COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION update

 

Press material Monday 20 June 2022   ● Council of the EU   20/06/2022 13:52 | Press release | EU fight against terrorism: one group and three individuals added to the EU sanctions list over terrorism   The Council today decided to add one group and three individuals linked to Al-Qaeda and operating in the Sahel region to the list of those subject to restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them. The measures target Sidan Ag-Hitta and Salem ould Breihmatt, senior commanders within the UN-listed Al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin, as well as its Burkinabe branch Ansarul Islam and its leader Jafar Dicko. The sanctioned group and individuals are responsible for several terrorist attacks, including against civilians, the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali and defence and security forces in Burkina Faso. Their activities contribute to the expansion of the terrorist threat in Western Africa and therefore pose a serious and continued threat to the EU and to regional and international stability. With these new measures, a total of 13 persons are now subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze, and four groups to an asset freeze. In addition, EU persons and operators are forbidden from making funds or economic resources available to the listed persons and groups. Today's decision confirms the EU's unwavering resolve to combat the enduring terrorist threat posed by Al-Qaeda, ISIL/Da'esh and all their regional affiliates. The EU remains committed to taking decisive action against those who continue to threaten international peace and security by planning, financing and committing terrorist attacks, and by spreading their deadly terrorist propaganda around the world. Alongside the targeted sanctions, the EU deploys a wide variety of initiatives in the Sahel as part of an integrated approach to fighting terrorism. These include providing support to displaced people fleeing violence, providing food and basic goods to Sahel populations suffering as a result of the grave humanitarian situation, and working with local authorities to offer social and economic opportunities to these populations.

Press material Monday 20 June 2022

● Council of the EU   20/06/2022 14:04 | Press release | Global food insecurity: Council approves conclusions on the Team Europe response   Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine has disastrous consequences for the Ukrainian people, and also for people all over the world. The EU is fully committed to working with its global partners to address the worst consequences on food security, and has taken swift and comprehensive measures. In this light, the Council today approved conclusions on the Team Europe response to global food insecurity. In its conclusions, the Council expresses its deep concern that vulnerable populations face unprecedented levels of food insecurity. Russia's unjustifiable, unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has dramatically aggravated the food security crisis. Russia’s troops shell and occupy arable land of Ukraine, destroying farms, storage and food processing facilities, equipment and transport infrastructure. They block Ukraine’s ports, preventing the export of millions of tons of grain to global markets. The EU and its member states stand in solidarity with the most affected partner countries and will strengthen their support as responsive, responsible, and reliable global actor. In this spirit, the Council calls for a Team Europe response to the global food insecurity comprising four strands of action: solidarity through emergency relief and support for affordability boosting sustainable production, resilience and food system transformation facilitating trade by helping Ukraine export agricultural via different routes and supporting global trade effective multilateralism and strong support to the central role of the UN Global Crisis Response Group to coordinate the global efforts There are no EU sanctions on Russian exports of food to global markets. EU sanctions do not prohibit the import and transportation of Russian agricultural goods, payment for such Russian exports, or the provision of seeds by third countries – they only target the sanctioned individuals and entities. Sanctions are specifically designed not to target food and agricultural products and, where relevant, sectoral prohibitions include specific exceptions for those products. EU sanctions do not apply to third countries or to non-EU operators in third countries. Team Europe response to global food insecurity European Council conclusions, 30-31 May 2022 Food security and affordability (background information)