Date of release : 18-02-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

Event : General Affairs and External Relations Council

The next "General Affairs and External Relations Council" of the European Union will meet on 21 and 22 February 2005 under the chairmainship of the Luxembourg Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean Asselborn.

The Council will discuss about competitveness in the context of the definition of the European Union's financial framework for the period 2007-2013. Subsequently it will prepare the European Council of 22 and 23 March 2005.

The Ministers for Foreign Affairs will then have an exchange of views on the current politcal situation in the Middle East, in Iraq, in the Western Balkans, in Ukraine as well as the revision of the Cotonou agreement with the ACP countries. They will also discuss the preparations for the leaders meeting between the EU and the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush.

An EU-Ukraine Association Council will meet in the evening of 21 February. The following morning, an EU-Moldova Cooperation Council will be held.