The Foreign Affairs Council meeting took stock of developments in the Middle East Peace Process among other issues. It expressed its grave concern about the situation in Gaza and Israel and called for an urgent de-escalation and cessation of hostilities. The Council also welcomed the formation of the national Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces and considered them legitimate representatives of the aspirations of the Syrian people.

Foreign Affairs Ministers took stock of developments in the Middle East Peace Process, and discussed recent events in Gaza. They expressed their grave concern about the situation in Gaza and Israel and deeply regretted the loss of civilian life on both sides. They therefore called for an urgent de-escalation and cessation of hostilities. In March 2012, the EU allocated €35 million to improve the living conditions of the Palestinian people.

The Council also held an in-depth discussion on the latest events in Syria. Ministers welcomed the agreement reached on 11 November in the meeting of the Syrian opposition groups gathered in Doha and in particular the formation of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. The EU considers them legitimate representatives of the aspirations of the Syrian people.

At the meeting held in Brussels, the Council also established the 2013 budget for the European Defence Agency. As far as CSDP operations are concerned, the Council noted progress in the preparation of a military mission to support the reorganisation and training of the Malian armed forces.