I attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 11 December, which was followed by a FAC (Development). The Council was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP), Federica Mogherini. The meeting was held in Brussels.

Ministers met the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, in the margins of the Council. The meeting was an opportunity for the European Union to reiterate its united and clear messages on the status of Jerusalem as future capital of two states, the importance of preserving a two-state solution and, on regional issues, the need to continue implementing the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal).

Foreign Affairs Council

EU Foreign Ministers discussed the Middle East, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), G5 Sahel Force and jointly, with Development Ministers, EU-Africa relations. Development Ministers discussed Aid for Trade.

The HRVP, in her introductory comments, also spoke about Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), Libya, her visit to Burma and Bangladesh and the Eastern Partnership Summit. I spoke about the historic opportunity in Zimbabwe and the need for the right policy mix to respond to developments there.

Middle East

The Council held discussions on the latest developments in the wider Middle East. I set out the UK position on Jerusalem, settlements, final status and the two state solution. Member States agreed to continue to respect the international consensus on Jerusalem including on the location of their diplomatic representations until the final status of Jerusalem is resolved. Ministers considered how the EU could limit escalation and preserve stability in the region, as well as consolidate progress in countries such as Lebanon.

Ministers expressed their concern at the serious deterioration of the situation in Yemen, which was witnessing the onset of a grave humanitarian catastrophe. They agreed to continue working to re-invigorate UN-led efforts towards a political solution to the conflict in Yemen in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Ministers recalled the continued EU support for the efforts of UN Special Envoy de Mistura in Syria.

Ministers underlined the importance of continuing and strengthening the EU's engagement on Iraq. The HRVP and the Commission are expected to present a proposal for a new strategy in January 2018.

Sahel

Ministers representing the Sahel countries set out their security and humanitarian needs. EU Ministers agreed that more needed to be done given the shared interests in the region.

EU-Africa relations

In a joint session with Foreign and Development Ministers, Ministers underlined the importance of the EU-Africa Summit and the need to continue working with African partners in an inclusive way.

Development - Aid for trade

The Council discussed the updated strategy on aid for trade which aims to improve the integration of developing countries into the international trading system and to enable trade and investment to contribute to reducing poverty.

Ministers agreed a number of measures without discussion:

The Council adopted a decision establishing Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO);

The Council adopted conclusions on DRC;

The Council adopted conclusions on Thailand;

The Council extended sanctions against the DRC

The Council agreed rules of procedure for the Joint Committee established by the Cooperation agreement on partnership and development between the European Union and the Afghanistan;

The Council adopted a decision to support the global reporting mechanism on illicit small arms and light weapons and other illicit conventional weapons and ammunition to reduce the risk of their illicit trade (‘iTrace III’);

The Council took note of the 19th Annual Report on EU exports of military technology and equipment;

The Council decided to provide support to the African, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean regions to participate in the high-level fissile material (such as highly enriched uranium or plutonium) cut-off treaty expert preparatory group consultative process;

The Council approved a draft EU-China statement on climate change and clean energy;

The Council adopted conclusions on the European Court of Auditors' Special Report on the Bêkou EU trust fund;

The Council adopted conclusions on the 2016 Report on the Gender Action Plan II.