Foreign Affairs Council, 16 December 2024 - Main results

Foreign Affairs Council - Consilium

consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/fac/2024/12/16

Main results

Russian war of aggression against Ukraine

The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after a

VTC intervention by Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, who updated his

EU counterparts on the latest developments on the ground, and the most pressing

Ukrainian needs.

The Council then adopted the 15th package of individual and economic restrictive

measures in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

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Today we adopted the 15th sanctions package against Russia. This round targets

the shadow fleet and North Korean officials, and for the first time also Chinese firms

making drones for Moscow.

Our message is very clear, you cannot fuel a war in Europe and get away with it.

At the same time, Ukraine needs our support in the battlefield. The stronger they

are on the battlefield, the stronger they are also behind the negotiation table. Not

just to hold on, but to tilt the balance to their favour because Putin will not stop,

unless he's stopped.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and

President of the Foreign Affairs Council

The Council then discussed the EU military support for Ukraine. The High

Representative stressed the need to step it up, especially in terms of ammunition, air

defences, and more general support for the Ukrainian defence industry. She also

reminded EU ministers of the needs linked to winterisation.

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Lastly, the Council adopted a first set of listings under the regime on Russia’s

destabilising activities.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts 15th package of restrictive

measures

Russian hybrid threats: EU agrees first listings in response to destabilising activities

against the EU, its member states and partners

Georgia

The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on recent developments in Georgia, and

their impact on the Georgian people and Georgia’s European path, following the 28

November announcement by the government of its intention to suspend the country’s EU

accession process until 2028, the subsequent mass protests, and the increasing acts of

violence against protestors, the media, and the political opposition.

The situation is not going in a positive direction for the Georgian people.

Democracies do not oppress opposition voices or curtail the freedom of media.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and

President of the Foreign Affairs Council

The High Representative stressed that the EU has downgraded political contacts and cut

funding for the Georgian government, and announced that there was an agreement on

the need to halt the visa free regime for diplomatic passport holders. The

Commission will table a proposal on this already this year.

The Council agreed that, going forward, the EU will continue to stand with the Georgian

people, and including by redirecting funding from the authorities towards the civil society

and independent media.

Situation in the Middle East, including Syria

The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the latest developments in Syria.

The High Representative debriefed EU ministers on her participation in an international

meeting hosted by the Kingdom of Jordan, where she met with the foreign ministers of

the Arab countries, as well as Türkiye and the United States, to discuss the basic

principles of engagement with the new leadership of Syria. The High Representative also

announced that the Head of the EU delegation to Syria -currently stationed in Lebanontravelled to Damascus with the aim of building contact with the country's new authorities

and convey the EU’s messages.

The Council discussion highlighted EU agreement on the principles of territorial integrity,

independence and sovereignty of Syria, as well as accountability, inclusiveness, respect

of the minorities and women's rights. Ministers confirmed that the transition process need

to be Syria-led and Syrian-owned, and reflect the Syrian people in all of its diversity.

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Extremism, Russia and Iran should not have a place in Syria's future.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and

President of the Foreign Affairs Council

The High Representative stressed that the European Union remains the biggest

humanitarian aid donor to the Syrian people, as shown by the air bridge set up by the EU

immediately after the fall of the regime, providing 100 tons of humanitarian aid to support

health, education and shelter.

The EU will be organising the ninth Brussels-Syria Conference in 2025 to support the

Syrian people during the transition.

The Council then discussed broader developments in the Middle East and Gaza.

Ministers reiterated their call for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the delivery of

sufficient and unimpeded humanitarian aid. They also confirmed their support for a twostate solution.

The High Representative announced that she proposed to hold an Association Council

with Israel as soon as possible, which will be followed by first high-level dialogue with the

Palestinian Authority.

Current affairs

Under Current Affairs, the Council exchanged views on Belarus ahead of the so-called

presidential election scheduled for 26 January 2025.

Belarus: EU lists 26 individuals and 2 entities in view of the situation in the country

Council conclusions and other decisions

The Council approved conclusions on:

- reinforcing external-internal connections in the fight against terrorism and violent

extremism

Fight against terrorism and violent extremism: Council approves conclusions on

reinforcing external-internal links

- stepping up Team Europe's support to global food security and nutrition

- the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa

- priorities for EU-Council of Europe Cooperation 2025-2026

The Council also concluded its first mid-term review of the European Peace Facility.

Last review: 5 February 2025

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النتائج الرئيسة لمجلس الشؤون الخارجية في 16 كانون الأول/ ديسمبر 2024، تتضمن نقاش التطورات في سورية بعد اجتماع العقبة مع وزراء الخارجية العرب وتركيا.