Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2018-19 (1. samling)
UPN Alm.del Bilag 118
Offentligt
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Council of the
European Union
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(OR. en)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRESSE 2
PR CO 2
EN
OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
3668th Council meeting
Foreign Affairs
Brussels, 21 January 2019
President
Federica Mogherini
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy
PRESS
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 B
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1048 BRUSSELS Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 6319 / 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026
[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
21 January 2019
CONTENTS
1
ITEMS DEBATED
Current Affairs ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Disinformation ..................................................................................................................................... 3
EU - League of Arab States relations................................................................................................... 4
EU - ASEAN relations ......................................................................................................................... 4
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
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Council conclusions on Nicaragua .......................................................................................................................... 6
Sanctions against the use and proliferation of chemical weapons ........................................................................... 7
Sanctions against the Syrian regime ........................................................................................................................ 8
EU strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction .......................................................................... 9
Sanctions on North Korea ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Sanctions in light of the situation in Ukraine .......................................................................................................... 9
European economic area ........................................................................................................................................ 10
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
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eu-LISA: Schengen associated states .................................................................................................................... 10
TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT
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Economic partnership agreement with the Southern African development community ....................................... 11
TRANSPORT
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1
ICAO state letter .................................................................................................................................................... 11

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
21 January 2019
The Foreign Affairs Council started with a discussion on current affairs.. Foreign ministers briefly
reviewed the main pressing issues on the international agenda, including the situation in the
Democratic Republic of Congo, in Venezuela and in Syria. The adoption of Council conclusions on
the situation in Nicaragua was also mentioned, as well as the first designations under the new EU
sanctions regime against the use and proliferation of chemical weapons. The High Representative
and foreign ministers also referred to the bomb attack in Bogotá, Colombia of 17 January 2019, as
well as to recent developments on Yemen.
Disinformation
The Council discussed the action plan against disinformation presented by the High Representative
and European Commission on 5 December 2018. Foreign ministers expressed strong support for the
joint action plan.
They exchanged views on the implementation of the action plan, focusing on its external aspects.
They underlined the need to build a common and holistic response to the security challenges posed
by foreign interference, while respecting national approaches and protecting freedom of expression
and of the media.
They highlighted the creation of an EU “Rapid Alert System” to share expertise and best practices,
and to promote coordinated action, notably through awareness raising campaigns. Ministers stressed
the need to engage with civil society to tackle disinformation, including with CSOs, NGOs,
business and academia, as well as to work with international partners, in particular NATO and the
G7, to address disinformation more efficiently. They also underlined the importance of contributing
to strengthening the resilience of neighbouring countries.
The Council concluded that disinformation should be addressed in the broader context of foreign
interference, hybrid threats and strategic communication, with strengthened EU’s operational
capacities. This includes the reinforcement of the three strategic communication task forces of the
European External Action Service, which were set up in order to promote fact-based narratives
about the EU in the Eastern neighbourhood, the Southern neighbourhood and the Western Balkans.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
21 January 2019
EU - League of Arab States relations
Foreign ministers had a preparatory discussion for the EU-League of Arab States (LAS) ministerial
meeting to be held in Brussels on 4 February 2019, ahead of the first EU - LAS summit scheduled
on 24 and 25 February 2019 in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt.
The Council reaffirmed the importance of a strong EU - LAS partnership. Foreign ministers
discussed the need to cooperate with the LAS in addressing a wide range of issues and common
challenges such as multilateralism, trade and investment, the fight against terrorism, migration, and
climate change, as well as regional issues.
League of Arab States (EEAS)
EU - ASEAN relations
The Council discussed the 22nd EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting, that took place on the same day in
Brussels. The Council adopted the following conclusions on EU-ASEAN relations:
"1.
The Council welcomes the outcome of the EU-ASEAN
Leaders’ Meeting in Brussels
on
19 October 2018. The European Union has a genuine strategic interest in strengthening its
relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Council is
determined to deepen relations in 2019 and underlines its support for ASEAN regional
integration.
The Council looks forward to the upgrading of EU-ASEAN relations to a strategic
partnership when mutually agreed. The EU and ASEAN are bound together by common
interests in strengthening the rules-based international order and in effective
multilateralism. The Council underlines the importance of promoting closer trade and
investment links with ASEAN. Recalling its commitment to enhanced security cooperation
in and with Asia, it also reiterates its offer to contribute substantially to policy and
security/defence related fora led by ASEAN, including the ASEAN Regional Forum, the
East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.
It is determined to
advance mutually beneficial cooperation on connectivity in line with the EU strategy on
connecting Europe and Asia. Both the EU and ASEAN must work together to move the
relationship to the strategic level with a view to promoting our strong common interests.
2.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
3.
21 January 2019
The Council therefore looks forward to a successful EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
today with an ambitious agenda, including the strengthening of our mutual relations,
promoting EU-ASEAN connectivity, enhancing political and security cooperation,
addressing climate change and the environment, the protection of human rights and
fundamental freedoms, and a constructive discussion of key challenges facing Europe,
South-east Asia and the world."
EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting, 21/01/2019
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
21 January 2019
Council conclusions on Nicaragua
The Council adopted the following conclusions on the situation in Nicaragua:
"1.
The European Union (EU) recalls the various EU declarations on Nicaragua and HRVP
statements since April 2018 when demonstrations were brutally repressed by security
forces and pro-government armed groups leading to clashes, several hundreds dead and
injured and the arrest of hundreds of citizens, with widespread irregularities and
arbitrariness in detention and judicial procedures.
Recent measures targeting civil society organisations and independent media constitute
another blow to democracy, human rights and civic freedoms aggravating the political and
social crisis.
The EU firmly condemns the repression of the press and civil society and the use of anti-
terrorist laws to repress dissenting opinions in Nicaragua. The cancellation of legal
registration of several civil society organisations and the illegal raids against independent
media outlets, together with earlier measures that criminalise protest, create an
environment where fundamental and constitutionally recognised rights such as freedom of
expression and assembly, freedom of movement, Habeas Corpus, and the right to a fair
trial are not being ensured.
Just as the EU supported regional efforts to ensure accountability for all the crimes
committed since April 2018, whoever the perpetrators, the EU deplores the suspension of
the Special Monitoring Mechanism (MESENI) and the termination of the mandate of the
Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GEIE) of the Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights (IACHR). The EU calls on the government of Nicaragua to cooperate
constructively with the IACHR, its bodies and the OAS working group, guarantee
conditions for their proper operations, and to allow the return of the Office of the United
Nations Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). There cannot be reconciliation
without a transparent, inclusive and constructive national dialogue among all the parties
involved and justice for all victims.
2.
3.
4.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
5.
21 January 2019
The EU believes that a genuine dialogue and negotiation including the adoption of
electoral reforms to ensure credible elections responding to international democratic
standards is the only way to address the current crisis and to respond to the pressing needs
and aspirations of the people of Nicaragua. The EU regrets that electoral reforms promoted
by the OAS have been paralysed. Therefore it urges the Nicaraguan government to re-
engage in a process of meaningful and results oriented dialogue and stands ready to
support a mediation acceptable to all stakeholders and electoral reforms. 6. The EU also
calls on the authorities to cease the repression of public demonstration, independent media
and journalists and civil society organisations; guarantee the physical security of their
members and reinstate their legal status; release all those that were unlawfully imprisoned
and ensure due process and fair treatment at all stages. 7. The EU will continue to monitor
the situation closely and underlines its readiness to use all its policy instruments to
contribute to a peaceful negotiated way out of the current crisis and react to further
deterioration of human rights and rule of law."
Delegation of the EU to Nicaragua
Sanctions against the use and proliferation of chemical weapons
The Council imposed sanctions on nine persons and one entity under the new regime of restrictive
measures to address the use and proliferation of chemical weapons created on 15 October 2018.
These include four officials of GRU (G.U, the main directorate of the General Staff of the Russian
Armed Forces) directly involved in the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury on the
weekend of 4 March 2018. Sanctions are also imposed on the Syrian entity responsible for the
development and production of chemical weapons, the Scientific Studies and Research Centre
(SSRC), as well as five Syrians directly involved in the SSRC's activities. They are the first persons
and entity listed under this new sanctions regime. The SSRC was already listed under the Syrian
sanctions regime.
Sanctions consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons, and an asset freeze for
entities. In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those
listed. This decision contributes to the EU's efforts to counter the proliferation and use of chemical
weapons which poses a serious threat to international security.
Council decision of the 21 January, Official Journal of the EU
Chemical weapons: the Council adopts a new sanctions regime, 15 October 2018
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
21 January 2019
Sanctions against the Syrian regime
The Council added eleven prominent businessmen and five entities linked to those businessmen to
the list of those subject to restrictive measures against the Syrian regime and its supporters. These
businessmen and their companies participate in the regime-backed luxury development of Marota
City and as such supports and/or benefits from the Syrian regime.
The sanctions list now includes 270 persons and 72 entities targeted by a travel ban and an asset
freeze. The persons and entities added were included for befitting from and/or supporting the Syrian
regime.
EU sanctions currently in place against Syria include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain
investments, a freeze of the assets of the Syrian central bank held in the EU, export restrictions on
equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression as well as on equipment and
technology for the monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications. The
sanctions on Syria were first put in place in 2011. They were last renewed on 28 May 2018 until 1
June 2019.
The EU remains committed to finding a lasting and credible political solution to the conflict in
Syria as defined in the UN Security Council resolution 2254 and in the 2012 Geneva Communiqué.
As stated in the EU strategy on Syria adopted in April 2017, and reaffirmed in the Council
conclusion of 16 April 2018 the EU believes that there can be no military solution to the conflict
and strongly supports the work of the UN Special Envoy and the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva.
Council decision of the 21 January, Official Journal of the EU
Syria: Council response to the crisis
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
21 January 2019
EU strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
The Council adopted a decision in support of the biological and toxin weapons convention (BTWC)
in the framework of the EU strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
This decision creates an operational policy tool for providing essential follow-up and momentum to
the activities undertaken throughout 2016-2018 in the framework of the 2016 Council decision in
support of the BTWC. It aims at supporting the national implementation and universalisation of
BTWC, as well as enabling tools for outreach, education and engagement fostering biosecurity. The
action will also support the preparations for the 9th review conference of the BTWC and enhance
the preparedness of states to prevent and respond to attacks involving biological agents. The
Council also agreed on a budget of €3 million for this action.
EU strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
Sanctions on North Korea
The Council removed two deceased persons from the list of those subject to restrictive measures
against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The EU restrictive measures against the DPRK have been adopted as a means of maintaining
pressure in view of its continued and accelerated development of nuclear and ballistic programmes
in flagrant disregard of previous UN Security Council resolutions.
EU restrictive measures on North Korea
Sanctions in light of the situation in Ukraine
The Council removed one deceased person from the list of those subject to restrictive measures in
respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence
of Ukraine.
The measures consist of a travel ban and an asset freeze, meaning that the persons listed cannot
enter the territory of any EU member state and all of the assets in the EU belonging to these persons
are frozen and EU persons and entities cannot make any funds available to them. The decision
brings the total number of persons listed by the EU to 163. In addition, the EU imposed an asset
freeze on 44 entities under this sanctions regime.
EU restrictive measures in response to the crisis in Ukraine
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
European economic area
21 January 2019
The Council adopted its position, on behalf of the EU, within the European economic area (EEA)
joint committee regarding an amendment to annex IX (on financial services) to the EEA agreement.
Annex IX is to be amended to incorporate regulation (EU) No 909/2014 of the European Parliament
and of the Council in the EEA agreement.
The EEA was set up in
1994 to extend the EU’s provisions on its internal market to the European
free trade area (EFTA) countries. Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are parties to the EEA.
The decision is available on the EU Official Journal.
The European economic area (EEA)
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
eu-LISA: Schengen associated states
The Council forwarded to the European Parliament for its consent a Council decision (15832/18) on
the conclusion of an arrangement between the EU and the Schengen associated states (Norway,
Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtensten)
on their participation in eu-LISA, the European agency for the
operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice.
This arrangement allows the Schengen associated states to participate fully in the activities of eu-
LISA related to the IT systems in which they take part. This includes voting rights in management
board decisions, representation in advisory groups of the agency, budgetary contributions and staff.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
21 January 2019
TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT
Economic partnership agreement with the Southern African development community
The Council adopted two decisions on the positions to be taken on behalf of the European Union
within the joint Council under the economic partnership agreement (EPA) between the EU and the
Southern African development community (SADC). The positions relate respectively to:
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the adoption of the rules of procedure for dispute avoidance and settlement and the code of
conduct for arbitrators and mediators (15617/18);
the establishment of a list of arbitrators (15619/18);
The EU signed the EPA with the SADC on 10 June 2016 with the SADC. This group comprises
Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland. Angola has an option to
join the agreement in future.
The agreement became the first regional EPA in Africa to be fully operational after Mozambique
joined in February 2018.
TRANSPORT
ICAO state letter
The Council approved an information note containing a recommended EU position on the reply to
an ICAO state letter on the establishment of a Technical Advisory Body and developments on the
emissions unit criteria, so that the information note can be used as the basis for replies of the EU
member states to the ICAO state letter.
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