Brussels, 6 May 2024
The Foreign Affairs Council, in its development configuration, will start on Tuesday at 09:00 with a discussion on Ukraine and the Ukraine Plan, followed by an exchange of views on Palestine*.
During a working lunch ministers will talk about EU engagement in fragile contexts.
The summit of the future, the multiannual financial framework (MFF) revision, Global Health and the Global Gateway will also be on the agenda, under current affairs and any other business.
The end of the meeting is expected around 14:30.
* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the member states on this issue.
Ukraine
Ministers will exchange views on the situation in Ukraine, and in particular on the Ukraine Plan. It was presented by the government on 20 March to unblock the disbursements under the first pillar of the Ukraine Facility for 2024-2027, conditioned by the progress of Ukraine’s reform and investment agenda.
The European Commission has already transmitted its positive assessment. It considers that the plan meets the necessary criteria and constitutes a targeted and well-balanced response to the objectives of the Ukraine Facility, while addressing the accession track challenges and responding to Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernisation needs.
Ministers will hold a discussion on how to ensure effective coordinated support to the Ukraine Plan, with a view to approving the assessment around mid-May.
The EU support under the first pillar amounts to €38.27 billion (€5.27 billion in grants and €33 billion in loans) of the total amount of €50 billion under the Ukraine Facility.
The Ukraine Plan outlines Ukraine’s vision for reconstruction, modernisation and the reforms it intends to undertake as part of its EU accession process. The Plan emphasises structural reforms and investment in the sectors with the greatest growth potential (energy, agriculture, transport, critical raw materials and state-owned enterprises). It addresses improvements in public administration, emphasising good governance, adherence to the rule of law and fighting corruption and fraud. It includes other reforms and investments linked to EU accession and the overall modernisation of Ukraine’s economy.
The Plan encompasses 69 reform measures and 10 investment initiatives, accounting for 146 qualitative and quantitative conditions (indicators), quarterly deadlines for achieving them and the timeline for disbursements.
The Council plays a key role in the governance of the first pillar of the Ukraine Facility: it adopts implementing decisions related to the adoption of and amendments to the Ukraine Plan, and it approves or suspends payments on the basis of assessments and proposals by the European Commission.
On 15 April, the Commission transmitted its positive assessment of the Ukraine Plan to the Council for its approval by a Council implementing decision setting out the conditions for the disbursement of support. The assessment is based on the mandate set out in the Ukraine Facility regulation.
According to the Commission, if all proposed reforms and investments are fully implemented, Ukraine’s GDP could increase by 6.2% by 2027 and by 14.2% by 2040. The reforms and investments could also lead to a reduction of the debt by about 10 percentage points of GDP by 2033.
In line with the regulation, the Council has one month to approve the assessment of the Ukraine Plan by means of an implementing decision, acting by qualified majority. The intention is to bring the subject to the meeting of the ambassadors of the EU member states (Coreper) on 8 May with a view to approval and endorsement by the Ecofin Council on 14 May.
- Commission proposal on the approval of the assessment of the Ukraine Plan EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information)
- The Ukraine Facility (background information)
Palestine*
The discussion is expected to focus on the humanitarian aspects of the situation in the light of the latest developments, the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the evolution of the EU’s and member states’ responses in that context.
The discussion will be informed by the report of the Independent Review Group on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), led by former French Foreign Affairs minister Catherine Colonna.
The High Representative will invite ministers to discuss the latest developments. Ministers will also be invited to reflect on how best to support the Palestinian Authority’s reform agenda, following the formation of a new Palestinian government.
On 22 April 2024, the Foreign Affairs Council discussed the situation in the Middle East, with particular attention to the situation in the Gaza strip and the risk of escalation in the wider region. The Council stressed that everyone in the region needs to exercise restraint and take steps to de- escalate. Further steps were agreed in relation to Iran´s destabilising activities in the region.
On 21-22 March and on 17-18 April, the European Council called for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance.
* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the member states on this issue.
- European Council conclusions, 21 and 22 March 2024 European Council conclusions, 17 and 18 April 2024
- EU humanitarian support for Palestinians (background information)
EU engagement in fragile contexts
During a working lunch, ministers will be invited to take a broader look at fragility and reflect on a coherent approach and policy mix that can deliver in these contexts, drawing on best practices for a credible Team Europe response to address the basic needs and resilience of communities on the ground, on the basis of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. The discussion may also touch on the role of the Global Gateway in regard to fragility.
Team Europe engagement in fragile or politically estranged contexts is a cross-cutting priority of the Belgian Presidency.
Current affairs
Ministers will touch on preparations for the Summit of the Future, which will take place this year on 22-23 September in the margins of UNGA HLW. A special focus will be placed on the financial track.
Any other business
Under ‘any other business’, the Belgian Presidency will debrief ministers on global health events, while Finland and Estonia will present a non-paper on the implementation of the Global Gateway.
Ministers will also be updated on the implementation of the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework on NDICI-Global Europe.
The Council will approve conclusions on:
- The European Court of Auditors report on the Global Climate Change Alliance
- The Annual Report 2023 on the implementation of EU External Financing Instruments in 2022
- Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Protection in humanitarian settings
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1 This note has been drawn up under the responsibility of the press office of the EU Council.
Source- Background brief – Foreign Affairs Council (Development), 7 May 2024