Foreign Affairs Council, 19 February 2024
Main results
Situation in the Middle East
The Foreign Affairs Council launched EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the EU defensive maritime security operation intended to restore and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf.
The Council then held a discussion on the situation in the Middle East, with a focus on the humanitarian situation. Member states discussed the issue of an immediate humanitarian pause, and of a planned Israeli military operation in Rafah. They also discussed the need for Israel to do more to facilitate aid and protect civilians.
In this context, ministers exchanged views with the United Nations Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag. Participants discussed with her the support to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, and it was underlined that discontinuing support would mean the interruption of lifeline services provided by the agency to the Palestinian civilian population not only in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, Lebanon and Jordan.
Russian war of aggression against Ukraine
EU Foreign Affairs Ministers welcomed the intervention of Yulia Navalnaya, and paid tribute to the memory of Alexei Navalny. Ms Navalnaya shared her insight about the level of repression of Putin’s regime and the state of political opposition in the country.
I have proposed to the ministers to rename our Global Human Rights Sanctions regime with his Alexei Navalny’s name. If they agree it will be called “Navalny regime on Global Human Rights sanctions”. This will be a way of keeping his memory alive.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The Foreign Affairs Council then discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after a VTC intervention by Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, who briefed his EU counterparts on the latest developments on the ground few days ahead of the sad year mark of two years since the start of Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
The High Representative underlined how Putin continues to target civilian objectives and civilian infrastructure in order to create human suffering among the population and challenge their resilience, and that the EU will continue to support Ukraine.
The Council discussion then focused on the EU security commitments and military support to Ukraine, and discussed the way the EU could increase its provision of ammunition through bilateral and European frameworks.
Ministers also exchanged views on the 13th sanctions package to be adopted before the 24 February, and the use of extraordinary revenues generated by the investment of Russian assets immobilised in the EU.
We expressed our solidarity with the Prime Minister of Estonia, and other politicians and citizens from our member states whom the Russian authorities listed as “wanted” and launched criminal pseudo-investigations against them. This is appalling and adds to Russia’s long track-record of trying to intimidate those who call out Russian violations of international law, human rights and democratic principles.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The Sahel
The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the situation in the Sahel and discussed the guiding principles of an adapted EU approach to the region in line with the approach “African solutions to African problems”:
- continue humanitarian aid in support of the populations
- strengthen cooperation with Chad, Mauritania and Gulf of Guinea countries
- continue support for ECOWAS and regional actors
- have a more transactional approach
- strengthen the EU’s strategic communications to counter false anti-Western narratives
Belarus
Under current affairs, the Foreign Affairs Council touched on Belarus and approved conclusions confirming the EU’s unwavering support civil society, and condemning the current regime for its repression of democracy, disrespect of human rights, and complicity in Russia's war against Ukraine.
International Atomic Energy Agency
Before the beginning of the Foreign Affairs Council, EU foreign affairs ministers held an informal exchange of views with Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, who briefed ministers about his recent visit to Ukraine and the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant as well as on broader IAEA work strands. Ministers also referred to the prospects for closer EU-IAEA collaboration ahead of the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit to be organised in Brussels on 21 March 2024.
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the list of non-legislative A items.
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