ITEMS DEBATED

WESTERN BALKANS - Council conclusions

The Council discussed the situation in the Western Balkans, with particular focus on Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and adopted the following conclusions:

SERBIA

The Council welcomes the signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and of the Interim Agreement with Serbia as an important step on the country's path towards the EU. It looked forward to intensifying co-operation with Serbia through the comprehensive framework offered by these agreements and the other mechanisms of the Stabilisation and Association Process. The Council recalled articles 2, 4 and 133 of the SAA and articles 1 and 54 of the Interim Agreement and stated that full co-operation with the ICTY, including all possible efforts to arrest and transfer indictees, is an essential element of these Agreements. Accordingly, Ministers agreed to submit the SAA to their parliaments for ratification and the Community decided to implement the Interim Agreement as soon as the Council decides that Serbia fully co-operates with the ICTY. The Council and the Commission will regularly monitor that Serbia continues to fully co-operate with the ICTY. The EU and its Member States will assist Serbia in this respect.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The Council welcomed the conclusion of the first phase of the police reform by the recent adoption of the two police laws. The Council recalled that agreement on police reform in line with the EU's three principles is one of the necessary conditions for further progress towards the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). The Council acknowledged BiH's progress on all the four conditions for the signing of the SAA as set out in the Council conclusions of 12 December 2005. While Bosnia and Herzegovina will need to undertake further efforts to address reforms, the Council expressed its readiness to sign the SAA. Technical preparations are underway. The Council highlighted the importance of the future SAA as the essential framework of the relations between EU and BiH, as well as an important element to ensure stability and strengthen dialogue within BiH. Therefore it encouraged all the political forces of BiH to unite their efforts to pursue with strong determination its reform agenda including the priorities set out in the European Partnership. Recalling its Conclusion of 10 March 2008, the Council called on the European Commission to launch a visa dialogue with BiH as soon as possible.

COMMISSION COMMUNICATION ON WESTERN BALKANS

The Council welcomed the Commission's Communication: "Western Balkans: enhancing the European perspective" as a basis for the discussions held at the informal EU Foreign Ministers Meeting (Gymnich) and the EU-Western Balkans Forum in Brdo on 29 March 2008. Progress achieved in the recent years through the Stabilisation and Association Process must be sustained and made irreversible. The European perspective needs to be tangible and more visible to the people across the Western Balkans. To this end, the Council welcomed the launch of the dialogue on visa liberalisation and looked forward to discuss roadmaps for all the countries in the region. It welcomed the Commission's intention to further increase the number of scholarships granted to students from the Western Balkans to study in the EU, initiative to step up support to civil society and to enhance coordination with international financial institutions and with bilateral donors in order to support socio-economic development in the region. It expressed support to the proposed enhanced cooperation on disaster prevention, preparedness and response in the region and called for further participation of the Western Balkans in Community programmes and agencies, as well as for the development of the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA) into a fully fledged school as of early 2009. The Council is committed to support the full implementation of these measures. The Council also invited other Council formations to take the work forward in the fields such as transport and energy, as set out in the Communication

ZIMBABWE - Council conclusions

The Council discussed the situation in Zimbabwe and adopted the following conclusions:

1. The Council closely follows the situation in Zimbabwe after the elections on 29 March and expresses its deep concern over the delay in announcing the result of the presidential elections as well as over acts of intimidation, human rights abuses, and violence.

2. The EU considers unacceptable and unjustifiable that four weeks after the people of Zimbabwe exercised their fundamental democratic right, no results of the Presidential elections have yet been published. The EU calls for the results of the Presidential elections to be released immediately and to be a genuine reflection of the free and democratic will of the Zimbabwean people, as the delay raises serious concerns about the credibility of the process.

3. The EU condemns the post-election violence and intimidation against Zimbabweans and calls for its immediate end. The EU considers that these serious incidents appear to be targeted and politically motivated attacks against supporters of democratic change. The EU also underlines that recent arrests have demonstrated that the Government of Zimbabwe is not committed to allowing the Electoral Commission in Zimbabwe to function as an independent institution.

4. The EU notes that respect for freedom of assembly and of the media, as well as an atmosphere free from intimidation and violence, are crucial to the holding of free and fair elections, and calls for the electoral process to be completed in a context which respects these principles.

5. The countries in the region, Southern African Development Community and the African Union have a crucial role and a responsibility to continue their engagement to resolve the current crisis in Zimbabwe. The EU shares the concern of the SADC about the situation and reiterates full support for its efforts to resolve the current crisis. In this context, the Council commends the holding of the extraordinary Summit in Lusaka.

6. The Council remains concerned about the possible effects on the stability of the region as a consequence of the ongoing events and therefore calls upon SADC to engage with renewed determination with the Zimbabwean authorities to implement the outcome of the Lusaka Summit including the decision to remain actively involved till the end of the electoral process.

7. The EU welcomes the statement by African Union Commission President Konaré reiterating the AU's willingness to work in concert with all the parties concerned, SADC, and the international community to ensure the successful completion of the electoral process in Zimbabwe.

8. The EU recalls that it does not supply or sell arms, related materials or equipment which could be used for internal repression in Zimbabwe. It encourages others to exercise similar restraint at this time by introducing a de facto moratorium on all such sales and welcomes actions which have already been taken in this respect.

9. The EU will continue to closely monitor the situation and to explore further options for increasing pressure on those who direct and engage in state-sponsored violence and intimidation in the post-election period.

10. The Council recalls its continued commitment to the people of Zimbabwe and emphasises that the EU remains the most important donor to Zimbabwe. The EU also wishes to confirm its willingness to continue to make use of any opportunity provided to engage in the dialogue with a democratically elected Government of Zimbabwe and, as soon as conditions allow, to begin working towards the resumption of full cooperation

MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS

Ministers discussed the Middle East peace process in preparation of the upcoming meeting of Quartet principals and ministerial conference of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee to be held on 2 May in London.

IRAQ

The Council had an exchange of views on Iraq with a view to preparing for the review conference of the International Compact with Iraq, which takes place on 29 May in Stockholm.

PAKISTAN - Council conclusions

The Council discussed the situation in Pakistan and adopted the following conclusions:

1. The Council welcomes recent progress made in the democratic process in Pakistan. The elections of 18 February 2008, generally seen as competitive and having achieved increased public confidence, provided both Pakistan and the EU with new opportunities to improve and deepen the existing relationship. The Council welcomes the transition to new governments at federal and provincial levels and the initial steps taken to restore judicial independence.

2. The EU fully supports the Government of Pakistan in countering terrorism, insurgency and violent opponents of a peaceful and democratic society. The Council recognises the sacrifices made by the Pakistani population and security forces in the struggle against a radical minority, out to disrupt progress and opposed to moderation. The Council calls upon the Government of Pakistan to address underlying causes of radicalisation, through a coherent approach that includes democratisation, socio-economic development, education and inter-cultural dialogue.

3. The Council underlines the EU's commitment to continuing support for the people and government of Pakistan. The Council welcomes the EU's dialogue with Pakistan and reiterates its wish to strengthen EU-Pakistan relations further, in full respect of international law and UN Security Council Resolutions. Particular focus will be given to economic development and trade, counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, human rights, migration, education, inter-cultural issues and regional cooperation as well as issues of wider international importance.

4. At the heart of the EU's cooperation with Pakistan is enhancing long-term development, including in the fields of rural development and education. The EU will look for ways to expand its support for education, including adult literacy and vocational training. The European Commission, which has substantially increased financial assistance to Pakistan over the 2007‑10 period, will continue with the regular dialogue under the 2004 Cooperation Agreement.

5. Based on the recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission, the EU will approach the Pakistani authorities to explore jointly ways to support strengthening of democratic institutions, the electoral framework with particular focus on institution building, legislative reform and voter participation. Progress in that sector is essential to the security and long term stability of Pakistan. The Council reiterates the importance of enhanced EU assistance to and dialogue on the rule of law.

6. One of the EU's main priorities is the promotion of human rights, paying special attention to women's and children's rights. The bi-annual exchange on human rights between EU Heads of Mission in Islamabad and the Government of Pakistan underlines this commitment.

The Council reaffirms its support for broad and substantial co-operation between Pakistan and its neighbours. In this respect, the EU fully endorses initiatives aimed at fostering better cross-border ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including in the framework of the G8, through the Ankara Process, and the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan. The Council also reiterates its support for the continuation of the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India. The EU further recognises the value of supporting opportunities for strengthening regional trade integration through SAARC/SAFTA. The EU will continue to explore ways to enhance trade with Pakistan and trade within South Asia.

The Council underlines its commitment to work together with Pakistan on non-proliferation and disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction in international forums. Support from Pakistan for the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva to begin negotiations on a Fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT) would be a strong signal in that respect. The Council stresses the importance of Pakistan's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in order to have more information on outstanding issues related to the Iranian nuclear programme.

The Council will regularly review EU policy towards Pakistan.

BURMA/MYANMAR - Council conclusions

The Council discussed the situation in Burma/Myanmar and adopted the following conclusions:

1. The European Union continues to be deeply concerned by the situation in Burma/Myanmar and again urges the authorities to take rapid steps for transition to a legitimate, civilian government and for national reconciliation.

2. The Council notes the report by UN Special Adviser on Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, on the absence of any immediate, tangible results of his recent visit to Burma/Myanmar. The EU reiterates its full support for the Good Offices Mission of the UN Secretary General and calls on partners, in particular the neighbours of Burma/Myanmar, to do likewise.

3. The Council commends the work of EU Special Envoy Piero Fassino in support of UN efforts and in co-ordinating with Asian partners. The EU will intensify its close consultations with ASEAN members and other neighbours of Burma/Myanmar, including those that are represented in the UN Security Council.

4. The Council remains convinced that only a process that involves the full participation of all stakeholders in the country, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic groups, will lead to national reconciliation and stability. Thus the Council believes the draft constitution, referendum and elections, as currently conceived, will not address the many problems facing Burma/Myanmar.

5. The Council calls on the authorities to allow a free and open debate by all political actors on the constitution prior to the referendum on 10 May, and to rescind the laws prohibiting criticism of the National Convention and the referendum. The EU calls on the authorities to guarantee that the referendum will be free and fair as well as to invite international monitoring. The Council urges the authorities to ensure the political process is transparent, and to give the people of Burma/Myanmar clarity about the future political process and the 2010 elections.

6. The Council expresses concern that the draft constitution would foresee restrictions on the eligibility for high political office, allow the military to suspend the constitution at will as well as fail to accommodate the country’s ethnic diversity.

7. The Council reiterates its call for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and deplores the intensified intimidation and violence in the run-up to the referendum. The Council reiterates its call for the authorities to co-operate fully with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar, and implement his recommendations.

8. The Council notes today’s adoption of the Common Position, renewing for a further twelve months restrictive measures targeted against those responsible for human rights abuses and lack of development in Burma/Myanmar. Recalling the Council Conclusions of 15 October 2007, the Council reiterates its readiness to review or amend these measures or to introduce further restrictive measures in light of developments on the ground.

9. The Council recalls that as part of its restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar the sales, supply, transfer or export of arms and related material of all types are prohibited. The Council would like to encourage the international community to adopt similar measures.

10. The EU recalls its unwavering, strong commitment to the welfare of the people of Burma/Myanmar. The EU and its Member States provide substantial assistance to their country. The EU continues to stand ready to respond positively to genuine progress towards democracy by engaging with Burma/Myanmar in its development and by finding new areas of cooperation

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