UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 73: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd den 16. december 2021

Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2021-22
UPN Alm.del Bilag 73
Offentligt

European Council

Brussels, 16 December 2021

(OR. en)

EUCO 22/21

CO EUR 19

CONCL 6

NOTE

From:

To:

Subject:

General Secretariat of the Council

Delegations

European Council meeting (16 December 2021)

–

Conclusions

Delegations will find attached the conclusions adopted by the European Council at the above

meeting.

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UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 73: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd den 16. december 2021

Conclusions

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16 December 2021

COVID-19

Vaccination

The European Council addressed the worsening epidemiological situation in the EU and

the impact of the emergence of Omicron, a new variant of concern. It reiterates the vital

importance of vaccination in the fight against the pandemic. Rolling out vaccination to

all and deploying booster doses are crucial and urgent. In that context, overcoming

vaccine hesitancy, including by addressing disinformation, remains key. In addition to

vaccination, the implementation of the EU strategy on COVID-19 therapeutics,

including joint procurement, should be taken forward.

Coordination

Continued coordinated efforts are needed to respond to developments based on the best

available scientific evidence, whilst ensuring that any restrictions are based on objective

criteria and do not undermine the functioning of the Single Market or disproportionately

hamper free movement between Member States or travel into the EU. The European

Council calls for the speedy adoption of the revised Council recommendation on safe

free movement and of the revised Council recommendation on non-essential travel into

the EU. The European Council stresses the importance of a coordinated approach on the

validity of the EU Digital COVID vaccination certificate and takes note of the fact that

the Commission will adopt a delegated act on this issue.

International cooperation

The European Council underlines that the pandemic will only be overcome through

global cooperation based on trust and mutual assistance. In this context, it commends

Botswana and South Africa for their vigilance and transparency in detecting, sequencing

and reporting the most recent Omicron variant of concern so rapidly, and stresses the

importance of scaling up global genomic sequencing capacity.

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UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 73: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd den 16. december 2021

Conclusions

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16 December 2021

The EU is committed to playing its role in achieving global vaccination. The EU is the

biggest donor and exporter in the world. We will continue to export and share vaccine

doses and ancillary materials, and step up our support for the countries most in need, in

particular in Africa, both by continuing to provide support to COVAX and on a bilateral

basis, in cooperation with partners.

In order to address bottlenecks in vaccine sharing and administration, and to rapidly

remove the obstacles hampering the global roll-out of vaccines, the European Council

calls on the Commission to further enhance support to Member States and third

countries, to further engage with manufacturers, and to strengthen coordination with the

World Health Organization, COVAX and other partners. The European Council invites

the Council to monitor closely the fulfilment of vaccine pledges in all transparency and

will revert to the matter as appropriate.

The European Council welcomes the agreement reached by the World Health Assembly

on 1 December 2021 to start a global process to draft and negotiate a convention,

agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and

response, with a view to its adoption under Article 19, or under other provisions of the

Constitution of the World Health Organization as may be deemed appropriate by the

intergovernmental negotiating body.

II.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND RESILIENCE

The European Council took stock of work to enhance our collective preparedness,

response capability and resilience to future crises, which is a major cross-cutting

political priority for the Union.

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UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 73: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd den 16. december 2021

Conclusions

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16 December 2021

It welcomes the Council conclusions of 23 November 2021 and calls for:

–

strengthening

the EU’s crisis response and preparedness

in an all-hazards

approach;

–

building and monitoring resilience and addressing areas where we are exposed.

The European Council invites the Council to take work forward and review progress

regularly.

III. SECURITY AND DEFENCE

10.

The EU is committed to the global rules-based international order, with the United

Nations at its core, and to strengthening cooperation with partners throughout the world

in order to address common threats and challenges together.

11.

In the face of increased global instability, growing strategic competition and complex

security threats, the EU will take more responsibility for its own security and in the field

of defence, pursue a strategic course of action and increase its capacity to act

autonomously. The EU will promote its interests and values, reinforce its resilience and

preparedness to tackle security threats and challenges effectively, and continue to work

towards global peace and security.

12.

The European Council invites the Council to take forward work on an ambitious and

actionable Strategic Compass, based on the first draft presented by the High

Representative in November 2021, which sets out a common strategic vision over the

next decade and makes best use of the entire EU toolbox, including civilian and military

policies, tools and instruments. Within this framework, the European Council looks

forward to the presentation of the technology roadmap requested in February 2021 and

invites the Commission and the High Representative to make any further proposals

necessary, including on space security, cyber and the fight against hybrid threats.

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Conclusions

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16 December 2021

13.

The EU is committed to cooperating closely with NATO, 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 EU.

The transatlantic relationship and EU-NATO cooperation are key to our overall

security. A stronger and more capable EU in the field of security and defence will

contribute positively to global and transatlantic security and is complementary to

NATO, which remains, for those States that are members of it, the foundation of their

collective defence. The European Council supports the strengthening of the EU-NATO

strategic partnership and looks forward to the third joint declaration on EU-NATO

cooperation. It should be prepared in an inclusive manner, address new threats and

challenges and include, as areas for enhanced cooperation, resilience, cyber and hybrid

threats, climate change and security, space, and emerging and disruptive technologies.

14.

The European Council will revert to security and defence at its meeting in March 2022,

when it will be invited to endorse the Strategic Compass.

IV.

EXTERNAL ASPECTS OF MIGRATION

15.

The European Council assessed the implementation of its conclusions of

24-25 June 2021 and of 21-22 October 2021. It recalls the importance of addressing all

migratory routes, in a whole-of-route and comprehensive approach.

16.

The European Council calls on the Commission and the High Representative, together

with Member States, to ensure that the recent action plans for countries of origin and

transit are made operational and implemented without further delay, in cooperation with

partner countries. In this regard, it urges the Commission to make sure that adequate

financing is clearly identified and mobilised without delay for migration-related actions

on all routes, in line with the EU’s increased ambition.

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UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 73: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd den 16. december 2021

Conclusions

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16 December 2021

17.

The European Council recognises the importance of a more unified EU returns policy

and calls on the Commission and the High Representative, together with Member

States, to swiftly take action to ensure effective returns from the EU to countries of

origin by using as leverage all relevant EU policies, instruments and tools, including

development, trade and visas, to ensure the full implementation of existing readmission

agreements and arrangements, as well as to conclude new ones, and report to the

Council.

18.

The European Council reiterates its condemnation of attempts by third countries to

instrumentalise migrants for political purposes. It underlines the need to develop tools to

address the instrumentalisation of migration. It calls for swift work on the proposal on

measures against transport operators that facilitate or engage in trafficking in persons or

smuggling of migrants in relation to illegal entry into the territory of the European

Union.

19.

The European Council invites the Council and the Commission to consider ways to

strengthen cooperation arrangements to support Member States facing specific

challenges at the

EU’s

external borders, including as regards border guards as well as

aerial surveillance.

20.

The European Council invites the Council, under the direction of its Presidency, to

monitor closely the swift and effective implementation

of the EU’s

external migration

policy, and to give further impetus as necessary. The European Council will revert to

the matter.

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UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 73: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd den 16. december 2021

Conclusions

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16 December 2021

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Belarus

21.

The European Council strongly condemns the instrumentalisation of migrants and

refugees by the Belarusian regime and the humanitarian crisis it has created. The EU

will continue to counter the hybrid attack launched by Belarus with a determined

response, addressing all dimensions of the crisis in line with EU law and international

obligations, including fundamental rights. The European Council underlines in

particular the importance of:

–

effectively protecting the EU’s external borders, including by strengthening the

EU’s legal framework. In this respect it calls on the Council

to examine the

Commission proposal on provisional emergency measures;

–

combatting smuggling and trafficking;

promptly implementing restrictive measures, following the adoption of the fifth

package of listings, and being prepared to adopt further measures as necessary;

–

ensuring unhindered access for international organisations in Belarus and stepping

up humanitarian support;

–

22.

supporting the return of migrants from Belarus.

The European Council reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of

all political prisoners and for an end to the repression of civil society and independent

media. It reiterates the democratic right of the Belarusian people to elect their president

through new, free and fair elections.

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UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 73: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd den 16. december 2021

Conclusions

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16 December 2021

Ukraine

23.

The European Council stresses the urgent need for Russia to de-escalate tensions caused

by the military build-up along its border with Ukraine and aggressive rhetoric. The

European Council reiterates its full support for

Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial

integrity. Any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive

consequences and severe cost in response, including restrictive measures coordinated

with partners.

24.

The European Council encourages diplomatic efforts and supports the Normandy format

in achieving the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

Southern Neighbourhood

25.

The

European Council reaffirms its determination to renew and reinforce the EU’s

partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood with a view to tackling common

challenges and taking advantage of shared opportunities through strengthened

cooperation. To that end, it invites the Council and the Commission to accelerate work

on the new Agenda for the Mediterranean.

European Union - African Union Summit

26.

The European Council discussed the preparations for the European Union - African

Union Summit on 17-18 February 2022 and the possible themes and deliverables. It

aims to establish an ambitious future-oriented Alliance with Africa which can build an

area of prosperity and stability underpinned by a transformational investment package.

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UPN, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 73: Rådssekretariatets konklusioner fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd den 16. december 2021

Conclusions

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16 December 2021

Ethiopia

27.

The European Council continues to follow closely the situation in Ethiopia and fully

supports the mediation efforts of African Union High Representative Obasanjo. The EU

calls for an unconditional ceasefire and urges all parties to engage in an inclusive and

transparent national dialogue. Ensuring the protection of civilians and providing

unhindered humanitarian access remain key priorities.

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