Leaders fret over latest Palestine clashes

The foreign policy discussions at the summit focused on the threat of civil war between Hamas and Fatah factions in the Palestinian territories.

There was a declaration of support for President Mahmoud Abbas and his efforts to create a national unity government - one that recognises Israel and refrains from violence.

Although that government is unlikely to be formed, the EU promised it would receive direct budgetary assistance, help in policing borders and support in establishing the security forces.

Despite slow progress in talks between the Palestinian factions, member states refrained from explicitly supporting Abbas’s moves towards fresh governmental and presidential elections. Some member states had feared that explicit support for the elections might look like an attempt to oust the current Hamas-led government and that the move might be unconstitutional in the territories.

On Saturday (16 December), after the conclusion of the EU summit, Abbas did announce his intention to call elections. The EU looks set to continue its low-profile support of the project.

The EU also reiterated its offer to strengthen its role in Afghanistan, including the creation of an EU police mission to the country.

There was harsh criticism of Iran and Syria for their role in the region.

Foreign ministers discussed Darfur over dinner on Thursday night and approved declarations which called on the Sudanese government to allow a United Nations-supported African Union mission in Sudan to be implemented. The declaration expresses "deep concern" at the escalation of violence in Darfur and calls on Sudan to fulfil its obligations under UN resolutions to halt attacks on civilians.

Ministers discussed the possibility of patrolling a no-fly zone over Darfur, an idea proposed by the UK and the US last week, but EU involvement in such action appears a long way off.

The Council of Ministers will review the govern-ment’s obligations under UN resolutions at its next meeting. Member states also called on the incoming German presidency to create an EU strategy for Central Asia for discussion at the June summit.

The foreign policy discussions at the summit focused on the threat of civil war between Hamas and Fatah factions in the Palestinian territories.