COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Tuesday, 11 March 2025

● Council of the EU   11/03/2025 23:40 | Statements and remarks | Ukraine: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union following the Ukraine-U.S. meeting in Saudi Arabia   The European Union welcomes the joint statement by Ukraine and the United States following their meeting in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the proposals for a ceasefire agreement, humanitarian efforts and the resumption of U.S. intelligence sharing and security assistance. The European Union is ready to play its full part in supporting the upcoming steps, together with Ukraine, the United States, and other partners. The European Union's objective is to support Ukraine to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. The proposal of a ceasefire - if accepted by Russia - can be an important step in this direction. It is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace. The European Union welcomes the efforts by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosting these discussions.

● Council of the EU

11/03/2025 22:33 | Statements and remarks | Syria: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the recent wave of violence   The European Union is gravely alarmed by the widespread violence in Syria’s coastal region over the last days, which has caused a high number of victims, including many civilians. We strongly condemn the attacks by pro-Assad militias against security forces. We also condemn in the strongest terms the horrific crimes committed against civilians, including summary killings, many of which have been allegedly perpetrated by armed groups supporting the security forces of the transitional authorities. We welcome the commitments made by the transitional authorities, and in particular the establishment of an investigative committee, in order to hold the perpetrators accountable in line with international law norms and standards. The EU calls for a swift, transparent and impartial investigation to be conducted to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. We call on the transitional authorities to allow the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic to investigate all violations. Everything must be done to prevent any such crimes from happening again. The EU continues to call for an end to violence across Syria, and urges all parties to protect Syrians from all religious and ethnic backgrounds without discrimination; it also calls for the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and respect of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in all circumstances. We also warn against the rampant manipulation of information, including by foreign actors, to stir further violence and instability. The EU welcomes the agreement reached on 10 March between the transitional authorities and the SDF. This agreement could pave the way for increased stability and a better future for many Syrians. We encourage the parties to work on implementation and we stand ready to support. The National Dialogue, which started in the end of February, should be instrumental to ensure that the transition delivers on the aspirations of all the components of Syrian society. Comprehensive transitional justice in particular is essential on the path to reconciliation and to building a peaceful Syria and an inclusive political transition. The EU recalls its recent suspension of restrictive measures as part of a gradual, reversible approach. The EU will continue to examine possible further sanctions suspensions on the basis of close monitoring of the situation in the country. The EU once again calls for the full respect of Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. The EU is committed to supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition, away from malign foreign interference, which guarantees the rights of all Syrians without distinction of any kind. ● Council of the EU   11/03/2025 18:26 | Press release | Mediterranean Sea: Council prolongs the mandate of Operation IRINI until 2027   The Council today extended the mandate of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military operation in the Mediterranean - EUNAVFOR MED IRINI - until 31 March 2027. The decision was taken in the wake of the Strategic Review of the operation carried out by the Political and Security Committee. In this context, the Council also decided to add a new task to the mandate of the operation. Operation IRINI will now conduct monitoring and surveillance activities and gather information on illicit activities other than the trafficking of arms, and related materiel and illicit exports of petroleum from Libya. It will also collect information useful to the protection of critical maritime infrastructure and to contingency planning, thereby contributing further to maritime situational awareness in the area of operation and in the joint operation area. The reference amount for the common costs of Operation IRINI will be €16 350 000 for the period from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2027. Background EUNAVFOR MED IRINI (Greek for ‘peace’) was launched on 31 March 2020 as a concrete contribution on the part of the European Union to the process set up by the international community to support the return to peace and stability in Libya. Operation IRINI’s core task is to contribute to the implementation of the UN arms embargo on Libya, established by the UN Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011), through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets. In particular, the mission is mandated to carry out inspections of vessels on the high seas off the Libyan coast suspected to be carrying arms or related material to and from Libya in violation of the arms embargo on Libya. It does this in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2292 (2016) and subsequent UNSC resolutions. In addition, Operation IRINI monitors violations perpetrated via aerial and land route and shares the information collected with the United Nations. EUNAVFOR MED IRINI is also mandated to: -monitor and gather information on illicit exports from Libya of petroleum, crude oil and refined petroleum product -contribute to the capacity building and training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy -contribute to the disruption of the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks through information gathering and patrolling by planes IRINI is led by Rear Admiral Valentino Rinaldi as EU Operation Commander, and its headquarters are located in Rome, Italy. EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI website ● European Council   11/03/2025 18:08 | Press release | President Costa to travel to Berlin and Cape Town on 12-13 March 2025   The President of the European Council, António Costa will travel to Berlin and Cape Town on 12-13 March 2025 to attend the 100th anniversary of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung foundation and represent the European Union at the eighth EU-South Africa summit. In the context of the preparations for the upcoming European Council meeting, on 12 March President Costa will be in Berlin to meet with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz. Ahead of the 20-21 March European Council, the meeting will be the opportunity to exchange views on all the major issues currently on the table of the EU leaders: Russia’s war against Ukraine, strengthening and financing European defence, boosting EU competitiveness and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). A joint press conference will follow the meeting. On the same day, President Costa will attend the centenary celebrations of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, a political foundation renowned for its work in advancing social democracy, human rights and socio-economic development. The following day, the President will represent the European Union, together with the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, at the eighth EU-South Africa summit in Cape Town. Meeting at leaders’ level for the first time since 2018, the EU and South Africa will reaffirm the need to further strengthen their strategic partnership and advance on some of the most pressing global and regional issues which are also part of South Africa’s G20 Presidency. Discussions will focus on current geopolitical challenges, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, as well as on the regional context, namely the current escalation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The summit will also serve as a platform to make progress on several spheres of bilateral cooperation, such as economic, trade and investment relations, security and defence, energy, research and innovation. “I am looking forward to the summit and our discussions on improving economic relations, energy transition, security and defence, sustainable value chains and multilateral cooperation. We are dedicated to strengthening the long-standing and geostrategic partnership between the EU and South Africa, especially given the current geopolitical challenges.” — António Costa, President of the European Council President Costa to participate in the 8th EU-South Africa summit on 13 March 2025 (press release, 12 February 2025) Special European Council, 6 March 2025 (meeting page) European Council, 20-21 March 2025 (meeting page) ● Council of the EU   11/03/2025 15:14 | Meetings | Main results - Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 11 March 2025   Ministers held a policy debate on competitiveness and regulatory burden reduction, and the Commission presented the Omnibus packages. The Council reached a political agreement on the Directive on Administrative Cooperation in the Field of Taxation (DAC9). Ministers took note of the state of play regarding the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Ministers were briefed on the main outcomes of the G20 and mandated the EFC to prepare for the upcoming G20 meeting. The Council adopted implementing decisions approving amended recovery and resilience plans for Ireland and Belgium. ● International Summit   11/03/2025 15:07 | Meetings | EU-South Africa summit, 13 March 2025   Background brief - EU-South Africa summit, 13 March 2025 EU science ministers push for an independent and ambitious research and innovation programme 11/03/2025 | Article EU science ministers push for an independent and ambitious research and innovation programme Strong science is key to a competitive, secure, and resilient Europe. At the informal meeting of ministers for research and innovation (COMPET Research), the Polish presidency emphasised that the EU Framework Programme in this area requires an independent structure and a budget that meets the scale of today’s challenges.   Visit the website   More news about the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU ● European Council   12/03/2025 14:18 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz   I am very pleased to be here today in Berlin with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. We are between two meetings of the European Council. Last week’s special meeting focused on European defence and Ukraine. Next week’s meeting will have competitiveness at its core. And both themes are interlinked. Investing in European defence also means investing in our industries, in our technology, in jobs for our citizens. At the same time, Europe needs a strong, competitive economy to defend its interests in a challenging global context. Prosperity and security are two sides of the same coin. Next week we will therefore focus on Europe’s competitiveness: on energy costs, on simplification, on cutting red tape, bureaucracy and overregulation, and on mobilizing private savings for our economy through the Capital markets union. We will discuss two very important European industrial sectors, that employ millions of Europeans: automotive, and steels and metals. As a result of Chancellor Scholz’ initiative, the European Commission will present Action Plans for these two strategic sectors. Europe is a trading powerhouse. We therefore need to deepen and multiply our trade partnerships. In fact, the world is looking at Europe as a reliable and predictable partner. We must seize this opportunity. We need more trade agreements, not more tariffs. Tariffs are taxes for companies and citizens. Tariffs only increase inflation. Allow me to dedicate a few words to thank Chancellor Scholz. The Chancellor has been playing a fundamental role in shaping Europe’s positions and policies over the last years. When he launched the Zeitenwende. When he led a historical effort to decouple Germany’s and Europe’s energy ties from Russia. In record time. As a force for unity at the European Council. During unprecedented challenges. And today, that European unity is more important than ever. Without it, the pressures we face could make us weaker. With it, we have everything in our hands. We need to approach today’s world in a more confident, a bolder, a more creative spirit. And for all this, Germany is vitally important. With its determined investment in our common defence. With its huge economic and innovative potential. With its commitment to Europe’s global outreach. And, above all, with the ability of its democratic political forces to work together for a common good. In a European spirit. Germany and the European Union always come out stronger from crises. I know that we will do so again. Thank you so much. Thank you dear Olaf.