Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2015-16
UPN Alm.del Bilag 254
Offentligt
1647638_0001.png
Council of the
European Union
10495/16
(OR. en)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRESSE 37
PR CO 36
EN
OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
3477th Council meeting
Foreign Affairs
Luxembourg, 20 June 2016
President
Federica Mogherini
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy
PRESS
Rue de la Loi 175 B – 1048 BRUSSELS Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 9773 / 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026
[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press
10495/16
1
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2015-16 - Bilag 254: Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 20. juni 2016
1647638_0002.png
PROVISIONAL VERSION
20 June 2016
CONTENTS
1
ITEMS DEBATED
Arctic .................................................................................................................................................... 3
Sahel ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ..................................................................................... 5
Middle East peace process ................................................................................................................... 6
Visa liberalisation in the context of EU-Georgia relations .................................................................. 7
EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council ...................................................................... 8
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
–
–
–
–
–
–
Economic partnership agreement with EAC countries ............................................................................................ 9
Conclusions on Myanmar/Burma ............................................................................................................................ 9
Conclusions on business and human rights ........................................................................................................... 10
Conclusions on child labour .................................................................................................................................. 10
EU annual report on human rights and democracy in the world in 2015 .............................................................. 10
Lifting of sanctions against Liberia ....................................................................................................................... 10
ENLARGEMENT
–
EU–Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council................................................................................................. 11
DEVELOPMENT
–
Food and nutrition security .................................................................................................................................... 11
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.
10495/16
2
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2015-16 - Bilag 254: Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 20. juni 2016
1647638_0003.png
PROVISIONAL VERSION
ITEMS DEBATED
Arctic
20 June 2016
The Council discussed the future integrated EU policy for the Arctic with a view to set out a
coherent response to the environmental, economic and social challenges of the region, on the basis
of the joint communication by the High Representative and the Commission issued in April 2016.
An important objective of the EU is to contribute to enhancing socio-economic resilience in the
Arctic region, which is home to 4 million inhabitants, while also enhancing environmental
resilience.
The Council adopted
conclusions on the EU policy for the Arctic.
10495/16
3
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2015-16 - Bilag 254: Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 20. juni 2016
1647638_0004.png
PROVISIONAL VERSION
Sahel
20 June 2016
The Council discussed the EU comprehensive approach to security and development in the Sahel
region and adopted conclusions. The High Representative briefed the ministers on the second EU -
G5 Sahel ministerial meeting that took place in Brussels on 17 June.
Ministers discussed how to strengthen the political dialogue and partnership further with G5
countries on security and migration. Ministers also underlined the importance of the full
implementation of the Mali peace agreement, exactly one year after its signature.
The Council adopted
conclusions.
10495/16
4
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2015-16 - Bilag 254: Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 20. juni 2016
1647638_0005.png
PROVISIONAL VERSION
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
20 June 2016
Ministers discussed the ongoing political crisis in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Ministers agreed on the need for the country's political leadership to engage in a dialogue to
overcome the crisis and implement the 2015 Pržino agreement. The agreement, facilitated by the
EU, saw the four main political parties committed themselves to create the conditions for credible
elections, support the works of the special prosecutor and implement the urgent reform priorities,
including in the field of rule of law.
10495/16
5
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2015-16 - Bilag 254: Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 20. juni 2016
1647638_0006.png
PROVISIONAL VERSION
Middle East peace process
20 June 2016
Ministers had a discussion over lunch on the Middle East peace process following the international
conference that took place in Paris on 3 June 2016.
The Council adopted conclusions on the Middle East peace process.
10495/16
6
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2015-16 - Bilag 254: Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 20. juni 2016
1647638_0007.png
PROVISIONAL VERSION
Visa liberalisation in the context of EU-Georgia relations
20 June 2016
The Council discussed visa liberalisation in the context of EU-Georgia relations. Ministers
recognised that Georgia had done an important work to fulfil the benchmarks necessary for being
granted visa liberalisation, and that this work should be recognised as soon as possible. The rotating
Presidency of the Council will continue the work to move forward in this regard.
10495/16
7
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2015-16 - Bilag 254: Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 20. juni 2016
1647638_0008.png
PROVISIONAL VERSION
EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council
20 June 2016
The seventh meeting of the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council, chaired by Bert
Koenders, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, provided the opportunity to review
progress in EU-Montenegro relations and take stock of the accession process.
The Stabilisation and Association Council adopted a
joint communiqué
10495/16
8
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2015-16 - Bilag 254: Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 20. juni 2016
1647638_0009.png
PROVISIONAL VERSION
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia
20 June 2016
The Council extended until 27 July 2017 the mandate of the EUNAFOR MED Operation Sophia,
the EU naval operation to disrupt the business model of human smugglers and traffickers in the
Southern Central Mediterranean. The Council also reinforced the operation's mandate by adding
two supporting tasks: training of the Libyan coastguards and navy and contributing to the
implementation of the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya.
The Council also adopted the revised operation plan and the rules of engagement authorisation for
EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia.
See the
press release
for the details.
Economic partnership agreement with EAC countries
The Council approved the signature and provisional application of the economic partnership
agreement between the EU and the East African Community (EAC) partner states, which comprises
Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
See the
press release
for the details.
Conclusions on Myanmar/Burma
The Council conclusions welcome the peaceful transfer of power in the country and the
consolidation of democracy following the credible elections that took place in November 2015 and
note that the new government has an historic opportunity to consolidate democracy and to achieve
peace, national reconciliation and prosperity. The European Union has a strategic interest in
strengthening its relationship with Myanmar/Burma and that the joint communication "Elements for
an EU strategy vis-à-vis Myanmar/Burma: a special partnership for democracy, peace and
prosperity" lays out a plan for a coherent, ambitious and forward-looking EU engagement and
intensified cooperation with the country in its transition process.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said:
"Myanmar is at a turning point. With these Council conclusions, the EU reaffirms it strong
commitment to accompany the country along its democratic path and to support reform efforts of
the government."
Read the full text of the
conclusions.
10495/16
9
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2015-16 - Bilag 254: Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 20. juni 2016
1647638_0010.png
PROVISIONAL VERSION
Conclusions on business and human rights
20 June 2016
The Council adopted conclusions on business and human rights on the fifth anniversary of the
adoption of the UN guiding principles on business and human rights (UNGPs), the main
comprehensive framework providing the international community with the tools to address human
rights violations by business.
The Council reaffirmed the EU strong and active engagement to prevent abuses and ensure remedy
worldwide, and to ensure the UNGPs' implementation.
Read the
full text of the conclusions.
Conclusions on child labour
The Council reaffirmed its strong commitment to ensuring every child is protected from child
labour including its worst forms and stressed the importance of eradicating the recruitment and use
of children in armed conflict including child soldiers.
Read the
full text of the conclusions.
EU annual report on human rights and democracy in the world in 2015
The Council approved the EU annual report on human rights and democracy in the world in 2015,
which summarizes the various EU instruments, guidelines and country strategies available to defend
and protect human rights in the world, and the challenges they face.
Read the
full text of the report.
Lifting of sanctions against Liberia
The Council repealed Common Position 2008/109/CFSP and Council Regulation No 234/2004,
thereby lifting restrictive measures and an arms embargo imposed against Liberia.
In light of the recent developments in Liberia, as well as the lifting of UN sanctions through UN
Security Council resolution 2288 (2016), the Council decided the revocation of its own
restrictive
measures against the country
.
10495/16
10
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2015-16 - Bilag 254: Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 20. juni 2016
1647638_0011.png
PROVISIONAL VERSION
ENLARGEMENT
EU–Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council
20 June 2016
The Council adopted the EU's common position in view of the third meeting of the Stabilisation and
Association Council with Serbia, to take place in Brussels on 22 June 2016.
DEVELOPMENT
Food and nutrition security
The Council adopted conclusions food and nutrition security.
Read the
full text of the conclusions.
10495/16
11
EN