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The Foreign Affairs Council held a strategic discussion on how the EU can helpmitigate the impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine on the Western Balkans. Ministers explored possible EU measures to further focus the EU’s political engagement in the region, and considered how to help the Western Balkans partners increase their resilience vis-à-vis third-party actors and hybrid threats.
All our partners feel the direct impact Russia’s war is causing around the world: on energy prices, on food shortages and on inflation. We will have to adapt our financial support in line with these new needs, and on these actions we will include our partners in order to mitigate the effects of this coming crisis.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
During a working lunch, EU foreign affairs ministers were joined by their counterparts from the six Western Balkans partners, and discussed the future of the region on its path to European Union membership.
The Council welcomed the choice of those partners who had aligned fully with the EU’s foreign policy and sanctions, and expressed its clear expectation that all partners in the region, especially candidate countries, commit to European values and European foreign policy.
Ministers also called on Western Balkans partners to think and act more strategically when it comes to their domestic problems, reforms and solving open bilateral issues.
The Council discussed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and reiterated the EU’s commitment to its European perspective as a single, united and sovereign country. Rolling back reforms and dismantling state institutions are incompatible with a European perspective and are unacceptable.
On the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, ministers reiterated their expectations concerning the full respect and implementation of all previous agreements, and a progressive normalisation of the relations between Serbia and Kosovo*.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
Russian aggression against Ukraine
The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and focused on the latest developments on the ground and on the strands of EU action. In particular, ministers discussed EU support to Ukraine, diplomatic outreach, deterrence measures, Russian information manipulation and interference activities, and efforts to ensure accountability.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada Mélanie Joly also joined the discussion.
We went through an analysis of every way we can provide financial support: in front of the worsening humanitarian situation, in front of Ukraine’s immediate financial needs during the war, for the post-war reconstruction of the country, and for self defence.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Ministers considered the proposal to provide an additional €500 million from the European Peace Facility for the delivery of weapons to Ukraine.
Ministers also considered how to support Ukraine’s economy through trade liberalisation and transport facilitation measures. Through the recent adoption of an EU action plan for EU-Ukraine solidarity lanes, the EU is already helping Ukraine to keep producing and exporting grain and in particular wheat worldwide.
The Council touched on the issue of Russian information manipulation and its attempt to shift the blame for the growing worldwide impact of its aggression not only to Ukraine, but also to the EU and the West in general. The Council categorically rejected Russia’s narrative and will continue to counter it. Energy and food shortages as well as price increases are the result of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression.
Alongside the G7, the G20 and the FAO, the EU is working towards mitigating the negative effects of Russia’s aggression and securing food supply to all countries.
The High Representative informed the Council about his recent visit to Latin America, where he met leaders in Chile and in Panama.
He also provided an update on EU financial support to Palestine, as a follow-up to the April Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
The Council was also informed about the situation in Ethiopia, the ongoing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the state of the NATO applications of two EU member states.
Council conclusions
The Council approved conclusions on an EU strategic approach in support of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants.
Equivalence of field inspections and of certain seed produced in Bolivia
Ministers adopted the Commission’s proposal for granting equivalence to the production and field inspections of cereal seed-producing crops and oil and fibre plant seed-producing crops in Bolivia. The Council’s approval will add Bolivia to the list of non-EU countries whose seed certification system is recognised as equivalent to the EU’s, allowing imports of sorghum, maize and sunflower seed from Bolivia to the EU market.
All our partners feel the direct impact Russia’s war is causing around the world: on energy prices, on food shortages and on inflation. We will have to adapt our financial support in line with these new needs, and on these actions we will include our partners in order to mitigate the effects of this coming crisis.