Zsolt Németh, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented Hungary at the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on Monday. Following the meeting, the Hungarian State Secretary declared that the Eastern Partnership was also on the agenda.

There is a chance to conclude an association as well as a free trade agreement between the EU and Ukraine by the coming summit of the Eastern Partnership this November, Zsolt Németh said. However, Ukraine must fulfil certain requirements until then, he added.  Next week's EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels will need to define a mechanism that would monitor Ukraine's democratic deliverance. On ties between the EU and its eastern neighbours, the Hungarian State Secretary said that the bloc should accelerate cooperation, rather than "follow cautious policies" with Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.

The foreign ministers of the EU member states agreed to send almost 500 troops to Mali. About half of the troops will focus on training the army of Mali, while the other half will provide security for the military trainers. Hungary will contribute by sending 10 officers to the EU mission in Mali.  The EU member states also agreed to increase the severity of EU sanctions against North Korea. The sanctions apply partly to the leaders of the North Korean regime and partly to trade transactions.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)