Next week’s meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) chaired by Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Dimitrij Rupel, will – out of respect for the Orthodox Easter holiday – be held on Tuesday 29 April 2008, and Monday will instead be devoted to the EU’s meetings with non-EU countries which usually take place in the margins of Council meetings.

For Monday 28 April 2008, the following meetings are planned: EU-Egypt Association Council (11:00), EU Troika-ECOWAS (15:00), EU Troika-OSCE (15:00) and EU-Croatia Stabilisation and Association Council (18:00). A press conference is scheduled after each meeting. On Tuesday 29 April 2008, there will also be an EU Troika-Russia meeting between Foreign Ministers (18:00).

On Tuesday 29 April 2008, the Council will start its discussions with general affairs and continue with foreign relations. The Foreign Ministers will, among other things, examine the situation in the Western Balkans, Burma/Myanmar, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and review the Middle East Peace Process. The post-Council press conference is scheduled to be held after the working lunch.

• Presidency Briefing
• Audiovisual note