Press Release: Foreign Affairs Council, Luxembourg, 21 October 2013

Main results of the Council:

The Council debated the latest developments concerning the Syrian crisis. It continues to be extremely concerned by the deteriorating situation in Syria, which makes it all the more urgent to put an end to all violence and to the suffering of the Syrian people. Only a political solution that results in a united, inclusive and democratic Syria can end the terrible bloodshed, and grave violations of human rights.

The Council welcomed the call by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon for a peace conference in Geneva before the end of November. It urged all sides of the conflict to respond positively to this call and to adhere publicly to a credible political transition based on the full implementation of the Geneva Communiqué.

The Council took stock of developments in the EU's Eastern Partnership, in preparation for the Eastern Partnership summit on 28/29 November in Vilnius.

The summit could see the initialling of the Association Agreements with the Republic of Moldova and with Georgia as well as the signature of the Agreement with Ukraine.

Ministers exchanged views on Ukraine's progress in implementing the conditions for the possible signature of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement: In the remaining weeks before the summit, determined action and tangible progress is needed in three areas: the compliance of the 2012 parliamentary elections’ with international standards, addressing the issue of selective justice and preventing its recurrence, and the implementation of the reforms jointly agreed in the Association Agenda.

During lunch, ministers met with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, opposition leader in Myanmar / Burma, and discussed how to support democratic reforms in the country. A taskforce meeting in November is set to bring EU representatives and businesses to Myanmar / Burma to offer comprehensive EU support for the transition to democracy.

The Council also adopted conclusions on Yemen, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Central African Republic.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Statement by President Barroso following his meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-statement-by-president-barroso-following-his-meeting-with-aung-san-suu-kyi/

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

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-bosnia-and-herzegovina/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on the special report no 4/2013 of the court of auditors concerning EU cooperation with Egypt in the field of governance http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-the-special-report-no-4-2013-of-the-court-of-auditors-concerning-eu-cooperation-with-egypt-in-the-field-of-governance/

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

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on ensuring the continued pursuit of an effective EU policy on the new challenges presented by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-ensuring-the-continued-pursuit-of-an-effective-eu-policy-on-the-new-challenges-presented-by-the-proliferation-of-weapons-of-mass-destruction-wmd-and-their-deliv/

ESO: Background information: Conclusions du Conseil relatives à la République centrafricaine http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-conclusions-du-conseil-relatives-a-la-republique-centrafricaine-central-african-republic-on-the-verge-of-genocide-international-intervention/

EurActiv, 23.10.13: EU ministers urge Ukraine to stop bluffing on Tymoshenko http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/eu-ministers-urge-ukraine-bluffi-news-531247

EurActiv, 21.10.13: Ukraine dominates EU’s foreign ministers discussions in Luxemburg http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/ukraine-heart-eu-foreign-ministe-news-531192

---