Press material
Friday 20 May 2022
● European Council
20/05/2022 21:14 | Statements and remarks |
Remarks by President Charles Michel after his meeting in Sarajevo with the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
First of all, I would like to thank you, the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for your warm welcome in Sarajevo. It is a pleasure to be here. It is also important for me to be here to reaffirm our support for your EU path.
I would like to repeat what I said in Bled a few months ago. Indeed, I am convinced the Western Balkans need the EU, but the EU also needs the Western Balkans. It is time for a new momentum to advance European integration. I have also shared this message with the members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina presidency.
In June, we will organise a meeting of the 27 EU leaders with the leaders of the Western Balkans, because we want to enhance our dialogue and deepen our cooperation. This is also why I am here today, ahead of the leaders’ meeting. I want to actively listen to your concerns. I want to better understand your priorities, and how we, as the European Union, can support you.
As we speak, Russia is brutally attacking the people of Ukraine. In the 1990s, Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced the terrible consequences of war. So you know the importance of our strong support for Ukraine, of speaking with one voice and of acting together to send a clear message of deterrence. And you are also feeling the broader consequences of the war across the continent, and the most obvious example is the energy supply and prices.
The common challenges we face today require new ways of thinking and new ways of working. We need to speed up EU integration and we must create a new impetus for reform. Almost 20 years ago, the Thessaloniki Summit provided a firm commitment to an EU future for the region, and today we feel a new sense of urgency. And we want to support you, our Western Balkan partners and friends, on your journey to the EU.
We have proposed that we envisage the process of enlargement in a new way that offers concrete, socio-economic advantages and political integration during the accession negotiations. The new dynamism for EU enlargement also needs to be matched by a new push for reforms among the countries of the region. And I would like to be extremely clear: indeed, we propose to have a debate in June in the European Council on the idea to put in place a Geopolitical European Community or a Political European Community, a political platform, and this is extremely clear, this won’t replace the EU accession process. On the contrary, we want to speed up political integration by making sure that we can cooperate, that we can coordinate and address together some common challenges immediately, while waiting for the final decision that will be needed on the topic of the accession process. The Western Balkans and Bosnia and Herzegovina are a high priority for the EU and I strongly believe that your future is within the EU as a single, united and sovereign country.
The EU path is set and now the obstacles need to be cleared. The path to the EU is outlined in key priorities, 14 key priorities, and we hope to see real actions on the agenda of political, social and economic reforms. It is important that all political leaders engage in dialogue. Establishing trust and dialogue is key.
We discussed how we can give momentum to Bosnia and Herzegovina's European perspective. Advancing on reforms means advancing towards the EU. This war has impacted energy supplies across Europe. We are supporting our EU citizens and businesses to cope with high energy prices and we will also support Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thank you again for your warm welcome. It is my first time in the country and we never forget the first time. I am extremely pleased to take time with you to exchange views and to prepare our common future. Thank you.
Meetings
Friday 20 May 2022
● Council of the EU
20/05/2022 18:37 | MEETING |
Main results - Foreign Affairs Council (Development), 20 May 2022
The Foreign Affairs Council in its development configuration exchanged views on the global implications of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, with a focus on food security and the multilateral response. EU development ministers informally exchanged views with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Council of the EU
Foreign Affairs Council (Development), 20 May 2022
Main results
The Foreign Affairs Council in its development configuration held a discussion on the looming global food security crisis generated by the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, and the related multilateral response.
The food market was already under stress before the war, but after the Russian attack against Ukraine, this crisis has become much worse. Today it endangers the food security of millions of people in many parts of the world. The Russian troops are bombing Ukrainian fields, not allowing the sowing of the crops, looting food stocks, blocking Ukrainian ports, and so increasing prices for food and fertiliser that have skyrocketed in many parts of the world. So the world food supply is in danger, mainly due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Ministers were informed about the gravity of the situation and its implications worldwide. In 2021, Russia and Ukraine were among the top world exporters of cereals and sunflower seeds and oil with Ukraine accounting for over 50% of world trade of sunflower oil. It is estimated that because of the conflict between 20% and 30% of the areas under winter cereal, maize and sunflower seed production in Ukraine will either remain unharvested or not be planted this spring because of the ongoing conflict. This will severely impact vulnerable populations around the world, particularly in low-income countries who depend on food and fertiliser imports.
The Council then discussed various strands of action that the EU will take forward in a Team Europe spirit.
Firstly, the EU will assist vulnerable populations with emergency relief and contribute to strengthen food affordability and macro-economic stability in the short term. Secondly, the EU will support over 70 partner countries in boosting output and the resilience and sustainability of their food systems, to increase food security in the medium term. Thirdly, the EU is committed to release 20 million tons of grains currently blocked in Ukraine’s silos by Putin’s war, and put them in the global markets as quickly as possible through the so-called “Solidarity lanes”, recently proposed by the European Commission. Lastly the EU will work even more closely with and in the United Nations, the G7, the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission (FARM) initiative, and other formats for global cooperation on this crisis.
Development ministers had an informal exchange of views with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, who provided an overview of the global situation and the work carried out by the UNHCR. The discussion focused on Ukraine, the Sahel, Afghanistan and Myanmar among others. Currently, there are over 100 million people forcibly displaced around the world.
UNHCR is a key partner for the EU that, together with its member states, is the second largest donor to UNHCR. The EU is working closely with its member states on a joint Team Europe response to address the consequences of the crisis and to ensure adequate financing and support to the most affected and vulnerable populations across the globe.
Council conclusions
The Council approved conclusions on:EU's renewed partnership with Least Developed Countries
2021 Annual Report on the implementation of the European Union's External Action Instruments in 2020
Meeting information
Meeting n°3870
Brussels
20 May 2022
09:30
Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda
List of A items, non-legislative activities
Background brief
Outcome documentsParticipants list
Press material
Friday 20 May 2022
● Council of the EU
20/05/2022 18:10 | Press release |
Decision on offsetting requirements for air transport emissions – CORSIA: Council adopts its position
The Permanent Representatives Committee today adopted a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the proposal for a decision on the obligation to notify CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) offsetting requirements. This initiative forms part of the green transition and aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions from international air transport. CORSIA is a global scheme for reducing CO2 emissions from international aviation adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2018, in which EU member states committed to participate from its pilot phase, which began in January 2021. The aim of the decision is to allow member states to fulfil their obligation to notify operators based in the Union of their offsetting requirements from the first deadline of November 2022. The revision of the emissions trading system (ETS) for aviation, which implements CORSIA in EU law, is the subject of another Commission proposal and is currently being discussed by the Council and the Parliament.
The mandate for negotiation on the proposal for a decision allows member states to honour their international commitments and fulfil their notification obligations in accordance with the deadlines and methodology laid down by the ICAO until new rules under the revision of the ETS for aviation are adopted by the co-legislators and transposed into member states’ law.
Next steps
Today’s mandate was approved by the Council’s Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper), so the Council presidency can start negotiations with the European Parliament once the European Parliament has adopted its position.
Background
CORSIA was agreed on by the ICAO in 2018 with the aim of keeping greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation at their 2019-2020 levels. It complements a broader set of measures, including aircraft technology improvements, operational improvements and sustainable aviation fuels.
The CORSIA obligations have already started to apply. The monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) requirements relating to CO2 emissions from international flights have applied since 1 January 2019. These obligations have been implemented in EU law by means of secondary legislation.
The CORSIA offsetting requirements have applied since 1 January 2021. Participation in the CORSIA pilot phase (2021‑2023) and first phase (2024-2026) is voluntary.
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Foreign Affairs Council, 16 May 2022
Main results
Western Balkans
The Foreign Affairs Council held a strategic discussion on how the EU can help mitigate the impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine on the Western Balkans. Ministers explored possible EU measures to further focus the EU’s political engagement in the region, and considered how to help the Western Balkans partners increase their resilience vis-à-vis third-party actors and hybrid threats.
All our partners feel the direct impact Russia’s war is causing around the world: on energy prices, on food shortages and on inflation. We will have to adapt our financial support in line with these new needs, and on these actions we will include our partners in order to mitigate the effects of this coming crisis.Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
During a working lunch, EU foreign affairs ministers were joined by their counterparts from the six Western Balkans partners, and discussed the future of the region on its path to European Union membership.
The Council welcomed the choice of those partners who had aligned fully with the EU’s foreign policy and sanctions, and expressed its clear expectation that all partners in the region, especially candidate countries, commit to European values and European foreign policy.
Ministers also called on Western Balkans partners to think and act more strategically when it comes to their domestic problems, reforms and solving open bilateral issues.
The Council discussed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and reiterated the EU’s commitment to its European perspective as a single, united and sovereign country. Rolling back reforms and dismantling state institutions are incompatible with a European perspective and are unacceptable.
On the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, ministers reiterated their expectations concerning the full respect and implementation of all previous agreements, and a progressive normalisation of the relations between Serbia and Kosovo*.
*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.
Russian aggression against Ukraine
The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and focused on the latest developments on the ground and on the strands of EU action. In particular, ministers discussed EU support to Ukraine, diplomatic outreach, deterrence measures, Russian information manipulation and interference activities, and efforts to ensure accountability.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada Mélanie Joly also joined the discussion.
We went through an analysis of every way we can provide financial support: in front of the worsening humanitarian situation, in front of Ukraine’s immediate financial needs during the war, for the post-war reconstruction of the country, and for self defence.Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Ministers considered the proposal to provide an additional €500 million from the European Peace Facility for the delivery of weapons to Ukraine.
Ministers also considered how to support Ukraine’s economy through trade liberalisation and transport facilitation measures. Through the recent adoption of an EU action plan for EU-Ukraine solidarity lanes, the EU is already helping Ukraine to keep producing and exporting grain and in particular wheat worldwide.
The Council touched on the issue of Russian information manipulation and its attempt to shift the blame for the growing worldwide impact of its aggression not only to Ukraine, but also to the EU and the West in general. The Council categorically rejected Russia’s narrative and will continue to counter it. Energy and food shortages as well as price increases are the result of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression.
Alongside the G7, the G20 and the FAO, the EU is working towards mitigating the negative effects of Russia’s aggression and securing food supply to all countries.
EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine (background information)
Current Affairs
The High Representative informed the Council about his recent visit to Latin America, where he met leaders in Chile and in Panama.
He also provided an update on EU financial support to Palestine, as a follow-up to the April Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
The Council was also informed about the situation in Ethiopia, the ongoing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the state of the NATO applications of two EU member states.
Council conclusions
The Council approved conclusions on an EU strategic approach in support of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants.
Equivalence of field inspections and of certain seed produced in Bolivia
Ministers adopted the Commission’s proposal for granting equivalence to the production and field inspections of cereal seed-producing crops and oil and fibre plant seed-producing crops in Bolivia. The Council’s approval will add Bolivia to the list of non-EU countries whose seed certification system is recognised as equivalent to the EU’s, allowing imports of sorghum, maize and sunflower seed from Bolivia to the EU market.
DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Council decision 2003/17/EC as regards its period of application and as regards the equivalence of field inspections carried out in Bolivia on cereal seed-producing crops and oil and fibre plant seed-producing crops and the equivalence of cereal seed and oil and fibre plant seed produced in Bolivia
Meeting information
Meeting n°3869-1
Brussels
16 May 2022
11:00
Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda
List of A items, legislative deliberations
List of A items, non-legislative activities
Background brief
Outcome documentsList of participants
Video footage
Press releasesCyber-attacks: Council extends sanctions regime until 18 May 2025
16 May 2022, 13:55
TEN-E: Council gives green light to new rules for cross-border energy infrastructure
16 May 2022, 11:55
