Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2016-17
UPN Alm.del Bilag 241
Offentligt
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Council of the
European Union
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(OR. en)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRESSE 23
PR CO 23
EN
OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
3535th Council meeting
Foreign Affairs
Brussels, 15 May 2017
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 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026
[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
15 May 2017
CONTENTS
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ITEMS DEBATED
Horn of Africa ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Africa-EU relations .............................................................................................................................. 3
Informal lunch with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission............................................ 3
Eastern Partnership .............................................................................................................................. 5
Security and defence ............................................................................................................................ 6
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
–
–
–
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Venezuela ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Indigenous peoples .................................................................................................................................................. 8
CSDP action in the Sahel ...................................................................................................................................... 10
European Union Satellite Centre (SATCEN) ........................................................................................................ 10
COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY
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EUFOR ALTHEA ................................................................................................................................................. 11
BUDGETS
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Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Finland .......................................................... 11

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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PROVISIONAL VERSION
15 May 2017
ITEMS DEBATED
Horn of Africa
Foreign ministers discussed the situation in the Horn of Africa, a region facing destabilisation in
particular in Somalia and South Sudan. The discussion focused on the political and security
challenges, including the implications of the situation in the wider region.
Ministers underlined the strategic importance of EU engagement through a strong political presence
and a continued contribution to peace and security, including through the existing CSDP missions
and operation. This engagement is in addition to the significant development and humanitarian aid
provided by the EU and its member states which continues to be much needed given that 13 million
are facing serious hunger and 650 000 are internally displaced in the region.
Ministers of development will further discuss the humanitarian situation at their Council meeting on
Friday (19 May).
Africa-EU relations
The Council held a more general debate on Africa-EU relations. Foreign ministers welcomed the
joint communication by the High Representative and the Commission for a renewed impetus of the
Africa-EU Partnership. The discussion will feed into the preparation of the EU-Africa Summit in
November, which will focus on youth.
In this context, ministers highlighted the importance of job creation including by ensuring a
favourable climate for trade and private investment and of promoting social and political inclusion
of youth in Africa. They agreed on the importance on strengthen dialogue with youth, including in
the preparations of the Summit. The EU and member states will join efforts in the run-up to the
Summit to ensure its success.
EU-Africa relations (background information)
Joint communication for a renewed impetus of the Africa-EU Partnership
Informal lunch with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Over lunch,
the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and EU Foreign Ministers met the
Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat for an exchange of
views on the state of the Africa-EU partnership in view of the AU-EU Summit in Abidjan on 29-30
November.
In an evolving global context, the relationship between the two continents remains vibrant and
essential.
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The meeting was an opportunity to welcome AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki to the EU institutions
two months after taking office on 14 March.
Both sides valued the strategic importance of the Africa-EU partnership for both continents and
agreed to seize the opportunity offered by the upcoming AU-EU Summit for a real alliance in a
rapidly evolving global context.
They highlighted that the central theme for the Summit "Investing in Youth," which is in line with
the AU's theme of the year “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in
Youth.”
It provides for a positive narrative embracing all strands of the relationship: peace,
security, conflict prevention, governance and human rights, economic opportunity, development
and job creation, empowerment, access to education, climate change, migration and mobility for the
benefit of both African and European youth.
They agreed to work closely together in the months leading up to the Summit, drawing up concrete
initiatives that will make a difference in the lives of young people, building on shared values and
common interests, with ownership and contributions from all sides.
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Eastern Partnership
The Council exchanged views on the Eastern Partnership (EaP) ahead of the EaP ministerial
meeting to take place on 19 June in Luxembourg and the EaP Summit foreseen on 24 November in
Brussels.
Ministers reiterated the crucial importance of the Eastern Partnership for the European Union. They
highlighted their unity in supporting the region and each of the Eastern Partnership countries
(Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) in a tailored way.
They also stressed their determination to deliver concrete results for the benefits of citizens, both in
the EU and in the Eastern Partnership countries. In this context, they welcomed progress on visa
liberalisation for Georgia and Ukraine and underlined the importance of the implementation of
Association Agreements / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (AA/DCFTAs) and of
reforms.
Eastern Partnership
(background information)
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Security and defence
Foreign ministers had a discussion on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy in the area of
security and defence. They took stock of progress, in particular in view of the discussion at the
Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) on 18 May, which is expected to adopt conclusions on progress
in implementing the Global Strategy in the area of security and defence.
EU cooperation on security and defence
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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Venezuela
In light of the recent worrying developments in the country, the Council adopted the following
conclusions on Venezuela:
"1.
The European Union recalls its Council Conclusions of 18 July 2016 fully supporting the
efforts in Venezuela to facilitate an urgent, constructive and effective dialogue between the
Government and the parliamentary majority, creating the conditions for peaceful solutions to the
multidimensional challenges the country faces.
2.
In the 10 months that have elapsed, mediation efforts have not yielded the desired results
and the process is stagnant. Since then political polarisation has increased, the economic and social
situation has further deteriorated and violence has escalated causing multiple deaths and injuries.
All incidents of violence must be investigated.
3.
Violence and the use of force will not resolve the crisis in the country. The fundamental
rights of the Venezuelan people must be respected, including the right to peacefully demonstrate. It
is crucial that all parties refrain from violent acts. In this light, the announcement to expand and
further strengthen armed civilian groups is worrying as it can fuel further violence and does not
contribute to a solution. The EU also recalls that the use of military courts to try civilians goes
against international law.
4.
The European Union expects all Venezuelan political actors and institutions to work in a
constructive manner towards a solution to the crisis in the country, in full respect of the rule of law
and human rights, the democratic institutions and the separation of powers, allowing the
establishment of an electoral calendar so that the people of Venezuela can express their will in a
democratic way. The release of jailed political opponents and the respect of the constitutional rights
of all political actors to vote and to participate in elections are also crucial steps to building trust and
helping the country to regain political stability.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
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5.
The European Union strongly encourages the facilitation of external cooperation to address
the most urgent needs of the population. The European Union is fully committed to helping
Venezuela find peaceful and democratic solutions and is ready to use all its possible instruments to
support regional and international efforts to that end.
6.
Venezuela is a country with more than 600,000 European citizens adversely affected by the
present situation and whose security and well-being is a matter of concern for the EU. In this
respect, the EU reiterates its readiness to cooperate with the Venezuelan authorities to ensure
assistance, protection and security of all European citizens in Venezuela."
Indigenous peoples
The Council adopted the following conclusions on indigenous peoples:
"1.
The European Union is founded on values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy,
equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons
belonging to minorities. Furthermore, the prohibition of discrimination on any grounds and
the respect for cultural, religious and linguistic diversity are fundamental principles under the
Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union. The EU is committed to promote the
respect of human rights of all, everywhere in the world. The Council recalls its conclusions on
Indigenous Peoples of November 2002 (GAERC 2463) setting out a wide range of external
policies in this regard.
The Council recalls the EU’s support for adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) at the UN General Assembly in 2007 and its
contributions to, and its support for the Outcome document of the World Conference on
Indigenous Peoples held in 2014 as a High level Plenary of the UN General Assembly. It
invites the High Representative, the Commission and EU Member States to engage
proactively at national and regional levels and at the United Nations in the commemoration of
the 10-year Anniversary of UNDRIP in 2017.
The Joint Staff Working Document "Implementing EU External Policy on Indigenous
Peoples" (SWD (2016) 340 Final) by the High Representative of the European Union for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission was published on 17
October 2016. The document aims to respond to the undertakings in the EU Action Plan on
Human Rights and Democracy (2015–2019) to further develop EU policy in line with the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Outcome document of
the 2014 World Conference on Indigenous Peoples.
These Council conclusions reaffirm these undertakings in its external action.
2.
3.
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4.
Through its human rights policies, its development policy and financing instruments, the EU
has contributed to the international advancement and recognition of the rights of indigenous
peoples as set out in the UNDRIP. In this regard, the EU recognises the important
contributions of the UN mechanisms working on indigenous issues and reaffirms its support
hereto.
The Council notes, as the Staff Working Document (SWD) indicates, that there is room
within the existing EU policy framework to enhance the EU’s impact and make the EU’s
action more effective and more evenly applied in EU relations with its partner countries and
in multilateral cooperation. In this regard, the Council underlines the importance of giving
priority to:
the discrimination and inequalities based on indigenous origin or identity in relation to
ensuring the economic, social and cultural rights as well as the civil and political rights,
and
the actions taken to address the threats to and violence against indigenous peoples and
individuals as well as to Human Rights defenders, in the context of land and natural
resources in the protection of the environment, biodiversity and the climate.
5.
The Council recognizes that situations vary across the world and that the significance of
national and regional particularities and various historical and cultural backgrounds calls for
flexible approaches.
6.
In this regard, the Council would in particular note that the EU’s rights-based
approach to
development, encompassing all human rights, should be the main vehicle in external action
for integrating the support to indigenous peoples in the EU’s
implementation of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development. Specific attention should be given to women, children
and youth and persons with disabilities as well as to those in situations of forced displacement
or in violent/armed conflict. Their contribution in the context of conflict prevention and
peacebuilding should also be taken into account.
The Council recalls its conclusions on Business and Human rights (10254/16) of June 2016,
including its commitments to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and
notes their relevance in this context.
7.
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8.
The Council underscores the crucial importance of further enhancing opportunities for
dialogue and consultation with indigenous peoples at all levels of EU cooperation, including
in EU funded programmes and projects under all aid modalities to secure their full
participation and their free, prior and informed consent in a meaningful and systematic way,
and to inform and underpin EU external action policy and its implementation worldwide.
Further dialogues are important for ensuring that the EU’s commitments to the UNDRIP as
well as the Outcome document of the 2014 World Conference on Indigenous Peoples are
taken into account also in evolving EU policy commitments and their implementation such as
in the framework of the New European Consensus for Development and of a renewed
partnership with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries."
CSDP action in the Sahel
The Council approved a concept of operations on regionalisation of CSDP action in the Sahel.
The EU's comprehensive approach to security and development in the Sahel includes three CSDP
missions: EUCAP Sahel Niger launched in 2012, EUCAP Sahel Mali launched in 2015 and the EU
training mission in Mali (EUTM) launched in 2013.
Sahel region (EEAS page)
European Union Satellite Centre (SATCEN)
The Council approved the staff rules of the EU Satellite Centre (SATCEN). The SATCEN supports
EU decision-making and action in the context of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and
provides decision-makers with early warning of potential crises. This enables them to take
diplomatic, economic and humanitarian measures in good time, including generic planning for
intervention.
SATCEN operates under the direction of the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy and the supervision of the Political and Security Committee. SATCEN's director
reports to a governing board chaired by the EU's High Representative or her representative. The
board comprises one representative of each EU member states and one Commission delegate.
SATCEN website
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COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY
EUFOR ALTHEA
The Council approved the High Representative's Report on the Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. This report is conducted every six months.
The military operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) was launched on 2 December
2004 and has contributed to the maintenance of the safe and secure environment in BiH ever since.
EUFOR ALTHEA
BUDGETS
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Finland
The Council adopted a decision mobilising €2.64
million under the European Globalisation
Adjustment Fund (EGF) to provide support to 945 dismissed workers made redundant in four
Finnish enterprises operating in the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products sector.
The redundancies are the result of the continued structural chanes in world trade patterns due to
globalisation.
The EGF helps workers to find new jobs and develop new skills when they have lost their jobs as a
result of changing global trade patterns, e.g. when a large company shuts down or a factory is
moved outside the EU, or as a result of the global financial and economic crisis. The help of the
EGF consists in co-financing measures such as job-search assistance, careers advice, tailor-made
training and re-training, mentoring and promoting entrepreneurship. It also provides one-off, time-
limited individual support, such as job-search allowances, mobility allowances and allowances for
participating in lifelong learning and training activities.
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