EU ministers exchanged views on the security impact on an enlarged Union, ahead of the October European Council strategic discussion on the matter.
The ministerial discussion explored opportunities and challenges of enlargement for EU security, including how candidate countries and potential candidates can contribute to strengthening EU security and defence.
Enlargement has been the EU's most successful foreign policy tool for decades. [...] Many candidate countries are already significantly contributing to our security. Ukraine, of course, is Europe's first line of defence against the Russian aggression. Moldova and our Western Balkan partners contribute to EU missions and operations.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
Ministers focused on the areas of foreign, security and defence cooperation to be prioritised, and how the accession process can further support regional stability, normalisation and good neighbourly relations.
Ministers agreed to deepen security and defence cooperation
with candidate countries,based on their progress and alignment with the EU. They also confirmed the importance of strategic communi -
EU foreign affairs ministers discussed Russia’s war of aggression
against Ukraine and the escalating hybrid campaign targeting the
EU and its member states, after an informal exchange of views
with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, AndriiSybiha.
There was support today among ministers for truce on striking
energy infrastructure between Ukraine and Russia, provided Moscow adheres to it. But ceasefire cannot work if only one party honours it. There is a clear understanding that now is not the time to ease pressure on Moscow.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
The ministerial discussion focused on the EU’s response to Russia’s intensified hybrid actions, as well as its support for Ukraine
and pressure on Russia.
Concerning pressure on Russia, the Council adopted the largest-
ever package of listings targeting almost 1600 individuals
and entities in Russia’s military-industrial complex, and 77 additional listings against those involved in the illegal so-called 'elections'
for the Russian State Duma, held in September 2026 in the
The High Representative said that pressure on Russia will be maintained through more sanctions — including through a 22nd package of restrictive measures —, sanctions enforcement, actions against the shadow fleet, the attribution of and collective reaction to hybrid attacks, and better intelligence sharing.
Additionally, the Council discussed the need to work on a swift implementation of the entry ban for former Russian ex-combatants, and the possibility to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats and reduce the number of Russian tourist visas.
When it comes to our collective response, we need a mechanism to consult and to act rapidly. And this is why we will propose an emergency security protocol as part of our European security strategy. This must come with a set of ready to deploy response tools.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
Concerning support for Ukraine, the High Representative welcomed Ukraine’s decision to pass the necessary laws that will allow for opening negotiations on two additional enlargement clusters. The Council also discussed Ukraine's financing gap for 2027, and the need for EU member states to play a lead role in supporting the country’s financing needs.
Lastly, EU ministers discussed preventing the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international sporting competitions under Russian or Belarusian flags and possible EU action against those destroying Ukrainian cultural heritage.
The Council discussed the situation in the Middle East, focusing on the latest developments in Iran and the Gulf region, notably the issue of freedom of navigation, and on Israel and Palestine.
Iran and the Gulf
The Council addressed the escalating tensions in the Gulf and the Red Sea, including the attacks against Saudi Arabia and the disruption of maritime security and freedom of navigation, notably in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Ministers jointly condemned the recent attack on the Riyadh airport by the Houthis and stressed the importance of de-escalation, maintaining diplomatic engagement with regional partners and pursuing diplomatic efforts towards a negotiated outcome.
They also underlined the need to restore freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, including through the EU’s maritime security operations, notably EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, and discussed the need to strengthen its capabilities. In this context, several ministers welcomed the EU-led “no fees/no tolls” pledge to protect international shipping lanes and oppose unlawful, unilateral fees, tolls, or restrictions that hinder freedom of navigation.
Keeping the Red Sea open is in Europe's strategic interest. International waters, the arteries of our economy must remain open to everyone, not whoever can pay.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
Lastly, EU ministers also discussed the deteriorating situation in Yemen, emphasising the importance of supporting the internationally recognised Yemeni government, advancing efforts towards a political settlement and addressing the severe humanitarian needs in Yemen and the Horn of Africa.
Ministers exchanged views on the situation in Israel and Palestine, ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle in the region. In this regard, ministers regretted the postponement of the Palestinian legislative elections and underlined the importance of engaging with the Palestinian Authority to ensure that elections can take place in the near future. They also discussed developments in EU-Israel relations in the context of the upcoming Israeli elections.
The EU remains ready to support the process, including through our EU election observation mission. After 20 years without the legislative vote, Palestinian institutions need renewed legitimacy.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
More broadly, the Council discussed the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Ministers expressed deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and stressed the need for rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access at scale, as necessary conditions to make progress in the implementation of the comprehensive peace plan. They also discussed the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, including settlement expansion and settler violence.
Ministers also touched upon the situation in Lebanon, reiterating the EU’s support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They welcomed the establishment, via a Council decision, of the EU support mission in Lebanon (EUSM Lebanon) to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces and support stability in the country.
Under current affairs, the Council touched upon the situation in Georgia, expressing grave concern over the country's democratic backsliding, the situation of opposition parties, and the implementation of foreign agents' legislation. A more in-depth discussion on Georgia is expected to take place at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in January 2027.
Under ‘any other business’, Belgium and the Netherlands addressed the ministers on the International Criminal Court (ICC), in the light of the restrictive measures recently announced by the US on the ICC and its judges
The Netherlands also raised the issue of the EU's restrictive measures on transnational organised crime.
France referred to Algeria in the context of recently adopted trade restrictions on French imports.
Cyprus updated ministers on the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 10 July by Türkiye and the secessionist entity in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus for the development of an undersea natural gas pipeline.
Other decisions
The Council imposed restrictive measures on a further three individuals and four entities responsible for supporting the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s weapons of mass destruction programmes and violating UN sanctions.
The Council also extended the framework for restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons for five years, until 30 October 2031.
The Council decided to extend the mandate of the Security Sector Reform in Iraq (EUAM Iraq) until 31 October 2028.
In the margins of the meeting
Before the start of the FAC meeting, EU ministers held an informal breakfast discussion dedicated to countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and strategic communication campaigns.
J.D. Vance will visit Greece. Credit: Ralph Branson, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to visit Athens, Greece, in mid-February 2027 to attend the inaugural Breitbart Europe Summit, according to sources cited by the American news organization Breitbart News Network.
The event, scheduled under the theme “Western Alliances and Strategic Convergence,” will focus on U.S.-European relations, strategic cooperation and challenges facing Western allies amid changing geopolitical conditions.
Organizers aim to establish the summit as a forum for discussions on transatlantic relations, security cooperation and shared strategic priorities.
Breitbart News Network has previously organized events attended by senior Trump administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Matthew Boyle, Breitbart’s Washington bureau chief, has played a role in developing and promoting the network’s international initiatives. Boyle has conducted interviews with several political leaders, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Athens Selected for First European Summit
According to the same sources, Athens was selected to host the inaugural event as part of Breitbart’s plans to establish a recurring presence in Europe.
The organizers intend to highlight Greece’s geopolitical position in southeastern Europe and its strategic relationship with the United States.
Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan'dan Husilerin Riyad’a yönelik saldırılarına sert tepki: Lanetliyoruz, Türkiye, Suudi Arabistan'ın yanındadır
Fotoğraf: Reuters
TT
20
Suudi Arabistan'ın başkenti Riyad'daki uluslararası havalimanına yönelik saldırılara Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan'dan tepki geldi.
12 Ekim Pazartesi günü Kabine Toplantısı'nın ardından yaptığı açıklamada Erdoğan, "Husiler tarafından 10 Ekim'de Riyad Kral Halid Havalimanı'nı hedef alan saldırıları en güçlü şekilde lanetliyoruz. Türkiye, Suudi Arabistan'ın ve Suudi kardeşlerinin yanındadır" dedi.
Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan şu ifadeleri kullandı:
"Kıymetli vatandaşlarım; bölgemizdeki çatışma alanlarına maalesef her gün yenileri ekleniyor. Lübnan’dan Yemen’e ve İran’a uzanan hatta gerilim tırmanmakta, özellikle vekil güçler aracılığıyla farklı hesaplar görüşülmeye çalışılmaktadır. Türkiye bir süredir etrafını çevreleyen kriz kuşağına rağmen istikrar adası, güven ve huzur adası konumunu her geçen gün perçinlemektedir. Bölgesel sahiplenme anlayışıyla anlaşmazlıkların harp sahasında değil, müzakere masasında diyalog ve diplomasiyle çözümünü savunuyoruz. Egemenliğe ve toprak bütünlüğüne karşılıklı saygı temel ilkemizdir. Bize göre bölünme ve parçalanma sadece bölgemizi kan gölüne çevirmek isteyen şer odaklarının çıkarlarına hizmet edecektir. Bu minvalde Husiler tarafından 10 Ekim’de Riyad Kral Halit Uluslararası Havalimanı’nı hedef alan ve 12 kişinin hayatını kaybettiği, 309 kişinin yaralandığı saldırıları en güçlü biçimde lanetliyoruz. Aralarında umre ziyareti yapanların da olduğu vefat eden kardeşlerimize yüce Allah’tan rahmet, yaralı kardeşlerimize acil şifalar diliyoruz. Türkiye hukuk ve insanlık dışı saldırılar karşısında Suudi Arabistan’ın ve Suudi kardeşlerinin yanındadır.
Burada şunu da ifade etmekte fayda görüyorum: Pakistan ve Suudi Arabistan’la birlikte 7 Ağustos’ta imzaladığımız ortak savunma anlaşmasının kurumsal altyapısını oluşturma çalışmalarımız devam ediyor. Savunma iş birliğimizi iki temel kulvarda ilerletiyoruz. İlk olarak kolektif savunma ve bölgesel iş birliği hedefleri doğrultusunda çalışıyoruz. İkinci olarak bu iş birliğinin kalıcı ve işleyen bir kurumsal yapıya kavuşması için gerekli adımları atıyoruz.
Bilinmesini isterim ki NATO’da olduğu gibi ortak savunma anlaşması kapsamındaki faaliyetler de ulusal mevzuatımız temelinde yürütülecektir. Türkiye’yi farklı bir yerde resmetmeye çalışan ve kime hizmet ettiği aşikâr olan söylemlerin hiçbir geçerliliği yoktur. Anlaşmanın iç onay işlemlerinin tamamlanması için, önümüzdeki günlerde Gazi Meclisimize sevkine yönelik çalışmalarımız sürüyor. Türkiye’nin duruşu, hassasiyetleri ve savunduğu ilkeler bellidir. Biz hadiselere etnik ve mezhebi bir mercekten asla bakmıyoruz. Biz bölgemizin tamamından barışın ve istikrarın hâkim olmasını istiyoruz. Bundan sonra da bölgesel sahiplenme temelinde barışı savunmaya, barış için gayret göstermeye devam edeceğiz."
Suudi Arabistan, Mısır, Pakistan ve Türkiye’den oluşan Dörtlü Grup, pazar günü yayımladığı ortak açıklamada, Husi milislerinin Suudi Arabistan’a yönelik devam eden saldırılarını en sert ifadelerle kınadı.
Açıklamada, Riyad’daki Kral Halid Uluslararası Havalimanı’nı hedef alan ve çok sayıda sivilin hayatını kaybetmesine ve yaralanmasına yol açan saldırıların yanı sıra altyapı ve sivil tesislerde hasara neden olan eylemlerin uluslararası hukukun açık bir ihlali olduğu vurgulandı.
Dörtlü Grup, söz konusu saldırıların Suudi Arabistan’ın egemenliğine ve toprak bütünlüğüne yönelik açık bir saldırı, ülkenin güvenliği ve istikrarı ile sivillerin can güvenliğine yönelik doğrudan bir tehdit olduğunu belirtti. Açıklamada, bu saldırıların hiçbir gerekçeyle meşrulaştırılamayacak veya kabul edilemeyecek ciddi bir tırmanış anlamına geldiği ifade edildi.
Grup, Suudi Arabistan’la tam dayanışma içinde olduğunu ve ülkenin bu saldırılarla mücadele etmek, tehdit kaynaklarını caydırmak ve saldırıların tekrarlanmasını önlemek amacıyla attığı tüm meşru adımları desteklediğini yineledi. Açıklamada, bu desteğin Suudi Arabistan’ın güvenliğini, egemenliğini ve toprak bütünlüğünü savunmayı, ülkedeki vatandaşların ve ikamet edenlerin güvenliğini korumayı amaçladığı ve Birleşmiş Milletler Şartı ile uluslararası hukukla uyumlu olduğu kaydedildi.
Dörtlü Grup ülkeleri, bölgesel ve uluslararası barış ve güvenliği tehdit eden saldırıların tüm sonuçlarından Husi milislerini tamamen sorumlu tutarak saldırıların derhal ve koşulsuz biçimde durdurulmasını talep etti.
