Brussels, 19 December 2024
EU leaders discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, the EU in the world, resilience and preparedness, migration and foreign policy issues. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, attended the meeting.
European Council conclusions, 19 December 2024
Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the European Council meeting
They also underlined that the EU-Western Balkans summit, which had taken place the previous day, signalled a new momentum for a strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans.
EU-Western Balkans summit, 18 December 2024
Ukraine
More than 1000 days since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EU leaders reiterated their condemnation of Russia, and reconfirmed their unwavering commitment to providing continued support to Ukraine and its people.
They reiterated their support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on the UN Charter and in line with Ukraine’s peace formula. They also emphasised thatno initiative about Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine.
EU response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (background information)
Military support
EU leaders reviewed progress on military support for Ukraine, and called for quicker and more efficient delivery ofair defence systems,ammunitionandmissiles, and fortrainingandequipmentfor Ukrainian brigades.
In addition, they emphasised the importance of increasing support for Ukraine’s defence industry and deepening its cooperation with the EU defence industry.
EU military support for Ukraine (background information)
European Peace Facility (background information)
Ukraine Facility
EU leaders welcomed the steadfast implementation of the Ukraine Facility, an EU instrument to provide predictable financial support to help Ukraine in its recovery, reconstruction and modernisation. Total payments from the facility are expected to reach€12.5 billionfor 2025.
The leaders also welcomed the rapid implementation of the loan that the EU and the other G7 partners committed to provide, amounting to€45 billion($50 billion). Under this initiative, the EU plans to begin disbursements in January 2025, amounting to atotal of €18.1billionover the coming year.
Ukraine Facility (background information)
Energy and critical infrastructure
EU leaders discussed how to strengthen Ukraine’scritical energyandcivilian infrastructurefor the winter and beyond.
In this context, they strongly condemned Russia’s intensified and deliberate campaign against infrastructure, called for material support to be increased, and commended EU member states for their electricity exports, while emphasising the importance of increasing such exports.
Sanctions
EU leaders welcomed the adoption of the15th package of sanctionsagainst Russia, including measures against the ‘shadow fleet’.
Efforts to further limit Russia’s ability to wage war must continue.
European Council conclusions, 19 December 2024
The leaders also reiterated their call for the full and effective enforcement of sanctions, and for further measures to counter their circumvention, including through third countries.
Under EU law, Russia’s assets should remain frozen until Russia ends its war against Ukraine and compensates it for the damage caused.
EU sanctions against Russia (background information)
Sanctions explained (background information)
North Korea and Iran
EU leaders strongly condemned the support of third countries, including third country actors and entities, that enable Russia to sustain its war.
In this regard, the EU leaders emphasised that thearms transferanddeepening military cooperationbetween Russia, North Korea and Iran, as well as the deployment of North Korea’s military forces to Russia to be used in the war against Ukraine, represents aninternational escalationof the war with serious consequences for international peace and security.
Middle East
EU leaders addressed the latest developments in the Middle East. They expressed their deep concern regarding the dramatic military escalation in the Middle East and called on all parties to:
- exercise the utmost restraint
- put an end to hostilities
- fully abide by international law and international humanitarian law
The EU is fully committed to helping to de-escalate the situation, reduce tensions, provide needs-based assistance to people in the Middle East, especially the most vulnerable, and to scale up its humanitarian engagement.
EU position on the situation in the Middle East (background information)
Syria
Following the fall of Assad’s criminal regime, EU leaders emphasised the historical opportunity to reunite and rebuild Syria.
They also underlined the importance of an inclusive and Syrian-led political process. This process should meet the aspirations of the Syrian people and be in line with the core principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within secure borders should be fully respected, in accordance with international law.
European Council conclusions, 19 December 2024
To this end, the leaders underlined the need to ensure respect for human rights, including women’s rights, non-sectarian governance and the protection of members of religious and ethnic minorities. They called on all parties to:
- preserve national unity
- protect civilians
- provide public services
- create conditions for an inclusive and peaceful political transition and for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Syrian refugees, as defined by the UNHCR
They also emphasised the importance of the fight against terrorism, the prevention of the re-emergence of terrorist groups and the destruction of Syria’s remaining stock of chemical weapons.
They invited the Commission and the High Representative to propose measures to support Syria in these efforts.
Syria (background information)
Israel-Lebanon
EU leaders welcomed the ceasefire agreement of 27 November 2024 and urged all parties to implement it as agreed. They also called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which entails the full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon and stipulates that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers (UN Interim Force in Lebanon – UNIFIL) may be deployed between the Israeli border and the Litani river in Lebanon.
The EU will continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Lebanese state. To this end, the leaders called on all Lebanese political leaders to find a way out of the political and economic impasse, including by swiftly electing a president.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701
UN Relief and Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)
EU leaders expressed deep concern over the possible consequences that the Israeli law adopted on 28 October 2024 could have on UNRWA’s capacity to carry out its mandate, as it provides crucial support to the civilian population in both Gaza and the wider region.
Gaza
EU leaders reiterated their call for:
- an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
- the unconditional release of all hostages
- urgent improvement of access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza
- an enduring end to hostilities, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2735
EU humanitarian support for Palestinians (background information)
UN Security Council Resolution 2735
Two-state solution
EU leaders reiterated the EU’s unwavering commitment to international law and to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, in which Israel and Palestine, as two democratic states, live side-by-side in peace within secure and recognised borders.
The EU in the world
EU leaders held a strategic discussion on the EU’s global engagement and priorities in the current geopolitical context.
There is not a global south because the south is plural just as the north is plural and we need to look beyond Europe to the different continents and weave a very strong global network with all of our partners around the world, from New Zealand to Brazil.
President of the European Council, António Costa, 19 December 2024
Resilience and preparedness
EU leaders discussed how to strengthen the EU’s resilience, preparedness, crisis prevention and response, based on the report prepared by Sauli Niinistö, the former President of Finland, for the European Commission.
In this context, they discussed the evolving threat landscape and the increasing number of natural disasters caused by climate change and environmental degradation, and the need for an enhanced and coordinated preparedness approach. This should be implemented in synergy with NATO, taking into account the security and defence interests of all member states.
With a view to the future preparedness strategy, the leaders invited the Commission, the High Representative and the Council to pursue work in different areas.
How the Council coordinates the EU response to crises (background information)
Migration
EU leaders took stock of progress in implementing past conclusions on migration, including ongoing work on:
- the external dimension
- implementing adopted EU laws and applying existing laws
- preventing and countering irregular migration
- urgent efforts to facilitate, increase and accelerate returns
- safe countries of origin
- the fight against instrumentalisation, human trafficking and smuggling
- safe and legal pathways in line with national competencies
The leaders called on the Council and the Parliament to prioritise progress on migration-related files. They welcomed the Commission’s intention to put forward a proposal on returns in early 2025.
EU migration and asylum policy (background information)
European Council, 17 October 2024
Enlargement
EU leaders emphasised the importance of enlargement as a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity.
Building on the new dynamism in the enlargement process, and in line with the merit-based approach, both the Union and aspiring members have a responsibility to make the most of this opportunity.
European Council conclusions, 19 December 2024
They also endorsed the conclusions on enlargement approved by the Council on 17 December 2024.
How EU enlargement works (background information)
Council approves enlargement conclusions, press release of 17 December 2024
Moldova
EU leaders commended the Moldovan authorities for the successful conduct of presidential elections and the referendum on enshrining EU accession in the constitution, despite hybrid attempts to undermine the country’s democratic institutions.
The EU will continue to work closely with Moldova to enhance its resilience and stability and to support its reform efforts on its European path, including through the implementation of a growth plan for the country.
The leaders also invited the Commission to urgently look into additional ways to help Moldova strengthen its energy security.
Moldova (background information)
Georgia
EU leaders expressed their serious concern regarding the course of action taken by Georgia’s government, which runs counter to the EU’s founding values and principles. They also regret the Georgian government’s decision to suspend the country’s EU accession process until 2028.
They also strongly condemned the violence against peaceful protestors, politicians and media representatives, and emphasised that the Georgian authorities must respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression, and refrain from using force.
The EU is ready to support the Georgian people’s European aspirations and the country’s path towards accession, should the Georgian authorities reverse their present course of action.
Georgia (background information)
Hybrid activities
EU leaders strongly condemned Russia’s hybrid activities against the EU and its member states, including:
- sabotage
- disruption of critical infrastructure
- cyber attacks
- information manipulation and interference
- attempts to undermine democracy and the electoral process
In this context, they welcomed the adoption of the first listing of sanctions against Russia’s destabilising activities.
Hybrid threats from Russia (background information)
Freedom, security and justice
EU leaders welcomed the decision by the Council to remove checks on persons at the internal land border with and between Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2025.
They also endorsed the strategic guidelines for legislative and operational planning within the area of freedom, security and justice, adopted by the Council on 12 December 2024.
Venezuela
Reiterating their concern regarding the situation in Venezuela, EU leaders called for:
- the release of all political detainees
- Venezuela to uphold its commitments under international law
The EU will mobilise all of its tools to support democracy and a peaceful and inclusive transition in Venezuela.
Venezuela (background information)
Mayotte
Following the devasting extreme weather event in Mayotte, EU leaders expressed their deepest condolences and solidarity with the population of Mayotte.
50 years of the European Council
The leaders marked 50 years since the Paris summit of 9 and 10 December 1974, which created the European Council.
European Council: 50 years of working together (feature story)
Preparatory documents
Outcome documents
Press releases
Source – EUCO