COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Friday, 25 April 2025

● European Council   25/04/2025 14:32 | Press release | President Costa to travel to Bulgaria to meet with PM Jeliazkov and visit key industrial and technological sites on 27-29 April 2025   On 27, 28 and 29 April, the President of the European Council António Costa will travel to Bulgaria to meet with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rossen Jeliazkov to discuss key EU priorities, regional stability, and the importance of coordinated action to tackle shared challenges. President Costa will also meet President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev. The President will take the opportunity to visit, together with Prime Minister Jeliazkov, several important industrial and technological centres. The visit reflects the EU’s ongoing efforts towards strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities, fostering innovation and competitiveness, and sustaining the green and digital transition. “I look forward to my visit to Bulgaria to discuss European Union priorities and learn more about the country’s contributions to our joint efforts in fostering innovation and building a greener, smarter continent. I look forward to seeing with my own eyes how our common policies are being translated into real, cutting-edge projects that benefit people’s lives and enhance our shared prosperity. In bolstering the European economy, enhancing security, and strengthening territorial cohesion, defence and competitiveness go hand in hand. The EU’s strength lies in unity: only by pooling our skills and capabilities can we rise to our current challenges and shape a sustainable, competitive, and secure future for all Europeans.” — António Costa, President of the European Council As part of the visit, the President will tour Arsenal JSCo, a leading Bulgarian firearms and munition manufacturer based in Kazanluk. The site visit reflects the EU’s ongoing efforts to bolster Europe’s defence industry and ensure steady support to Ukraine amid Russia’s war of aggression. The President will also travel to Stara Zagora. There, President Costa will visit the Trakia University and its Aquaponics Centre spearheading cutting-edge work in aquaponics – a combination of fish farming and hydroponic cultivation that aims to redefine sustainable agriculture. The project, which is part of the region’s efforts to diversify its economy, embodies the EU’s green transition ambitions and showcases how research and education are driving the future of sustainable food production and food security. In addition, the President will visit Plovdiv and the Philippopolis Art Center. Back in Sofia, President Costa will tour the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT), a pioneering research institute where AI-driven projects are being developed across sectors, including one of the six European AI factories. The institute is a key contributor to the EU’s current efforts to boost AI innovation and step up AI applications by European businesses and the public sector, in line with the recently published ‘AI Continent action plan’. These visits highlight Bulgaria’s multifaceted contribution to the EU’s strategic objectives and showcase the importance of translating local expertise into European strength. President Costa and Prime Minister Jeliazkov will discuss current and future developments in several areas, including European defence and EU’s support to Ukraine, competitiveness, migration and enlargement. President Costa will also be meeting President Radev. Throughout the visit, the President will engage with local leaders, business innovators, students and researchers to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to supporting Bulgaria’s strategic sectors and integrating them into Europe’s broader ambition to boost its prosperity, sustainability and resilience. European defence industry (background information) EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information) Artificial intelligence (background information) Greening agriculture (background information)

Council of the EU

25/04/2025 13:09 | Press release | European Peace Facility: Council adopts the third bilateral assistance measure in support of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia   The Council today adopted an assistance measure worth €15 million under the European Peace Facility (EPF). The objective is to strengthen defence capacities and capabilities of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, and its operational readiness. The decision complements the support provided so far under the 2023 and 2024 bilateral support packages, bringing EPF bilateral support to North Macedonia up to €38 million to date. The new assistance measure will also enhance North Macedonia’s potential to contribute to the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations and missions and to any international coalitions. “Today we have agreed to provide North Macedonia with an additional €15 million worth of EU support for its army. This will include everything from equipment for intelligence gathering and surveillance, to combat training equipment. Our support will help North Macedonia contribute to regional stability and security, which is not only important for the Western Balkans but also for the EU. In addition to the total of €38 million  the EU has now provided to North Macedonia for conflict prevention and strengthening regional stability, the EU is fully behind North Macedonia’s path towards EU Membership and I look forward to my first visit next month to discuss our common agenda further.” — Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council Today’s decision demonstrates the continued engagement with North Macedonia in the area of security and defence domain, also in light of the signature of the security and defence partnership between the EU and North Macedonia last November, and reflects the country’s full alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. The European Peace Facility will provide the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia with equipment related to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and electronic warfare; utility and engineering vehicles; communication and information systems; as well as combat training equipment. It will also provide, where needed, related supplies and services, including operational training.   ● Council of the EU   25/04/2025 13:11 | Press release | Myanmar: EU restrictive measures renewed until 30 April 2026   The Council has today prolonged the EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar for one year, until 30 April 2026. The decision was taken on the basis of the annual review of the restrictive measures and in view of the continuing grave situation in Myanmar, including actions undermining democracy, as well as serious human rights violations Restrictive measures currently apply to a total of 106 individuals and 22 entities. Those listed under the sanctions regime are subject to an asset freeze and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed. Other EU restrictive measures remain in place: the embargo on arms and equipment and export restrictions on equipment for monitoring communications which might be used for internal repression, the export ban on dual-use goods for use by the military and border guard police, and the prohibition of military training and cooperation with the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw). EU restrictive measures come in addition to the withholding of EU financial assistance directly going to the government and the freezing of all EU assistance that may be seen as legitimising the junta. The EU reiterates its strongest condemnation of the actions taken by the Myanmar military since 1 February 2021 and calls for the end of all forms of violence and the release of all prisoners arbitrarily detained. The EU stands ready to impose additional restrictive measures targeting those responsible for the ongoing violence and serious human rights violations in the country, and will continue to ensure that these measures remain targeted and do not harm the broader Myanmar population. The EU remains committed to supporting the people of Myanmar in their struggle for democracy, human rights, accountability and a peaceful future. Council Decision 2013/184/CFSP of 22 April 2013 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar/Burma (Consolidated text 29 October 2024) Myanmar/Burma: statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the 4th Anniversary of the Coup (31 January 2025) EU sanctions against Myanmar/Burma (background information)

● Council of the EU

24/04/2025 18:15 | Press release | European Peace Facility: Council adopts two assistance measures in support of Moldovan Armed Forces   The Council adopted a seventh assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) in support of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova to modernise the country’s short-range air defence capabilities. The adopted assistance measure is worth €20 million, and will finance short-range air defence launchers and missiles. Earlier on 7 April, the Council adopted the sixth EPF assistance measure in support of the Moldovan Armed Forces’ infantry mobility as well as air defence-related command and control capabilities worth €40 million. This measure is intended to finance light tactical mobility vehicles as well as command and control equipment for the tactical and operational integration of short-range air defence systems. The EU is Moldova’s first security partner. The equipment we are delivering - such as vehicles, protective gear and mobile ambulances - are an investment in peace and to protect people. They aim at modernising Moldova’s army and enhance its defence capabilities, in full respect with Moldova’s neutrality. “This year, we’re providing EUR 60 million in gear under the European Peace Facility, bringing our total contribution to nearly EUR 200 million since 2021.” — Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council These new actions bring EPF support to Moldova up to €197 million to date. Building on previous EPF assistance measures since 2021, this support will continue to enable the Moldovan Armed Forces to improve their operational effectiveness, accelerate meeting EU standards and interoperability, and thereby better protect critical civilian infrastructure as well as civilians in crises and emergencies. It will also enhance Moldova’s capacities to participate in EU military CSDP missions and operations. The EU is committed to provide all relevant support to Moldova in addressing the challenges it faces as a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and to strengthen the country’s resilience, security and stability in the face of destabilising activities by Russia. Background  The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 for the financing of actions under the Common Foreign and Security Policy to prevent conflicts, preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organisations relating to military and defence matters. European Peace Facility, policy page EU cooperation on security and defence (background information) On energy security and the transition of the region in Katowice 23/04/2025 | Article On energy security and the transition of the region in Katowice On Wednesday, 23 April, the conference of the Ministry of Industry ‘Energy security and the region in transition’ organised as part of day I of the European Economic Congress in Katowice came to an end. The energy challenges and the future of coal regions were discussed, and the assumptions of the White Paper on Transition were presented.