THINK TANK,COUNCIL OF THE EU,update

Library blog Friday, 19 April 2024

● General Secretariat of the Council   Think Tank reports on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine   Strategic futures for Ukraine; the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant taken as a military target and the related legal and technical global challenges; Ukraine warns Russia’s neighbours to prepare for resistance; assessing EU sanctions against Russia two years on; and how the EU should invest in the return of Ukrainian refugees and reconstruction are some of the topics discussed in the present issue.

Press material Thursday, 18 April 2024

● European Council   18/04/2024 18:53 | CONCLUSIONS | European Council conclusions, 17 and 18 April 2024   On 17 and 18 April, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, Türkiye and a new European competitiveness deal. European Council conclusions, 17 and 18 April 2024

European exchange on consumer protection in Brussels 19/04/2024 | Press release European exchange on consumer protection in Brussels European Consumer Protection Ministers met in Brussels on Friday 19 April for an informal meeting under the Belgian Presidency to exchange their views on key issues and new challenges of consumer protection within the Single Market and the digital transition.

 

Meetings Friday, 19 April 2024

● Council of the EU   19/04/2024 15:15 | Meetings | Foreign Affairs Council, 22 April 2024   Background brief - Foreign Affairs Council, 22 April 2024

Press material Friday, 19 April 2024

● Council of the EU   19/04/2024 14:40 | Press release | Extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem: Council sanctions four individuals and two entities over serious human rights abuses against Palestinians   The Council decided today to list four persons and two entities under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The listed individuals and entities are responsible for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians, including torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and for the violation of right to property and to private and family life of Palestinians in the West Bank. The listed entities are Lehava, a radical right-wing Jewish supremacist group, and Hilltop Youth, a radical youth group consisting of members known for violent acts against Palestinians and their villages in the West Bank. Two leading figures of Hilltop Youth, Meir Ettinger and Elisha Yered, are also listed. Both were involved in deadly attacks against Palestinians in 2015 and 2023. Today’s designations also include Neria Ben Pazi, who has been accused of repeatedly attacking Palestinians in Wadi Seeq and in Deir Jarir since 2021, and Yinon Levi, who has taken part in multiple violent acts against neighbouring villages from his residence in the Mitarim farm illegal outpost. With today’s listings, restrictive measures under the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime now apply to 108 natural and legal persons and 28 entities from a range of countries. 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. In its conclusions of 21-22 March 2024, the European Council called for an immediate halt to violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and for safe access to the Holy sites to be ensured. The European Council strongly condemned extremist settler violence, stating that perpetrators must be held to account; and called on the Council to accelerate work on adopting relevant targeted restrictive measures. The European Council also condemned the Israeli government’s decisions to further expand illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank and urged Israel to reverse these decisions. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background On 7 December 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 establishing a Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, which applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses (e.g. torture, slavery, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests or detentions). The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime underscores the Union’s determination to enhance its role in addressing serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Achieving the effective enjoyment of human rights by everyone is a strategic goal of the Union. Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights is a fundamental value of the Union and of its common foreign and security policy. On 4 December 2023, the Council extended its restrictive measures under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to 8 December 2026. Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1175 of 19 April 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1172 of 19 April 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel: Council sanctions three entities over widespread sexual and gender-based violence (press release, 12 April 2024) Consolidated text: Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 of 7 December 2020 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses, 29 January 2024 European Council conclusions 21-22 March 2024

Press material Friday, 19 April 2024

● Council of the EU   19/04/2024 13:29 | Media advisory | Media advisory - Foreign Affairs Council of 22 April 2024   Indicative programme   All times are approximate and subject to change Place: ECCL building, Luxembourg Chair: Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy     From 07.30 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 08.30 Doorstep by Josep Borrell (live streaming) 08.45 Beginning of the Foreign Affairs Council Adoption of the agenda Approval of "A" items • non-legislative list • legislative list (+/- 08.50 public session) Current affairs Russian aggression against Ukraine Situation in the Middle East Sudan Any other business At the end of the meeting (+/- 17.00) - Press conference in live streaming.   Arrangements for the press conference The press conference 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 ECCL Luxembourg 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 Foreign Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Monday, 22 April 2024, 16.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Videos and photos from the event