EU – Jean-Yves Le Drian to attend Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels, 15 July 2019)

The ministers will discuss the following points:

• Iran: the ministers will reaffirm their commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) and will review European efforts to preserve it. France will coordinate with its European partners on efforts undertaken to de-escalate tensions on the Iranian nuclear issue.

• Iraq: the ministers will confirm the EU’s support for the stabilization and reconstruction process undertaken by the Iraqi authorities. They will adopt conclusions that should underscore the importance of agreeing to strengthen the Iraqi state, reforming the security sector, and economic and financial reforms. They will also review the challenges Iraq is facing domestically and regionally.

• Central African Republic (CAR): at our behest, the Council will discuss the CAR and the challenges facing that country. France will argue in favor of supporting the peace agreement concluded on February 6, and for enhanced European support for domestic security forces through the deployment of a civilian CSDP mission in the CAR, supplementing the important efforts being carried out by the EUTM mission to train Central African army forces.

• Migration: the Council will discuss the external aspects of migration, especially in light of the situation in Libya and the Central Mediterranean. France will underscore the need for a strong EU commitment to improve the fate of migrants currently in Libya, working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (HCR), and African organizations, as well as commitments with respect to resettlement on European soil. Beyond the Libya crisis, it will emphasize the importance for the EU of capacity building with respect to migratory issues in the countries of origin and transit, and of making sure that the appropriate instruments are included in the next multiannual financial framework.

• Moldova: the ministers will meet their new Moldovan counterpart, Nicolae Popescu. They will reaffirm the EU’s support for the new Moldovan’s government’s determination to combat corruption, strengthen the rule of law, and revive the economy. France will urge the EU to promptly resume technical and financial assistance to Moldova.

The ministers will also discuss the situations:

• in Sudan, with a view to supporting the transition following the political agreement announced on July 4
• in Ethiopia, in order to reaffirm EU support for the Ethiopian prime minister in his reforms and his efforts to unify all Ethiopians
• in the Sahel, in order to stress the importance of continuing EU involvement in the region
• in the Eastern Mediterranean following Turkish drilling operations in Cypriot waters. The Council must reaffirm its solidarity with Cyprus, whose sovereignty must be fully respected, and its strong commitment to upholding the Law of the Sea.