Council of the EU
Foreign Affairs Council, 23 October 2023
Main results
Situation in Israel and in the region
The Foreign Affairs Council held a discussion on the situation in Israel and in the region, building on the informal video conference of foreign affairs ministers of 10 October, and the video conference of the members of the European Council on 17 October.
The Council once more condemned Hamas’ terrorist attack and called for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas. EU ministers confirmed that Israel has the right to defend itself, in accordance with International humanitarian law.
We have to condemn the terrorist attacks and we have to avoid as far as possible a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In order to achieve this, it is absolutely imperative that we provide humanitarian aid and that the people who need it have access to it. We have had some first convoys, but not many. Before the war there were about 100 lorries a day crossing into Gaza, now it is about 20 a day and the needs are even greater now than before. These first convoys are positive signal, but we have to increase the number and the speed with which the convoys go in. We have to provide medicine, food, and the ministers agreed that we also need to provide the fuel that it is necessary to make the desalination plants work.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The EU and its member states will continue their intense outreach to regional partners and international actors to prevent a broader regional escalation. Foreign interference and disinformation campaigns should be countered.
Lastly, the Council upheld its ultimate objective to achieve a two-state solution. Ministers discussed the long-term perspective for peace in the region and agreed that it will be crucial to re-energise the political process.
Russian war of aggression against Ukraine
Following up on their historic joint visit to Kyiv on 2 October 2023, EU Foreign Affairs Ministers discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, focusing on short and long-term support.
The Council discussed how to best meet Ukraine’s most urgent needs – including through more air defence and ammunition. They then exchanged views on concrete proposals for EU’s future security commitments.
Security commitments - combining traditional military assistance, with other elements focused on cyber security, de-mining and the overall strengthening of the resilience of Ukraine - will help Ukraine not only defend itself, but also deter acts of potential future aggression and resist destabilisation efforts.
The High Representative then stressed the need to strengthen the EU defence industry by ramping up the production of ammunition, so as to meet Ukraine’s needs, and replenish EU stocks. Cooperation between the European and Ukrainian defence industries should also be strengthened, in full respect of the security and defence policy of the member states and their constitutional constraints.
Lastly ministers also touched on how to best support Ukraine’s Peace Formula, with the aim to ensure the broadest possible support in the United Nations.
Other decisions
The Council adopted a framework for sanctions targeting those undermining of the stability, democracy and the rule of law in Niger.
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the list of non-legislative A items.
19th EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting
On the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council, ministers participated in the 19th EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting, together with the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The parties jointly endorsed the EU-Central Asia Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia and discussed how to advance inter-regional cooperation on common security challenges, connectivity, economic and trade, environment, water and climate, education, science and innovation issues, and people-to-people contacts, promoting deeper ties between the EU and Central Asia.
Ministers conveyed the EU’s strong commitment to Central Asia, in the context of the challenges emerging from regional dynamics, with a focus on the fall-out of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in Afghanistan.
Today’s meeting of Foreign Ministers confirms a new level of cooperation between our regions. In a world confronted with demanding challenges, but also new opportunities, we know that we can achieve more when we act together.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The parties reaffirmed their regions’ determination to uphold the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles of international law. Ministers stressed the need to cooperate effectively to prevent circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia across Central Asian territories.
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