European Council conclusions on Ukraine,
the Middle East and Türkiye, 17 April 2024
In the context of the upcoming European elections, the European Council underlines the Union and its Member States’ determination to closely monitor and contain any risks stemming from disinformation, including through artificial intelligence, as well as foreign information manipulation and interference in electoral processes. The European Council invites the EU institutions and national authorities to cooperate on such matters.
I. UKRAINE
1. Recalling its conclusions of March 2024, the European Council reiterates its full unwavering support to Ukraine, its people and its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
2. European Council strongly condemns Russia’s continued air and missile attacks against Ukraine’s civilians and civilian and critical infrastructure, including the recent intensified targeting of the energy sector. The European Union and its Member States will intensify the provision of humanitarian and civil protection assistance, including equipment such as power generators and power transformers.
3. The European Council underlines the need to urgently provide air defence to Ukraine and to speed up and intensify the delivery of all the necessary military assistance, including artillery ammunition and missiles. It calls on the Council, notably at its upcoming meeting, and on Member States to ensure the necessary follow-up. The European Council welcomes progress on the proposals to direct extraordinary revenues stemming from Russia’s immobilised assets for the benefit of Ukraine and calls for their swift adoption.
Military support will be provided in full respect of the security and defence policy of certain Member States and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States.
II. MIDDLE EAST
4. The European Council strongly and unequivocally condemns the Iranian attack on Israel and reiterates its full solidarity with the people of Israel and commitment to Israel’s security and to regional stability. The European Council calls on Iran and its proxies to cease all attacks and urges all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any action that may increase tensions in the region. The European Union will take further restrictive measures against Iran, notably in relation to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles. The European Union remains fully committed to contributing to de-escalation and security in the region.
5. The European Council recalls its conclusions of March 2024 in all their elements, and reiterates its commitment to work with partners to end the crisis in Gaza without delay and implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2728, including through reaching an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages, as well as providing full, rapid, safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid at scale for Palestinians in need. The European Union remains firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution.
6. The European Union stands ready to work with all partners to avoid further escalation of tensions in the region, notably in Lebanon. It recalls its strong support for Lebanon and the Lebanese people and acknowledges the difficult circumstances Lebanon is experiencing domestically and as a result of regional tensions. The European Council calls on all parties to commit to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. In this context, the European Union remains committed to the stability of Lebanon, including through supporting much-needed reforms, and to strengthening its support to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
7. The European Council confirms the EU’s determination to support the most vulnerable people in Lebanon, including refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities in need, as well as providing support to combat human trafficking and smuggling. The European Council reaffirms the need to achieve conditions for safe, voluntary and dignified returns of Syrian refugees, as defined by UNHCR.
8. In view of the eighth Brussels Conference on Syria, the European Council invites the High Representative and the Commission to review and enhance the effectiveness of EU assistance to Syrian refugees and displaced persons in Syria and in the region. It calls on all donors to maintain or increase their level of assistance to them.
III. TÜRKİYE
9. The European Council held a strategic debate on EU-Türkiye relations, taking note of the Joint Communication of the High Representative and Commission on the state of play of EU-Türkiye political, economic and trade relations. The European Union has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye. The European Council tasks Coreper, respecting the competences of the relevant institutions, to advance work on the recommendations of the Joint Communication in line with previous European Council conclusions and in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner, subject to additional guidance from the European Council. Türkiye’s own constructive engagement will be instrumental in advancing the various areas of cooperation identified in the Joint Communication.
10. In this regard, the European Union attaches particular importance to resumption of and progress in the Cyprus settlement talks in further enhancing EU-Türkiye cooperation. Recalling its previous conclusions, the European Council remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded and the acquis. The European Council welcomes the appointment of María Angela Holguín Cuéllar as the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus. The European Union is ready to play an active role in supporting all stages of the UN-led process, with all appropriate means at its disposal.
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