Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels, 18 May 2015

In the morning of 18 May 2015 EU defence ministers reviewed EU military operations.

Migration
The Council established an European Union's naval operation to disrupt the business model of human smugglers in the Mediterranean, EUNAVFOR Med. This decision was seen as one element of the comprehensive EU response to the migration challenge.

EUNAVFOR Med was set to be conducted in sequential phases and in accordance with the requirements of international law. Planning of the operation and the initial phase of surveillance and assessment of human smuggling and trafficking networks in the Southern Central Mediterranean would be conducted as soon as possible. The second and third phases of the operation would work to search, seize and disrupt the assets of smugglers, based on international law and in partnership with Libyan authorities.

Burundi
The Council condemned the attempted coup d'état in Burundi and called on Burundian actors to solve their differences by peaceful means. It also urged restraint from actions that could further increase tension in the country.

CSDP
In addition, ministers debated the strategic review, an ongoing analysis of the EU's security environment, and discuss security challenges in the EU's neighbourhood. They also prepared the security and defence part of the June 2015 European Council.

Other Topics:
In the afternoon of the 18 May 2015, foreign ministers discussed the Middle East peace process.

The EU - Turkey Association Council and the EU - Uzbekistan Cooperation Council also took place in the margins of the Council.

ESO: Background information: Council establishes EU naval operation to disrupt human smugglers in the Mediterranean http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-establishes-eu-naval-operation-to-disrupt-human-smugglers-in-the-mediterranean/

European Union: EEAS: Regions: Middle East: Middle East Peace Process http://www.eeas.europa.eu/mepp/index_en.htm

European Union: EEAS: Security and Defence: About CDSP: European Security Strategy http://www.eeas.europa.eu/csdp/about-csdp/european-security-strategy/

NATO: Newsroom: Speech, 18.05.15: Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg prior to the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_119822.htm

ESO: Background information: EU-Turkey Association Council http://www.europeansources.info/record/53rd-eu-turkey-association-council-18-may-2015/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on CSDP http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-csdp/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Burundi http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-burundi/

ESO: Background information: Twelfth meeting of the Cooperation Council between the European Union and the Republic of Uzbekistan http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-twelfth-meeting-of-the-cooperation-council-between-the-european-union-and-the-republic-of-uzbekistan/

ESO: Background information: Conclusions of the 43rd meeting of the EEA Council http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-conclusions-of-the-43rd-meeting-of-the-eea-council/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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