Vienna, 27 January 2006 - On Monday, 30 January 2006, Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik will take the chair for the first time at the meeting of the European Union Council for General Affairs and External Relations in Brussels.
Foreign Minister Plassnik and her Finnish colleague in office will present the operational programme of the Council for the year 2006. Plassnik will discuss in particular such subjects as the future of Europe, the Western Balkans, the Austrian priorities for the promotion of growth and employment and EU crisis management.
In the field of foreign relations, the Foreign Ministers will discuss the situation in Belarus in the light of the imminent presidential elections, the current situation in the Middle East peace process after the holding of the first Palestinian parliamentary elections for 10 years and the state of nuclear negotiations with Iran. Other topics include the Western Balkans and the situation in Afghanistan
In addition, the European Commission will present its assessment of the progress of negotiations in the Doha Development Round following the 6th WTO Conference of Ministers held in Hong Kong in December 2005.
Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Department
Tel.: ++43 (0) 50 1150-3262, 4549, 4550
Fax: ++43 (0) 50 1159-213
mailto: abti3@bmaa.gv.at
http://www.aussenministerium.at
Email Service
Accreditation
Hotel Reservation
Route Planner
Weather