Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2023-24
UPN Alm.del Bilag 219
Offentligt
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European Council
Brussels, 22 March 2024
(OR. en)
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CO EUR 6
CONCL 2
NOTE
From:
To:
Subject:
General Secretariat of the Council
Delegations
European Council meeting (21 and 22 March 2024)
–
Conclusions
Delegations will find attached the conclusions adopted by the European Council at the above
meeting.
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Conclusions
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21 and 22 March 2024
The European Council held an exchange of views with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres
on the geopolitical situation and key global challenges.
The European Council marked the 30
th
anniversary of the EEA Agreement with the Prime Ministers
of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
*
*
I.
UKRAINE
1.
Two years into the war of aggression that Russia launched against Ukraine, and ten
years after
Russia’s
illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, both in manifest
violation of its obligations under the UN Charter and international law, the European
Council is ever more steadfast in its support for Ukraine’s
independence, sovereignty
and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Russia must not
prevail.
Given the urgency of the situation, the European Union is determined to continue
providing Ukraine and its people all the necessary political, financial, economic,
humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for as long as it takes and as intensely as
needed. The European Council invites allies and partners across the world to join in this
endeavour.
2.
As it exercises its inherent right to self-defence, Ukraine urgently needs air defence
systems, ammunition and missiles. At this critical moment, the European Union and
Member States will speed up and intensify the delivery of all the necessary military
assistance. The European Council welcomes all recent initiatives in this regard,
including the one launched by Czechia to urgently procure ammunition for Ukraine,
which will enable the swift fulfilment of the
EU’s
commitment to provide Ukraine with
one million rounds of artillery ammunition.
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Conclusions
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21 and 22 March 2024
3.
The European Council welcomes the bilateral agreements on security commitments
concluded with Ukraine by several Member States and partners. It reviewed progress on
the
EU’s
contribution to the security commitments to Ukraine which will help Ukraine
to defend itself, resist destabilisation efforts and deter acts of aggression in the future.
The European Council welcomes the adoption of the Council Decision regarding a
Ukraine Assistance Fund which ensures the continuation of military support for Ukraine
under the European Peace Facility. The European Council calls on the Council to work
on the 8
th
support package for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility. It also
welcomes the increased capacity of the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM).
4.
The European Council reviewed progress on the next concrete steps towards directing
extraordinary revenues
stemming from Russia’s immobilised assets for the benefit of
Ukraine, including the possibility of funding military support. It invites the Council to
take work forward on the recent proposals by the High Representative and the
Commission.
5.
Military support and EU security commitments will be provided in full respect of the
security and defence policy of certain Member States and taking into account the
security and defence interests of all Member States.
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Conclusions
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21 and 22 March 2024
6.
The European Council welcomes the adoption of the 13
th
package of sanctions. It calls
for further steps to weaken Russia’s ability to continue waging its war of aggression,
including by strengthening the sanctions. Full and effective implementation of sanctions
is essential. The European Council requests that the Council and the Commission
improve exchange of information, strengthen implementation, enhance the EU and
Member States’ action
with third countries, and close all loopholes both inside and
outside the Union. This includes preventing the circumvention of sanctions through
third countries, and ensuring their enforcement, also as concerns subsidiaries of EU
companies abroad.
Russia’s access to sensitive items and technologies with battlefield
relevance must be restricted to the maximum extent possible, including by targeting
entities in third countries enabling this circumvention. The European Council calls on
the High Representative and the Commission to prepare further sanctions against
Belarus, North Korea and Iran.
7.
The European Council calls on third parties to immediately cease providing material
support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
It is extremely concerned about
reports that Iran may transfer ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia for use
against Ukraine after having supplied the Russian regime with unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs), which are used in relentless attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine.
Were Iran to do so, the European Union is prepared to respond swiftly and in
coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive
measures against Iran.
8.
The European Council strongly condemns
Russia’s continuous human rights violations
in the occupied Ukrainian territories, including the deportation of children. It firmly
rejects and will never recognise the illegal so-called
‘elections’
organised by Russia in
the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories of Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk,
Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, nor their results.
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Conclusions
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21 and 22 March 2024
9.
Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression
against Ukraine and for other most serious crimes under international law, as well as for
the massive damage caused by its war. The European Council supports ongoing efforts,
including in the Core Group, to establish a tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of
aggression against Ukraine that would enjoy the broadest cross-regional support and
legitimacy, and a future compensation mechanism.
10.
The European Union remains
committed to supporting Ukraine’s repair, recovery and
reconstruction, in coordination with international partners. The European Council
welcomes the recent strengthening of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM)
in Ukraine which will allow the scaling up of support for Ukrainian law enforcement
agencies
in Ukraine’s liberated and adjacent territories, and
for reforms in the context of
its EU accession process. The European Council calls for further support for
psychological and psychosocial rehabilitation and for increased demining assistance.
11.
The European Union and its Member States will continue their intensive global outreach
efforts to ensure the widest possible international support for a comprehensive, just and
lasting peace
and the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, with a
view to a future Global Peace Summit.
12.
The European Council stresses the strategic importance of security and stability in the
Black Sea region. It highlights the need to assist Ukraine in rebuilding its position in its
traditional export markets, notably in the Middle East and Africa.
13.
The European Union will continue to provide all relevant support to the Republic of
Moldova in addressing the challenges it faces as a consequence of Russia’s aggression
against Ukraine, and
to strengthen the country’s resilience, security and stability in the
face of destabilising activities by Russia. The European Council welcomes Member
States’ bilateral commitments to support the European
Union Partnership Mission
(EUPM) in Moldova in order to enhance the resilience of the security sector.
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Conclusions
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21 and 22 March 2024
14.
The European Union will also continue to support Georgia in strengthening its
resilience and addressing the challenges it faces as a consequence of
Russia’s
actions to
undermine Georgia’s territorial integrity as well as Russia’s war of aggression against
Ukraine.
II.
SECURITY AND DEFENCE
15.
The European Union is committed to increasing its overall defence readiness and
capabilities to match its needs and ambition in the context of rising threats and security
challenges. Building on the Versailles Declaration and the Strategic Compass, it is
committed to reducing its strategic dependencies and scaling up its capacities. The
European defence technological and industrial base should be strengthened accordingly
across the Union. Increasing defence readiness and enhancing the Union’s sovereignty
will require additional efforts, in accordance with
Member States’ competences,
to:
a)
fulfil the shared commitment to substantially increase defence expenditure, and
invest better and faster together;
b)
improve the European defence industry’s access to public and private finance.
In
this context, the European Council invites the Council and the Commission to
explore all options for mobilising funding and report back by June. Furthermore,
the European Investment Bank is invited to adapt its policy for lending to the
defence industry and its current definition of dual-use goods, while safeguarding
its financing capacity;
c)
incentivise development and joint procurement to address critical EU capability
gaps, in particular in strategic enablers, as well as to make full use of the synergies
between national and European defence planning processes;
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d)
enhance cooperative/joint defence investment, from the research and development
to the planning stage, to industrialisation and joint procurement, and improve
predictability, e.g. through multi-year fixed contracts;
e)
increase the resilience of the European defence industry, its flexibility and its
capacity to develop and produce innovative defence products, enhancing their
interoperability and interchangeability, and ensuring their availability to Member
States;
f)
incentivise further integration of the European defence market across the Union,
by facilitating access to defence supply chains, in particular for SMEs and mid-
cap companies, and by reducing red tape;
g)
enhance rapid response and timely identification of bottlenecks in supply chains
for the defence market and ensure that EU regulation is not an impediment to the
development of the European defence industry;
h)
support initiatives to continue investing in skilled labour to address prevailing
labour and skills shortages in the defence industry.
16.
The European Council invites the Council, the High Representative and the
Commission to swiftly advance work on the Joint Communication on a European
Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS). It also invites the Council to take work forward
without delay on the accompanying proposal for a European Defence Industry
Programme (EDIP).
17.
The implementation of the Strategic Compass remains a key element in increasing
Europe’s defence
readiness and should be accelerated. The EU Rapid Deployment
Capacity, military mobility, live exercises, enhancing space security, countering cyber
and hybrid threats and addressing foreign information manipulation and interference
(FIMI) are of particular importance in that respect.
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Conclusions
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21 and 22 March 2024
18.
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.
19.
The above is without prejudice to the specific character of the security and defence
policy of certain Member States, and takes into account the security and defence
interests of all Member States.
III. MIDDLE EAST
20.
The European Council discussed the latest developments in the Middle East. It is
appalled by the unprecedented loss of civilian lives and the critical humanitarian
situation. The European Council calls for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a
sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of
humanitarian assistance.
21.
The European Council recalls its previous conclusions condemning Hamas in the
strongest possible terms for its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks across Israel on
7 October 2023, recognising Israel’s right to defend itself in line with
international law
and international humanitarian law, and calling for the immediate release of all hostages
without any precondition. Their safety and well-being is of grave concern. Hamas and
other armed groups must immediately grant humanitarian access to all remaining
hostages. The European Council calls on the Council to accelerate work on the adoption
of further relevant restrictive measures against Hamas.
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21 and 22 March 2024
22.
The European Council is deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian
situation in Gaza and its disproportionate effect on civilians, particularly children, as
well as the imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza.
Full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into and throughout the Gaza Strip
via all routes is essential to provide the civilian population with life-saving assistance
and basic services at scale. The European Council welcomes the Amalthea Initiative
opening a maritime route for emergency assistance from Cyprus to Gaza, which
supplements land routes that remain the main way to deliver the volumes needed.
Additional land routes and crossings are needed.
23.
Immediate measures should be taken to prevent any further population displacement
and provide safe shelter to the population to ensure that civilians are protected at all
times. The European Council urges the Israeli government not to undertake a ground
operation in Rafah, which would worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation
and prevent the urgently needed provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance.
Over a million Palestinians are currently seeking safety from the fighting and access to
humanitarian assistance there.
24.
All parties must respect international law, including international humanitarian law and
international human rights law. The European Council stresses the importance of
respecting and implementing the 26 January 2024 order of the International Court of
Justice, which is legally binding. Violations of international humanitarian law need to
be thoroughly and independently investigated and accountability ensured. The European
Council takes note of the reports by UN Special Representative Pramila Patten with
grave concern and is appalled by the sexual violence during the 7 October attacks. The
European Union supports independent investigations into all allegations of sexual
violence, noting also the reports by UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem.
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21 and 22 March 2024
25.
The European Council stresses that the services UNRWA provides in Gaza and across
the region are essential. The European Council notes the recent EU measures and the
financial support. It welcomes the swift launch by the UN of an internal investigation
and external review following the serious allegations against 12 UNRWA staff about
their alleged participation in the 7 October terrorist attacks. It looks forward to the
results of the investigation and further decisive action by the UN to ensure
accountability and strengthen control and oversight.
26.
The European Council calls for an immediate halt to violence in the West Bank and
East Jerusalem as well as for ensuring safe access to the holy sites. The European
Council strongly condemns extremist settler violence. Perpetrators must be held to
account. The European Council calls on the Council to accelerate work on the adoption
of relevant targeted restrictive measures. The European Council condemns Israeli
Government decisions to further expand illegal settlements across the occupied West
Bank. It urges Israel to reverse these decisions.
27.
The European Union will continue to work intensely with regional and international
partners to prevent further regional escalation, notably in Lebanon and the Red Sea. The
European Council calls on all actors, notably Iran, to refrain from escalatory actions. It
welcomes the launch of EU Operation ASPIDES to safeguard freedom of navigation
and the security of seafarers in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the broader region.
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21 and 22 March 2024
28.
The European Union remains firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based
on the two-state solution. Palestinians and Israelis have an equal right to live in safety,
dignity and peace. The European Council calls on all parties to refrain from actions that
undermine the principle of the two-state solution and the viability of a future Palestinian
state. It recalls that the two CSDP missions
–
the European Union Police Mission for
the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) and the European Union Border Assistance
Mission to the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah)
–
can play an important role
based on this principle in support of a future Palestinian state. The European Union
stands ready to work with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and regional and
international parties to contribute to reviving a political process, including through the
Peace Day initiative and a Peace Conference to be convened as soon as possible, and to
support the Palestinian Authority as it undertakes the necessary reform. The European
Union stands ready to support a coordinated international effort to rebuild Gaza.
IV.
ENLARGEMENT AND REFORMS
29.
Recalling the Granada Declaration, the European Council took stock of preparations for
enlargement and internal reforms recalling that work on both tracks needs to advance in
parallel to ensure that both future Member States and the EU are ready at the time of
accession. The European Council will address internal reforms at an upcoming meeting
with a view to adopting by summer 2024 conclusions on a roadmap for future work.
30.
Building on the Commission’s recommendation of 12 March 2024, the European
Council decides to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The
European Council invites the Commission to prepare the negotiating framework with a
view to its adoption by the Council the moment all relevant steps set out in the
Commission’s recommendation of 12 October 2022 are taken.
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21 and 22 March 2024
31.
The European Council welcomes the progress of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova
in advancing on the necessary reforms on their EU path. Further to the submission of
the draft negotiating frameworks for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, the
European Council invites the Council to swiftly adopt them and to take work forward
without delay.
32.
The European Council takes note of Georgia’s ongoing efforts and encourages
the
country to advance on the outstanding priority reforms.
V.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Comprehensive partnerships
33.
The European Council welcomes the joint declaration on the strategic and
comprehensive partnership between the European Union and Egypt.
34.
35.
The European Council also welcomes the partnership with Mauritania.
It underlines the importance of strengthening and developing such strategic
partnerships.
Haiti
36.
The European Council is extremely concerned about the deteriorating situation in Haiti
and the suffering inflicted on the population as a result of the new wave of violence
unleashed since the end of February. It welcomes the recent release by the European
Union of EUR 20 million in humanitarian support. The European Council encourages
the ongoing efforts to put in place a viable, inclusive and sustainable Haitian-led
political transition plan. It calls on all Haitian political forces to show responsibility by
compromising to agree on the way forward in the best interests of the country and of the
long-suffering population. The European Council welcomes UN Security Council
Resolution 2699 setting up a Multinational Security Support Mission and underlines the
importance of its rapid deployment.
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21 and 22 March 2024
Russia
37.
The European Council calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political
prisoners in Russia and an end to the persecution of the political opposition. The
ultimate responsibility for the death of Alexei Navalny lies with the Russian authorities.
The European Council calls for an independent and transparent international
investigation into the exact circumstances of his death. It welcomes the adoption of new
restrictive measures against those responsible for serious human rights violations and
abuse and calls for work to be taken forward in the Council to establish a new sanctions
regime in view of the situation in Russia and its destabilising actions abroad.
38.
The European Council condemns
Russia’s
politically motivated persecution of EU
citizens. It invites the Commission and the High Representative to take the necessary
steps to prevent the execution by third countries of arrest warrants issued by Russia in
such cases.
Belarus
39.
The European Council is deeply concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation
in Belarus. Repression, human rights violations and restrictions on political
participation and access to independent media in Belarus reached unprecedented levels
in the build-up to the parliamentary and local elections on 25 February, which failed to
meet basic democratic standards. The European Council calls for the immediate and
unconditional release of all political prisoners. It
reiterates the EU’s solidarity with
Belarusian civil society and democratic forces.
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21 and 22 March 2024
VI.
MIGRATION
40.
The European Council reviewed the state of play on migration following the
Communication from the Commission
and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to
continue pursuing a comprehensive approach to migration as agreed in its conclusions
of December 2023. Noting that over 90 % of irregular migrants enter the EU with the
assistance of smugglers, the European Council supports the Commission’s resolve to
strengthen all tools at the EU’s disposal to effectively counter
human trafficking and
smuggling, while in parallel launching a Global Alliance to respond to this global
challenge.
VII. AGRICULTURE
41.
The European Council underlines the importance of a resilient and sustainable
agricultural sector for food security and the
Union’s strategic autonomy,
the value of
vibrant rural communities, and the essential role of the Common Agricultural Policy in
that regard. Farmers need a stable and predictable framework, including to accompany
them in tackling environmental and climate challenges.
42.
The European Council reverted to the current challenges in the agricultural sector and
concerns raised by farmers. It took stock of the ongoing work at European level. The
European Council invites the Commission and the Council to take work forward
without delay, notably on:
a)
all possible short- and medium-term measures and innovative solutions, including
those to reduce the administrative burden and to achieve simplification for
farmers;
b)
strengthening the position of farmers in the food supply chain, in particular to
ensure a fair income;
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c)
easing the farmers’ financial strain by designing means of additional support, such
as for example extending the temporary framework on State aid, and report back
to the next European Council;
d)
e)
ensuring rules-based and fair competition globally and in the internal market;
addressing issues related to the Autonomous Trade Measures for Ukraine in a fair
and balanced way while preparing a solution in the framework of the EU-Ukraine
Association Agreement/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.
43.
The European Council will keep the situation under review.
VIII. PREPAREDNESS AND CRISIS RESPONSE
44.
The European Council underlines the imperative need for enhanced and coordinated
military and civilian preparedness and strategic crisis management in the context of the
evolving threat landscape. It invites the Council to take work forward and the
Commission together with the High Representative to propose actions to strengthen
preparedness and crisis response at EU level in an all-hazards and whole-of-society
approach,
taking into account Member States’ responsibilities and competences,
with a
view to a future preparedness strategy.
IX.
EUROPEAN SEMESTER
45.
The European Council endorses the policy priorities of the Annual Sustainable Growth
Survey and invites the Member States to take them into account. It also endorses the
draft Council recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area.
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The European Council took stock of preparations for the new Strategic Agenda.
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