” “Transatlantic relations, the Caucasus, the Near East: these are three of the "international scenarios" which the 27 Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union will discuss in Avignon from this afternoon to tomorrow. Bernard Kouchner, head of the French diplomacy and current president, invited his counterparts and the High Representative for foreign policy, Javier Solana, for an informal meeting, also known as Gymnich, which is traditionally held once every six months. It takes its name from the German castle which in 1974 hosted the first of such events, where worldwide problems are widely discussed. Today’s session "is about explains a release from the presidency the relations between the EU and the United states, in particular the big international problems, whether they are regional crises or global challenges". Tomorrow, instead, "the ministers will address the Georgian crisis, just after the European council of September 1st, and will tackle the different aspects of European responsibility in Georgia: humanitarian aids, reconstruction, political solution". In this scenario, the ministers will also discuss the relation between the EU and Russia, "in the run-up to the next bilateral summit, due to take place on November 14th". Other items on the agenda include the peace process in the Near East.” “
