COUNCIL OF THE EU,update

 

Meetings Monday, 24 February 2025

● Council of the EU   24/02/2025 18:54 | Meetings | Main results - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 24 February 2025   Agriculture ministers discussed the situation of agricultural markets and commodities and exchanged views on the principle of rural proofing. The Commission presented its vision on agriculture and food.

● Council of the EU

24/02/2025 17:28 | Press release | Council appoints new EU Special Representative for Central Asia and extends the mandate of the EUSR for the Gulf region   Today the Council appointed Mr Eduards Stiprais as new EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Central Asia. He will take up his duties on 1 March 2025 with an initial mandate of 2 years, succeeding Terhi Hakala. The task of the new EUSR will be to promote relations between the EU and the countries of Central Asia on the basis of common values, contribute to strengthening the stability of and cooperation between the countries in the region, and to strengthening democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. In close cooperation with the High Representative, he will also enhance the EU’s effectiveness and visibility, including through closer coordination with other relevant partners and international organisations, such as the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations. Mr. Stiprais is a Latvian diplomat with extensive experience. He served as Permanent Representative of Latvia to the EU, and as Deputy State Secretary – Political Director of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between 2016 and 2020, he was Head of EU Delegation to the Republic of Uzbekistan, and he also served as Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the United Kingdom, and to France. Today the Council also extended the mandate of Mr. Luigi Di Maio as EUSR for the Gulf region for further 2 years. In line with the Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf, he will continue to develop a stronger, comprehensive and strategic EU partnership with the countries in the Gulf region, contributing to the stability and security of the area by engaging and supporting dialogue and long-term regional solutions with individual Gulf partners and relevant regional organisations. EU Special Representatives promote the EU's policies and interests in certain regions and countries as well as issues of particular concern or interest for the EU. They play an active role in efforts to consolidate reforms, stability and the rule of law. The first EU Special Representatives were appointed in 1996. Currently, eleven EUSRs support the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Eduards Stiprais – CV Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf, EU appoints a new Special Representative for the Gulf region (press release, 15 May 2023) EU Special Representatives (EEAS website) ● Council of the EU   24/02/2025 16:38 | Meetings | Main results - Foreign Affairs Council, 24 February 2025   The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Under current affairs, EU ministers touched on the latest developments in Georgia. ● European Council   24/02/2025 12:13 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the International summit on the support of Ukraine   Three years ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion in Ukraine. A Russian war of aggression that was unprovoked, unjustified and illegal. A war that violates Ukraine’s sovereignty, its territorial integrity, its international recognised borders, and the fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the United Nations’ Charter. My thoughts are with all Ukrainians. With all those who have lost a family member and friend. With those who are wounded. The suffering Russia has inflicted on Ukraine is cruel and unjustifiable. The presence of all of us, here, today, is a demonstration of our solidarity with the people of Ukraine and with you, President Zelenskyy.  We were here with you from Day One. We stand — and we will stand — with you, side by side, shoulder to shoulder. In the war, in future peace negotiations, in the reconstruction and as a member state of the European Union. We all want this war to end. And the suffering and destruction to stop. This is why this moment is so important.  Russia is a threat to the international rules-based order. Putin wants to divide us. We show here today that our support is strong, united and unchanged. There will be no credible and successful negotiation, no lasting peace, without Ukraine and without the European Union. Only Ukraine can decide when the conditions are met to start a peace negotiation.  Peace cannot be a simple ceasefire. It needs to be a durable agreement. Peace should not reward the aggressor. We need to learn the lessons from the past, from Budapest and Minsk agreements. Only concrete and strong security guarantees will ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine and in Europe as a whole.  The European Union is ready to do whatever it takes for its security and to continue to support Ukraine. That is why I am convening a special European Council, next week, on the 6th of March, on supporting Ukraine and strengthening Europe’s defence.  Working very closely with the European Commission and with Ursula [von der Leyen], we are ready to effectively deliver on our defence capabilities and to significantly invest on them. We are ready to increase our financial and military support to Ukraine. And we are ready to build Ukraine’s future within the European Union.  Ukraine, you can count on us. Slava Ukraini! ● Council of the EU   24/02/2025 12:02 | Press release | 16th package of sanctions on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU lists additional 48 individuals and 35 entities   As part of the comprehensive sixteenth package of sanctions adopted earlier today, the Council decided to impose targeted restrictive measures on an additional 48 individuals and 35 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Today’s decision maintains pressure on the Russian military and defence by listing several industry companies manufacturing weapons, ammunitions and other military equipment and technologies. As part of the EU efforts to close shadow fleet networks, the EU also imposed full-fledge sanctions over three entities transporting Russian crude oil and oil products and providing substantial revenues to the Russian Government. Additionally, this package continues targeting actors responsible for circumventing EU sanctions, including through third countries. For the first time, the Council also decided to sanction, a crypto-currency exchange based in Russia, Garantex, which is closely associated with EU-sanctioned Russian banks. Sanctions will also be imposed on third countries actors directly supporting the Russian war effort. Today’s listings include one Chinese firm specialised in the production of satellite imagery, notably to the benefit of the Russia’s military-industrial complex, together with its chairman, as well as two senior officials in the Korean People’s Army. Responding to Russian propaganda remains also a priority. Alongside notorious Russian propagandists, the EU is notably listing NewsFront, and SouthFront, two outlets presenting distorted interpretations of history and manipulated information in line with Kremlin messaging while also targeting European and global audiences with distorted and manipulated information. Concerning listed individuals, the EU is targeting businessmen active in the Russian mining and energy sectors, politicians and proxies from the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine, people involved in the mass abduction, illegal re-education, deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia and public figures, including a former Ukrainian politician now working for Russia. Altogether, EU restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to over 2400 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 into or transiting through the territories of EU member states. The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individuals and entities, have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background In its conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The European Council also reconfirmed 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 reaffirmed its support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, in line with the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, and underlined the principle that no initiative regarding Ukraine be taken without Ukraine. To this end, the EU and its member states will maintain their intensive global outreach efforts and will participate in the discussions affecting Europe’s security. The European Union remains ready to step up pressure on Russia, including by adopting further sanctions. Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/389 of 24 February 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (including a list of the sanctioned individuals and entities) Three years of Russia’s full-scale invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts its 16th package of economic and individual sanctions (press release, 24 February 2025) European Council conclusions, 19 December 2024 Russia's war against Ukraine (background information) ● Council of the EU   24/02/2025 11:38 | Media advisory | Media advisory - General Affairs Council of 25 February 2025   Indicative programme All times are approximate and subject to change Place: Europa building, Brussels Chair: Adam Szłapka, Minister for the European Union of Poland from 09.00 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 09.30 Doorstep by Adam Szłapka, (live streaming) +/- 10.00 Beginning of the General Affairs Council Adoption of the agenda Approval of "A" items: Non-legislative list Preparation of the March European Council  +/- 12.00 Working lunch +/- 14.15 Legislative programming (public session) Any other business At the end of the meeting (+/- 16.00) press conference in live streaming from Justus Lipsius press room. Videos and photos from the event