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COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION latest

 

Saturday 25 February 2023

● Council of the EU   25/02/2023 18:35 | Press release | Wagner Group: Council adds 11 individuals and 7 entities to EU sanctions lists   The Council decided today to impose additional restrictive measures against individuals and entities linked to the Wagner Group in view of the international dimension and gravity of the group’s activities, as well as its destabilising impact on the countries where it is active. "The Wagner Group’s activities are a threat for the people in the countries where they operate and the European Union. They endanger international peace and security as they do not operate within any legal framework. The EU is determined to continue taking tangible action against breaches to international law. We stand up for human rights everywhere." Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The Wagner Group is a Russia-based unincorporated private military entity, present in several countries, including Ukraine, Libya, the Central African Republic (CAR), Mali and Sudan. In particular, the Council decided to list eight individuals and seven entities under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime responsible for or involved in serious human rights abuses in the Central African Republic and Sudan as well as one individual under the Mali sanctions regime responsible for actions threatening the peace, security, or stability of Mali. Two individuals were also listed in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The listed individuals include two commanders of Wagner Group forces actively involved in the capture of the town of Soledar in Ukraine in January 2023, the head of the Wagner Group in Mali, where Wagner mercenaries have been involved in acts of violence and multiple human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, as well as various high-profile members of the group in the CAR. The latter include the security advisor to the President of the CAR, the spokesperson of the group in the country, as well as notable members of the group in operational roles, or steering pro-Wagner propaganda and disinformation campaigns. The group activities in Sudan are also targeted, as listings cover companies such as Meroe Gold and M-Invest, and the head of the latter. These companies, together with Lobaye Invest Sarlu and Diamville in the CAR are sanctioned in view of their role in illegally trading gold and diamonds looted by force from local traders. The Foundation for the Defence of National Values (FDNV), the public relations arm of the Wagner Group, is also listed, as is its head. The Central African radio station Lengo Sengo is listed for engaging in online influence operations on behalf of Russia and the Wagner Group with the goal of manipulating public opinion. All those listed today are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories. The EU remains deeply concerned about serious human rights violations and abuses, such as torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and killings, committed by the Wagner Group.

Saturday 25 February 2023

● Council of the EU   25/02/2023 18:35 | Press release | 10th package of sanctions on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: the EU includes additional 87 individuals and 34 entities to the EU’s sanctions list   Within the comprehensive tenth package of sanctions adopted earlier today, the Council decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional 87 individuals and 34 entities. This was decided in response to the gravity of the continued Russian full-scale invasion and military aggression against Ukraine, which was launched one year ago today on 24 February. "Today we are targeting 121 individuals and entities who who are instrumental in the continuation of this brutal war, including those responsible for military activities, for political decisions, who are polluting the public space with disinformation and malicious narratives, adding to the military warfare also through information warfare. We are also targeting those involved in inhumane deportations and forced adoption of Ukrainian children to Russia, as well as those those responsible for the development of drones that are targeting Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure. We will continue to increase pressure on Russia so as long as it takes." Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The 121 new listings cover various categories of individuals and entities, who all contribute in their own way to the war: At political/institutional level, the Council designates key decision makers, such as: new Members of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation since 20 December 2022, including the representative of the illegally annexed so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic” and Deputy Secretary of the General Council of the “United Russia” Party 19 Deputy Ministers and a number of Russian Government officials, including Heads of federal agencies 4 Deputies of the State Duma the All-Russia People’s Front and 5 individuals related to it. The movement All-Russia People’s Front (ONF) is organising a social campaign “All for Victory!” through which it collects physical and financial donations to support the military units of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People's Republic” In the Russian military and defence sector, a substantial number of designations are adopted including Russian military leaders and two military commanders of the Wagner group deployed in areas of Ukraine where atrocities against civilians were committed, companies manufacturing missiles, drones, aircrafts, military vehicles, warships or control systems, and supplying the Russian Armed Forces. The Council is also imposing sanctions against individuals responsible for the deportation and forced adoption of Ukrainian children. The deportation of innocent Ukrainian children from occupied areas by Russian forces to be adopted to Russian families is a clear violation of human rights and international law. To address the continued occupation of areas of Ukraine, the Council also targeted proxy authorities, such as the so-called prosecutors in the four illegally annexed Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and the so-called Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Donetsk Peoples Republic. The Council is also imposing sanctions on organisations, like Rossyia Segodnya, and individuals including writers, presenters and high-level executives in major TV channels and media groups, propagandists and other personalities. They are polluting the public space with disinformation, adding to the military warfare through information warfare Four Iranian individuals involved in the elaboration and supply of drones used by Russia against Ukraine are sanctioned. Today’s listings also cover economic actors in sectors providing a substantial source of revenue or supporting financially the government of Russia. The sanctioned entities include banks such as Alfa-Bank, Rosbank, and Tinkoff Bank, the National Wealth Fund of the Russian Federation, and the Russian National Reinsurance Company. Altogether, EU restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to a total of 1473 individuals and 205 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories. In the European Council conclusions of 9 February 2023, the EU reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and has brought immense suffering and destruction upon Ukraine and its people. Russia must stop this atrocious war immediately. The European Union will stand by Ukraine with steadfast support for as long as it takes, and remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individuals and entities, have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Official Journal of the EU, 25 February 2023 (including a list of the sanctioned individuals and entities) One year of Russia’s full-scale invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine, EU adopts its 10th package of economic and individual sanctions (press release, 25 February 2023) EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine (background information) European Council conclusions of 9 February 2023

Friday 24 February 2023

● General Secretariat   24/02/2023 17:40 | Press release | Forward look: 27 February - 12 March 2023   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry), 2 March 2023 The EU ministers responsible for the internal market and industry will meet in Brussels and seek to adopt two Council positions: one on the directive concerning financial services contracts concluded at a distance, and the second on the regulation on data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services. Ministers will also hold a policy debate on the long-term competitiveness and productivity of the internal market, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of its creation. Read more Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Education), 7 March 2023 Ministers of education are planning to approve conclusions on skills and competences for the green transition and will hold a policy debate on high-quality teachers as the cornerstone of a successful European Education Area. Read more Justice and Home Affairs Council, 9-10 March 2023 Home affairs ministers will hold discussions on the internal and external dimensions of asylum and migration, and on the future of visa policy. They will also exchange views on the state of play of the internal security dialogue with Ukraine and Justice and Home Affairs/Common Security and Defence Policy cooperation in relation to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Justice ministers will aim to adopt conclusions on the EU charter of fundamental rights and the civic space. They will hold discussions on the next steps in combatting racism and antisemitism, and on barriers to access to justice and how to overcome them. Ministers will assess the state of play in the judicial responses and the fight against impunity regarding crimes committed in connection with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Read more Other events Informal meeting of tele­communications, transport, energy ministers, 27 - 28 February 2023 Informal meeting of defence ministers, 7-8 March 2023 Informal meeting of development ministers, 8-9 March 2023 Informal meeting of trade ministers, 9-10 March 2023 Indicative calendar of meetings under the Swedish presidency (1 January - 30 June 2023)

 

25/02/2023 12:00 | Article EU civilian crisis management in focus Discussions about how to strengthen EU civilian crisis management missions – and a trip in a Combat Boat 90. These items were on the agenda when the Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CivCom) visited Sweden on 22–24 February.

Article

25 February 202312:00

EU civilian crisis management in focus

Committee members onboard a Combat Boat 90.

© Josefine Stenersen

Discussions about how to strengthen EU civilian crisis management missions – and a trip in a Combat Boat 90. These items were on the agenda when the Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CivCom) visited Sweden on 22–24 February.

The Committee, which comprises representatives of EU Member States and deals with the development of strategies for civilian crisis management before matters are discussed in the EU Council of Ministers, visited Sweden as part of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

At present, there are 12 EU civilian crisis management missions on the ground, ranging from Ukraine and Georgia to Somalia and Iraq, the most recent of which was launched on 20 February in Armenia. The Union also has nine ongoing military crisis management missions and operations.

“The EU’s missions and operations help increase security and stability in the host countries and, by extension, in the EU. One of the Swedish Presidency’s priorities is to continue to demonstrate leadership in civilian crisis management and to work to develop a new crisis management package,” says Eddy Fonyódi, one of Sweden’s two delegates on the Committee.

More-rapidly deployed and more-flexible operations and missions

At the meeting, the Committee discussed such matters as how future operations and missions can be deployed more rapidly in response to a crisis and how they can be even more flexible and more easily adapted to new situations. For instance, the decision to change a mission’s or an operation’s mandate may need to be taken quickly.

The Committee also discussed how EU Member States can provide more personnel for missions and operations, known as secondments.

“At present, Sweden has around 100 people seconded to EU civilian missions. We are one of the EU countries that provides the most personnel, both in absolute terms and per capita. We want to inspire other countries to provide more personnel,” says Mr Fonyódi.

Civil-military cooperation

After the conclusion of the first day of the meeting, the Committee visited one of the Swedish Coast Guard’s largest ships. The Swedish Coast Guard is one of the Swedish government agencies that has provided civilian personnel and equipment for EU civilian missions.

The Swedish Armed Forces provided transportation to the ship, and the Committee met with representatives of the Swedish Armed Forces onboard a Combat Boat 90. The Swedish Armed Forces are the Swedish government agency that provides military personnel for EU military missions and operations.

“Civil-military cooperation, both in Brussels and in the field, is vital to the success of missions and operations,” says Mr Fonyódi.

On their third and final day in Sweden, the Committee met with Crown Princess Victoria and talked about EU civilian missions and how they help the EU achieve its foreign and security policy goals.

To round off the visit, the Committee met with representatives of the six Swedish government agencies that provide civilian personnel for EU civilian crisis management missions to find out how Sweden works in this area and what the government agencies do regarding secondment. The six government agencies are the Swedish National Courts Administration, the Folke Bernadotte Academy, the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, the Swedish Police Authority and the Swedish Prosecution Authority.

EU crisis management missions and operations

The EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) was first established in 1993 and sets out the EU’s relations with countries and organisations outside the Union. One of the aims of the CFSP is to ensure that the EU contributes to international peace and security.

Under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, which forms an integral part of the CFSP, the EU must be able to launch military and civilian operations and missions in the event of crises around the world.

Information about all EU missions and operations – since the first launch in 2003 to the present day – is available here: Missions and Operations | EEAS Website

U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Martha Raddatz of ABC This Week
02/19/2023

Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Martha Raddatz of ABC This Week
02/19/2023 10:43 AM EST



Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Munich, Germany

QUESTION: Secretary Blinken and I discussed all these issues yesterday during his trip to Munich. I began by asking him about that high-stakes meeting with China’s top diplomat.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: We had a very direct, very clear conversation about the Chinese surveillance balloon being sent over our territory in violation of our sovereignty, in violation of international law. I told Wang Yi, my Chinese counterpart, that that action was unacceptable and must never happen again.

We also had an opportunity to talk about the Russian aggression against Ukraine. We’re here in Munich and many of the countries here are focused, as we are, on that aggression. And one of the things that I shared with him was a growing concern on our part that China is considering providing lethal support to Russia in its aggression against Ukraine. And I made clear, as President Biden has – almost from day one with President Xi – that that would have serious consequences in our own relationship.

Finally, it was important for me to underscore the importance of having open lines of communication between us, in continuing to engage in direct diplomacy. We have a responsibility to manage the relationship responsibly. I think the world expects that of us; it’s also in our interest. And so that’s also something that I underscored in the meeting with Wang Yi this evening.

QUESTION: And I will say that Wang Yi has said of the Chinese spy balloon the whole shoot-down incident, that it was absurd and hysterical, and said Cold War mentality is back. Is that the message you got from him?