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Press material Tuesday 25 January 2022   ● Council of the EU   25/01/2022 10:23 | Press release | COVID-19: Council adopts a revised recommendation on measures affecting free movement, based on the individual situation of persons and no longer on the region of origin   The Council today adopted a recommendation on a coordinated approach to facilitate safe free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. This recommendation responds to the significant increase in vaccine uptake and the rapid roll-out of the EU digital COVID certificate, and replaces the previously existing recommendation. It will enter into force on 1 February 2022, on the same day as a delegated act amending the digital COVID-19 certificate regulation and providing for an acceptance period of 270 days for vaccination certificates. Under the new recommendation, COVID-19 measures should be applied taking into account the status of the person instead of the situation at regional level, with the exception of areas where the virus is circulating at very high levels. This means that a traveller’s COVID-19 vaccination, test or recovery status, as evidenced by a valid EU digital COVID certificate, should be the key determinant. A person-based approach will substantially simplify the applicable rules and will provide additional clarity and predictability to travellers. Person-based approach Travellers in possession of a valid EU digital COVID certificate should not be subject to additional restrictions to free movement. A valid EU digital COVID certificate includes: A vaccination certificate for a vaccine approved at European level if at least 14 days and no more than 270 days have passed since the last dose of the primary vaccination series or if the person has received a booster dose. Member states could also accept vaccination certificates for vaccines approved by national authorities or the WHO. A negative PCR test result obtained no more than 72 hours before travel or a negative rapid antigen test obtained no more than 24 hours before travel. A certificate of recovery indicating that no more than 180 days have passed since the date of the first positive test result. Persons who are not in possession of an EU digital COVID certificate could be required to undergo a test prior to or no later than 24 hours after arrival. Travellers with an essential function or need, cross-border commuters and children under 12 should be exempt from this requirement. Map of EU regions The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) should continue to publish a map of member states’ regions indicating the potential risk of infection according to a traffic light system (green, orange, red, dark red). The map should be based on the 14-day case notification rate, vaccine uptake and testing rate. Based on this map, member states should apply measures regarding travel to and from dark red areas, where the virus is circulating at very high levels. They should in particular discourage all non-essential travel and require persons arriving from those areas who are not in possession of a vaccination or recovery certificate to undergo a test prior to departure and to quarantine after arrival. Certain exceptions to these measures should apply to travellers with an essential function or need, cross-border commuters and children under the age of 12. Emergency brake Under the new recommendation, the emergency brake to respond to the emergence of new variants of concern or interest is strengthened. When a member state imposes restrictions in response to the emergence of a new variant, the Council, in close cooperation with the Commission and supported by the ECDC, should review the situation. The Commission, based on the regular assessment of new evidence on variants, may also suggest a discussion within the Council. During the discussion, the Commission could propose that the Council agree on a coordinated approach regarding travel from the areas concerned. Any situation resulting in the adoption of measures should be reviewed regularly. Background The decision on whether to introduce restrictions on free movement to protect public health remains the responsibility of member states; however, coordination on this topic is essential. On 13 October 2020, the Council adopted a recommendation on a coordinated approach to the restriction of free movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was updated on 1 February 2021 and 14 June 2021. This recommendation establishes common criteria and a common framework for possible measures for travellers. The Council recommendation is not a legally binding instrument. The authorities of the member states remain responsible for implementing the content of the recommendation. Council recommendation on a coordinated approach to the restriction of free movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19: travel within the EU (background information) ● Council of the EU   24/01/2022 21:19 | MEETING | Main results - Foreign Affairs Council, 24 January 2022   The Foreign Affairs Council reviewed the latest developments in Libya and Syria, and had an exchange of views on the security situation in Europe. Under current affairs, ministers were informed about recent events and fast-moving developments in external relations, including on the Indo-Pacific, Mali and Sudan. The Council approved conclusions on the European security situation, the UN-EU strategic partnership on peace operations and crisis management, and EU Priorities in UN Human Rights Fora 2022. Council of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, 24 January 2022 Main results European security situation The most important take away is that we reconfirmed our strong unity and united approach on the challenges to European security. Our unity is our strength, and there is no doubt in the Council about this.Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The Foreign Affairs Council was updated on the latest developments in Russia’s military build-up around Ukraine and held a discussion on the European security situation, which also covered the situation in Belarus and Kazakhstan. In the context of this discussion, ministers had the opportunity to informally exchange views via video teleconference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Council also approved conclusions on the matter. The conclusions underline that Russia’s attempts to re-create dividing lines on the European continent undermine the core foundations and principles on which European security is built, and bring back dark memories of spheres of influence that have no place in the 21st century. The Council reaffirms its full and unquestionable support to Ukraine and clarifies that any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs. European security situation: notions of ‘spheres of influence’ have no place in the 21st century (press release, 24 January 2022) Ministers concurred that the EU should continue with diplomatic efforts to convince Russia to choose the path of dialogue, and tasked the High Representative to keep coordinating the EU position with key partners such as the US, NATO and the OSCE. At the same time the EU will continue to push back on disinformation. While the first choice is dialogue, the High Representative made clear that work on preparing responses to potential Russian aggression was advanced, and being pursued in coordination with key partners. Lastly, the EU will step up its efforts to enhance the resilience of Ukraine and other partners through a financial assistance package consisting of emergency loans and grants, support against cyber and hybrid threats, and support for security and defence, including through reform of the Ukrainian military education sector. Syria The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on Syria based on information provided by the United Nations Special Envoy Geir Pedersen. After more than a decade, the conflict in Syria is far from over and remains a source of suffering and instability. The Council reiterated its call for a political solution and emphasised that no normalisation, lifting of sanctions or reconstruction would be possible until the Syrian regime engaged in a political transition. Ministers once again demanded that the regime and its allies engage towards the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 2254. The EU will work with like-minded partners, including the Arab League, to help the Syrian people and move the political process forward. It plans to organise the sixth Brussels Conference in May 2022, to generate funding for the Syrian people and for refugee-hosting communities, to give a voice to Syrian civil society, and to increase momentum for a political solution to the conflict. Libya The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the latest developments in Libya, in particular the postponement of the national elections, which had been scheduled to be held on 24 December 2021. The country is at an important crossroad and the EU remains committed to support Libyans with holding free, fair, inclusive and credible elections as soon as possible. Ministers confirmed the EU’s priorities - Libyans have the right to choose their representatives through elections and the country must be freed of all foreign armed presence - and encouraged all stakeholders to agree on the way forward to give Libyans the possibility to vote in elections. The High Representative also announced that the possibility of deploying an election observation mission would be assessed, once the Libyans had decided on a new electoral calendar. Current Affairs Concerning Mali, ministers condemned the presence of the Wagner group on the ground, and the decision taken by the Malian authorities to have a longer transition period of four years. The High Representative announced that there was a political agreement to adopt sanctions against those hindering the transition, in solidarity with the decision taken recently by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The High Representative stressed that the EU was following developments in Burkina Faso very closely, expressed concern about the detention of President Kaboré and the presence of armed soldiers in the headquarters of the national radio and television station, and called for respect of the Constitution and the release of President Kaboré. Council conclusions The Council also approved conclusions on: UN-EU strategic partnership on peace operations and crisis management: Council conclusions on priorities for 2022-2024 Human rights: EU adopts conclusions on EU priorities in United Nations human rights fora in 2022 Meeting information Meeting n°3844 Brussels 24 January 2022 09:30 Preparatory documents Background brief Provisional agenda List of A items, non-legislative activities Outcome documents List of participants ● Council of the EU   24/01/2022 19:16 | Press release | Presidency press release - Conference on the future of Europe: citizens’ recommendations debated in Plenary   On Friday 21 and Saturday 22 January, the Conference Plenary took stock of recommendations made by two European Citizens’ Panels and national Citizens’ Panels. Read the full text of the presidency press release. ● Council of the EU   24/01/2022 14:33 | Press release | UN-EU strategic partnership on peace operations and crisis management: Council conclusions on priorities for 2022-2024   The Council approved conclusions today endorsing the new priorities for the 2022-2024 period under the UN-EU strategic partnership on peace operations and crisis management. The Council reiterates the firm commitment made by the EU and its member states to uphold the multilateral rules-based global order with the United Nations at its core, and it commends the achievements and recognises the mutually beneficial nature of the longstanding UN-EU cooperation on peacekeeping and civilian, police and military crisis management. The Council welcomes the extended scope of the priorities, which aim to respond more effectively to the evolving threat landscape and cross-cutting challenges such as climate change, disruptive technologies and misinformation, and the consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Council welcomes the inclusion of the matter of children and armed conflict as a cross-cutting priority, as well as the increased attention to the Youth, Peace and Security agenda and the enhanced joint UN-EU efforts on the Women, Peace and Security agenda and gender equality. The conclusions stress that partnering with the UN helps the EU play its role as a security provider and a global peace and security actor in support of effective multilateralism. The EU provides the UN with political support as well as expertise, financial backing and political leverage to deliver on UN mandates. Close cooperation helps UN and EU missions and operations act more effectively to ensure they have an impact on the ground. It has a multiplier effect and enables the EU to deliver on its integrated approach. Council Conclusions on taking the UN-EU strategic partnership on peace operations and crisis management to the next level: Priorities 2022-2024 Reinforcing the EU-UN Strategic Partnership on crisis management, EEAS website The European Union at the United Nations - Factsheet