COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Saturday, 25 January 2025

● Council of the EU   25/01/2025 00:15 | Press release | Democratic Republic of the Congo: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the latest escalation in eastern DRC   The EU is deeply concerned about the continued escalation of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), aggravated by the renewed offensive of the M23 supported by the Rwandan Armed Forces (RDF). This undermines African-led efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The EU reaffirms its full support to the Luanda and Nairobi processes. The EU strongly condemns the capture of the town of Minova on 21 January followed by the capture of Sake on 23 January by the M23. The continued advance of the M23 is an unacceptable violation of the agreed ceasefire and further deepens the disastrous humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. This advance has pushed additional internally displaced persons (IDPs) towards the overburdened camps around Goma, where more than 800.000 IDPs are sheltered. The risk of large numbers of IDPs being caught between combatants is deeply worrying. The city of Goma is under immense pressure. The threat by M23 to conquer Goma is unacceptable and has in itself grave humanitarian and security consequences on the ground. The EU urges the M23 to stop its advance and withdraw immediately. The EU reiterates that Rwanda must cease its support for the M23 and withdraw. The EU strongly condemns Rwanda’s military presence in the DRC as a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the territorial integrity of the DRC. The EU continues to urge the DRC to cease cooperation with the FDLR and other armed groups. The EU is also deeply alarmed by findings in the recent report of the UN Group of Experts established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1533 and fully supports its recommendations. The report details the consolidation of parallel administrations, forced recruitments, and the illicit exploitation of mining areas in M23-controlled territories, as well as the close cooperation of the Congolese authorities with the FDLR militia and other armed groups. Such practices undermine efforts to restore peace and stability and violate international norms. The EU reaffirms its unwavering support for MONUSCO. Any attack against United Nations-mandated forces is inexcusable. The EU condemns the persistent violations and abuses of international humanitarian law and of human rights, including sexual and gender-based violence, the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and summary killings, by all parties. All sides must prioritise protection of civilians, ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and fully respect their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law. The EU calls for all perpetrators to be held accountable. The EU reaffirms its full and steadfast support to the Luanda process led by President João Lourenço of Angola. The EU calls for a quick resumption of negotiations within the Luanda process to find a lasting, peaceful and political solution and urges all sides to fully honour their engagements within the Luanda process, specifically the ceasefire agreed on 30 July 2024, the neutralization of the FDLR and the withdrawal of Rwandan forces. The EU also reiterates its support to the Nairobi process. The EU reiterates in unequivocal terms its condemnation of hate speech and xenophobia, as well as ethnic-based politics. The EU will consider all the tools at its disposal in order to hold accountable those responsible for sustaining armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC.

● Council of the EU

24/01/2025 18:07 | Meetings | Foreign Affairs Council, 27 January 2025   Background brief - Foreign affairs Council of 27 January 2025 ● Council of the EU   24/01/2025 17:33 | Press release | Forward look: 27 January - 9 February 2025   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Foreign Affairs Council, 27 January 2025 Foreign ministers will exchange views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after a short intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha via videoconference. They will then hold discussions on EU-US relations and the situation in the Middle East, including Syria. They will also be informed about current affairs, notably developments in Moldova and Georgia. Read more Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 27 January 2025 The Polish presidency will publicly present its work programme for the coming semester, outlining its main priorities in the field of agriculture and fisheries. The Council will also exchange views on the regulation on cross-border enforcement of the EU rules on unfair trading practices and the regulation amending the common market organisation as regards the strengthening of the position of farmers in the food supply chain. Based on information from the Commission, ministers will discuss trade-related agricultural issues. The necessary revision of the performance clearance procedure under the CAP financing rules, the green architecture and further simplification needs will also feature as a topic on the agenda. Read more General Affairs Council, 28 January 2025 Ministers will hear a presentation of the Polish presidency priorities and hold a country-specific discussion in the framework of the annual rule of law dialogue. Read more Informal EU leaders' retreat, 3 February 2025 EU leaders will gather for an informal retreat focusing on European defence. They will address ways to strengthen defence capabilities at EU level, how to mobilise financing and investments in a more efficient way, and how to deepen existing partnerships and cooperation on defence, including with non-EU partners. Read more Other meetings European Investment Bank Group Press Conference on Annual Results Informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers, 30-31 January 2025 Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (Internal market and industry), 3-4 February 2025 Informal meeting of trade ministers, 3-4 February 2025 Indicative calendar of meetings under the Polish presidency (1 January - 30 June 2025) Polish presidency ● Council of the EU   24/01/2025 16:09 | Media advisory | Media advisory - Foreign Affairs Council of 27 January 2025   Indicative programme All times are approximate and subject to change Place: Europa building, Brussels Chair: Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy From 08.00 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 08.15 Doorstep by Kaja Kallas (live streaming) +/- 10.00 Beginning of the Foreign Affairs Council Adoption of the agenda Current affairs Russian aggression against Ukraine EU-US relations Situation in the Middle East Any other business At the end of the meeting (+/- 16.45), press conference in live streaming. Videos and photos fom the event ● Council of the EU   24/01/2025 15:21 | Media advisory | Media advisory - Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 27 January 2025   Indicative programme All times are approximate and subject to change Place: Europa building, Brussels Chair: Czesław Siekierski, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development From 09.00 Arrivals and doorsteps (live streaming) 09.00 Doorstep by Minister Siekierski (live streaming) 10.00 Beginning of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting Adoption of the agenda Approval of 'A' items: Non-legislative list +/- 10.10  Work programme of the Presidency (public session) +/- 10.30 Any other business: - Western Mediterranean fisheries management (public session) - foot and mouth outbreak (public session) +/- 11.35  Cross-border enforcement against unfair trading practices and strengthening the position of farmers (public session) +/- 14.35 Performance clearance, green architecture and further simplification needs (public session) +/- 16.05  Trade-related agricultural issues  Any other business:  - import tolerances for residues of plant protection products +/- 17.35 Any other business:  - reducing administrative burden for organic farmers (public session) - unfair trading practices and preventing abuse of dominant positions (+/- 18.05 public session) - response to the increased risks of climate change in the Mediterranean (+/- 18.35 public session) At the end of the meeting (+/- 19.20) - press conference in live streaming. Videos and photos from the event Meeting page – Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting of 27 January 2025 ● Council of the EU   24/01/2025 13:53 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Foreign Affairs Council, 27 January 2025   The Foreign Affairs Council will exchange views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, EU-US relations and the situation in the Middle East, including Syria, and will be informed about current affairs.