Rådssekretariatets referat fra rådsmøde (udenrigsanliggender) 18. juli 2017

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Council of the
European Union
EN
11353/17
(OR. en)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRESSE 44
PR CO 44
OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
3557th Council meeting
Foreign Affairs
Brussels, 17 July 2017
President Federica Mogherini
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy
Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2016-17
UPN Alm.del Bilag 294
Offentligt
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1
 Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated
in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks.
  Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's internet site
(http://www.consilium.europa.eu).
  Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by
an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's internet site or may be obtained from the Press
Office.
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CONTENTS1
ITEMS DEBATED
EU Global Strategy..............................................................................................................................3
Democratic People's Republic of Korea ..............................................................................................4
Libya ....................................................................................................................................................6
Migration..............................................................................................................................................7
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
– New civilian CSDP mission in support of security sector reform in Iraq................................................................ 8
– EU sanctions on Syria ............................................................................................................................................. 8
– EU-Pakistan relations ............................................................................................................................................ 10
– Addressing the risk of famine................................................................................................................................ 10
– EU at the United Nations....................................................................................................................................... 11
– EU-Lebanon relations............................................................................................................................................ 11
– EU-ASEAN relations ............................................................................................................................................ 11
– EU sanctions on Libya........................................................................................................................................... 11
– EU sanctions on North Korea................................................................................................................................ 12
– Sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo.................................................................................................. 12
– Common Foreign and Security Policy report ........................................................................................................ 12
– Relations with Kosovo .......................................................................................................................................... 12
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ITEMS DEBATED
EU Global Strategy
The Council had a discussion on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy. Foreign ministers
provided guidance on the priorities for 2017-2018, agreeing that these should include both a
follow-up to the strands of work of the first year and new initiatives.
Building on the significant work achieved in the first year, ministers agreed that the EU should
continue strengthening its cooperation in security and defence, including through the future
establishment of an ambitious and inclusive permanent structured cooperation (PESCO). Ministers
also noted the importance of the work on the internal / external nexus, migration, counter-
terrorism, as well as on countering hybrid threats. EU progress in support of resilience of partner
countries, in particular in the neighbourhood, and its integrated approach were also highlighted, as
well as strategic communications and public diplomacy.
Foreign ministers also agreed on two additional tracks for further work in 2017-2018:
– supporting global governance, in particular the United Nations, including the
implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well
as the reinvigoration of the global effort on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament; and
further enhancement of cyber security
– supporting regional organisations and cooperative relationships across regions and with
the EU, including strengthening the EU's political engagement in the Western Balkans,
deepening relationships with partners to the East through the Eastern Partnership, and
reinforcing our partnership with Africa, in particular through the integrated approach in the
Sahel and in the Horn of Africa.
EU Global Strategy on foreign and security policy (website)
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Democratic People's Republic of Korea
The Council discussed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and adopted the following
conclusions:
"1. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has continued to accelerate its
nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, with most recently the launch of a missile of
intercontinental range on 4 July 2017. The Council strongly condemns these actions which
constitute outright violations of the DPRK’s international obligations, as set out in several
UN Security Council Resolutions, and which represent a serious threat to international
peace and security.
2. DPRK's actions undermine the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime, which
the EU has steadfastly supported for decades and underline the necessity of
universalisation of the Comprehensive Nuclear test Ban Treaty.
3. The Council urges the DPRK to comply without delay, fully and unconditionally, with its
obligations under all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and to refrain from any
further provocative action that could increase regional and global tensions.
4. The EU sanctions' regime towards the DPRK is currently among the most restrictive in
operation. The Council will consider further appropriate responses in close consultation
with key partners and in line with UN Security Council deliberations, notably through
additional autonomous restrictive measures. Recalling UNSCR 2321(2016), the Council
expresses concern about the DPRK regime's activities to raise hard currency to fund its
nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and calls upon States to exercise vigilance.
5. The Council supports the leading role and call of the Republic of Korea to the DPRK to
engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue, including through confidence building
measures in order to defuse tension and to enable steps aimed at pursuing the complete,
verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and the full
implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The EU is ready to
support such a process in consultation with key partners.
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6. The Council is strongly convinced that a lasting peace and denuclearisation of the Korean
peninsula must be achieved through peaceful means. The Council reaffirms the EU policy
of Critical Engagement with the DPRK, which combines pressure with sanctions and other
measures while keeping communication, and dialogue channels open. The EU policy of
Critical Engagement is not an end in itself but a means to promote the DPRK's full
compliance with UNSC Resolutions in terms of abandoning its nuclear, WMD and ballistic
missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and progress on all
other issues of concern. The Council urges the DPRK to make credible progress on its
obligations to denuclearise enabling negotiations leading to a peaceful solution.
7. The Council highlights the importance of unity of the international community in
addressing this challenge. Closer engagement with all EU's key partners in the region and
worldwide is essential in this respect, including through enhanced outreach activities and
support for the full implementation of UN sanctions by all countries.
8. DPRK's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes divert resources from the
necessary investments into social and economic development and reform, which would
benefit the DPRK population at large. In this context, the Council supports the Republic of
Korea's aspiration to restart inter-Korean dialogue on humanitarian affairs.
9. The Council deplores the ongoing and grave human rights' abuses by the DPRK regime
and is committed to continue working with partners to draw attention to these violations, to
assure international accountability and to maintain pressure on DPRK to cease its human
rights violations."
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Libya
The Council adopted conclusions on Libya. The EU warmly welcomes the appointment of
Ghassan Salamé as new Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, who will play a
central mediation role based on the Libyan Political Agreement.
The conclusions recognises that recent violence threatens Libya's stability. The EU believes there is
no solution to the Libyan crisis through the use of force. The Council reiterates its firm support
to the Libyan Political Agreement and to the Presidency Council and Government of National
Accord led by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj established under it as the sole legitimate government
authorities in the country. The EU calls on all armed groups to refrain from violence, to commit to
demobilisation and to recognize the authorities entrusted by the Libyan Political Agreement as the
only ones having the right to control Libya's defence and security forces.
Read the full text of the Council conclusions on Libya
CSDP actions
The Council also agreed to extend the CSDP mission EUBAM Libya until 31 December 2018.
EUBAM Libya currently assists and engages with the Libyan authorities on border management,
law enforcement and criminal justice with a particular emphasis on the South of Libya. The mission
will also work on planning for a possible civilian capacity-building and crisis assistance mission.
The Council also underlined the importance of Operation Sophia. EUNAVFOR MED Operation
Sophia is the EU's naval operation to disrupt the business model of human smugglers and
traffickers in the Southern Central Mediterranean. The operation also has two supporting tasks,
namely to train the Libyan Coastguard and Navy and to contribute to the implementation of the UN
arms embargo.
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Sanctions
In an effort to further disrupt the business model of people smugglers and human traffickers, the
Council introduced restrictions on the export and supply to Libya of inflatable boats (dinghies)
and outboard motors. EU member states will now have a legal basis to prevent the export or
supply of these goods to Libya where there are reasonable grounds to believe that they will be used
by people smugglers and human traffickers. The restrictions will also apply to dinghies and motors
which are transiting through the EU en route to Libya. The restrictions adopted today will not
prevent the export or sales of these goods when they are meant for legitimate uses by the civilian
population, for instance for fishermen, who may need motors for their boats.
Finding solutions to migratory pressures (background information)
Migration
Foreign ministers discussed migration, focusing on the situation in the Central Mediterranean
Route, together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and the
Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration William Lacy Swing.
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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
New civilian CSDP mission in support of security sector reform in Iraq
The Council adopted a crisis management concept for a new civilian CSDP mission in Iraq.
The mission will focus on assisting the Iraqi authorities in the implementation of the civilian aspects
of the Iraqi security strategy. EU experts will provide advice and assistance in priority work areas
responding to the needs of the relevant authorities.
The national security strategy aims at building state institutions capable of consolidating security,
peace and preventing conflicts under the rule of law, and outlines a number of threats to national
security, including terrorism, corruption, political instability and ethnic and sectarian polarisation.
In response to a request from the Iraqi authorities for support in the civilian security sector reform
area, and in line with the Council conclusions on Iraq of 19 June, the EU agreed to prepare a
civilian CSDP mission in Baghdad. The adoption of a crisis management concept is the first step to
launch a new CSDP mission, after which preparations to deploy begin.
Council conclusions on Iraq of 19 June 2017
Delegation of the EU to Iraq
EU sanctions on Syria
On 17 July 2017, the Council added 16 persons to the list of those targeted by EU restrictive
measures against the Syrian regime. The EU added these16 persons for their role in the
development and use of chemical weapons against the civilian population, in line with the EU's
policy to fight the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. These persons include 8 high-ranking
military officials and 8 scientists involved in chemical weapons proliferation and delivery. The EU
had already imposed restrictive measures on high ranking officials , most recently on 4 March 2017
for the use of chemical weapons.
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Today's decision brings to 255 persons the total number of persons targeted by a travel ban and an
assets freeze for being responsible for the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria,
benefiting from or supporting the regime, and/or being associated with such persons.
In addition, 67 entities are targeted by an assets freeze. More broadly, sanctions currently in place
against Syria include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, a freeze of the assets of the
Syrian central bank held in the EU, export restrictions on equipment and technology that might be
used for internal repression as well as on equipment and technology for the monitoring or
interception of internet or telephone communications. These measures were last extended on 29
May 2017 and are in place until 1 June 2018.
The EU remains committed to finding a lasting political solution to the conflict in Syria under the
existing UN-agreed framework. As stated in the EU strategy on Syria adopted in April 2017, the EU
believes that there can be no military solution to the conflict and strongly supports the work of the
UN Special Envoy and the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva.
As the leading donor in the international response to the Syrian crisis with over €9.4 billion from
the EU and member states collectively allocated in humanitarian and development assistance since
the start of the conflict, the EU continues to support the delivery of humanitarian aid to all Syrians,
including those who are under siege or in areas which are hard to reach. The EU response also
includes support to international institutions which work to ensure accountability for violations of
human rights and of international humanitarian law.
The EU will be ready to assist in the reconstruction of Syria only when a comprehensive, genuine
and inclusive political transition, negotiated by the Syrian parties in the conflict on the basis of UN
Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015) and the 2012 Geneva Communiqué, is firmly under way.
The legal acts adopted by the Council, including the names of the persons concerned, are published
in the Official Journal of 18 July 2017.
Syria: Council response to the crisis
Factsheet: The EU and the crisis in Syria
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EU-Pakistan relations
The Council adopted conclusions on Pakistan, stating that the EU has a clear interest in a stable,
secure, and democratic Pakistan.
Over the past years, the bilateral relations between the EU and Pakistan have been deepened
through the implementation of the 5-year engagement plan adopted in 2012. The EU has also
intensified institutional dialogues across priority areas including, political cooperation, security,
governance, human rights, migration, trade and energy. Further dialogues have been set up in new
areas such as counter-terrorism, non-proliferation and disarmament.
Work is ongoing between the EU and Pakistan on a political framework to replace the 5-year
Engagement Plan through a new EU-Pakistan strategic engagement plan.
Read the full text of the Council conclusions
EU delegation to Pakistan
Addressing the risk of famine
The Council adopted conclusions on addressing the risks of famine. The conclusions note that
humanitarian needs have been unprecedented in 2017. They include numerous chronic food
security crises, with four countries facing an alarming risk of famine: Yemen, north-east Nigeria,
Somalia and South Sudan, where overall about 20 million people at risk of starvation.
The conclusions recall that the EU and its member states collectively have provided more than EUR
1.2 billion this year alone for humanitarian assistance in the four countries at risk of famine and call
on all traditional and emerging donors for further efforts to be made. The Council notes however
that funding is only part of the solution. These crises are man-made, with their roots lying in
conflict, and they require political solutions going beyond humanitarian assistance.
Read the full text of the Council conclusions
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EU at the United Nations
The Council adopted conclusions on the EU priorities at the UN and at the 72nd UN General
Assembly.
The key EU priority will be to uphold, strengthen and reform the UN and the rules based
global order. For the 72nd UNGA, the EU will focus on a stronger global governance, on peace
and conflict prevention and on an enduring agenda for transformation. Gender equality and
women's empowerment as well as women, peace and security will be mainstreamed into all three
priority areas.
Read the full text of the conclusions
EU-Lebanon relations
The Council adopted the EU position for the EU-Lebanon Association Council, which will take
place on 18 July 2017.
Meeting page of the EU-Lebanon Association Council
EU-ASEAN relations
The Council endorsed the EU-ASEAN plan of action 2018-2022. This plan provides objectives and
guidance to EU-ASEAN relations. It will replace the first plan of action which is set to expire at the
end of 2017. The adoption is foreseen at the EU-ASEAN post-ministerial conference in Manila on 6
August 2017.
EU sanctions on Libya
The Council noted that reviewed of EU sanctions on Libya was completed. No change was to be
made after the review.
Sanctions currently in place on Libya
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EU sanctions on North Korea
The EU removed one person and 3 entities from its sanctions list under EU autonomous restrictive
measures because these person and entities became listed under the UN regime in June 2017, which
are fully transposed by the EU.
Sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Council adopted legal acts transposing into EU law the recent amendment to the UN sanctions
regime made by UN Security Council resolution 2360/2017 adopted on 21 June 2017 following the
murder of two UN experts in the Democratic Republic of Congo in March 2017. The resolution
expanded the listing criteria governing sanctions, making clear that sanctions can also be imposed
on persons and entities threatening or attacking UN experts.
Common Foreign and Security Policy report
The Council endorsed the 2017 CFSP report. The reports provides an overview of the CFSP
orientations for 2017 as well as a summary of the most prominent CFSP developments in 2016.
Read the report 10650/17
Relations with Kosovo
The Council adopted a decision concluding the Framework Agreement on Kosovo's1
access to EU
programmes which was signed on 25 November 2016, in the margins of the first EU-Kosovo
Stabilisation and Association Council. Once implemented, the agreement will allow Kosovo to
participate in a number of EU programmes, such as Erasmus+, COSME, which helps small and
medium sized businesses to access markets in the EU and beyond, Creative Europe, which supports
culture and audio-visual sectors and Europe for Citizens, which fosters the democratic participation
of citizens at EU level. Kosovo's participation in these programmes will further reinforced the ties
between the EU and Kosovo's societies, in particular between younger generations.
1
References to Kosovo are without prejudice to positions on status. They are in line with United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/1999 and the opinion by the International Court of
Justice on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
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EU - Republic of Moldova relations
The Council approved the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council agenda. The document
defines the priority actions linked to the implementation of the EU-Republic of Moldova
Association Agreement, and covers the period 2017-2019. The Association Agenda is a joint
document between the EU and the Republic of Moldova. It is therefore, expected to be formally
adopted by the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council.