COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

LIVE Informal meeting of environment ministers in Brussels: Press conference at 12:45 PM 16/01/2024 | Event LIVE Informal meeting of environment ministers in Brussels: Press conference at 12:45 PM The Informal Meeting of Environment Ministers will take place on 15 and 16 January 2024 in Brussels. Discussions will focus on three main topics that are key for the Belgian’s EU Council Presidency : adaptation and resilience, circular economy and just transition.

Meetings Tuesday 16 January 2024

● Council of the EU   16/01/2024 15:12 | MEETING | Main results - Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 16 January 2024   In the context of the European Semester 2024, the Council approved conclusions on the alert mechanism report 2024 and the annual sustainable growth survey 2024. It also approved the 2024 recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area. Ministers took note of the state of play of the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The Belgian presidency presented its work programme for the next six months.

Press material Tuesday 16 January 2024

● Council of the EU   16/01/2024 13:57 | Press release | Fight against terrorism: Council adds an individual to its autonomous sanctions list against ISIL(Da'esh) and Al-Qaida   The Council today decided to add one individual 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 Ahmed Khaled Müller, a member of Al-Shabab in Somalia. The sanctioned individual has participated in combat operations and committed terrorist acts on behalf of Al-Shabab. The latter operates in the Horn of Africa region, is responsible for numerous terrorist acts in Kenya, Somalia, as well as neighbouring countries, and is affiliated with Al-Qaida. With this new listing and the de-listing of a deceased individual today, a total of 15 persons are subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze, and five 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 reconfirms the EU's resolve in countering the continued terrorist threat posed by Al-Qaeda, ISIL(Da'esh) and 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. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/333 of 16 January 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaeda: EU restrictive measures prolonged for an additional year (press release, 23 October 2023) EU terrorist list (background information)

Press material Tuesday 16 January 2024

● Council of the EU   16/01/2024 13:51 | Press release | EU terrorist list: Council lists one individual in response to the 7 October attacks in Israel   The Council decided today to add one individual to the EU terrorist list. This decision comes as part of European Union’s response to the threat posed by Hamas and its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks in Israel on 7 October 2023. These sanctions are effective as of today. The individual designated today is Yahia Sinouar, the political leader of Hamas. Following his listing, Yahia Sinouar is subject to the freezing of his funds and other financial assets in EU member states. It is also prohibited for EU operators to make funds and economic resources available to him. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background The EU terrorist list, i.e. the sanctions regime set out in Common Position 2001/931/CFSP, is separate from the EU regime implementing UN Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) and targeting Al-Qaida and ISIL/Da'esh. The EU may also apply restrictive measures autonomously to ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaida and persons and entities associated with or supporting them. Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/332 of 16 January 2024 updating the list of persons, groups and entities covered by Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2023/1514 Consolidated text: Council Common Position of 27 December 2001 on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism (2001/931/CFSP): 22 July 2023 EU terrorist list (background information)