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From left to right:
Mr Pierre SELLAL, French Permanent Representative,
Mr Olivier CHASTEL, Belgian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs with responsibility for preparing for the EU Presidency, attached to the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Mr Bernard KOUCHNER, French Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, President of the Council
© The Council of the European Union
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At the Council's external relations session on 22 July, topics discussed included the arrest of Radovan Karadzic, the situation in Zimbabwe and relations with Ukraine.
The Council welcomed the arrest in Serbia of Radovan Karadzic, who has been indicted by the ICTY (International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia) for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. By its action the new government in Belgrade is contributing to peace and stability in the Balkans region and Serbia's rapprochement with the EU. The Council encouraged the Serbian Government to continue along this road.
The Council regretted that the people of Zimbabwe were unable to vote freely in the election on 27 June, the result of which the EU regards as illegitimate, and deplored the intimidation practised. The Council decided to penalise those responsible for the campaign of violence which marked the elections by extending the EU's restrictive measures (a visa ban, freezing of assets and reinforcement of the travel ban arrangements).
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It encouraged the AU and the UN to continue their efforts and stated that it was prepared to support any credible mediation that might lead to the establishment of a transitional government and the holding of free, pluralist and transparent elections.
The decision on sanctions added 37 new names and, for the first time, four economic entities, to the 131 names already on the list.
The Council noted the preparations for the next EU-Ukraine Summit to be held in Evian on 9 September 2008, and the negotiations on a new enhanced agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. Discussion touched on the title of the future agreement, its preamble and the issue of a dialogue on visas. In the light of that discussion, the Presidency will take forward work on those subjects with a view to the Summit and the ongoing negotiations.
Further information:
Council Press Release (pdf)
Council webcast of Press conference
Future events
Justice and Home Affairs Council, 24 and 25 July 2008
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