We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Necessary cookies are required to support essential features of the Council's website. Optional cookies help us produce anonymous and aggregated statistical reports to better serve your needs.
With your permission, we will use cookies to produce aggregated, anonymous data about our visitors' browsing and behaviour on our website. We will use this data to improve your experience on our website.
The Council had an exchange of views on Belarus and adopted conclusions on Belarus, in which it restated the united EU's support for the country's sovereignty and independence and for the democratic freedomsand rights of Belarusian citizens.
Ministers confirmed that Alexander Lukashenko lacks any democratic legitimacy, and gave their political green light to the preparation of the next set of sanctions, including against Lukashenko and other high-ranking officials.
Ministers also agreed on a concrete package of measures that the EU is ready to offer in support of a democratic Belarus and civil society.
The Council had a discussion on EU relations with Russia, during which it reaffirmed the continued relevance of the five guiding principles unanimously agreed in March 2016, and its willingness to strengthen them. In this context, ministers underlined that the full implementation of the Minsk agreements remains a key condition for any substantial change in EU-Russia relations.
The Council stressed the need to step up support for Russian civil society and human rights defenders, and to continue to foster the building of bridges between people.
There was also political agreement to take forward the initiative to propose restrictive measures against those linked to the attempt toassassinate Alexei Navalny.
We have discussed possible elements of a strong EU common response to the use of a prohibited chemical nerve agent, implementing the proposal by France and Germany for restrictive measures against those linked to the assassination attempt of Alexei Navalny. There is a political agreement to implement these restrictive measures. That will be done by the technical bodies of the Council.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue
The EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues, Miroslav Lajčák, updated the Council on the state of play with regard to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, its challenges and prospects.
During the debate, ministers underlined the importance of the dialogue for the stability of the Western Balkans, and reiterated their determination to bring the dialogue to a successful conclusion, working in good faith and in a spirit of compromise between the two sides.
Latin America and the Caribbean
The Council discussion on relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean highlighted a shared sense of urgency on the need to relaunch the inter-regional dialogue, given the economic and geopolitical importance of the region for Europe.
Ministers discussed the best way to revitalise relations and stand ready to pursue ambitious environmental and digital policies together with their Latin American and Caribbean partners.
Current affairs
Ministers were briefed by the High Representative on a number of recent developments and upcoming events, including: the Kyrgyz Republic, Mozambique, the EU-Ukraine summit, Venezuela, and the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024.
On Nagorno-Karabakh, ministers were informed by the French foreign minister about the efforts of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group to stop the hostilities and return to negotiations.
Ministers discussed how the EU could provide tangible support for the ceasefire agreed on 10 October 2020. They stressed that the ceasefire should be respected, and that all regional actors should contribute to stopping the armed confrontation and to peace.
The Council was also informed about the latest events in Varosha and in relation to Navtex issued by Turkey.
Ministers agreed that the reopening of the Varosha beach undermines mutual trust, and stressed that such actions increase tensions and should be reversed. It is of vital importance that the UN-led efforts on a Cyprus settlement are relaunched as soon as possible.
Similarly, ministers stressed that the latest Navtex announcements by Turkey affecting Greek and Cypriot maritime zones were regrettable, and will lead to new tensions instead of contributing to the de-escalation efforts that the EU is calling for and wants to pursue.
We have discussed possible elements of a strong EU common response to the use of a prohibited chemical nerve agent, implementing the proposal by France and Germany for restrictive measures against those linked to the assassination attempt of Alexei Navalny. There is a political agreement to implement these restrictive measures. That will be done by the technical bodies of the Council.
