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The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Before the Council discussion, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, briefly addressed EU ministers via video conference, updating them on the latest developments on the ground and Ukraine's military priorities, in particular the urgent need for ammunition.
In a joint session bringing together EU foreign affairs and defence ministers, the Council then agreed on the three-track proposal put forward by the High Representative and Commissioner Breton to urgently provide Ukraine with artillery ammunition, either from existing stocks or jointly procured.
Today, the Council has confirmed its agreement on this three-track approach. Today’s decision is important by its ambition – we will work under very tight deadlines because the purpose is to provide one million ammunitions in one year – its scope – we will combine delivery from existing stocks and joint procurement of new production – and its financial volume – we are talking about €2 billion of reimbursement. […] The Council has also agreed to consider a further increase in the overall financial capability of the EPF by €3.5 billion.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
In the margins of the meeting, 17 EU member states and Norway signed up to the European Defence Agency (EDA) project arrangement for the collaborative procurement of ammunition to aid Ukraine and replenish member states’ national stockpiles.
The Council then discussed President Zelenskyy’s peace formula. The Council expressed its support and will continue to conduct outreach with Ukraine and other partners to promote the plan and a just peace.
On accountability, ministers touched on the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for President Putin in connection with the alleged crime of deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The Council will continue working to identify those involved in the deportation of children, with the aim of adopting further restrictive measures.
Lastly, ministers also touched on the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was extended just before the Council meeting, and underlined the substantial EU contribution to efforts to support the export of Ukrainian food through the solidarity lanes.
Tunisia
The Council had an exchange of views on the situation in Tunisia.
Tunisia is a very close partner and neighbour of the EU, and developments in the country have an immediate impact on the European Union in terms of instability in the Mediterranean.
The Council expressed its continued willingness to support the Tunisian people but stressed the urgency of addressing the issue of the rule of law and respect for human rights in the country. It also reiterated that it is indispensable for the Tunisian leadership to proceed with structural reforms and finalise the programme already agreed with the International Monetary Fund.
The Council will continue to closely monitor the situation and two members of the Foreign Affairs Council were tasked by the High Representative with travelling to Tunisia to assess the situation and suggest ways forward.
Current affairs
The Council decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional eight individuals and one entity responsible for human rights violations in Iran, complementing the previous sanctions packages adopted since October 2022.
The High Representative informed EU ministers about the agreement reached in Ohrid in the context of the latest high-level meeting of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. In a key milestone in the process of normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo*, the parties agreed to the implementation annex to the agreement accepted at the previous high-level meeting on 27 February in Brussels.
* 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.
Strategic Compass
In a joint session, EU foreign affairs and defence ministers took stock of the progress made in the implementation of the EU Strategic Compass, one year on from its approval.
Ministers welcomed the progress achieved across all four pillars, and identified areas that need further work.
The Strategic Compass one year on: an assessment (infographic)
Other decisions
The Council approved conclusions on Afghanistan and on EU priorities atthe Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and extended the mandate of operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI until 31 March 2025.
Today, the Council has confirmed its agreement on this three-track approach. Today’s decision is important by its ambition – we will work under very tight deadlines because the purpose is to provide one million ammunitions in one year – its scope – we will combine delivery from existing stocks and joint procurement of new production – and its financial volume – we are talking about €2 billion of reimbursement. […] The Council has also agreed to consider a further increase in the overall financial capability of the EPF by €3.5 billion.
