Press Release: Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Brussels, 10 December 2012

Main results of the Council:

Ministers debated recent developments in the Middle East. The Council stressed that now is the time to take bold steps towards peace and underlined the urgency of renewed, structured and substantial peace efforts in 2013. It expressed its deep dismay and strong opposition to Israeli plans to expand settlements in the West Bank, in particular plans to develop the E1 area. The E1 plan, if implemented, would seriously undermine the prospects of a negotiated resolution of the conflict. At the same time, the Council welcomed the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Fully recognising Israel's legitimate security needs, it reiterated the EU's call for the immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from the Gaza Strip.

During a working lunch, ministers exchanged views with Moaz Al-Khatib, President of the 1ational Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. The Council reiterated its full support for the efforts of Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi in finding a political solution to the crisis in Syria. The EU recalled that all those responsible for the crimes must be held accountable
and that there should be no impunity for such violations and abuses.

The Council reaffirmed the EU's engagement with Ukraine, in the context of the Eastern Partnership, towards political association and economic integration. The Council reaffirmed its commitment to the signing of the Association Agreement as soon as the Ukrainian authorities demonstrate determined action and tangible progress in three areas, possibly by the time of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in 1ovember 2013.
The Council expressed its deep concern about the serious political and security crisis affecting Mali, in particular in the north of the country and its concern about the delays in the political transition process. In addition, the Council approved the crisis management concept for a CSDP
operation to provide military training and advice to the Malian Armed Forces. The Council also welcomed the High Representative’s proposal to appoint an EU Special Representative for the Sahel and invited her to take the process forward without delay.

ESO: Background information: EU prepares mission to train Malian army http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-prepares-mission-to-train-malian-army/

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