COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION...latest

 

Press material Monday 21 February 2022

● Council of the EU   21/02/2022 15:48 | Press release | Coordinated Maritime Presences: Council extends implementation in the Gulf of Guinea for two years and establishes a new Maritime Area of Interest in the North-Western Indian Ocean   The Council today approved two sets of conclusions on the Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) concept. In its first set of conclusions the Council welcomes the initial achievements within the framework of the CMP pilot case in the Gulf of Guinea, and extends its implementation by two years. The CMP concept in the Gulf of Guinea has proven to be an effective and useful instrument, contributing to enhanced maritime security, and reflecting the EU’s growing role as a maritime security provider. The conclusions also encourage the further strengthening of the CMP concept through close cooperation between the EU and Western and Central African States. Building on this positive example, in its second set of conclusions, the Council today also decided to launch the implementation of the CMP concept in the North-Western Indian Ocean by establishing a Maritime Area of Interest covering the maritime area from the Strait of Hormuz to the Southern Tropic and from the North of the Red Sea towards the centre of the Indian Ocean. The implementation of the CMP concept in the North-Western Indian Ocean will complement both the EU’s and EU member states’ activities in the region, while respecting the mandate and chain of command of EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA. The CMP concept aims to increase the EU's capacity as a reliable partner and maritime security provider, offering a greater European engagement, ensuring continuous maritime presence and outreach in designated Maritime Areas of Interest as established by the Council, as well as promoting international cooperation and partnership at sea. The Council will review both the implementation of the CMP Concept in the Gulf of Guinea and in the North-Western Indian Ocean by February 2024. Council Conclusions extending and enhancing the implementation of the Coordinated Maritime Presences Concept of the Gulf of Guinea, 21 February 2022 Council Conclusions on the Implementation of the Coordinated Maritime Presences Concept in the North-Western Indian Ocean, 21 February 2022 Gulf of Guinea: Council conclusions launching the pilot case for the Coordinated Maritime Presences concept, 25 January 2021 Indo-Pacific: Council adopts conclusions on EU strategy for cooperation, 19 April 2021 Coordinated Maritime Presences (factsheet, EEAS)

Press material Monday 21 February 2022

● Council of the EU   21/02/2022 13:52 | Press release | Climate Diplomacy: Council calls for accelerating the implementation of the Glasgow COP26 outcomes   The Council today approved conclusions on 'EU climate diplomacy: accelerating the implementation of Glasgow outcomes', which stress the key importance of climate diplomacy and of EU outreach to third countries to accelerate the implementation of the COP26 outcomes in 2022. The conclusions set out that the EU and its member states, in a joint Team Europe approach, will engage with partners around the world to address the challenges linked to such implementation, and will actively work on the various COP26 sectoral initiatives and calls. In its conclusions the Council recognises that the direct and indirect effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation represent risks to the realisation of human rights, human and state security, undermining global peace and stability and often accelerating or deepening existing vulnerabilities and instability. In this light, the Council welcomes the increased focus by the UN on the climate, peace and security nexus, but also reiterates the need for human rights to be integrated systematically into climate action and energy diplomacy. The Council also stresses that the lack of at-scale finance for resilient and just energy transitions in middle and low-income countries remains a barrier for green and sustainable development. Therefore, the EU will continue to provide a sustainable, green and positive offer to partners for the development of trusted climate resilient energy, transport and digital infrastructure. At the same time, the EU calls on other developed countries to meet the collective commitment to mobilise $100 billion per year in 2022, and on multilateral development banks and international finance institutions to play a catalytic role in mobilising the private sector and shifting the global financial flows towards sustainable and green investments. Council conclusions on EU climate diplomacy: accelerating the implementation of Glasgow outcomes, 21 February 2022 Climate goals and the EUʼs external policy (background information)

Meetings Monday 21 February 2022

● Council of the EU   21/02/2022 12:05 | MEETING | General Affairs Council, 22 February 2022   Background brief - General Affairs Council, 22/02/2022  Council of the EU General Affairs Council, 22 February 2022 Agenda highlights European Council Ministers will start preparing the European Council on 24 and 25 March 2022 and exchange views on the draft annotated agenda. European Council 24-25 March 2022 Response capacity and resilience Ministers will hold an orientation debate on strengthening preparedness, response capacity and resilience to future crises. How the EU responds to crises and builds resilience (background information) Rule of law There will be a hearing on the Rule of law in Poland (Article 7(1) Treaty on European Union). Conference on the Future of Europe The French presidency will inform ministers on the Conference on the Future of Europe. Conference on the Future of Europe (background information) Any other business The French presidency will also inform ministers on the "One Ocean Summit" which was held in Brest, France, on 9-11 February 2022. Meeting information Meeting n°3848 Brussels 22 February 2022 10:00 Preparatory documents Provisional agenda List of A items, non-legislative activities Background brief