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The EU Foreign Affairs Council meets in Luxembourg

Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Publication date 14.10.2016 11.29 | Published in English on 14.10.2016 at 12.00
Press release

Pressrelease 193/2016
14 October 2016

The EU Foreign Affairs Council will meet in Luxembourg on 17 October. Finland's representative at the meeting will be Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini.

The Council will discuss the situation in Syria, the European Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy, the foreign relations dimension of the migratory flows, and Tunisia. The discussions will be chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini.

A central theme of discussion in the Foreign Affairs Council will be the current situation in the Syria conflict in light of recent developments, efforts to reduce violence and the measures taken by the EU and the international community to resolve the conflict. The aim is to adopt conclusions on this agenda item.

The Council will also discuss the implementation of the European Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy and adopt conculsions on it. The priority tracks in the implementation of the Strategy will be security and defence, a comprehensive approach to conflicts, and strengthening of resilience in crises.

Migration will be a topic of discussion especially as regards actions following the Summit on Refugees and Migrants, organised in connection with the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly. Additionally, the ministers will take stock of progress made in the partnership framework which is based on the European Agenda on Migration.

The Council will also discuss Tunisia's reform plans and the EU's support to the country, based on the Joint Communication issued by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the European Commission on 29 September. The aim is to adopt conclusions on this agenda item.

Inquiries: Jussi Tanner, Diplomatic Adviser to Foreign Minister Soini, tel. +358 295 350 663 and Stefan Lee, Deputy European Correspondent, tel. +358 295 351 467.