Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2019-20
UPN Alm.del Bilag 38
Offentligt
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Council of the
European Union
13976/19
(OR. en)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRESSE 59
PR CO 59
EN
OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
3726th Council meeting
Foreign Affairs
Brussels, 11 November 2019
President
Federica Mogherini
EU 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
11 November 2019
CONTENTS
1
ITEMS DEBATED
Current affairs ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Regional security in the Gulf region and Iran ...................................................................................... 3
Afghanistan .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Sudan .................................................................................................................................................... 4
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
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Sanctions against Venezuela ................................................................................................................................... 6
EU POSITIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS
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EU's position in the EU-Pacific Interim Partnership Agreement Trade Committee ................................................ 7
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA
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52nd meeting of the EEA Council ........................................................................................................................... 7
TRANSPORT
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Aviation
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en route charges ..................................................................................................................................... 7

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
11 November 2019
The Foreign Affairs Council discussed pressing issues on the international agenda. The High
Representative and foreign ministers followed-up on their discussion on Syria at the last Foreign
Affairs Council in October, and recalled their commitment to halt arms exports to Turkey. They
also noted the adoption of the framework for sanctions in response to Turkey's illegal drilling
activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Ministers also referred to the situation in Bolivia, calling on all to exercise a sense of responsibility
to find a way towards credible elections and to avoid any further violence. They briefly touch upon
Venezuela following the international solidarity conference on the Venezuelan refugee and migrant
crisis (28-29 October). The Council also renewed sanctions on Venezuela for a year due to
persistent actions undermining democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights.
The High Representative and foreign ministers briefly discussed the situation in Lebanon,
expressing their expectations that a new government be formed without delay and the EU's
readiness to continue supporting the country.
They also referred to the situation in Hong Kong, Iraq and Libya.
Regional security in the Gulf region and Iran
The High Representative and foreign ministers discussed the security situation in the Gulf region.
They noted that while tensions remain in the region, the situation has not escalated. They reflected
on how the EU could support and encourage further de-escalation, in particular through initiatives
allowing for ownership from the region itself.
The Council also discussed Iran, following the recent announcement by Teheran on the JCPoA
(Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), Iran's nuclear deal. Foreign ministers noted that it was
increasingly challenging to preserve the JCPoA, but reiterated their commitment and their call to
Iran to return to full compliance with the agreement, which remains extremely important for both
European and regional security.
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11 November 2019
Afghanistan
The Council discussed Afghanistan. The High Representative and foreign ministers recalled that
direct intra-Afghan talks are the only way to achieve a sustainable solution, while the resumption of
US-Taliban talks could, in this context, constitute a first step towards the relaunch of the intra-
Afghan negotiations. The Council also highlighted the need to significantly reduce violence and to
create an environment that allows for the preservation of the rights and democratic advancements of
the country, including with regard to the rights of women, children and minorities.
The High Representative and foreign ministers reiterated the EU's readiness to support an inclusive
political process. They recalled the significant engagement of the EU in the country and the
commitment to its stability and prosperity.
Sudan
EU foreign ministers discussed Sudan and had an informal exchange of views with the Sudanese
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. They reaffirmed the EU's strong political commitment to support
the civilian transitional government, as well as the EU's readiness to provide financial aid for the
transition, including in support of economic reform. They highlighted the importance of ensuring
that the civilian transition remains an inclusive process, including an appropriate role for youth and
women.
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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
11 November 2019
Framework for sanctions in response to Turkey's illegal drilling activities
The Council adopted a framework for restrictive measures in response to Turkey's unauthorised
drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. The framework will make it possible to sanction
individuals or entities responsible for or involved in unauthorised drilling activities of hydrocarbons
in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The sanctions will 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 will be forbidden from making funds
available to those listed.
The framework for restrictive measures makes it possible to place under sanctions:
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persons or entities responsible for drilling activities related to hydrocarbon exploration and
production not authorised by Cyprus within its territorial sea, exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) or continental shelf. Such drilling activities include, where the EEZ or continental
shelf has not been delimited in accordance with international law, activities which may
jeopardize or hamper the reaching of such a delimitation agreement;
persons or entities providing financial, technical or material support for the above
mentioned drilling activities;
persons or entities associated with them.
–
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This decision is a direct follow-up to the Council conclusions of 14 October 2019, which were
endorsed by the European Council on 17-18 October 2019, when the EU reaffirmed its full
solidarity with Cyprus, regarding the respect of its sovereignty and sovereign rights in accordance
with international law and invited the Commission and the European External Action Service to
submit proposals for a framework for restrictive measures..
In its conclusions of 15 July 2019, the Council deplored the fact that, despite the European Union's
repeated calls to cease its illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey has continued its
drilling operations within Cypriot territorial waters. The Council reiterated the serious immediate
negative impact that such illegal actions have across the range of EU-Turkey relations. The
Council called again on Turkey to refrain from such actions, act in a spirit of good neighbourliness
and respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Cyprus in accordance with international law.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
11 November 2019
The Council already decided then, in the light of Turkey’s continued and new illegal drilling
activities, to suspend negotiations on the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement and agreed not
to hold the Association Council and further meetings of the EU-Turkey high-level dialogues for the
time being. It also endorsed the Commission’s proposal to reduce the pre-accession
assistance to
Turkey for 2020 and invited the European Investment Bank to review its lending activities in
Turkey, notably with regard to sovereign-backed lending. The Council also decided that the High
Representative and the Commission should continue work on options for targeted measures.
On 14 October 2019 the Council recalled and reaffirmed previous Council and European Council
conclusions, including the European Council Conclusions of 22 March 2018 and 20 June
2019, strongly condemning Turkey's continued illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean. The
Council expressed serious concerns over Turkey's illegal drilling activities in the Eastern
Mediterranean and deplored that Turkey had not yet responded to the European Union's repeated
calls to cease such activities.
Council decision concerning restrictive measures in view of Turkey's unauthorised drilling activities
in the Eastern Mediterranean
Council conclusions on Turkey's illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, 14 October
2019
Council conclusions on Turkey's illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, 15 July
2019
Sanctions against Venezuela
In light of the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela with
persistent actions undermining democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights, the
Council today extended the restrictive measures against Venezuela for one year, until 14 November
2020. The measures include an embargo on arms and on equipment for internal repression as well
as a travel ban and an asset freeze on 25 listed individuals in official positions who are responsible
for human rights violations and/or for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.
These measures are intended to help encourage democratic shared solutions in order to bring
political stability to the country and allow it to address the pressing needs of the population. The
targeted measures are flexible and reversible and designed not to harm the Venezuelan population.
Council's response to the crisis in Venezuela
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
11 November 2019
EU POSITIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS
EU's position in the EU-Pacific Interim Partnership Agreement Trade Committee
The Council adopted the position of the European Union in the Trade Committee established under the
Interim Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Pacific States regarding the
amendments of Annexes II and VIII to Protocol II of the Agreement.
The Partnership Agreement between the EU, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa opens up trade in
goods with the EU. The Solomon Islands and Tonga informed the European Commission that they also
wish to join the Agreement.
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA
52nd meeting of the EEA Council
The Council established the EU's common position for the 52nd meeting of the European Economic
Area Council which is expected to take place in Brussels on 19 November 2019.
TRANSPORT
Aviation
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en route charges
The Council adopted a decision on the position to be taken on behalf of the EU within the enlarged
Commission of Eurocontrol to ensure continued consistency with EU rules on transport regarding
principles for establishing the cost-base for en route charges and the calculation of the unit rate and
conditions of application of the route charges system and conditions of payment
(13468/1/19
REV 1;
113492/19).
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