Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2016-17
UPN Alm.del Bilag 65
Offentligt
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Council of the
European Union
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(OR. en)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRESSE 57
PR CO 56
EN
OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
3498th Council meeting
Foreign Affairs
(including defence issues)
Brussels, 14 November 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 6319 / 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026
[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
14 November 2016
CONTENTS
1
ITEMS DEBATED
Turkey .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Eastern Partnership .............................................................................................................................. 3
Southern Neighbourhood ..................................................................................................................... 4
Security and defence ............................................................................................................................ 4
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
–
–
–
–
–
Syria ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Iran .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Security Sector Reform ........................................................................................................................................... 8
Relations with Azerbaijan ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Relations with Kazakhstan ...................................................................................................................................... 8
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.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
ITEMS DEBATED
Turkey
14 November 2016
Ministers restated their
concerns at recent developments in Turkey
as set out by the High
Representative in her declaration on behalf of the EU of 8 November 2016. In their debate, they
particularly highlighted worrying renewed considerations in Turkey to introduce a bill to
parliament to reinstate the death penalty. They also underlined that Turkey is a key partner of the
EU in the areas of the economy, security, migration and foreign policy, in particular with regard to
Syria and Iraq. The Council recalled the EU's
condemnation of the 15 July coup attempt.
While
recognizing the need for Turkey to take proportionate action, ministers also recalled that,
as a
candidate country, Turkey is expected to uphold the highest standards of democracy,
including respect for human rights, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and the right of all to a
fair trial. EU ministers agreed on the importance of continuing
political dialogue
with Turkey at all
levels.
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the latest developments in Turkey, 8
November 2016
Eastern Partnership
The Council discussed current multilateral and bilateral relations with the six Eastern Partnership
countries -
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
Ministers had an exchange of views on the implementation of the Partnership and possible
deliverables to be achieved in 2017, notably with a view to the next
Eastern Partnership Summit
in November 2017 in Brussels.
The Council adopted conclusions on the Eastern Partnership.
Read the full text of the conclusions
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
Southern Neighbourhood
14 November 2016
Over lunch, ministers discussed the Southern Neighbourhood, focusing on
Syria.
The High
Representative informed the Council of her
recent outreach efforts with key actors in the
region,
in line with the European Council mandate and in full support of the efforts of the UN
Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura. The High Representative referred to, in particular, her most
recent visits to Iran on 29 October and to Saudi Arabia on 31 October. In its conclusions on Iran,
which were adopted without debate, the Council welcomed this outreach and invited the High
Representative to continue her work. The Council expressed its concern at the escalation of tensions
in the region, and called for a more constructive regional environment, as well as an end to the
violence in Syria and support for the resumption of a political process.
There was also an information point on Libya.
Security and defence
Foreign ministers had a
joint session
with defence ministers on the
implementation plan on
security and defence
under the EU global strategy. The Council
adopted conclusions
setting out
the level of ambition and the way forward.
Conclusions on implementing the EU global strategy in the area of security and defence
Implementation plan on security and defence
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Syria
14 November 2016
The Council also adopted a decision adding 17 ministers and the Governor of the Central Bank of
Syria to the sanctions list against the Syrian regime over the violent repression of the civilian
population.
For more information see the
press release.
Syria: Council response to the crisis
Iran
The Council adopted the following conclusions on Iran:
"1.
Recalling the July 2015 Council conclusions and the joint statement agreed by the HRVP
and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif at their April meeting, the European Union expresses its
will to develop further its relations with Iran, in a manner fully consistent with the JCPOA.
The European Union reiterates its resolute commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action (JCPOA), which is a multilateral endeavour by the E3/EU+3 and Iran. It welcomes
that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is being implemented by all sides. It
notes that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued four reports since
Implementation Day verifying Iran's nuclear related commitments. It underlines the need
for Iran to continue to cooperate fully and in a timely manner with the IAEA and it
supports the Agency work in monitoring Iran's implementation of the deal. It encourages
Iran to ratify the additional protocol to its safeguards agreement. The European Union
reiterates the need for continued full and effective implementation of the JCPOA
throughout the lifetime of the agreement. The European Union confirms its support to the
High Representative in her role as Coordinator of the Joint Commission.
The European Union is committed to support the full and effective implementation of the
JCPOA including by the lifting of nuclear related economic and financial sanctions and
engaging with the private sector and economic operators, especially banks, to promote
growth in trade and investment. In particular, extensive guidance has been provided on the
lifting of sanctions to ensure the new regulatory framework is clear. The Council will
continue to reach out to all relevant parties on this issue.
2.
3.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
4.
14 November 2016
The European Union welcomes and looks forward to the continued issuing of export
licenses by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control for the transfer of commercial
passenger aircraft and related parts and services to Iran. The sale of a significant number of
aircraft to Iran's airlines will be an important signal for the successful implementation of
the JCPOA. The aircraft’s exclusively civil aviation end-use will enhance the people’s
mobility and contribute to a safer commercial aviation environment.
The upholding of commitments by all sides is a necessary condition to continue rebuilding
trust and allow for continued, steady and gradual improvement in relations between the
European Union, its Member States and Iran as stated by the July 2015 Foreign Affairs
Council.
The Council reiterates its support to the development of EU-Iran relations in areas of
common interest such as political dialogue, human rights, economic cooperation, trade and
investment, agriculture, transport, energy and climate change, civil nuclear cooperation,
environment, civil protection, science, research and innovation, education, including
through university exchanges, culture, drugs, migration, regional and humanitarian issues
as outlined in the Joint statement agreed by the HRVP and the Iranian Foreign Minister in
their April meeting. The Council supports a coordinated EU strategy of gradual
engagement with Iran that is comprehensive in scope, cooperative where there is mutual
interest, critical when there are differences and constructive in practice. As part of that the
Council fully supports the prompt opening of an EU Delegation in Iran as a key step to
deliver the broad cooperation agenda.
The Council welcomes the expansion of the EU's economic relationship with Iran as a
result of the implementation of the JCPOA and reaffirms its support for Iran’s WTO
accession as a way to promote market related reforms and achieve reintegration into the
global economy and the rules based trading system. For Iran to fully benefit from the
lifting of sanctions, including the full reengagement of European banks and businesses, it
is important that it addresses obstacles related to economic and fiscal policy, business
environment and rule of law. The Council welcomes Iran’s adoption of, and high-level
political commitment to, a Financial Action Task Force Action Plan to address its strategic
anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism deficiencies, and its decision
to seek technical assistance and urges its timely and swift implementation. The EU and its
Member States are open to cooperate with Iran in these areas, including providing
technical assistance for the implementation of the FATF action plan, and consider the use
of export credits to facilitate trade, project financing, and investment in Iran. The Council
welcomes the prospect of extending the third country lending mandate of the European
Investment Bank (EIB) to Iran.
5.
6.
7.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
8.
14 November 2016
The Council notes the Iranian President's pledge to improve human rights in the country.
However it remains concerned with the human rights situation, in particular the frequent
use of death penalty including against juvenile and drug offenders. The EU opposes the use
of the death penalty in all circumstances. The Council underlines the need to ensure equal
rights of women, and persons belonging to all minorities, including ethnic and religious
minorities, respecting freedom of expression, assembly and association and implementing
the treaties to which Iran is a party as well as acceding to those conventions to which it is
not yet a state party. It also calls on Iran to cooperate with and grant access to the UN
special rapporteur. The EU aims at addressing these issues in a constructive manner,
including through a dialogue on human rights, which would further identify areas of
cooperation in this field.
The Council expresses its concern with the growing tensions in the region and supports
ways to promote a more constructive regional environment. Iran plays an important
regional role and it is of utmost importance that it takes tangible and constructive steps that
would help make an improved regional situation a reality. The EU emphasises its balanced
approach to the region and urges all countries in the region to work towards de-escalation
of tensions and avoiding actions which feed violence, sectarianism and polarisation. In this
sense the Council expresses its concern with the regional military build-up, including Iran's
missile programme and calls upon Iran to refrain from activities which may deepen
mistrust, such as ballistic missile tests, which are inconsistent with UNSCR 2231, and the
statements associated with these.
The EU reiterates its conclusions on Syria of 17 October 2016t and calls urgently for an
end to the excessive and disproportionate attacks by the Syrian regime and its allies, both
deliberate and indiscriminate, against civilian populations, humanitarian and healthcare
personnel and civilian and humanitarian infrastructures. Therefore the Council urges Iran
to use its influence on the Syrian regime to end the violence against civilian populations,
humanitarian personnel and civilian and humanitarian infrastructures, enable full
unhindered country-wide humanitarian access and engage constructively in a negotiated
political process. The Council also encourages Iran to fully contribute to laying the ground
for the resumption of an inclusive and Syrian led political process under UN auspices. The
Council welcomes the outreach of the High Representative in this respect and invites her to
continue this work with key actors in the region in support of the efforts of the UNSE
Staffan de Mistura."
9.
10.
EU restrictive measures against Iran
EU relations with Iran
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
Security Sector Reform
14 November 2016
The Council adopted conclusions on the Security Sector Reform (SSR). It endorsed the joint
communication "Elements for an EU-wide strategic framework to support Security Sector Reform
(SSR)".
Read the full text of the conclusions (
13998/16).
Relations with Azerbaijan
The Council authorised the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to open negotiations on and negotiate, on behalf of the
European Union and its member states, a Comprehensive Agreement between the European Union
and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
For more information see the
press release.
Relations with Kazakhstan
The Council agreed in principle on the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the
EU and Kazakhstan and requested the consent of the European Parliament. The agreement will
strengthen political dialogue and improve cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan in a broad range
of areas (
12409/16).
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