Foreign Affairs Council (Development), 28 November 2022

Main results

The Foreign Affairs Council, in its development configuration, took place in Brussels on 28 November 2022.

Development ministers discussed the follow-up to the EU-African Union Summit, which took place in Brussels last February. Ministers also addressed issues of global interest, including the impact of the Russian aggression on Ukraine on the global food insecurity situation and energy prices.

The geopolitical situation of the world is quite different from one year ago, but in spite of the war in Ukraine, we have to continue engaging with Africa. Africa is our partner of choice. It is high on our agenda especially in this case when food crisis and energy crisis are hitting severely the continent. We have to invest quicker, more and smarter in Africa. Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Member states also focused on Team Europe’s crisis response in Ukraine and Afghanistan. Ministers discussed the complex situation caused by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and our stance. An exchange on the way forward following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 was also on the agenda.

In this context, ministers discussed the proposal by the Commission and the EEAS on a "deepened and enhanced basic needs approach" in support of the Afghan population and agreed that more work was needed before moving in that direction.

We have three clear messages on Ukraine: Immediate support is needed especially ahead of winterization and repair of critical infrastructure, secondly it is key to ensure the essential functions of the Ukrainian state and thirdly it is important that reforms are framed by the European journey. And on Afghanistan we need to make sure that we continue supporting the Afghan people since the situation is getting worse especially for women and girls.

Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Development ministers also discussed the broader operationalisation of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus; the aim being to move beyond the pilot phase in 6 countries that started 5 years ago and generalise the nexus approach to all partner countries where it can bring benefits.

Council Conclusions

The Council approved conclusions on:

• Disaster Risk Reduction: Council calls for EU’s proactive crisis response (press release, 28 November 2022)
• Youth Action Plan: Council involves young people in policy-making (press release, 28 November 2022)

The Council also adopted, without discussion, the items on the lists of non-legislative A items.

• European Union - African Union summit, 17-18 February 2022
• EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information)