COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Friday, 28 June 2024

● Council of the EU   28/06/2024 15:45 | Press release | Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: EU lists two individuals and four entities for circumventing EU sanctions and materially supporting the Russian government   The Council today decided to impose restrictive measures against two individuals and four entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The Council is listing Dmitry Beloglazov, and his company LLC Titul. Dimitry Beloglazov is responsible for setting up a complex circumvention scheme together with Oleg Deripaska, who is already subject to EU restrictive measures. His company LLC Titul created a subsidiary called Joint Stock Company Iliadis to acquire Oleg Deripaska’s share in the International LLC Rasperia Trading Limited. Rasperia owns €28,5 million shares in another European company, STRABAG SE, the assets of which have been frozen as a result of EU restrictive measures. Through this mechanism, Deripaska managed to sell his Rasperia frozen assets, and received an equivalent economic benefit. In view of this circumvention scheme, JSC Iliadis and Rasperia were also sanctioned by the Council. Today’s new listings also include PJSC TransContainer and its General Director Mikhail Kontserev. PJSC TransContainer is a Russian transportation company and Russia’s largest railway container operator. Its revenues increased throughout 2023 also thanks to the flow of Belarusian cargoes, and the company’s participation in illegal weapon trade schemes with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in support of the Russian Government. Altogether, EU restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to over 2 200 individuals and entities. Those designated today are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. On 24 June 2024, the Council adopted a 14th package of economic and individual restrictive measures targeting high-value sectors of the Russian economy, making it ever more difficult to circumvent EU sanctions, and adding 116 individuals and entities to the list of those responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. In its conclusions of 27 June 2024, the European Council reconfirmed the European Union’s continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and the EU’s unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed.  Russia must not prevail. The European Council also welcomed the adoption of the 14th package of sanctions against Russia and the agreement on further restrictive measures against Belarus. It called for the full and effective enforcement of sanctions as well as for further measures to counter their circumvention, including through third countries. The European Union remains ready to further limit Russia’s ability to wage war and urges all countries not to provide any material or other support for Russia’s war of aggression. Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1843 of 28 June 2024 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1842 of 28 June 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine European Council conclusions, 17 and 18 April 2024 EU response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine (background information) EU sanctions against Russia (background information)

Press material Friday, 28 June 2024

● Council of the EU   28/06/2024 15:41 | Press release | Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council adds six individuals and three entities to the sanctions list   The Council today decided to list six individuals and three entities responsible for participating in the financing of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) or enabling their violent actions. The Council is listing three companies - Zawaya Group for Development and Investment Co Ltd., Larrycom for Investment Ltd. and Al Zawaya Group for Development and Investment Sociedad limitada - owned and controlled by Sudan-based financier Abdelbasit Hamza Elhassan Mohamed Khair, who has been subject to EU restrictive measures since January 2024. All three entities have been linked to Hamas’ investment portfolio, and served as front companies to facilitate Hamas financial streams. Individual listings include Jamil Yusuf Ahmad Aliyan, a PIJ official and leader of the Muhjat AlQuds Foundation, which is an Iran-funded organisation whose primary mission is to provide financial support to the families of PIJ fighters and prisoners. Furthermore, the Council sanctioned Ahmed Sharif Abdallah Odeh, who leads Hamas’s foreign investment activities and is a shareholder and a board member of several front companies for Hamas; Zuheir Shamlakh, a financial facilitator and money changer who enables financial transfers from Iran to Hamas; and Ismail Barhoum a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, who heads the Hamas’ Charitable Institutions Association supervising 400 charities, and channelling funds to Hamas. Lastly, the Council is listing Ali Morshed Shirazi, a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force (IRGC-QF) official serving as Bureau Chief of the Palestine Branch operating out of Lebanon, and Maher Rebhi Obeid, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau since 2010, who is responsible for directing Hamas’ terrorist operatives in the West Bank. With today’s listings, a total of 12 individuals and three entities are sanctioned under the framework of restrictive measures against Hamas and the PIJ.  Those listed under the sanctions regime are subject to an asset freeze. The provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed. Background On 7 October 2023, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on behalf of the European Union on the attacks against Israel, condemning in the strongest possible terms the multiple and indiscriminate attacks across Israel by Hamas and deeply deploring the loss of lives. On 19 January 2024, the Council adopted Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/385 establishing a dedicated framework of restrictive measures that allows the European Union to hold accountable any individual or entity who supports, facilitates or enables violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). This regime also complements the restrictive measures previously adopted against Hamas and the PIJ under Common Position 2001/931/CFSP (the ‘EU terrorist list’). In its conclusions of 22 and 23 March 2024, the European Council called on the Council to accelerate work on the adoption of further relevant restrictive measures against Hamas.  In its conclusions of 27 June, the European Council welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2735 and called for the full implementation of the terms of the ceasefire proposal without delay and without conditions, which would lead to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, a significant and sustained increase in the flow of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza, and an enduring ceasefire and end to the crisis, with Israel’s security interests and safety for Palestinian civilians assured. The EU reiterated its unwavering commitment to lasting and sustainable peace in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, on the basis of the two-state solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable State of Palestine living side-by-side in peace, security and mutual recognition. The European Union will continue to work with international partners towards reviving a political process to this end. Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1837 of 28 June 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/385 establishing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1838 of 28 June 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/386 establishing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Consolidated text: Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/385 of 19 January 2024 establishing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council establishes dedicated sanctions framework and lists six individuals (press release, 19 January 2024) European Council conclusions, 21 and 22 March 2024

Press material Friday, 28 June 2024

● European Council   28/06/2024 01:31 | CONCLUSIONS | European Council conclusions, 27 June 2024   On 27 June, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, security and defence, competitiveness, other items, the next institutional cycle and a roadmap for future work on internal reforms. European Council conclusions, 27 June 2024

Press material Thursday, 27 June 2024

● European Council   27/06/2024 17:09 | Press release | Joint security commitments between the European Union and Ukraine   The European Union and Ukraine share common values, namely democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, as well as shared interests in peace, security, stability and prosperity.  Committed to these common values and interests, and in line with European Council Conclusions of June, October and December 2023 and the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine of 12 July 2023, the European Union and its Member States will contribute, for the long term and together with partners, to security commitments to Ukraine, which will help Ukraine to defend itself, resist destabilisation efforts and deter acts of aggression in the future.  Read the full text