Foreign Affairs Council, 14-15/04/2014, 14-15 April 2014

Foreign Affairs Council focused on the situation in Eastern Ukraine

At the meeting in Luxembourg on 14 and 15 April, the recent surge of violence in the eastern part of Ukraine was high on the agenda of the EU foreign and defence ministers.

EU foreign affairs ministers strongly condemned the actions undertaken by armed individuals in cities of Eastern Ukraine. They asked for an immediate halt to these attempts to further destabilise Ukraine's sovereignty. In its conclusions, the Council called on Russia to repudiate lawless acts in Eastern Ukraine and pull back its troops from the Ukrainian border.

In light of these events, the Council decided to strengthen sanctions against persons responsible for misappropriating Ukrainian state funds and targeted four additional persons with asset freeze and visa bans.

EU ministers encouraged the government in Kiev to reduce tensions and pursue its efforts to organise free and fair presidential elections on 25 May. The Council approved two key measures amongst a package of proposals aimed at providing economic and financial support to Ukraine. It adopted a decision providing up to €1bn in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine to support its economic stabilisation and its structural reform agenda. It also adopted a regulation granting unilateral trade preferences to Ukraine, providing for the temporary reduction or elimination of customs duties in accordance with a schedule of concessions set out in an annex to the EU-Ukraine association agreement

This decision not only expresses EU solidarity with the Ukrainian people, but also shows that the EU is willing and capable to take immediate steps to improve the situation of its eastern neighbours.

On 15 April 2014, EU defence ministers had an exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. They insisted on the need for more cooperation between both organisations, to reinforce the strong unity of the transatlantic community with regard to the Ukraine situation.

Temporary tariff cuts for Ukrainian exports to the EU

The Council agreed on new trade preferences for Ukraine to enter into force by the end of April. They cover 94.7% on current EU tariffs imports of industrial goods from Ukraine and all EU tariffs on Ukraine's agricultural produce exports to the EU. Ukrainian exporters can be expected to save half a billion euros in EU customs tariffs a year. This trade measure will be an important component of the EU's package to help Ukraine during this difficult period.

Other topics on the agenda

Foreign ministers discussed the latest developments in the Syrian conflict. They insisted on the need for implementation of the UN Security Resolution (2139) on humanitarian access, and for progress in the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons. They also agreed to support countries neighbouring Syria in managing the care of refugees.

Following the visit of the EU High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in March, the Council discussed the social, political and economical challenges in BiH. it recalled its serious concern that the EU integration process has stalled due to the lack of political will on the part of the BiH politicians. As other countries in the region make progress, Bosnia and Herzegovina is lagging behind.

Ministers discussed and adopted conclusions on the Central African Republic and the launch of the EU military operation (EUFOR RCA). The Meeting of the Defence Ministers took place on Tuesday, 15 April. The Council in its Defence configuration decided to extend the EU military training mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) by two years and to launch a civilian mission, EUCAP Sahel Mali, to advise and train Mali's police, gendarmerie and national guard.

Finally, the Council adopted a number of points without discussion ("A points"):

• Multiannual Financial Framework regarding Home Affairs
• Strenghtened rules on market abuse
• European Investment Bank - external lending