Brussels, 16 December 2024
Russian war of aggression against Ukraine
The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after a VTC intervention by Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, who updated his EU counterparts on the latest developments on the ground, and the most pressing Ukrainian needs.
The Council then adopted the 15th package of individual and economic restrictive measures in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Today we adopted the 15th sanctions package against Russia. This round targets the shadow fleet and North Korean officials, and for the first time also Chinese firms making drones for Moscow. Our message is very clear, you cannot fuel a war in Europe and get away with it. At the same time, Ukraine needs our support in the battlefield. The stronger they are on the battlefield, the stronger they are also behind the negotiation table. Not just to hold on, but to tilt the balance to their favour because Putin will not stop, unless he’s stopped.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
The Council then discussed the EU military support for Ukraine. The High Representative stressed the need to step it up, especially in terms of ammunition, air defences, and more general support for the Ukrainian defence industry. She also reminded EU ministers of the needs linked to winterisation.
Lastly, the Council adopted a first set of listings under the regime on Russia’s destabilising activities.
- Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts 15th package of restrictive measures
- Russian hybrid threats: EU agrees first listings in response to destabilising activities against the EU, its member states and partners
Georgia
The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on recent developments in Georgia, and their impact on the Georgian people and Georgia’s European path, following the 28 November announcement by the government of its intention to suspend the country’s EU accession process until 2028, the subsequent mass protests, and the increasing acts of violence against protestors, the media, and the political opposition.
The situation is not going in a positive direction for the Georgian people. Democracies do not oppress opposition voices or curtail the freedom of media.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
The High Representative stressed that the EU has downgraded political contacts and cut funding for the Georgian government, and announced that there was a political agreement to move forward with imposing visa restrictions on Georgian diplomats and government officials over the recent crackdown on opposition protesters.
The Council agreed that, going forward, the EU will continue to stand with the Georgian people, and including by redirecting funding from the authorities towards the civil society and independent media.
Situation in the Middle East, including Syria
The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the latest developments in Syria.
The High Representative debriefed EU ministers on her participation in an international meeting hosted by the Kingdom of Jordan, where she met with the foreign ministers of the Arab countries, as well as Türkiye and the United States, to discuss the basic principles of engagement with the new leadership of Syria. The High Representative also announced that the Head of the EU delegation to Syria -currently stationed in Lebanon- travelled to Damascus with the aim of building contact with the country’s new authorities and convey the EU’s messages.
The Council discussion highlighted EU agreement on the principles of territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Syria, as well as accountability, inclusiveness, respect of the minorities and women’s rights. Ministers confirmed that the transition process need to be Syria-led and Syrian-owned, and reflect the Syrian people in all of its diversity.
Extremism, Russia and Iran should not have a place in Syria’s future.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
The High Representative stressed that the European Union remains the biggest humanitarian aid donor to the Syrian people, as shown by the air bridge set up by the EU immediately after the fall of the regime, providing 100 tons of humanitarian aid to support health, education and shelter.
The EU will be organising the ninth Brussels-Syria Conference in 2025 to support the Syrian people during the transition.
The Council then discussed broader developments in the Middle East and Gaza.
Ministers reiterated their call for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the delivery of sufficient and unimpeded humanitarian aid. They also confirmed their support for a two-state solution.
The High Representative announced that she proposed to hold an Association Council with Israel as soon as possible, which will be followed by first high-level dialogue with the Palestinian Authority.
Current affairs
Under Current Affairs, the Council exchanged views on Belarus ahead of the so-called presidential election scheduled for 26 January 2025.
Council conclusions and other decisions
The Council approved conclusions on:
- reinforcing external-internal connections in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism
- Fight against terrorism and violent extremism: Council approves conclusions on reinforcing external-internal links
- stepping up Team Europe’s support to global food security and nutrition
- the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa
- priorities for EU-Council of Europe Cooperation 2025-2026
The Council also concluded its first mid-term review of the European Peace Facility.
Preparatory documents
- List of A items, non-legislative activities
- Provisional agenda
- Background brief
- Provisional agenda – COR 1
- List of A items, non-legislative activities – COR 1
Outcome documents
Press releases
- Russian hybrid threats: EU agrees first listings in response to destabilising activities against the EU, its member states and partners
- Sudan: Council adds four individuals to EU sanctions list for threatening the peace, stability and security of the country
- Belarus: EU lists 26 individuals and 2 entities in view of the situation in the country
- Haiti: EU sanctions three individuals in relation to the escalating gang violence in the country
- Guatemala: Council renews EU restrictive measures for a year
- Fight against terrorism and violent extremism: Council approves conclusions on reinforcing external-internal links
- Horn of Africa and Somalia: Operation ATALANTA, EUTM and EUCAP Somalia’s mandates extended for two years
- Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts 15th package of restrictive measures
Source – EU Council
Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas ahead of the meeting
Brussels, 16 December 2024
Check against delivery!
Great to be here again, in a new capacity though.
Today, I am going to have my first Foreign Affairs Council.
We have three main topics. First, Syria; then, Ukraine; then, Georgia.
On Syria, on Saturday, I was in Jordan, meeting with the Arab nations, as well as Türkiye and the United States to discuss the principles of engagement with the new leadership of Syria and what is expected from them.
I think that it is very important that the regional actors, as well as the international actors, see the picture in the same way and want this country to be stable, peaceful and [with an] all-comprising government in place. Therefore, I think it was important to agree on these principles.
I have also tasked the European top diplomat in Syria to go to Damascus to make the contacts with the new government and people there. We will also discuss today in the Foreign Affairs Council how we engage with the new leadership of Syria, and on what level we engage with the new leadership. And of course, what [further] steps are we willing to take if we see that Syria goes to the right direction.
Syria faces an optimistic, positive, but rather uncertain future. We have to make sure that this goes in the right direction.
On Ukraine, the Foreign Ministers today will adopt [the] 15th sanctions package. It includes the shadow fleet, sanctioning the shadow fleet. It includes also sanctions on the North-Korean officials, as well as [on] the Chinese companies who are enabling this war. So, it sends a clear message that whoever enables this war to continue has a price to pay.
On Georgia: Of course, all the developments that we are seeing right now in Georgia are not going in the right direction where the candidate countries should be. We are going to discuss what are the consequences for the Georgian government, using the repression on the opposition, and all the tools that they are using there. What can we do on the European side.
One question is, of course, sanctions, and the other question is also limiting the visa-free regime.
Q&A.
Q: [On the possibility of] HTS to be removed from the terrorist [listing].
Well, first we have to discuss on what level we are engaging with the Syrian new leadership. Then, what kind of steps are we willing to take in order to have relations with them. For us it is not only the words, but we want to see the deeds going in the right direction. Not only what they are saying but also what they are doing. I think the coming weeks and months will show whether it goes in the right direction. I think then we are also open to discuss the next steps.
Q: What do you think about sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.
Well, first, there has to be peace, in order to send peacekeepers and Russia does not want peace. That is very clear. I mean, if you look at Lavrov’s interview, for example, to Tucker Carlson, they have not stepped away from their goals. So, we cannot discuss that.
Q: High Representative I want to talk about Georgia. What measures are you going to propose to the Ministers. Can you tell us more about it? Also, should we expect a deal or agreement today?
We have had those discussions and of course, we are 27 democracies with [our] own ideas. So, it takes time. Yes, we have proposed the list for sanctioning these people who are opposing or using force and violence against the opposition. We are also discussing the visa-free regime – how we limit that and [if] there are Member States also wiling to task the [European] Commission to come up with that proposal.
Q: [inaudible] still designated as a terrorist organisation.
Well, we are going to discuss today with the Foreign Ministers on what level we are engaging with the new leadership of Syria.
Q: As I understand correctly, today you will propose already a list of personal sanctions. Will you continue to support Georgia’s president Salomé Zourabichvili after the so-called elections for new president?
Well, first of all, this list has already been proposed. So, we are discussing this list, but everybody needs to agree to the list – and we are not yet there. So, let’s see if we are going to get there. When it comes to the presidential elections, the president is in place until December 29. A lot could happen in between.
Q: [inaudible]
I think we have been very fast, also in this process. On Saturday I was in Jordan and we were discussing with the Arab countries as well as with Türkiye, and as well as with the United States how to engage and what are the conditions for engaging, what we want to see. It is very important we see the picture in the same way. It is not only the international actors, but also the regional actors. I think we cannot leave a vacuum – and we have not. Our top diplomat in Syria will go to Damascus today, will have the contacts there. We are also going to discuss with the Foreign Ministers on what level of engagement and how we proceed from here. In terms of [the] European Union usually functioning we have been quite fast.
Q: How do you see what is happening in Syria will affect Russian performance. Do you see a deal between Russia, Iran and Türkiye.
Well, it clearly shows to everybody, and we can also talk about this freely that, you know, Russia and Iran, are not your friends. [They] are not helping you if you are in trouble. They left Assad’s regime and that is a very clear message, showing that their hands are full elsewhere and they are weakened. I think this is a positive message for the world.
Okay, thank you and we will see you later.
Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-265471
Source – EEAS