European Council conclusions, 9 February 2023
European Council President Charles Michel and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy
At the start of the summit, EU leaders held an exchange of views with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Russia’s war of aggression and the European Union’s support to Ukraine and its people.
The road to peace, reconstruction and membership will be a long hard road. We will be there for you every step of the way.
European Council President Charles Michel, 9 February 2023
This was the first European summit that President Zelenskyy attended in person since the outbreak of Russia’s war in February 2022. This summit also took place one week after the 24th EU-Ukraine summit, held in Kyiv, Ukraine.
EU-Ukraine summit, 3 February 2023
EU response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has brought immense suffering upon Ukraine and its people.
Almost one year on from the outbreak of Russia’s brutal war, the European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s actions and its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and its inherent right of self-defence.
Russia must stop this atrocious war immediately. The European Union will stand by Ukraine with its steadfast support for as long as it takes.
European Council conclusions, 9 February 2023
EU response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (background information)
Infographic – EU sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Restrictive measures against Russia
The EU has adopted an unprecedented set of restrictive measures against Russia, with visible effects on its regime and its economy.
In consultation with international partners, the European Council will maintain and seek to further increase collective pressure on Russia to end its war and withdraw its troops and military equipment from Ukraine.
To further raise the cost to Russia, the EU adopted a price cap on petroleum products on 4 February 2023. Anti-circumvention measures will also be reinforced and the EU is ready to continue to reinforce its restrictive measures.
EU sanctions against Russia explained (background information)
EU agrees on level of price caps for Russian petroleum products (press release, 4 February 2023)
Accountability of perpetrators
Reiterating its strong commitment to accountability, the European Council called for:
- a stop to Russia’s indiscriminate strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure
- full respect for international humanitarian law, including the treatment of prisoners of war
- the safe return of Ukrainians, in particular children, who have been forcibly removed to Russia
The EU is firmly committed to holding accountable all perpetrators and accomplices of war crimes and other serious crimes in connection with Russia’s war and fully supports both Ukrainian and international efforts in this regard, including the investigations by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
EU leaders also support the development of an international centre in The Hague for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
Peace, recovery and reconstruction
The EU supports Ukraine’s initiative for a just peace, including:
- President Zelenskyy’s peace formula
- Ukraine’s 10-point peace plan
- a peace formula summit
The EU remains committed to supporting, along with partners, Ukraine’s repair, recovery and reconstruction. In this context, the European Council welcomed the operationalisation of the Donor Coordination Platform, which allows for close coordination among international donors and financial organisations.
The European Council also stated that the EU is stepping up efforts to use Russia’s frozen and immobilised assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.
EU leaders further stressed the importance of psychological and psycho-social support and rehabilitation, as well as the reintegration of war veterans into active civilian life. They also stated that the provision of demining assistance will be stepped up.
Infographic – EU solidarity with Ukraine
EU support to Ukraine
The EU will continue to provide strong political, economic, military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine for as long as it takes. So far, the EU and its member states have provided at least €67 billion in assistance to Ukraine and its people.
EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information)
That figure includes close to €12 billion in military support to Ukraine, following the adoption of the seventh tranche, worth €500 million, under the European Peace Facility. In view of the current situation, the European Council welcomed the speedy provision of military equipment to Ukraine by member states.
It’s time to be firm and clear and give Ukraine our utmost support. First, on the military front: munitions, artillery, vehicles, defence systems. These are the needs we must respond to now.
European Council President Charles Michel, 9 February 2023
The EU is committed to supporting the macro-financial stability of Ukraine. To that end, the European Council welcomed the work of the European Commission and the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank on projects to swiftly expand the use of the solidarity lanes and to enhance trade options across sectors.
European Peace Facility (background information)
Impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the markets: EU response (background information)
The European Council also reiterated its commitment to reinforce support of displaced persons, both in Ukraine and in the EU, including through adequate and flexible financial assistance to the member states that carry the largest burden of medical, education and living costs of refugees.
Ukraine’s EU accession process
Ukraine applied for EU membership in February 2022 and was granted EU candidate status in June 2022.
The European Council acknowledged the considerable efforts that Ukraine has made to meet the objectives required for its EU candidate status and welcomed the country’s reform efforts in such difficult times. EU leaders encouraged Ukraine to fulfil the conditions specified in the Commission’s opinion on its membership application in order to advance towards future EU membership.
EU enlargement policy: Ukraine (background information)
Economic situation in the EU
Infographic – 30th anniversary of the EU single market
In the face of the new geopolitical reality, leaders discussed how to ensure the EU’s long-term competitiveness, prosperity and role on the global stage.
The European Union will strengthen its strategic sovereignty and make its economic, industrial and technological base fit for the green and digital transitions.
European Council conclusions, 9 February 2023
Leaders also discussed how to harness the full potential of the EU single market, which has underpinned Europe’s prosperity since its creation 30 years ago, and how to ensure a level playing field both internally and globally.
The European Council referred back to its December 2022 conclusions, in particular its invitation to the Commission to present a strategy at EU level to boost competitiveness and productivity, and will revert to these matters at its upcoming meeting in March.
EU single market (background information)
European Council conclusions, 15 December 2022
Green industrial plan
To respond to the challenges confronting European industry, EU leaders discussed a set of measures that could help boost EU competitiveness.
Building on the Commission’s communication on a green deal industrial plan for the net-zero age, presented at the beginning of February, and in light of its upcoming thorough analysis, EU leaders called for work to urgently be taken forward on:
- state aid policy, including making procedures simpler, faster and more predictable and allow for targeted, temporary and proportionate support
- increasing the flexibility of EU funds, to ensure fair access to financial means
- ensuring access to relevant critical raw materials and simplifying the regulatory environment to help foster greener industry
- boosting skills to meet the challenges of labour shortages and the transformation of jobs
- closing investment gaps through private and public investment
In this context, the European Council invited the Commission to regularly report to the Council on the impact of state aid policy and noted that the upcoming reform of the electricity market design should support a transition to a decarbonised and efficient energy system at the lowest possible cost, ensure security of supply and strengthen the EU’s competitiveness.
EU industrial policy (background information)
Capital markets union
The capital markets union is crucial for Europe to remain a continent of production and innovation. In this context, EU leaders called on the Council of the EU and the European Parliament to speed up the implementation of the capital markets union action plan by advancing and finalising work on the legal proposals in this area.
Capital markets union (background information)
A robust trade agenda
Pursuing an ambitious and robust trade agenda while also supporting the WTO and a multilateral rules-based system will be key to strengthening Europe’s prosperity and sovereignty.
To that end, EU leaders stressed the importance of fair and transparent free trade and investment agreements, as they can help the EU:
- ensure a true level playing field
- develop resilient and reliable supply chains
- access new markets
They also called for further efforts to diversify supply chains, in particular for critical raw materials, and stated that the EU must safeguard its interests when facing unfair practices, making use of trade defence instruments.
In this context, they also called on the Council and the Commission to swiftly advance work on the economic governance review.
EU trade policy (background information)
Migration
The European Council discussed the migration situation, which is a European challenge that requires a European response.
To that end, EU leaders assessed the implementation of their past conclusions on a comprehensive approach to migration in line with EU principles and values and fundamental rights, with a focus on increased external action, the effective control of external borders, and internal aspects.
In this context, the European Council called for immediate operational measures to be strengthened and accelerated and called on the Council to closely monitor and ensure the implementation of its conclusions.
EU migration and asylum policy (background information)
Infographic – Illegal border crossings on the Western Balkans route
Increased external action
With a view to preventing irregular departures and loss of life, reducing pressure on EU borders and fighting against smugglers, EU leaders discussed how to enhance cooperation with countries of origin and transit.
In particular, they discussed:
- implementation of existing action plans for the Western Balkans and the Central Mediterranean routes
- action plans for the Western and Eastern Mediterranean routes
- support to partners in addressing root causes of irregular migration
- visa policy alignment with neighbouring countries
EU leaders welcomed the progress made by the Western Balkans partners in visa policy alignment and called on them to swiftly take further steps. They also stated that the EU is ready to deepen cooperation, using existing frameworks and available channels.
Western Balkans route (background information)
Migration flows on the Central Mediterranean route (background information)
Migration flows on the Western routes (background information)
Migration flows on the Eastern Mediterranean route (background information)
Returns and readmission
Emphasising the importance of a unified, comprehensive and effective EU policy on return and readmission and an integrated approach to reintegration, EU leaders stressed the importance of swift actions to ensure effective returns, using all relevant EU policies and instruments, including diplomacy, development, trade and visas, and legal migration.
To ensure a more coordinated approach across the EU, the European Council:
- invited the Commission and the Council to make full use of the mechanism for issuing visas with limited territorial validity, as provided for by article 25a of the Visa Code Regulation
- invited member states to recognise each other’s return decisions
- called on the Asylum Agency to provide guidance to increase the use of the concepts of safe third countries and safe countries of origin
Control of EU external borders
The EU is determined to ensure effective control of its external land and sea borders. The European Council welcomed the efforts made by member states in this regard and:
- affirmed its full support for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in delivering on its core task
- reiterated the importance of the Entry/Exit System and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System rapidly becoming operational
- called for the rapid conclusion of negotiations on new and revised status agreements
- called on the Commission to fund measures by member states that directly contribute to and enhance external border control
- called for immediate mobilisation of substantial EU funds and means to support member states in reinforcing border control capabilities and equipment
- recognised the specificities of maritime borders and underlined the need for reinforced cooperation on search and rescue activities
In this context, the European Council invited the Commission to quickly finalise the European Integrated Border Management Strategy and took note of the relaunch of the European Contact Group on Search and Rescue.
Strengthening the EU’s external borders (background information)
Fighting instrumentalisation, trafficking and smuggling
The European Council condemned attempts to instrumentalise migrants for political purposes, particularly when used as leverage or as part of hybrid destabilising actions. It called on the Commission and the Council to take forward work on the relevant tools, including measures against transport operators.
Saving lives at sea and fighting migrant smuggling (background information)
Data on migratory flows
EU leaders called on the Commission and the Council, with the support of relevant EU agencies, to develop a common situational awareness, to improve monitoring of data on reception capacities and on migratory flows and detect new migratory trends more quickly, both into and within the EU.
They also encouraged national authorities to request the support of EU agencies, including the Asylum Agency and Frontex, to ensure that all migrants entering the EU are properly registered.
How the EU manages migration flows (background information)
Pact on migration and asylum
In view of the progress achieved in 2022, EU leaders called on the Council and the European Parliament to complete work on:
- the pact on migration and asylum, in accordance with the joint roadmap
- the revised Schengen borders code
- the revised return directive
The European Council took note of the Swedish Presidency’s intention to discuss, at the coming meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in March, the implementation of the Dublin Roadmap and effective EU engagement at the external borders, including by private entities.
Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue
In light of recent tensions in north Kosovo*, the European Council underlined the urgent need for progress in the normalisation of Kosovo*-Serbia relations through the EU-facilitated dialogue, led by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
The European Council welcomed the recent proposal to put the relationship between the two parties on a new and sustainable basis, with a view to their realising their European perspective.
The European Council urged both parties to implement fully and without conditions the obligations they had committed to in the framework of the dialogue, including the agreements from 2013 and 2015 to create an association/community of Serb majority municipalities.
Enlargement: Serbia (background information)
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence
Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria
Following the tragic earthquake on 6 February 2023, EU leaders extended their deepest condolences to the victims, and stated that they stood in solidarity with the people of Türkiye and Syria.
Over 1600 rescuers were deployed to Türkiye in the immediate aftermath of this tragedy. EU leaders reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to provide further assistance to alleviate the suffering in all affected regions and welcomed the initiative to host a donors’ conference in Brussels in March in support of the people of Türkiye and Syria.
The European Council called on all to ensure humanitarian access to the victims of the earthquake in Syria irrespective of where they are.
How the Council coordinates the EU response to crises (background information)