Press Release: Foreign Affairs Council, Luxembourg, 24 June 2013

Main results of the Council:

The Council discussed the situation in Syria. After the meeting, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy underlined the EU's belief that the crisis must be solved through a political process. The total response from the EU and its member states to the crisis now exceeds EUR 1 billion.

The Council held an in-depth debate on the Middle East peace process. Following the debate, the High Representative reaffirmed the EU's commitment to a two-state solution and stressed that the EU fully supports the current efforts of the United States in support of the resumption of direct and substantial negotiations.

The Council extended the mandate of the EU Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean, Mr Bernardino León, until 30 June 2014. It also prolonged the mandate of Mrs Patricia Flor, EU Special Representative for Central Asia, until 31 October 2014.

In order to facilitate diplomatic contacts between the EU and Belarus, the Council suspended the EU travel ban on Vladimir Makey, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs. This decision does not reflect any change in the EU's policy of critical engagement with Belarus.

ESO: Background information: Press Release: Council eases diplomatic contacts between EU and Belarus http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-eases-diplomatic-contacts-between-eu-and-belarus/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Yemen http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-yemen-2/

ESO: Background information: Conclusions du Conseil relatives au Mali http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-conclusions-du-conseil-relatives-au-mali/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Pakistan http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-pakistan/

ESO: Background information: Guidelines to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-guidelines-to-promote-and-protect-the-enjoyment-of-all-human-rights-by-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-intersex-lgbti-persons/

ESO: Background information: EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-guidelines-on-the-promotion-and-protection-of-freedom-of-religion-or-belief/

ESO: Background information: Remarks by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton upon arrival at Foreign Affairs Council, Luxembourg, 24 June 2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-remarks-by-eu-high-representative-catherine-ashton-upon-arrival-at-foreign-affairs-council-luxembourg-24-june-2013/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on EU Climate Diplomacy http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-eu-climate-diplomacy/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Afghanistan http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-afghanistan/

ESO: Background information: Remarks by High Representative Catherine Ashton following the Foreign Affairs Council http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-remarks-by-high-representative-catherine-ashtonfollowing-the-foreign-affairs-council/

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