Foreign Affairs Council adopted a decision establishing Permanent Structured Cooperation
11 December 2017 News
At their regular meeting today, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU Member States adopted a decision establishing Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). They approved a list of 17 concrete projects to be undertaken under PESCO, intended to enhance the Member States’ defence capabilities. Bulgaria, which is one of the 25 Member States participating in the initiative, was represented at the meeting by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emilia Kraleva.
Within the framework of the Council, the Ministers had an informal breakfast with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, at which views were exchanged on the current situation and challenges to the future of the Middle East peace process. In the light of the decision announced by President Trump on 6 December, the EU ministers reiterated their common understanding that the status of Jerusalem must be decided through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. The EU also declared its readiness to continue to support all efforts, including with the framework of the Quartet, towards the creation of conditions for the resumption of direct negotiations between the two sides. An emphasis was laid on the importance of maintaining an active political dialogue between the EU and Israel.
The latest developments in the wider Middle East, including Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and regional policy, were thoroughly discussed at the Council roundtable. Support for Iraq’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity was reaffirmed. The EU stated its readiness to facilitate the achievement of national reconciliation, to support the creation of conditions for the return of internally displaced persons and migrants, as well as for the country’s economic recovery.
The Bulgarian representative noted the importance of the forthcoming adoption of a comprehensive EU strategy on Iraq in January 2018. She declared support for the efforts of UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura and the Geneva process seeking a solution to the conflict in Syria.
The EU chief diplomats underlined the importance of Lebanon’s stability and welcomed the agreement reached between the ruling parties on keeping the country’s government.
The Council expressed deep concern at the steady deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen as a result of the ongoing military conflict. Ways in which the EU can assist a ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian access to those in need were considered.
Within the framework of the Council, foreign ministers held an informal meeting with their counterparts of the G5 Sahel (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad). The discussion covered the support provided by the EU and by G5 Sahel countries to their joint counter-terrorism forces and the opportunities to broaden this support.
At a joint session, EU foreign ministers and development ministers discussed the follow-up to the African Union-EU Summit and the further development of cooperation with Africa.