COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Friday, 31 May 2024

● Council of the EU   31/05/2024 13:04 | Press release | DPRK: EU sanctions nine additional individuals and entities involved in the country’s activities related to illegal weapons programmes and supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine   The Council today sanctioned a further six individuals and three entities in view of sanctions evasion activities carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) that could generate funds for its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, in violation of and with flagrant disregard for the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and in view of the military support given by the DPRK to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Those targeted will be subject to an asset freeze and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of those listed is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the European Union will apply to the listed individuals. The EU is determined to prevent the flow of components, finance and knowledge that could be used by the DPRK to support the development of its nuclear, WMD and ballistic missile programmes. The EU urges the DPRK to cease destabilising actions, comply with its obligations under international law and resume dialogue with relevant parties. Today’s decision brings the total number of persons listed autonomously by the EU to 77 individuals and 20 entities. This comes in addition to all relevant UN Security Council resolutions on sanctions linked to DPRK’s illegal programmes into EU legislation, which the EU has also transposed. From 1 January 2024 until 30 May 2024, the DPRK launched at least 22 ballistic missiles. The EU has repeatedly condemned the DPRK for such activities, and called on Pyongyang to cease these illegal and dangerous launches, which blatantly violate UN Security Council resolutions and undermine international peace and security as well as the global non-proliferation regime. Furthermore, the European Council condemned the continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression provided by the DPRK, Belarus and Iran in its conclusions of 15 December 2023, and called for preparing further sanctions against them in its conclusions of 22 March 2024. The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individuals and entities, will soon be published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background The first set of restrictive measures was introduced following UN Security Council Resolution 1718 (2006), adopted shortly after DPRK´s first nuclear test on 9 October 2006. The UN Security Council has repeatedly adopted new measures and extended existing ones since then. In 2016, the Council of the EU adopted additional, autonomous restrictive measures against the DPRK, complementing the UN sanctions, on the grounds that the DPRK’s actions constitute a grave threat to international peace and security in the region and beyond. Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 of 27 May 2016 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and repealing Decision 2013/183/CFSP (consolidated version dated 15 November 2023) European Council conclusions, 17 and 18 April 2024 European Council conclusions, 21 and 22 March 2024 EU sanctions against North Korea (background information)

Press material Friday, 31 May 2024

● Council of the EU   31/05/2024 14:38 | Press release | Iran: EU lists more individuals and entities for the transfer of drones for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and for the transfer of drones and missiles in the Middle East and Red Sea region   The Council today adopted restrictive measures against six individuals and three entities for their role in the transfer of  unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine;the transfer of UAVs or missiles to armed groups and entities undermining peace and security in the Middle East and the Red Sea region;  or for being involved in Iran’s UAV programme. The listings include: Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters (KCHG) – a central entity in the command chain of Iran’s armed forces making operational military decisions about the deployment of UAVs – and one of its commanders Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC – an Iran-based company procuring and selling components for the manufacturing of UAVs – together with its CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN), which is involved in the delivery of Iranian arms, including Iranian UAVs and missiles to be used by armed groups like the Houthis and Hezbollah in the Middle East and Red Sea region Furthermore, the Council decided to list the Minister of Defence of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani, a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force (IRGC-QF), and the head of EU-listed Iranian Aviations Industries Organization (IAIO), Afshin Khaji Fard. Those targeted will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban to the European Union. Additionally, the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of natural or legal persons, entities or bodies listed is prohibited. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background In its conclusions of 21 and 22 March 2024, the European Council stated that Russia’s access to sensitive items and technologies with battlefield relevance must be restricted to the maximum extent possible, including by targeting entities in third countries enabling this circumvention. Moreover, the European Council stated that the Union would continue to work intensely with regional and international partners to prevent further regional escalation, notably in Lebanon and the Red Sea.  In its conclusions of 17 April 2024, the European Council strongly and unequivocally condemned the Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel, called on Iran and its proxies to cease all attacks, and urged all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any action that may increase tensions in the region. Furthermore, the European Council stated that the EU would take further restrictive measures against Iran, notably in relation to UAVs and missiles. On 14 May 2024, the Council broadened the scope of the EU framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, so as to cover both drones and missiles, as well as the Iranian drone and missile programme’s support for armed groups and entities in the Middle-East and the Red Sea region. Furthermore, the Council prohibited the export of further components used in the development and production of UAVs from the EU to Iran. Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1605 of 31 May 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region (including the names of listed individuals and entities) European Council conclusions, 17 and 18 April 2024 Iran: Council broadens EU restrictive measures in view of Iran military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region (press release, 14 May 2024) Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU (press release 14 April 2024) EU sanctions against Iran (background Information) Press material Friday, 31 May 2024   ● Council of the EU   31/05/2024 18:03 | Press release | Forward look: 3 - 16 June 2024   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Justice and Home Affairs Council, 13 and 14 June 2024 At the meeting of ministers of the interior, the presidency will report about the progress achieved in the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime. It will also inform ministers about the state of play of a legislative proposal to combat child sexual abuse. Also on the agenda is a discussion about the extension of the temporary protection for persons having fled from Ukraine after the start of the war and the adoption of a Schengen Declaration. Ministers will hold two policy debates. The first debate touches on a proposed regulation that aims to facilitate the recognition in a member state of the parenthood of a child which has been established in another member state. A second debate addresses the proposed update of a directive from 2011 on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography. The presidency will also aim to agree on a negotiation mandate on a directive on combatting corruption.