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Edgars Rinkēvičs emphasised that cooperation policy aimed at the development of Africa should be pursued strategically – an environment favourable for investments created, good governance developed, and causes of conflict and terrorism addressed. At present, the EU is strongly engaged in Africa through the instruments of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); however, when deciding on the further EU involvement in a region, the whole array of instruments at the disposal of the European Union should be evaluated. CSDP missions may well be attractive, but they are not always appropriate to a specific situation.
The EU Foreign Ministers also followed up on the discussions on Libya and the Eastern Partnership started at the informal EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Riga (Gymnich).
Edgars Rinkēvičs said that the Riga Summit should demonstrate the EU's real involvement in Eastern Partnership policy; and that taking this all into account, signing of Association Agreements with Eastern Partnership countries is not the final stage but a continuation of what has been initiated. The Riga Declaration will be realistic and based on individual needs of each Eastern Partnership country.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings take place once a month and are chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.
