CZECHS HOST FIRST CRISIS SESSION.

A "crisis session" was how Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra described the informal General Affairs Council, on 8 January in Prague, the first ministerial meeting under the Czech EU Presidency. It was attended primarily by junior ministers rather than ministers.

The informal Council was originally meant to focus on the priorities for the next six months, but with the ongoing gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, said to be affecting two-thirds of EU member states, the agenda was changed. The 27 adopted a joint declaration stating that it is "unacceptable" for EU residents and companies to experience difficulties because both Russia and Ukraine have failed to...