Extraordinary Council meeting General Affairs and External Relations Brussels, 25 August 2006

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CONTENTS1

PARTICIPANTS4

ITEMS DEBATED

LEBANON - Council conclusions6

IRAN7

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - Council conclusions7

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

None

PARTICIPANTS

The Governments of the Member States and the European Commission were represented as follows:

Belgium:

Mr Karel DE GUCHTMinister for Foreign Affairs

Mr Didier DONFUTState Secretary for European Affairs, attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Czech Republic:

Mr Jaroslav BAŠTAFirst Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs

Denmark:

Mr Michael ZILMER-JOHNSState Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Germany:

Mr Frank-Walter STEINMEIERFederal Minister for Foreign Affairs

Estonia:

Mr Urmas PAETMinister for Foreign Affairs

Greece:

Ms Theodora BAKOYANNISMinister for Foreign Affairs

Spain:

Mr Miguel Ángel MORATINOS CUYAUBÉMinister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

France:

Mr Philippe DOUSTE-BLAZYMinister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland:

Mr Dermot AHERNMinister for Foreign Affairs

Italy:

Mr Massimo D'ALEMADeputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Cyprus:

Mr Yiorgos LILLIKASMinister for Foreign Affairs

Latvia:

Mr Artis PABRIKSMinister for Foreign Affairs

Lithuania:

Mr Audrius NAVIKASUndersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Luxembourg:

Mr Jean ASSELBORNDeputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration

Hungary:

Mr Tibor KISSPermanent Representative

Malta:

Mr Anthony ABELAParliamentary Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister

Netherlands:

Mr Bernard BOTMinister for Foreign Affairs

Austria:

Ms Ursula PLASSNIKFederal Minister for Foreign Affairs

Poland:

Ms Anna Elżbieta FOTYGAMinister for Foreign Affairs

Portugal:

Mr Luís AMADOMinistro de Estado, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Slovenia:

Mr Dimitrij RUPELMinister for Foreign Affairs

Slovakia:

Ms Diana ŠTROFOVÁState Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Finland:

Mr Erkki TUOMIOJAMinister for Foreign Affairs

Sweden:

Mr Hans DAHLGRENState Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

United Kingdom:

Mr Geoff HOONMinister of State for Europe

Commission:

Ms Benita FERRERO-WALDNERMember

General Secretariat of the Council:

Mr Javier SOLANASecretary-General/High Representative for the CFSP

Other participants:

Mr Kofi ANNANSecretary-General of the United Nations

The Governments of the Acceding States were represented as follows:

Bulgaria:

Mr Ivailo KALFINDeputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Romania:

Mr Mihai-Răzvan UNGUREANUMinister for Foreign Affairs

ITEMS DEBATED

LEBANON - Council conclusions

The Council held an exchange of views with the UNSG Kofi Annan on the situation in Lebanon.

Following this exchange of views, the Council expressed its strong will to see all parties in the region playing a constructive role in helping to implement UNSCR Resolution 1701.

The Council gave Kofi Annan its full support in his efforts to find ways to swiftly implement Resolution 1701. Aware of the urgency of the need to implement it, the Council welcomed Member States' willingness to contribute rapidly to the reinforcement of UNIFIL forces together with their international partners. The Council stressed the important role of UNIFIL in assisting the deployment of the Lebanese Army to Southern Lebanon. The Council welcomed the elements provided by UNSG Kofi Annan on UNIFIL's operational framework.

The significant overall contribution of the Member States to UNIFIL demonstrates that the European Union is living up to its responsibilities. The Council welcomes Member States' intentions to commit a substantial number of troops to be deployed in Lebanon, as well as significant maritime and air assets, command, communications and logistical support. Additional contributions are likely to be made in the future. This gives a leadership role for the Union in UNIFIL.

In addition to UNIFIL contributions, the Council welcomed the EU Member States' readiness to provide support to the Lebanese Army. The European Union is ready to contribute to rebuilding a Lebanese State able to exercise full sovereignty over its territory.

The European Union has reiterated its determination to bring humanitarian relief to the people of Lebanon. To that end, the Council underlined the urgency of lifting the air and sea blockade, and, in the light of the relevant provisions of UNSCR 1701, recalled that establishing effective control measures, in the area of arms, related material, training or assistance, is therefore a priority.

The Council welcomes the Stockholm Conference for Lebanon's Early Recovery that will be hosted by the Swedish Government on 31 August. The Council emphasized that humanitarian aid, early recovery and reconstruction efforts must be conducted under the authority of the Lebanese Government and in the context of its national plan for rehabilitation, reform and development.

The Council renewed its commitment to promote a comprehensive peace plan for the Middle East in close cooperation with international partners and the countries in the region.

IRAN

SG/HR Javier Solana briefed the meeting on Iran's answer to the offer relating to the nuclear issue. The issue will be further discussed at the informal Gymnich meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs on 1-2 September in Lappeenranta (Finland).

On 31 July the UNSC adopted Resolution 1606(2006) demanding that Iran shall suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities to be verified by IAEA. In the event that Iran has not complied with the resolution by 31 August, the UNSC stated its intention to adopt measures under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the UN Charter[1].

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - Council conclusions

The European Union has noted the results of the first round of the presidential election, published by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). It pays tribute to the Congolese people, who turned out to vote in very large numbers, and congratulates the IEC, which worked to ensure that voting was properly conducted. It also acknowledges the crucial role played by the United Nations.

The European Union deplores and condemns the unacceptable acts of violence which occurred in Kinshasa between 20 and 22 August. It appeals to Congolese leaders' sense of responsibility, and especially the two candidates in the second round of the presidential election, President Kabila and Vice-President Bemba, to show restraint and refrain from any provocation. The European Union asks the parties to implement without delay and adhere scrupulously to all measures required to bring the situation in the capital back to normal, in line with the agreement made public on 22 August.

The European Union reiterates that the democratic process under way must be taken to its conclusion and that the use of force in any form is unacceptable. Any disagreements must be resolved peacefully, within the legal framework laid down for complaints and appeals. The IEC's role must be respected and supported. The European Union urges both candidates to conduct a constructive campaign, focusing on the Congolese people's concerns and their hopes of seeing their country return to peace and stability, in a spirit of reconciliation and national consensus. To this end, the European Union asks them to agree and adhere to a code of conduct.

The European Union also stresses the importance of the legislative and provincial elections. The imminent declaration of the outcome of the legislative elections should enable the National Assembly - an institution essential to the sovereignty of the Congolese people - to convene as soon as possible. The provincial elections scheduled for 29 October should provide the basis for democracy at provincial level and for decentralised rule of law.

The European Union will remain fully committed to ensuring the smooth conduct of the electoral process in the DRC, as is shown by the commitment of the European EUFOR RD Congo force to support MONUC in restoring calm to Kinshasa, and by EUPOL Kinshasa's support for the Congolese National Police, which has sole responsibility for maintaining order in the capital. The European Union and its Member States will also continue to shoulder their responsibilities within the International Committee in Support of the Transition (CIAT), which it commends for the role it has played in the events of recent days. The EU's electoral observation mission will remain in place to observe the continuation of the electoral process.

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

None

[1] Article 41 provides that "The Security Council may decide what measures not involving the use of armed force are to be employed to give effect to its decisions, and it may call upon the Members of the United Nations to apply such measures. These may include complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations."