We use cookies in order to ensure that you can get the best browsing experience possible on the Council website. Certain cookies are used to obtain aggregated statistics about website visits to help us constantly improve the site and better serve your needs. Other cookies are used to boost performance and guarantee security of the website.
With your permission, we will use AT internet and Hotjar cookies to produce aggregated, anonymous data about our visitors' browsing and behaviour on our website. We will use this data to improve your experience on our website.
To get more information about these cookies, how and why we use them and how you can change your settings, check our cookies policy page
The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
At the beginning of the Council discussion, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, shortly addressed EU ministers via video conference, and briefed them about the latest developments on the ground and Ukraine's military priorities and needs.
The Council confirmed the EU’s resolve to continue supporting the legitimate defence of Ukraine against the aggressor, also in light of the recent attacks to Ukrainian ports and grain storages.
The Council discussion then focused on the security commitments that the EU can offer to Ukraine, to transform existing support into a long-term commitment to Ukraine’s security and resilience.
Ministers had a first discussion on the High Representative’s initiative to secure more sustainable and predictable financing for defence support to Ukraine, by creating a dedicated section under the European Peace Facility.
I have outlined to ministers our initiative to secure more sustainable and predictable financing for defence support to Ukraine. We propose the creation of a dedicated section under European Peace Facility to provide up to €5 billion a year for the next four years for the defence needs of Ukraine.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Lastly, the Council touched on the termination of the Black Sea Grain initiative by Russia, and reiterated its support for Ukraine’s Peace Formula, the only comprehensive basis to achieve a just and sustainable peace in the EU’s view.
Türkiye
The Council exchanged views on EU-Türkiye relations, following the European Council conclusions of 29-30 June which invited the High Representative and the Commission to submit a report to the European Council on the state of play of EU-Türkiye relations.
Ministers exchanged views on the need for the EU to reengage with Türkiye, and build on common interests, while trying to bridge the existing differences.
A sustainable de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as finding a solution to the Cyprus question, in line with the relevant UN Resolutions, would benefit the stability and security of the whole region.
Upholding fundamental freedoms and values as defined by the European Convention of Human Rights, to which Ankara is a party, was also considered to be essential.
Foreign policy dimension of economic security
The High Representative briefly presented to the Council the joint communication of the European Commission and the High Representative on a 'European Economic Security Strategy' of 20 June 2023, focusing on its foreign policy dimension.
The Council will hold a discussion on this subject in the future to explore possible new ways to manage risks to the EU economic security in a rapidly evolving and difficult geopolitical context, and consider the possible use of the instruments available in the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Current affairs
Under current affairs the Council touched on, amongst others, China, the EU-CELAC summit of 17-18 July, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the Middle East Peace Process.
Informal exchange with US State Secretary Antony Blinken
EU Foreign Affairs Ministers exchanged views with Secretary Blinken on how to strengthen the already strong EU-US foreign policy cooperation and coordination, including on how to work together on global challenges, the respective approached towards China and engagement with emerging partners.
This was the fourth time that Secretary Blinken participated in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council since his confirmation.
The parties discussed the unprecedented level of our cooperation in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine – both, in supporting Ukraine and mitigating the global consequences of Putin’s war, and discussed a coordinated outreach and engagement with other partners globally.
Council conclusions and other decisions
The Council approved conclusions on EU priorities at the United Nations during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, September 2023 – September 2024.
The Council adopted a decision on the signature and provisional application of the European Union and Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Partnership Agreement, as the new legal framework for the relations between the EU and its member states and 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, for the next twenty years, which will succeed the Cotonou Agreement.
established a new sanctions regime allowing the EU tolist Iranian people and entities responsible for providing military support through drones to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and also listed six individuals under other existing sanctions regimes
I have outlined to ministers our initiative to secure more sustainable and predictable financing for defence support to Ukraine. We propose the creation of a dedicated section under European Peace Facility to provide up to €5 billion a year for the next four years for the defence needs of Ukraine.
