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The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after an intervention by Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, who updated EU ministers via VTC on ongoing diplomatic developments, the situation on the ground, and Ukraine’s most urgent priorities.
The Council then held a discussion on ongoing work on a 18th package of economic and individual sanctions to Russia.
Sanctions are necessary to starve Russia of the means to wage this war and the European Union will keep rising the cost, so that stopping its aggression becomes the only path forward for Moscow. […] The message is very clear, Russia's efforts are wasted, Europe is wholly committed to Ukraine.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
The Council then discussed military support to Ukraine and further global outreach to key global players in support of a full and unconditional ceasefire.
The Council imposed restrictive measures onfive individuals responsiblefor serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.
The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, starting with a discussion on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Last week Israel and the European Union reached an understanding for the expansion of the humanitarian aid into Gaza, so we see positive signs, we see more trucks and supplies are reaching Gaza, we see more entry points opened, we also see electricity lines being repaired but Israel needs to take more concrete steps to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground. The European Union will keep a close watch on how Israel implements this common understanding and the pledges and will update the compliance every two weeks.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
Following up on the FAC discussion of 23 June on the review of Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the Council exchanged views on an inventory of possible follow-up measures.
At the request of the European Council I also presented ministers an inventory of different measures that could be taken in relation to the review done in June, so we had a discussion on this and these are choices that the member states have to make. We will keep these options on the table and stand ready to act if Israel does not live up to its pledges. The aim is not to punish Israel, the aim is to really improve the situation in Gaza.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
The Council also took stock of the latest events regarding Iran, and reiterated its position that Iran should not have any nuclear weapons, and that diplomacy is the best long-term approach to achieve this goal.
The Foreign Affairs Council took stock of the situation in Georgia and discussed possible future measures to respond to the repression by the authorities, as well as initiatives to better support Georgia’s civil society and independent media.
Mediterranean 2025: the Pact and the reform of the Union for the Mediterranean
The Council held a discussion on 'Mediterranean 2025: the Pact and the reform of the Union for the Mediterranean', focusing on the new Pact for the Mediterranean, which will aim at providing a new impetus to the EU engagement in the Mediterranean region, and the reform process of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration.
Other discussions and decisions
Under current affairs, the High Representative touched on EU-CELAC relations, Somalia, China and Japan.
The Council imposed restrictive measures on:
eight persons and one entity under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions regime for serious human rights violations and abuses on behalf of the Iranian state bodies outside of Iran
seven individuals and three entities responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence as well as democracy, the rule of law, and stability of the Republic of Moldova
