Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, Andris Teikmanis, to take part at General Affairs Council and External Relations Council [25 Jan 2010]

On 25 January, the Secretary of State of the Foreign Ministry, Andris Teikmanis, will participate at the meetings of the General Affairs Council and External Relations Council in Brussels.

At the General Affairs Council, Spain is to present the priorities of its Presidency: the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon; Europe in the wake of the economic crisis, and the adoption of the EU 2020 Strategy; Europe's role in the world, as well as safeguarding rights and freedoms of the EU citizens.

At the External Relations Council, foreign ministers will discuss the current situation in Afghanistan and further involvement by the international community within the context of the International Conference on Afghanistan scheduled for 28 January in London. It is also planned to debate the implementation of the Plan for Strengthened EU Action in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Further, the ministers will talk about the latest developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as debate the progress with the EU operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ministers will have to take a decision on launching the EU military mission for the training of Somali forces (EUTRA).

Next, the ministers will discuss both the current situation in Iran in relation to the nuclear issue and human rights, and the security situation in Yemen.

The foreign ministers will also take forward the discussion initiated by the meeting of the ministers for development within the External Relations Council on 18 January, regarding the EU aid to Haiti after the devastating earthquake of 12 January.

The EU General Affairs and External Relations Councils meeting of foreign ministers is held on a monthly basis. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the General Affairs Council is chaired by the respective minister of the country currently holding the EU Presidency, but the External Relations Council is chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

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