Maritime Security: EU to become an observer of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment

 

Press material Monday, 22 April 2024

● Council of the EU   22/04/2024 10:07 | Press release | Maritime Security: EU to become an observer of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment   The EU will soon become a ‘Friend’ (i.e., observer) of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment, a regional cooperation framework to tackle piracy, armed robbery, human trafficking and other illegal maritime activities in the North-Western Indian Ocean, including the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. The Council today formally decided to accept the invitation from the Secretariat of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment. By becoming ‘Friend’ of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment, the EU signals its strong support for an effective regional maritime security architecture, while strengthening its presence and engagement as a global maritime security provider in the fight against illegal activities at sea.  The North-Western Indian Ocean is one of the most dynamic centres of economic growth in the world. With 80% of the world’s trade passing through the Indian Ocean, it is crucial to ensure freedom of navigation and protect the EU’s and its partners’ security and interests. Background The Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment was signed in 2017 by 17 signatory states in the North West Indian Ocean to promote regional cooperation and to boost signatory states’ capacity to counter the growing threats to maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. The EU has been a long-standing maritime security partner in the region. Since 2008, operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta has been fighting against piracy. More recently, with the launch of EUNAVFOR Aspides, the EU is protecting merchant vessels crossing the Red Sea. In parallel, the EU conducts capacity building missions, such as EUCAP Somalia, EUTM Somalia and EUTM Mozambique, as well as projects for maritime security such as CRIMARIO II and EC SAFE SEAS AFRICA. In 2022, the Council adopted conclusions on the launch of the Coordinated Maritime Presences concept in the North-Western Indian Ocean, a framework for a strengthened EU role as a maritime security provided in the region and for cooperation with coastal states and regional maritime security organisations. Djibouti Code of Conduct website EUNAVFOR Atalanta EUNAVFOR Aspides Council conclusions on the launch of the Coordinated Maritime Presences concept in the North-Western Indian Ocean

Library blog Monday, 22 April 2024

● General Secretariat of the Council   A celebration of Belgian libraries for World Book Day   World Book Day is fast approaching, on 23 April. During the current Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU, the Council Library thought it was an opportune moment to highlight some of the wonderful libraries Belgium has to offer.

Press material Monday, 22 April 2024

● Council of the EU   22/04/2024 12:00 | Press release | EU-Japan: Council endorses the conclusion of the strategic partnership agreement   The Council adopted today a decision on the conclusion of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) between the European Union and its member states and Japan. Today’s decision clears the path, on the EU side, for the entry into force of the agreement as soon as the parties will have completed their internal procedure and notified their counterparts. This is the first-ever bilateral framework agreement between the EU and Japan.  The agreement sets out an overarching framework for enhanced political and sectoral cooperation, thus ensuring closer political and economic cooperation on a whole host of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. Through the SPA, the EU and Japan commit to strengthen the rules-based global order, enhance global governance and defend joint values and principles such as: the rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights, open markets, free and fair trade. The agreement sets the stage for increasing consultation and coordination in multilateral fora. The parties commit to work together to defend a rules-based multilateral trading system having the World Trade Organization at its core, promote the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate action, and the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Concerning the bilateral dimension, the agreement will allow parties to take forward security cooperation, jointly tackle terrorism and serious international crimes and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Furthermore the SPA will enhance all areas of existing sectorial cooperation, such as. space, information and communication technologies, industrial policy, energy, transport, education, research and innovation. Lastly, the SPA will provide for a joint committee to coordinate the overall partnership providing a forum to discuss all the issues covered in the agreement, and a dispute settlement procedure. On 17 July 2018 the EU and Japan, signed the agreement in Tokyo. The European Parliament gave its consent on 12 December 2018, and on 5 April 2024, the ratification procedures of the agreement by member states were finalised. In parallel to the negotiations on the SPA, the EU and its member states opened negotiations for an economic partnership agreement with Japan on 29 November 2012. These began in April 2013 and the contents of the first-ever bilateral framework agreement between the EU and Japan were finalised in April 2018.   Strategic Partnership Agreement