Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2021-22
UPN Alm.del Bilag 297
Offentligt
2588784_0001.png
European Council
Brussels, 31 May 2022
(OR. en)
EUCO 21/22
CO EUR 9
CONCL 4
NOTE
From:
To:
Subject:
General Secretariat of the Council
Delegations
Special meeting of the European Council (30 and 31 May 2022)
–
Conclusions
Delegations will find attached the conclusions adopted by the European Council at the above
meeting.
EUCO 21/22
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 297: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 30.-31. maj 2022
2588784_0002.png
Conclusions
–
30 and 31 May 2022
I.
UKRAINE
1.
The European Council resolutely
condemns Russia’s war
of aggression against Ukraine.
It urges Russia to immediately stop its indiscriminate attacks against civilians and
civilian infrastructure, and to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops
and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally
recognised borders. The atrocities being committed by Russian forces and the suffering
and destruction being inflicted are unspeakable. The European Council calls on Russia
to allow immediate humanitarian access and the safe passage of all civilians concerned.
The European Council expects international humanitarian law, including the Geneva
Convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war, to be fully respected. It also
calls on Russia to immediately allow the safe return of Ukrainian individuals forcibly
removed to Russia.
2.
The European Council hails the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people and
its leadership in their fight to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom of
their country. The European Union is unwavering in its commitment to help Ukraine
exercise its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression and build a
peaceful, democratic and prosperous future. In this regard, it will continue to work
closely with international partners.
International justice
3.
The European Council commends all those helping to gather evidence and to investigate
war crimes and the other most serious crimes, and supports the intensive work of the
Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in this respect. It also salutes the work
being carried out by Ukraine’s Prosecutor General with financial and capacity-building
support from the European Union and its Member States. It welcomes the establishment
of a Joint Investigation Team coordinated by Eurojust, whose role has been reinforced,
and the ongoing operational support provided by Europol. Russia, Belarus and all those
responsible will be held to account for their actions in accordance with international
law.
EUCO 21/22
1
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 297: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 30.-31. maj 2022
2588784_0003.png
Conclusions
–
30 and 31 May 2022
Sanctions
4.
The European Council is committed to intensify pressure on Russia and Belarus to
thwart Russia’s
war against Ukraine. The European Council calls on all countries to
align with EU sanctions. Any attempts to circumvent sanctions or to aid Russia by other
means must be stopped.
5.
The European Council agrees that the sixth package of sanctions against Russia will
cover crude oil, as well as petroleum products, delivered from Russia into Member
States, with a temporary exception for crude oil delivered by pipeline.
6.
The European Council therefore urges the Council to finalise and adopt it without delay,
ensuring a well-functioning EU Single Market, fair competition, solidarity among
Member States and a level playing field also with regard to the phasing out of our
dependency on Russian fossil fuels. In case of sudden interruptions of supply,
emergency measures will be introduced to ensure security of supply. In this respect, the
Commission will monitor and report regularly to the Council on the implementation of
these measures to ensure a level playing field in the EU Single Market and security of
supply.
7.
The European Council will revert to the issue of the temporary exception for crude oil
delivered by pipeline as soon as possible.
Humanitarian and financial support
8.
The European Union will continue to provide support to Ukraine with a view to
addressing humanitarian, liquidity and reconstruction needs.
9.
Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, the European Union has stepped up its
support
for Ukraine’s overall economic, social and financial resilience, including
by
providing humanitarian aid. In that regard, the European Council commends the results
of the High-Level
International Donors’ Conference co-hosted
by Poland and Sweden.
EUCO 21/22
2
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 297: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 30.-31. maj 2022
2588784_0004.png
Conclusions
–
30 and 31 May 2022
10.
The European Union and its Member States have provided protection to millions of
refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, and remain committed to welcoming and providing
safety to them, including by helping neighbouring countries. The European Council
invites the Commission to present new initiatives to support this effort within the
Multiannual Financial Framework.
11.
The European Union will continue to support the Ukrainian government in its urgent
liquidity needs together with its G7 partners. It acknowledges the support announced in
the G7 context. The European Union is ready to grant Ukraine new exceptional macro-
financial assistance of up to EUR 9 billion in 2022. In this context, the European
Council calls for the examination of the Commission proposal as soon as it is presented.
12.
Ukraine’s
reconstruction will require comprehensive support to rebuild the country for
the future. The European Union and its Member States are prepared to play a major role
in this regard. Therefore, a Ukraine reconstruction platform should be considered. It
should bring together the Ukrainian government, the European Union and its Member
States, the European Investment Bank as well as international partners, financing
institutions, organisations, experts and interested parties. EU support for reconstruction
will be linked to the implementation of reforms and anti-corruption measures consistent
with its European path. The European Council invites the Commission to make
proposals on this basis.
13.
The European Council welcomes the efforts made by Member States to provide in their
national law for appropriate confiscation measures and calls on the Council to swiftly
examine the recent Commission proposal on criminal law measures in case of violation
of EU sanctions. The European Council supports further options in line with EU and
international law being actively explored, including options aimed at using frozen
Russian assets
to support Ukraine’s
reconstruction.
EUCO 21/22
3
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 297: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 30.-31. maj 2022
2588784_0005.png
Conclusions
–
30 and 31 May 2022
Military support
14.
The European Union also remains committed to continue bolstering
Ukraine’s
ability to
defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty. In this respect, the European Council
welcomes the adoption of the recent decision of the Council to increase military support
to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility.
Economic support
15.
The European Council welcomes the adoption of the decision to suspend import duties
on all Ukrainian exports to the European Union for one year.
Political support
16.
The European Council takes note of the preparation of the Commission’s opinions on
the application for EU membership of Ukraine as well as the Republic of Moldova and
Georgia, and will revert to the matter at its June meeting.
17.
The European Union and its Member States will step up their efforts to reach out to
third countries in order to support Ukraine in all these dimensions, counter the false
Russian narrative and manipulation of information, and prevent sanctions evasion and
circumvention.
Impact on neighbouring countries
18.
The European Council follows
closely the impact of Russia’s
war against Ukraine on
neighbouring countries and the Western Balkans. It emphasises the need to provide all
relevant support to the Republic of Moldova as it deals with the interlinked energy and
economic crises, and migration pressure arising from the war. The European Council
reiterates its call for an end to repression in Belarus and recalls the democratic right of
the Belarusian people to new, free and fair elections.
EUCO 21/22
4
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 297: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 30.-31. maj 2022
2588784_0006.png
Conclusions
–
30 and 31 May 2022
II.
FOOD SECURITY
19.
The European Council strongly condemns the destruction and illegal appropriation by
Russia of agricultural production in Ukraine. The Russian war of aggression against
Ukraine is having a direct impact on global food security and affordability. The
European Council calls on Russia to end its attacks on transport infrastructure in
Ukraine, to lift the blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports and to allow food exports, in
particular from Odesa. The European Union is taking active measures to facilitate
Ukraine’s agricultural exports and to support Ukraine’s agricultural sector in view of the
2022 season. In this regard, the European Council invites Member States to accelerate
work on
“Solidarity
Lanes” put forward by the Commission, and to facilitate food
exports from Ukraine via different land routes and EU ports.
20.
The European Council calls for effective international coordination to ensure a
comprehensive global food security response. In this respect, it welcomes the Food and
Agriculture Resilience Mission (FARM) - based on the three pillars: trade, solidarity
and production - which aims to mitigate consequences for price levels, production and
access to and supply of grain. It also supports the UN Global Crisis Response Group,
the upcoming G7 initiative establishing a Global Alliance for Food Security (GAFS)
and other EU and multilateral actions and initiatives. It reiterates its commitment to
keep global trade in food commodities free of unjustified trade barriers, enhance
solidarity towards the most vulnerable countries and increase local sustainable food
production so as to reduce structural dependencies. The European Council invites the
Commission to explore the possibility of mobilising reserves from the European
Development Fund to support the most affected partner countries. The European Union
welcomes the commitment and support of its partners and of international organisations.
EUCO 21/22
5
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 297: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 30.-31. maj 2022
2588784_0007.png
Conclusions
–
30 and 31 May 2022
21.
The European Council underlines the importance of the Common Agriculture Policy
(CAP) in the EU’s contribution to food security and calls for the swift adoption of the
CAP Strategic Plans.
22.
In view of the ongoing fertiliser shortages in the global market, the European Council
calls for more concerted efforts to work with international partners to promote a more
efficient use of and alternatives to fertilisers.
III. SECURITY AND DEFENCE
23.
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has caused a major shift in the European
Union’s strategic environment and has shown the need for a stronger and more capable
European Union in the field of security and defence. In this new context, recalling the
Versailles Declaration and the European Council conclusions of 24-25 March 2022, the
European Union will resolutely implement the Strategic Compass, reinforce its
partnerships, enhance its resilience and increase its security and defence capacity
through more and better investments, focusing on identified strategic shortfalls. The
transatlantic relationship and EU-NATO cooperation, in full respect of the principles set
out in the Treaties and those agreed by the European Council, including the principles
of inclusiveness, reciprocity and decision-making autonomy of the European Union, are
key to our overall security. A stronger and more capable European Union in the field of
security and defence will contribute positively to global and transatlantic security and is
complementary to NATO, which remains the foundation of collective defence for its
members. The solidarity between Member States is reflected in Article 42(7) TEU.
More broadly, the European Union reaffirms its intention to intensify support for the
global rules-based order, with the United Nations at its core.
EUCO 21/22
6
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 297: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 30.-31. maj 2022
2588784_0008.png
Conclusions
–
30 and 31 May 2022
24.
In the light of the analysis of defence investment gaps prepared by the Commission and
the High Representative, in coordination with the European Defence Agency, and the
various recommendations put forward to strengthen the European industrial and
technological base, the European Council invites the Council to examine the following
issues, in line with the respective competences conferred by the Treaties:
a)
as a matter of urgency, measures to coordinate very short-term defence
procurement needs to support joint procurement to replenish stocks, notably in the
light of the support provided to Ukraine, as well as a short-term tool to reinforce
European defence industrial capabilities through voluntary joint procurement;
b)
the development of an EU defence strategic programming, procurement and
coordination capability, in complementarity with NATO;
c)
further measures to map the current and necessary additional manufacturing
capabilities and to reinforce the capacity and resilience of the European defence
technology and industrial sector, including SMEs;
d)
e)
the accelerated implementation of military mobility infrastructure projects;
an enhanced role of the European Investment Bank in support of European
security and defence, in line with its recent Strategic European Security Initiative.
25.
The European Council looks forward to the presentation of a possible joint European
Defence Investment Programme, including exploring a vehicle for Value Added Tax
exemption and for European defence projects of high common interest.
26.
The European Council will revert to the matter at a forthcoming meeting.
EUCO 21/22
7
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 297: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 30.-31. maj 2022
2588784_0009.png
Conclusions
–
30 and 31 May 2022
IV.
ENERGY
27.
Recalling the Versailles Declaration and its conclusions of 21-22 October 2021 and
24-25 March 2022, including as concerns the different energy mixes, conditions and
national circumstances, the European Council reviewed progress in phasing out the
European Union’s dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal imports as soon as possible.
Following earlier decisions on bans on imports from Russia and the presentation of the
REPowerEU Plan to rapidly reduce dependency on Russian fossil fuels and to
accelerate the energy transition, to achieve a more resilient energy system and a well-
interconnected Energy Union, it calls for:
a)
as a short-term priority, further diversifying supply sources and routes, and
securing energy supply at affordable prices;
•
The European Council encourages the prompt use, ahead of next winter, of
the EU Energy Purchase Platform, which is open also for the Western
Balkans and the three associated Eastern Partners.
•
The European Council invites the Commission to explore also with our
international partners ways to curb rising energy prices, including the
feasibility of introducing temporary import price caps where appropriate.
•
The European Council invites the Council to take work forward on the EU
external energy engagement strategy.
•
The European Council notes the importance of indigenous energy sources
for the security of supply.
EUCO 21/22
8
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 297: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 30.-31. maj 2022
2588784_0010.png
Conclusions
–
30 and 31 May 2022
b)
accelerating the deployment of renewables;
•
The accelerated deployment of renewables will require immediately
speeding up permit-granting procedures for renewables projects, and needs
to be underpinned by an industrial cluster aimed at improving innovation,
capacity, skills and supply chains for solar and wind power, hydrogen,
bioenergy, heat pumps and raw materials.
c)
further improving energy efficiency wherever possible, and promoting energy
savings taking into account notably the insular character of certain Member
States;
d)
completing and improving the interconnection of European gas and electricity
networks by investing in and completing infrastructure for existing and new
projects, including LNG and future-proof electricity and hydrogen-ready gas
interconnections throughout the European Union, including island Member States,
and in renewable production capacity including, based on the upcoming analysis
of the regulators and the current geopolitical context, taking advantage of the
Iberian Peninsula’s potential to contribute to the security of supply of the
European Union.
28.
The European Council calls on the Council to rapidly examine the Commission
proposals to deliver on the REPowerEU objectives.
29.
In a spirit of European solidarity, preparedness for possible major supply disruptions
and the resilience of the EU gas market should be improved, in particular through
swiftly agreeing on bilateral solidarity agreements and a coordinated European
contingency plan, which should ensure that major supply disruptions are mitigated.
Filling of storage before next winter should be accelerated. In this context, the European
Council welcomes the agreement on gas storage and calls for its speedy
implementation.
EUCO 21/22
9
EN
 UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 297: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 30.-31. maj 2022
2588784_0011.png
Conclusions
–
30 and 31 May 2022
30.
The European Council takes note of the ACER report and invites the Commission to
swiftly pursue work on the optimisation of the functioning of the European electricity
market - including the effect of gas prices on it - so that it is better prepared to withstand
future excessive price volatility, delivers affordable electricity and fully fits a
decarbonised energy system, while preserving the integrity of the Single Market,
maintaining incentives for the green transition, preserving the security of supply and
avoiding disproportionate budgetary costs.
EUCO 21/22
10
EN