EU Foreign Affairs Council, 20 March 2023 Main results

Foreign Affairs Council, 20 March 2023

Main results

Ukraine

The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Before the Council discussion, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, shortly addressed EU ministers via video conference, and briefed them about the latest developments on the ground and Ukraine's military priorities, notably the urgent need for ammunition.

In a joint session gathering EU foreign affairs and defence ministers, the Council then agreed on the three-track proposal put forward by the High Representative and Commissioner Breton to urgently provide Ukraine with artillery ammunition, either coming from existing stocks or jointly procured.

Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Today, the Council has confirmed its agreement on this three-track approach. Today’s decision is important by its ambition - we will work under very tight deadlines because the purpose is to provide one million ammunition in one year -, by the scope – we combine delivery from existing stocks and joint procurement of new production -, and by its financial volume – we are talking about €2 billion of reimbursement -. […] The Council has also agreed to consider a further increase of the overall financial capability of the EPF by €3,5 billion.

Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Note on Delivery and joint procurement of ammunition for Ukraine, as approved by the Council on 20 March 2023

EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine (background information)

EU cooperation on security and defence (background information)

In the margins of the meeting, 17 EU member states and Norway signed the European Defence Agency (EDA) project arrangement for the collaborative procurement of ammunition to aid Ukraine and replenish member states’ national stockpiles.

EDA brings together 18 countries for Common Procurement of Ammunition (EDA website)

The Council then discussed President Zelensky’s peace formula. The Council expressed its supports and will continue to conduct outreach with Ukraine and partners to promote the plan and a just peace.

On accountability, ministers touched on the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant against President Putin, in connection with alleged crimes of deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The Council will continue working on identifying those involved in the deportation of children with the aim of adopting further restrictive measures.

Lastly, ministers also touched on the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was extended right before the Council meeting, and stressed the substantial EU contribution to the efforts to support the export of Ukrainian food through the Solidarity Lanes.

Tunisia

The Council had an exchange of views on the situation in Tunisia.

Tunisia is a very close partner and neighbour of the EU, and developments in the country have an immediate impact on the European Union in terms of instability in the Mediterranean.

The Council expressed its continued willingness to support the Tunisian people but stressed the urgency of addressing the issue of rule of law and respect for human rights in the country. It also restated that is indispensable for the Tunisian leadership to proceed with structural reforms and finalise the programme already agreed with the International Monetary Fund.

The Council will continue to closely monitor the situation and two members of the Foreign Affairs Council were tasked by the High Representative to travel to Tunisia to assess the situation and suggest ways forward.

Current affairs

The Council decided to impose restrictive measures on additional 8 individuals and one entity under the Iran human rights regime, complementing the previous sanctions packages adopted since October 2022.

Human rights violations in Iran: EU sanctions additional eight individuals and one entity (press release, 20 March 2023)

The High Representative informed EU ministers about the agreement reached in Ohrid in the context of the latest high-level meeting of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. In a key milestone of the process of normalisation of the relations between Serbia and Kosovo*, the parties agreed to the implementation annex of the agreement accepted in the previous high-level meeting on 27 February in Brussels.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Infographic - The Strategic Compass one year on: an assessment

A compass on a blue background this infographic describes what has been achieved in one year since the launch of the strategic compass.See full infographic

Strategic Compass

In a joint session gathering EU foreign affairs and defence ministers, took stock of the progress made in the implementation of the EU Strategic Compass, one year from its approval.

Ministers welcomed the progress achieved across all four pillars of the Compass, and identified areas that need further work.

Annual progress report on the Implementation of the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence (EEAS website)

EU missions and operations (EEAS website)

Delivering on the Strategic Compass (EEAS website)

Other decisions

The Council approved conclusions on Afghanistan and EU priorities at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and extended the mandate of operation EUNAFVOR MED IRINI until 31 March 2025.

Afghanistan: Council approves conclusions, 20 March 2023

Afghanistan: the EU’s response to the crisis (Background information)

Council conclusions on EU priorities at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (press release, 20 March 2023)

Council extends mandate of EU military Operation IRINI in the Mediterranean until 2025 (press release, 20 March 2023)

Meeting information

Meeting n°3941 Brussels 20 March 2023 10:45

Preparatory documents