Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2017-18
UPN Alm.del Bilag 206
Offentligt
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Council of the
European Union
7273/18
(OR. en)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRESSE 18
PR CO 18
EN
OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
3608th Council meeting
Foreign Affairs
Brussels, 19 March 2018
President
Federica Mogherini
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy
PRESS
Rue de la Loi 175 B – 1048 BRUSSELS Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026
[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
19 March 2018
CONTENTS
1
ITEMS DEBATED
Current affairs ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Ukraine ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Syria ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Informal lunch on the Korean Peninsula.............................................................................................. 4
Iran ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
–
–
–
Bosnia and Herzegovina: sanctions in response to the incidents in Mostar ............................................................ 5
Sanctions in view of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina ................................................................................ 5
Sanctions in view of the situation in Syria .............................................................................................................. 5
ENVIRONMENT
–
Marine biodiversity (UNCLOS) .............................................................................................................................. 6
1

Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated
in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks.
 
Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's internet site
(http://www.consilium.europa.eu).
 
Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by
an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's internet site or may be obtained from the Press
Office.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
ITEMS DEBATED
Current affairs
19 March 2018
At the beginning of their meeting, the High Representative and EU foreign ministers discussed
pressing issues on the international agenda, in particular the Salisbury attack. They adopted a
statement expressing the EU's unqualified solidarity with, and support for, the UK, including for the
UK's efforts to bring those responsible for this crime to justice.
Statement by the Foreign Affairs Council on the Salisbury attack
Ukraine
The Council exchanged views on Ukraine. Ministers expressed their appreciation for the High
Representative's visit to Kyiv on 11-12 March. They discussed the recent developments, in
particular in the reform process. Ahead of the Ukraine reform conference to take place in
Copenhagen on 27 June, they welcomed the progress achieved on economic reform, while
underlining the need to step up efforts in some other areas, including the judiciary and anti-
corruption.
One day after the fourth anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea, the Council reiterated its
commitment to its non-recognition policy and support for the full implementation of the Minsk
agreements. Ministers expressed their concern over humanitarian issues in eastern Ukraine and
reiterated their full support for the work of the OSCE in the region. They also reiterated that they
would continue to follow developments in Ukraine, including events linked to the upcoming
parliamentary election.
EU relations with Ukraine (background information)
Syria
Foreign ministers discussed the latest development in Syria with Staffan de Mistura, UN Secretary
General Special Envoy for Syria. Ministers commended his tireless efforts to push for a political
solution to the conflict. They expressed their full support for these efforts, recalling that the EU has
always clearly stated there can be no military solution to the conflict.
Foreign ministers expressed their concern over the increasingly deteriorating humanitarian
situation, in particular in Afrin and Eastern Ghouta. They urged all those involved to fully and
immediately implement UN Security Council resolution 2401. They also discussed possible
repercussions of the situation in Syria for the wider region.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
19 March 2018
The Council also discussed the upcoming second Brussels conference on 'Supporting the future of
Syria and the region' on 24-25 April 2018, which will be co-chaired by the EU and the UN. It will
be an opportunity to mobilise humanitarian aid for the Syrians both inside the country and in the
region, and to provide further political support at international and regional level for the intra-
Syrian negotiations in Geneva. Like the first Brussels conference, it is expected to bring together
participants from more than 70 countries and organisations at ministerial level.
Syria: Council response to the crisis
Informal lunch on the Korean Peninsula
EU foreign ministers and the High Representative had an informal lunch with the South Korean
Foreign Minister, Kang Kyung-wha. They focused on the situation on the Korean peninsula, in the
light of the recent announcements made by the DPRK's leadership.
Ministers looked ahead to the summit between Kim Jong-un and South Korean President
Moon Jae-in scheduled for April and the announced meeting between Kim Jong-un and
US President Donald Trump, as these summits could create the conditions needed to work towards
a diplomatic solution aimed at the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the
Korean Peninsula.
EU ministers welcomed South Korea's efforts aimed at the de-escalation of tensions in the
peninsula and improved intra-Korean relations.
Highlights of the press statements by High Representative Federica Mogherini and South Korean
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha (VIDEO)
Iran
The Council discussed Iran. Ministers underlined the importance of the Iran nuclear deal – the
JCPOA – for the security of the region and beyond. They highlighted the need to ensure continuous
commitment of all parties involved to the agreement.
Ministers also discussed other issues outside the scope of the JCPOA, in particular Iran's ballistic
missiles programme, as well as Iran's role in the increasing tensions in the region, including in Syria
and Yemen. In her press conference the High Representative stressed that these topics had to be
addressed outside the scope of the nuclear agreement, adding that there was unity both on the need
to preserve the JCPOA and on the need to address regional issues with Iran through dialogue.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Bosnia and Herzegovina: sanctions in response to the incidents in Mostar
19 March 2018
The Council lifted the restrictive measures against three persons who had perpetrated violent acts
during the incidents in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) on 10 February 1997. These 3 persons are
under investigation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The decision was taken following a review of Council Common Position 97/193/CFSP on
restrictive measures aimed at these individuals, adopted on 17 March 1997.
Sanctions in view of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Council prolonged for 12 months the validity of the Council decision of 21 March 2011
concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The measures,
now in force until 31 March 2019, make it possible to impose an asset freeze and a travel ban on
persons whose activities undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of
Bosnia and Herzegovina or seriously threaten its security situation.
The restrictive measures were put in place on 21 March 2011 and have been extended on a yearly
basis since then. They are part of the EU comprehensive strategy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina
as defined in the Council conclusions of 21 March 2011.
Sanctions in view of the situation in Syria
The Council added four persons to the list of those targeted by EU restrictive measures against the
Syrian regime. The EU added these 4 persons for their role in the development and use of chemical
weapons against the civilian population, in line with the EU's policy of fighting the proliferation
and use of chemical weapons.
These persons include a high-ranking military official and three scientists involved in chemical
weapons proliferation and delivery. They work for the Scientific Studies and Research Centre
(SSRC), an entity involved in the chemical weapons proliferation sector. This entity has been
subject to EU restrictive measures since 1 December 2011.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
19 March 2018
The EU had already imposed restrictive measures on Syrian high ranking officials specifically for
their role in the use of chemical weapons on 17 July 2017. Today's decision brings to 259 the total
number of persons targeted by a travel ban and an asset freeze for being responsible for the violent
repression against the civilian population in Syria, benefiting from or supporting the regime, and/or
being associated with such persons.
In addition, 67 entities are targeted by an asset freeze. More broadly, sanctions currently in place
against Syria include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, a freeze of Syrian central
bank assets held in the EU, and export restrictions on equipment and technology that might be used
for internal repression and on equipment and technology for the monitoring or interception of
internet or telephone communications. These measures were last extended on 29 May 2017 and
remain in place until 1 June 2018.
See the
Council decision
ENVIRONMENT
Marine biodiversity (UNCLOS)
The Council decided to authorise the Commission to open negotiations, on behalf of the Union, on
an international legally-binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas
beyond national jurisdiction. It also agreed on directives for the negotiations.
This follows up on Council Decision (EU)
2016/455
of 22 March 2016 authorising the opening of
negotiations on the elements of the draft text.
The Union and its Member States are parties to the UNCLOS. The Union concluded the UNCLOS
by Council Decision
98/392/EC,
in respect of those matters for which competences have been
transferred to the Union by its Member States. The Union is the only international organisation
which is a party to UNCLOS to date.
The European Parliament will be informed in accordance with Article 218(10) TFEU, and the
decision and the negotiating directives will be transmitted to the European Parliament.
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