Paris attacks prompt EU counter-terror projects

On Monday, the EU’s foreign affairs council met in Brussels to discuss terrorism following the recent attacks in Paris which left 17 people dead, and the foiled attack in Brussels. Relations with Russia and the situation in Libya were also discussed during the meeting.

Ministers held an exchange of views with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Nabil El-Araby, during which regional foreign policy and security issues were raised as well as the state of play of relations between the European Union and the League.

Ministers also agreed on an action plan for climate diplomacy in view of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will take place in Paris next November.

The external aspects of the EU's counter-terrorism policy were discussed, and Ministers agreed on the need to strengthen engagement with countries in the Middle East and North Africa through political and security dialogue. Ministers also addressed the need to improve EU Communication with the Muslim World population and stressed the importance of the swift implementation of the EU strategy on Syria/Iraq and counterterrorism/Foreign fighters adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council last October.

The Council held a strategic debate on the status of relations with Russia, and agreed that their reflections today did not constitute a shift in direction or a normalisation of relations, but an exchange of views on how to better utilise tools available to the EU, apart from the restrictive measures already in place. 

Ministers stressed that Russia's obligations under the Minsk Protocol had to be fully honoured for improved relations to materialise.

El-Araby, joined the Ministers for a working lunch, during which the strategic dialogue between the EU and the League was discussed, as well as ways to deepen relations on key political and security issues.

The meeting also served as an opportunity to have an exchange of views on the recent developments regarding Libya, the Middle East Peace Process, Iraq and Syria.

Malta’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, George Vella, who attended the meeting, referred to the situation in Libya and mentioned the ongoing talks in Geneva: “The EU cannot allow the Geneva talks to fail. Libya needs a political solution not a military one.”

Vella also pushed for possible future action for a stronger articulation of EU engagement, including further EU support to the efforts of UN Secretary General Special Representative, Bernardino Leon to find a political solution in the country.

“The EU’s role in the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) needs to be beefed up,” he added.

The Council also agreed on coordinated and strategic diplomatic efforts ahead of the COP21 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. Ministers agreed that EU delegations and embassies of EU member states would be actively involved in promoting the EU’s position and in facilitating dialogue with international partners.