Foreign Minister Haavisto to attend Foreign Affairs Council meeting

NordenBladet — EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg on Monday 18 October. The main items on the agenda will be the EU’s Eastern Partnership, Ethiopia, the Persian Gulf and Nicaragua. Topical issues on the agenda will include Afghanistan, climate diplomacy, Tunisia and the Western Balkans.The Foreign Affairs Council will discuss the Eastern Partnership summit (EaP summit) to be held in December, which is expected to agree on the priorities for the Eastern Partnership in the coming years. Finland considers the success of the summit important and stresses that, in addition to a comprehensive economic and investment programme, the work programme should emphasise the rule of law, anti-corruption activities, good governance, fundamental rights, and a common value base as well as the related conditionality. Foreign ministers will also discuss the current situation in Ethiopia and explore ways in which the EU can promote a ceasefire and dialogue between the parties to the crisis. The Foreign Affairs Council will also discuss the situation in the Persian Gulf. It is in Finland’s interests to strengthen regional stability and to promote dialogue in the Persian Gulf. Concerns have been expressed regarding the presidential elections in Nicaragua in November, which is why foreign ministers will discuss the EU’s approach to Nicaragua’s future governance and look into ways to support the democratic opposition. The Foreign Affairs Council is expected to adopt conclusions on Bosnia-Herzegovina and the ongoing Operation EUFOR Althea. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi