COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Friday 15 March 2024

● European Council   15/03/2024 17:46 | Statements and remarks | G7 Leaders’ statement on Iran   We reiterate our call on third parties to immediately cease providing material support to Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine or face severe costs. We are extremely concerned about reports that Iran is considering transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia after having supplied the Russian regime with UAVs, which are used in relentless attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine. We call on Iran not to do so, as it would add to regional destabilization and represent a substantive material escalation in its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine – an aggression which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter. Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner including with new and significant measures against Iran.

Press material Friday 15 March 2024

● General Secretariat   15/03/2024 17:41 | Press release | Forward look: 18 - 31 March 2024   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Foreign Affairs Council, 18 March 2024 At the beginning of the meeting, EU Foreign Affairs Ministers will hold an informal exchange of views via VTC with the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Council will then discuss Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, following an informal exchange of views with Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, who will join via VTC. During a lunch discussion, the Council will exchange views on Belarus, followed by a roundtable on the situation in the Middle East and an exchange of views about current affairs. The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on green diplomacy. Read more General Affairs Council, 19 March 2024 Ministers will continue preparations for the March European Council. They will also focus on the European Semester and exchange views on the future of Europe. Read more European Council, 21-22 March 2024 EU leaders will meet in Brussels to address Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. The European Council will also focus on security and defence, including Europe’s need to increase its overall defence readiness. Read more Environment Council, 25 March 2024 EU environment ministers will hold policy debates on the proposed targeted revision of the waste framework directive and on the regulation on preventing pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution. Ministers will also exchange views on the recent communication issued by the European Commission on 6 February 2024 on the 2040 climate target. Under ‘other business’, the Commission will present its mid-term evaluation of the 8th environment action programme (EAP) and its recent communication on climate risks management. Read more Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 26 March 2024 The Agriculture and Fisheries Council will meet on Tuesday 26 March 2024. Based on information from the European Commission, agriculture ministers will exchange views on rapid and structural responses to the crisis situation in the agricultural sector. The discussion comes as a follow-up to the work carried out by the Commission following the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting that took place on 26 February 2024. Additionally, the Council will discuss the market situation, in particular following Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The Ukrainian Minister for Agrarian Policy and Food, Mykola Solskyi, is also expected to address the Council. Read more Other meetings Tripartite Social Summit, 20 March 2024 EU-Ukraine Association Council, 20 March 2024 Euro Summit, 22 March 2024 Informal meeting of fisheries ministers, 24-25 March 2024 Indicative calendar of meetings under the Belgian presidency (1 January - 30 June 2024) Belgian presidency website

Meetings Friday 15 March 2024

● Council of the EU   15/03/2024 17:13 | MEETING | Foreign Affairs Council, 18 March 2024   Background brief - Foreign Affairs Council of 18 March 2024

Meetings Friday 15 March 2024

● Council of the EU   15/03/2024 16:48 | MEETING | Agenda highlights - General Affairs Council, 19 March 2024   Ministers will continue preparations for the March European Council. They will also focus on the European Semester and exchange views on the future of Europe.