COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Monday 11 December 2023

● Council of the EU   11/12/2023 14:36 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Environment Council of 18 December, and the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) of 19 December 2023   The press briefings ahead of the Environment Council of 18 December, and the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) of 19 December will take place on Tuesday, 12 December 2023: starting at 11.30 with Environment Council, immediately followed by Energy Council These briefings will be "off the record" and will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Justus Lipsius building main press room. To attend the event remotely, please use this link to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of the Environment Council or the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Tuesday, 12 December 2023, 10.30. Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Environment Council, 18 December 2023 – Meeting page Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 19 December 2023 – Meeting page

Press material Monday 11 December 2023

● Council of the EU   11/12/2023 13:54 | Press release | Iran: Council sanctions 6 persons and 5 entities under the framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine   The Council today imposed restrictive measures against 6 persons and 5 entities involved in Iran's development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) used in Russia’s illegalwar of aggression against Ukraine. These are the first listings under the newly established framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran's military support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. They complement the previous four rounds of listings on Iranian drones already adopted under other sanctions regimes. The new listings include the company Shakad Sanat Asmari, its CEO, deputy CEO and chief scientist; other companies manufacturing components for UAVs, namely Baharestan Kish Company and its managing director, Saad Sazeh Faraz Sharif and its CEO, as well as Sarmad Electronic Sepahan Company, offering aerospace engineering services, and companies helping Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF) improve the UAV programme (Kimia Part Sivan Company). Those targeted will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban to the European Union. Additionally, the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of natural or legal persons, entities or bodies listed is prohibited. The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individuals and entities, have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background In its conclusions of 12 December 2022, the Council strongly condemned and considered unacceptable any type of military support by Iran, including deliveries of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. The weapons provided by Iran are being used indiscriminately by Russia against Ukraine’s civilian population and infrastructure, causing horrendous destruction and human suffering. This UAV programme is run by the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which are both under EU restrictive measures in relation to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and includes the procurement, development, production and transfer of UAVs, notably to Russia. It is based on State-owned as well as private companies and benefits from domestic research capabilities. On 20 July 2023, the Council established a new framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran's military support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which prohibits the export from the European Union to Iran of components used in the construction and production of UAVs, and provides for travel restrictions and asset freeze measures to be imposed against persons responsible for, supporting or involved in Iran’s UAV’s programme. Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2792 of 11 December 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (including a list of listed individuals and entities) Iran: EU adopts Council Conclusions and additional restrictive measures, press release 12 December 2022 Foreign Affairs Council, 12 December 2022 How and when the EU adopts sanctions (background information)

Press material Monday 11 December 2023

● Council of the EU   11/12/2023 13:06 | Press release | Myanmar/Burma: Council adds 4 persons and 2 entities to EU sanctions list in eighth round of sanctions   The Council today approved additional restrictive measures against four persons and two entities, in view of the continuing grave situation in Myanmar/Burma. The listings include a Union Minister, two other members of the State Administrative Council (SAC), and a commander responsible for airstrikes targeting civilians in particular in Kayah state. Two companies generating income for the military regime and providing arms and other equipment used by the armed forces - Star Sapphire Group of Companies and Royal Shune Lei Company Limited - will also be subject to restrictive measures. Those listed under the sanctions regime are subject to an asset freeze and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed. Other EU restrictive measure remain in place: the embargo on arms and equipment and export restrictions on equipment for monitoring communications which might be used for internal repression, the export ban on dual-use goods for use by the military and border guard police, and the prohibition of military training and cooperation with the Tatmadaw. The restrictive measures come in addition to the withholding of EU financial assistance directly going to the government and the freezing of all EU assistance that may be seen as legitimising the junta. The EU remains deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of violence in Myanmar and the evolution towards a protracted conflict with regional implications. The EU condemns the continuing grave human rights violations by the Myanmar armed forces, including torture, sexual and gender-based violence, the persecution of civil society actors, human rights defenders and journalists, and attacks on the civilian population, including ethnic and religious minorities. The continuous obstruction of the State Administration Council to engage in an inclusive dialogue with relevant stakeholders comes in the face of a rise in indiscriminate violence against unarmed civilians, notably through repeated air strikes. In the absence of progress in the situation in Myanmar/Burma, the EU has expressed several times its readiness to adopt further restrictive measures against those responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law and for the serious human rights violations taking place in the country. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background In February 2021, the Council adopted conclusions condemning in the strongest terms the military coup carried out in Myanmar/Burma. On 31 January 2023, the High Representative issued a declaration on behalf of the EU on the 2nd anniversary of the military take-over stating that, in the absence of any swift progress on the situation in Myanmar, the EU stood ready to adopt further restrictive measures against those directly responsible for and those abetting the undermining of democracy and the serious human rights violations in the country. The Council has imposed restrictive measures against those responsible for the military coup staged in Myanmar/Burma on 1 February 2021, and the subsequent military and police repression against peaceful demonstrators on 22 March, 19 April and 21 June 2021, 21 February and 8 November 2022, 20 February and 20 July 2023. Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2789 of 11 December 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) No 401/2013 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar/Burma, including a list of the sanctioned individual and entities How and when the EU adopts sanctions (background information) Myanmar: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the 2nd anniversary of the military take-over, 31 January 2023

Press material Monday 11 December 2023

● Council of the EU   11/12/2023 12:53 | Press release | Common Security and Defence Policy: Council approves conclusions on civilian CSDP   The Council approved today conclusions on civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), underscoring the added value of civilian CSDP missions in today's geostrategic environment, as confirmed by the establishment of three new missions in Armenia, Moldova and the Gulf of Guinea in 2023. The Council welcomes the first steps made in enhancing the effectiveness of civilian CSDP in line with the 2023 Civilian CSDP Compact, as well as the establishment of a Civilian Capability Development Process (CCDP) in 2024. A first Annual Civilian Capabilities Conference is foreseen to take place under the CCDP in the first semester of 2024. The conclusions highlight the essential work done by EUAM Ukraine in support of the reform of the Ukrainian security sector, integrated border management, as well as efforts made in the field of investigation and prosecution of international crimes, and re-establishing the rule of law in the Liberated and Adjacent territories, following the adaptation of the mission’s mandate in response to Russia’s war of aggression. The Council also reiterates the importance of the work conducted by the European Union Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova and the EU Mission in Armenia. The Council welcomes the launch of the EU Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea, aiming to reinforce the capacities of security and defence services and forces to respond to terrorist pressure. Furthermore, the conclusions highlight the Council's call for continuous efforts to ensure the coherence of civilian CSDP with other EU instruments as well as the need to improve the modularity and scalability of civilian CSDP missions. The Council invites the High Representative to hold an annual discussion on civilian CSDP at the Foreign Affairs Council. Background On 21 March 2022, the Council approved “A Strategic Compass for Security and Defence - For a European Union that protects its citizens, values and interests and contributes to international peace and security”. Following the Strategic Compass, the new Civilian CSDP Compact, was approved in May 2023. This new policy framework for civilian CSDP builds on the first Compact adopted in November 2018 and enhances the effectiveness and capabilities of civilian CSDP missions through concrete commitments, deliverables and timelines signed up to by member states and EU institutions. Council conclusions on civilian CSDP Please note that the date of the conclusions is 11 December 2023 CORRIGENDUM Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP): EU strengthens its civilian missions to better respond to crises around the world, press release 22 May 2023 Civilian CSDP Compact (EEAS) Conclusions on the establishment of a Civilian CSDP Compact, 22 May 2023

Meetings Monday 11 December 2023

● Council of the EU   11/12/2023 12:33 | MEETING | General Affairs Council, 12 December 2023   Background brief - General Affairs Council, 12/12/2023

Press material Monday 11 December 2023

● Council of the EU   11/12/2023 10:53 | Press release | Mali: Council renews restrictive measures for a further year   The Council today renewed its restrictive measures in view of the situation in Mali for a further year, until 14 December 2024. One individual was also delisted. The 5 individuals currently targeted under the sanctions regime for obstructing the political transition in Mali are subject to an asset freeze and travel ban to the EU. Additionally, the provision of funds, other financial assets or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of natural or legal persons, entities or bodies listed is prohibited. The EU continues to stand with the people of Mali and reaffirms its full commitment to strict compliance with the rule of law, human rights and international humanitarian law in Mali. Background On 24 and 25 May 2021, the European Council adopted conclusions in which it strongly condemned the coup d’état which took place in Mali on 24 May 2021, and stated that the EU was ready to consider targeted restrictive measures. On 29 June 2021, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2584(2021), in which it condemned the coup d'état and called on all Malian stakeholders to facilitate a full political transition and handover of power to elected civilian authorities within the 18-month transition period. It also called on Mali’s transitional government to hold free and fair presidential and legislative elections. On 13 December 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/2208, setting up an autonomous framework for sanctions against those obstructing the political transition in Mali. Mali: EU adopts targeted sanctions againt five individuals, press release 4 February 2022 Mali: EU sets up autonomous framework for sanctions against those obstructing the political transition, press release 13 December 2021

Meetings Monday 11 December 2023

● Council of the EU   11/12/2023 10:53 | MEETING | Agenda highlights - General Affairs Council, 12 December 2023   The Council will focus on preparations for the December European Council, enlargement, annual rule of law dialogue, and managing demographic change in Europe. Ministers will also take stock of negotiations for an association agreement with Andorra and San Marino and discuss Spain’s request to amend regulation no 1/1958.

Press material Monday 11 December 2023

● Council of the EU   11/12/2023 09:12 | Media advisory | Press briefing - General Affairs Council of 12 December 2023   The press briefing ahead of the General Affairs Council will take place on Monday, 11 December 2023 at 13.00. This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Justus Lipsius press room. To attend the event remotely, please use this link to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of the General Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Monday, 11 December 2023 at 12.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants after the deadline.