COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION update

Press material Saturday 9 September 2023

● European Council   09/09/2023 16:35 | Statements and remarks | G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration   We are One Earth, One Family, and we share One Future. We, the Leaders of the G20, met in New Delhi on 9-10 September 2023, under the theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. We meet at a defining moment in history where the decisions we make now will determine the future of our people and our planet. It is with the philosophy of living in harmony with our surrounding ecosystem that we commit to concrete actions to address global challenges. G20 cooperation is essential in determining the course the world takes. Headwinds to global economic growth and stability persist. Years of cascading challenges and crises have reversed gains in the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to increase, with climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, drought, land degradation and desertification threatening lives and livelihoods. Rising commodity prices, including food and energy prices are contributing to cost of living pressures. Global challenges like poverty and inequality, climate change, pandemics and conflicts disproportionately affect women and children, and the most vulnerable. Together we have an opportunity to build a better future. Just energy transitions can improve jobs and livelihoods, and strengthen economic resilience. We affirm that no country should have to choose between fighting poverty and fighting for our planet. We will pursue development models that implement sustainable, inclusive and just transitions globally, while leaving no one behind.

Press material Sunday 10 September 2023

● European Council   10/09/2023 13:01 | Press release | Readout of the meeting between President Charles Michel and China's Prime Minister LI Qiang   European Council President Charles Michel met with China's Prime Minister LI Qiang in the margins of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India. Both sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues and confirmed their interest in maintaining stable and constructive relations. President Michel confirmed the shared interest to hold the EU - China Summit by the end of the year. Therefore he stressed the importance of holding high-level sectoral dialogues ahead of the summit, such as the 10th EU-China High Level Economic and Trade Dialogue, Strategic Dialogue on foreign policy, Digital Dialogue. High-level Dialogues have an important role to play in delivering meaningful outcomes for the Summit. The President stressed that in particular the high-level political dialogue is useful and necessary to foster mutual understanding and address the various challenges in the context of our bilateral relations, but also in the context of more global issues. The European Union is a political project founded on values and principles that we hold dear, such as democracy, human rights and human dignity. And it is these values that guide our international action. President Michel also referred to the recent European Council discussion and conclusions on EU - China relations. The EU and China need to work together to tackle global challenges like fight against climate change, health pandemics and challenges of the world economy, especially the debt relief. EU and China are important trade and economic partners and we will continue ensuring that this relationship is balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial. EU will continue addressing critical vulnerabilities and diversifying where necessary and appropriate without undermining crucial economic interests. Both sides discussed the global consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, especially the food and energy security. President Michel welcomed China's condemnation of the threat to use nuclear weapons and noted that China, as the UNSC member, has a special responsibility to secure global peace and stability, as well as the respect for international law. President Michel confirmed that the One China Policy is a fundamental principle of the EU - China relationship. At the same time, the EU naturally has economic ties with Taiwan. Press material Saturday 9 September 2023   ● European Council   09/09/2023 20:45 | Press release | Letter to His Majesty Mohammed VI of Morocco   The President of the European Council Charles Michel together with the members of the European Council sent a letter to His Majesty Mohammed VI of Morocco following recent tragic events in Morocco. The EU and its Member States stand in full solidarity with the people of Morocco in this difficult moment. Letter to His Majesty King Mohammed VI