Minister Maris Riekstins urges EU foreign ministers to develop action plan for cooperation with Ukraine

On 22 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part at the meeting of the General Affairs Council and the External Relations Council in Brussels.

Taking forward the discussions at the External Relations Council of 18 January and 25 January, and the informal discussions of the EU development ministers' on 17-18 February about support to Haiti, the foreign ministers highlighted the importance of co-ordinating efforts within the EU and at the level of international donors, as well as the role of the Haitian government in designing a long-term reconstruction of the country.  Currently a mandate will be developed for the High Representative Baroness Catherine Ashton to represent the EU at the international donors' conference on Haiti on 31 March in New York. The Commission is in charge of drafting proposals for the EU contribution based on the needs assessment, as well as for an enhanced co-ordination within the EU, in order to strengthen the EU's crisis response capacity.

At the External Relations Council, the ministers will discuss the situation in Ukraine following recent presidential elections, as well as future perspective of the EU-Ukraine relations. In this discussion, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins emphasized the need to continue co-operation with Ukraine: "The presidential election in Ukraine testified to the strengthening of democracy. The EU should develop an action plan for a continued co-operation with Ukraine on visa liberalisation, the Free Trade Agreement, and other vital issues."

The ministers reviewed the current situation in Iran, and the outcome of the London International Conference on Afghanistan on 28 January. High Representative Catherine Ashton announced the intention to nominate former Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Vygaudas Usackas as the European Union's envoy to Afghanistan.

The General Affairs Council discussed the agenda points for the European Council meeting on 25-26 March. It is expected the European Council will debate the European Commission's proposal for the EU Strategy 2020 and climate change issues. During the ministers' deliberations, Foreign Minister Riekstins stressed the importance of involving sectoral ministers in the preparation of decisions. When speaking about the EU External Security Strategy, Mr Riekstins noted that a solution should be sought to the issues of economic cohesion, and towards a fully functioning internal EU market, including agriculture.

At the general Affairs Council, the ministers talked about climate change policy and the future strategy   in the wake of the Copenhagen Climate Conference.

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