egypt Euro-Mediterranean agreement to take account of the accession of Croatia to the EU.
The conclusion of the protocol is pending of the consent of the European Parliament.
EMPLOYMENT
Union for the Mediterranean ministerial conference on Employment and Labour
The Council adopted the EU and its member states' position for the ministerial conference of the
Union for the Mediterranean on Employment and Labour which will take place in Jordan on
27 September.