Mon. Sep 16th, 2024

Energy and Security: Main results of the European Council

Oct 22, 2022 , , , , ,

Brussels, 21 October 2022

On 20-21 October 2022, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine/Russia, critical infrastructure, energy and economy and external relations.

Russia’s escalating aggression against Ukraine

EU leaders discussed the Kremlin’s latest escalation of the aggression and mass atrocities. EU leaders resolutely condemned Russia’s indiscriminate missile and drone attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects and infrastructure in Kyiv and across Ukraine.Leaders expressed concern for the safety of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, in particular following recent action there by Russia. They underlined the EU’s support for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s efforts to maintain the safety and security of the facility.

The European Council, in line with the UN General Assembly’s resolution, reiterated its unequivocal condemnation and firm rejection of the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. As in the case of Crimea and Sevastopol, the European Union will never recognise this illegal annexation.

We do not and will never recognise the illegal ‘referenda’ that Russia has engineered as a pretext for this further violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, nor their falsified and illegal results. We will never recognise this illegal annexation

Members of the European Council, 30 September 2022

EU leaders demanded that Russia immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the entire territory of Ukraine. They also reiterated their full support for Ukraine and stated that they would stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.

The European Council stressed that it is determined to counter disinformation aimed at negating the EU’s collective efforts to defend Ukraine. The European Council also reiterated that Russia bears sole responsibility for the current energy and economic crises.

Safety of civilians and war crimes
EU leaders resolutely condemned Russia’s indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. They demanded that international humanitarian law be respected for the sake of civilians.The European Council acknowledged Ukraine’s efforts to secure accountability for war crimes and invited the High Representative and the Commission to explore options to ensure full accountability for these crimes.

Sanctions

Infographic – EU sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: See full infographic

Leaders took stock of the sanctions imposed so far, including those adopted earlier this month, and discussed how to further increase collective pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression.

EU heads of state or government called on all countries to align with EU sanctions.

They also called on the Belarusian authorities to stop enabling the Russian war of aggression by permitting Russian armed forces to use Belarusian territory and by providing support to the Russian military. They stressed that the Belarusian regime must fully abide by its obligations under international law and that the EU remains ready to move quickly with further sanctions against Belarus.

Visa procedures for Russian applicants
The European Council stressed the importance of united EU practices on visa issuance for Russian applicants and welcomed the Commission’s updated guidelines, which call for reinforced security scrutiny when issuing visas to Russian citizens and heightened border controls, while fully respecting EU asylum law.

Military support for Ukraine
EU leaders highlighted that the EU remains strongly committed to providing further military support to help Ukraine exercise its inherent right of self-defenceagainst Russian aggression and defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.EU leaders welcomed the recent decision to establish an EU Military Assistance Mission to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The strategic objective of EUMAM Ukraine is to contribute to enhancing the military capability of Ukraine’s Armed Forces (UAF) to regenerate and to effectively conduct operations, in order to allow Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity.

Leaders also discussed the decision to allocate a further €500 million under the European Peace Facility to finance deliveries for the Ukrainian defence forces, thereby bringing the EU’s military assistance to Ukraine to a total of €3.1 billion.

The European Council commended the work on the ground by the civilian EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine.

Financial support for Ukraine
EU leaders called for the timely provision of the remaining €3 billion in support of Ukraine through several consecutive macro-financial assistance (MFA) operations. This financial assistance aims to foster stability in Ukraine and address its immediate and most urgent funding needs.Leaders called for a more structured solution to providing assistance to Ukraine inviting the Commission and the Council to work on this.

Reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine
The European Council remains determined to support Ukraine’s relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.EU leaders discussed the governance and financing of these efforts, including the issue of reforms ahead of the International Expert Conference in Berlin later this month.

Recalling the European Council conclusions of 30-31 May 2022, leaders invited the Commission to present options aimed at using frozen assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Sanctions targeting the use of Iranian drones in Russia’s aggression

EU leaders strongly condemned the use of Iranian drones in Russia’s aggression and called for it to cease. Leaders welcomed the latest demonstration of support for Ukraine in the swift adoption of sanctions. The Council added three Iranian individuals and one Iranian entity to the list of those subject to restrictive measures for undermining or threatening Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

Food security
Infographic – How the Russian invasion of Ukraine has further aggravated the global food crisis: See full infographic.EU leaders addressed the global food crisis. They expressed their support for the call by the United Nations Secretary-General to extend the UN Black Sea Grain Initiative beyond its current period ending in November.Leaders reiterated that Russia, by weaponising food in its war against Ukraine, is solely responsible for the global food security crisis it has provoked and the unprecedented rise in food and fertiliser prices.

EU sanctions against Russia do not prohibit the export of agricultural or food products between third countries and Russia.

European Council conclusions, 20-21 October 2022

The EU-Ukraine solidarity lanes have helped export Ukrainian crops, agricultural products and fertilisers to the countries most in need. The EU will continue to improve the efficiency of the lanes.

Critical infrastructure
The European Council strongly condemned acts of sabotage against critical infrastructure, including the Nord Stream pipelines, and stated that the EU would meet any deliberate disruption or other hybrid actions with a united and determined response.To enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure, the European Council called on EU member states to:

  • take urgent and effective measures
  • cooperate with each other, the European Commission and other relevant actors

With that in mind, the European Council stressed the need for rapid progress in the work ensuring a coordinated EU response to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure, including the early implementation of the revised Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS 2 Directive) and the Directive on the resilience of critical infrastructure (CER Directive).

Energy and economy 

The European Council discussed the energy crisis and agreed on the need to accelerate and intensify efforts to reduce energy demand, avoid rationing, secure supply and lower prices. Leaders stressed that the integrity of the single market had to be preserved.

In the face of Russia’s weaponisation of energy, the European Union will remain united to protect its citizens and businesses and take the necessary measures as a matter of urgency

European Council conclusions, 20 October 2022

EU leaders called on the Council and the Commission to urgently submit concrete decisions on additional measures and on the Commission’s proposals. They also insisted on the need to assess their impact on existing contracts, including the fact that long-term contracts should not be affected, and to take into account different energy mixes and national circumstances. The additional measures include:

  • voluntary joint purchases of gas, except for binding demand aggregation for 15% of storage filling needs, according to national needs, exploiting the Union’s collective market weight and making full use of the EU Energy Platform
  • a new complementary price benchmark by early 2023 that more accurately reflects conditions on the gas market
  • a temporary dynamic price corridor on natural gas transactions to immediately limit episodes of excessive gas prices, designed in a way so as to not jeopardise security of supply and increase gas consumption, among others
  • a temporary EU framework to cap the price of gas in electricity generation, including a cost-and-benefit analysis
  • improvements to the functioning of energy markets to increase market transparency, alleviate liquidity stress, eliminate factors that amplify the volatility of gas prices and preserve financial stability
  • fast-tracking of the simplification of permitting procedures to accelerate the rollout of renewables and related grids
  • energy solidarity measures in case of gas supply disruptions at national, regional or the EU level, in the absence of bilateral solidarity agreements
  • increased efforts to save energy
  • mobilise relevant tools at national and EU levels to enhance the resilience of our economies and preserve Europe’s global competitiveness

The European Council is committed to closely coordinating policy responses and will continue to closely monitor economic developments to deliver “a determined and agile policy response”.

The European Council reiterated the need to step up investments in energy efficiency, future-proof energy infrastructure and innovative renewable technologies.

Leaders invited the Commission to speed up work on the structural reform of the electricity market, including an impact assessment and called for further progress towards a full Energy Union serving the dual objective of European energy sovereignty and climate neutrality.

External relations

EU-China relations

The European Council held a strategic discussion on the European Union’s relations with China.

EU-ASEAN

Preparations for the forthcoming EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit on 14 December 2022 were discussed. Leaders agree it is an opportunity to:

  • further deepen the European Union’s Strategic Partnership with Asia
  • stress a shared attachment to international law and internationally agreed norms and standards
  • focus on common interests that bind the regions in a longstanding partnership
  • Asia-Europe Meeting, 25-26 November 2021
Climate change

EU leaders took stock of preparations for:

  • the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (COP27);
  • the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (Part Two) in Montreal.

In view of these forthcoming events, the European Council stressed the extreme urgency of strengthening the global response to the climate emergency and to the biodiversity crisis. It called on all parties, in particular major economies, to revisit and strengthen their contributions in time for COP27. The European Council also called for an ambitious, comprehensive and transformative post-2020 global biodiversity framework to halt and reverse biodiversity loss to be adopted.

Human rights violations in Iran

EU leaders condemned the unjustifiable and unacceptable use of force by the Iranian authorities against peaceful protestors, in particular women. EU leaders defended the right to peaceful protest and welcomed the EU restrictive measures adopted on 17 October 2022 against the perpetrators of these serious human rights violations, which entail:

  • a travel ban and asset freeze on 11 people and four entities for their role in the death of Mahsa Amini and the violent response to the recent demonstrations in Iran
  • a prohibition on EU citizens and companies making funds available to the individuals and entities listed

The European Council called on Iran to immediately stop the violent crackdown on peaceful protestors and release those detained, in full respect of their civil and political rights.

 

Meeting information

  • 20 October 2022
  • 15:00

Preparatory documents

Outcome documents

Press releases

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