Foreign Minister Avramopoulos to participate in the EU Foreign Affairs and General Affairs Councils

Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos will be in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday, 10 and 11 December 2012, to participate in the EU General Affairs and Foreign Affairs Councils (GAC/FAC).On Monday, 10 December, Mr. Avramopoulos will attend the FAC working luncheon, during which the Foreign Ministers will discuss EU-Russian relations ahead of the EU-Russia Summit Meeting (Brussels, 21 December), as well as the Middle East peace process.

The afternoon session of the FAC will look at Southern Neighbourhood issues, with the focus on developments in Syria, Egypt, and Libya; developments in the Western Balkans, with emphasis on the Belgrade-Pristina talks; and EU-U.S. relations.

The morning session of Tuesday’s GAC will include a discussion of preparations for the conclusions of the European Council on 13-14 December. This will be followed by a working luncheon hosted by European Council President Rompuy, and the Council meeting will conclude in the afternoon, looking at the conclusions on enlargement policy. Also within the framework of the Council proceedings, the Irish-Lithuanian-Greek Presidency Trio will present their 18-month programme.

Foreign Minister Avramopoulos will be accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas.