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Russian aggression against Ukraine - consequences for food security
The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the latest developments in relation to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Ministers stressed their determination to continue supporting Ukraine militarily, by putting pressure on Russia and by working with the international community.
The Council then focused on the negative consequences of Russia's war of aggression on food security worldwide.
Russia is blockading Ukrainian exports. Russia, not us. Russia is destroying ports, food stocks and transport infrastructure, and that has sparked the global food crisis. When more than 20 million tonnes of grain are being blocked in Ukrainian storages, and someone is preventing this food from reaching consumers, someone else will suffer from hunger. This is a deliberate attempt to use food as a weapon of war. It is a deliberate attempt to create hunger in the world.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The Council focused, in particular, on the effects of the crisis on African countries and how to help these countries mitigate the impact of the food price increases.
The EU is showing solidarity and taking decisive action. It has pledged around €1 billion to address food insecurity in the Sahel, €600 million for urgent support to strengthen food systems and resilience in the Horn of Africa, and €225 million to mitigate the effects of potential emerging food crises in North Africa and the Levant. The EU will also study, in cooperation with the UN, the impact of compliance with EU sanctions or undue market avoidance by some economic actors.
The Council then discussed the Action Plan on the geopolitical consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on third countries. The Action Plan focuses on solidarity, boosting food production on the ground, stabilising trade, and cooperating multilaterally.
Egypt
In the aftermath of the EU-Egypt Association Council of 19 June, which endorsed the new EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities until 2027, the Foreign Affairs Council held a discussion on EU relations with Egypt. The discussion focused on food security and on Egypt’s Presidency of the upcoming COP27.
The discussion was followed by an informal exchange of views over lunch with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Sameh Hassan Shoukry.
Ministers exchanged views on the consequences of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and on the COP27 preparations. Climate change remains a global priority and the EU will support Egypt to help ensure the success of COP 27.
Horn of Africa
The Council held a discussion on the situation in the Horn of Africa, and on the elements of a proactive longer-term EU engagement in a region where fragilities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Ministers reviewed the situation in Sudan, where the EU supports the tripartite mechanism UN, African Union and IGAD to facilitate the finding of a political solution.
On Somalia, ministers stressed the importance of seizing the new momentum following the election of a new President, and pushing for political, security and economic reforms.
Lastly the ministerial discussion highlighted the fact that although there is some progress in Ethiopia, this is not enough for a full normalisation of relations. The EU's approach should be “cautious, conditional and transactional”, i.e. dependant on further humanitarian access, restoring basic services in Tigray and lifting restrictions on fuel and fertilisers.
The Council adopted a declaration on upholding and promoting respect for international law, including the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
In the margins of the Council meeting, the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs formally informed the High Representative and the French presidency about Denmark's intention to end its opt-outand join EU defence policy and cooperation.
Russia is blockading Ukrainian exports. Russia, not us. Russia is destroying ports, food stocks and transport infrastructure, and that has sparked the global food crisis. When more than 20 million tonnes of grain are being blocked in Ukrainian storages, and someone is preventing this food from reaching consumers, someone else will suffer from hunger. This is a deliberate attempt to use food as a weapon of war. It is a deliberate attempt to create hunger in the world.