2958th EXTER AL RELATIO S Council meeting

Brussels, 27July 2009

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The Council condemns the armed attacks against Somalias Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and against the UN and NGOs. It expresses its deep concern over the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and calls on all parties to the conflict to respect international law. The situation in Somalia remains one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

2. The Council reaffirms its support to the Transitional Federal Government under the leadership of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and the President's commitments to honour the principles laid down in the Djibouti Peace Agreement, including the spirit of reconciliation and the search for an inclusive political process. It calls on all armed groups to urgently lay down their weapons and join in a genuine broad-based dialogue with the TFG. The Council expresses its appreciation and support to the AU and AMISOM for their efforts.

3. The Council underlines the importance of a comprehensive approach to the situation in Somalia, linking security with development, rule of law and respect for human rights, gender related aspects and international humanitarian law. It stresses that long term assistance from international partners cannot be effective without a stabilization of the security situation.

4. The Council encourages constructive engagement from all regions of Somalia, including Puntland and Somaliland, in building an environment of trust and cooperation to mutual benefit. The Council also recognises that the situation in Somalia must be addressed in a regional and international context, with all neighbouring states playing a constructive role for a lasting and peaceful solution to the present conflict.

5. The Council welcomes the successful conduct of the EU NAVFOR ATALANTA operation, which is playing a leading role in international anti-piracy efforts. It also welcomes the international community’s ongoing work to ensure prosecution of piracy.

The Council recognizes the important work conducted within the International Contact

Group on Piracy off the coast of Somalia. It stresses the need to fight the root causes of piracy.

6. The Council recalls the longstanding and continuing efforts of Member States and the Community to address the dire humanitarian situation and to provide humanitarian and development assistance. Furthermore, it welcomes the additional Community contributions of 60 MEUR for AMISOM and 13 MEUR for the UNDP-managed Rule of Law and Security programme, as well as Member States' contributions to the security sector, as pledged at the donor’s conference in April.

7. The Council has decided to step up the EU engagement for promoting peace and development in Somalia, in line with the High Representative’s recommendations. Due to the difficulties of engaging effectively in the country, efforts will entail a flexible and phased approach. EU engagement will be guided by the principles of accountability, transparency and Somali ownership. Priority will be given to activities that produce quick, yet sustainable, results to promote peace and recovery for the Somali people. Capacity building of public institutions will be of particular importance in this context.

8. The Council underlines that EU efforts will have to be closely coordinated with all relevant actors. It recognises the important role played by the International Contact Group on Somalia under the leadership of the UN SRSG.

9. In this context the Council (a) will explore ways to increase assistance to support TFG institutions. It welcomes the first steps taken by the TFG to establish accountable financing systems; (b) expresses its continued support to AMISOM, given its pivotal role in the peace process. Further engagement with the AU and AMISOM should identify the most urgent needs and possible additional EU support in order for AMISOM to develop capabilities commensurate with its mandate; (c) will explore the possibility of additional EU support to the security sector, including through support to the UN-led assessment process and TFG priorities and commitments as well as through the training of security forces. The Council agrees that support in the security sector should be well coordinated, notably with the AU, the UN and other relevant EU partners, in particular the US. It should support a Somali national security strategy, committed to the rule of law, respect for human rights and gender; (d) intends to assess possible additional EU support to regional maritime capabilities in cooperation with the International Maritime Organisation and the International Contact Group on Piracy off the coast of Somalia. Related issues such as coastal environmental protection and fishery protection should be addressed; (e) will encourage diaspora communities to engage constructively in the peace process for the state-building and development of Somalia; (f) views positively the possibility of appointing an EUSR for the Horn of Africa in order to further enhance the EU's ongoing strategic policy formulation and the coordination of EU activities. 10. The Council invites the relevant Council bodies and institutions and the Commission to urgently elaborate detailed and concrete proposals on the implementation of these conclusions."

Source: EN