Rådsmøde nr. 3364 (udenrigsanliggender) den 19. januar 2015

Europaudvalget 2014-15 (1. samling)
Rådsmøde 3364 - udenrigsanliggender
Offentligt

Council of the

European Union

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(OR. en)

PRESSE 9

PR CO 1

OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

3364th Council meeting

Foreign Affairs

Brussels, 19 January 2015

President

Federica Mogherini

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security

Policy

PRESS

Rue de la Loi 175 B – 1048 BRUSSELS Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 6319 / 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026

[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press

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Rådsmøde nr. 3364 (udenrigsanliggender) den 19. januar 2015 - Bilag 1213879:

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CONTENTS

ITEMS DEBATED

Russia ................................................................................................................................................... 3

Fight against terrorism ......................................................................................................................... 3

Climate change diplomacy ................................................................................................................... 4

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

–

Democratic Republic of the Congo / FDLR ............................................................................................................ 5

Tunisia ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6

EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina .......................................................................................... 7

EU-Armenia relations.............................................................................................................................................. 7

EU action against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction ....................................................................... 7

COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY

–

EUCAP SAHEL Mali ............................................................................................................................................. 7

EU terrorist list ........................................................................................................................................................ 7

EU military advisory mission in the Central African Republic ............................................................................... 7

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

–

Capital requirements: Technical standards .............................................................................................................. 8

AGRICULTURE

–

Pesticides - maximum residue levels ....................................................................................................................... 8



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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ITEMS DEBATED

Russia

The Council held an in-depth debate on EU relations with Russia.

Following the meeting, High Representative Mogherini underlined that relations can only be

changed if and when the Minsk commitments are implemented. Ministers agreed to reinforce efforts

to peacefully resolve the Ukrainian crisis and remain engaged in political dialogue with Russia on

global crises. Options for selected sectorial dialogues with Russia will be explored at technical

level.

The Foreign Affairs Council will return to this issue before the March European Council.

Fight against terrorism

The Council discussed how foreign policy can complement the fight against terrorism within the

EU.

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, said after the

meeting: "For the first time, there was a real awareness that we need to work together to fight a

common threat. We took a decision within the Foreign Affairs Council to cooperate in a much more

active way than it has been the case so far."

Action should be taken on different levels, from the security level – enhanced exchange of

information, not only between the member states, but also with partner countries, and exchanges of

best practices will be part of that – to reinforced cooperation with Arab and Mediterranean countries

on countering terrorism and redoubling efforts to deal with open conflicts and crises.

High Representative Mogherini stated that "we must build an alliance, a dialogue with these

countries as we are facing common challenges". The February Foreign Affairs Council will give

full recommendations for the meeting of EU heads of state and government on 12 February.

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Climate change diplomacy

The Council was briefed about the Commission action plan for climate diplomacy in 2015. It sets

out planned contacts with third countries to prepare the Paris climate conference in December 2015.

The meeting is aimed at agreeing an international legally binding agreement to keep global

warming below 2°C. Ministers supported the proposed EU outreach and the coordination of efforts

between the EU and its member states.

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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Democratic Republic of the Congo / FDLR

The Council adopted the following conclusions on the DRC / FDLR:

"1.

The European Union (EU) confirms its commitment to promoting stability and

development in the Great Lakes Region and in particular to full implementation of the

Peace Security and Co-operation Framework Agreement for the Democratic Republic of

Congo (DRC) and the Region (the PSC Framework). Progress in achieving the goals of the

PSC Framework has been insufficient. Renewed efforts from all parties to maintain the

momentum are required so that the Agreement can fulfil its potential in uniting all actors

around a common goal.

Noting that the January 2nd deadline has passed without the Democratic Forces for the

Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) fully complying with the decisions of the International

Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the Southern African Development

Community (SADC) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the EU stresses

that the moment has come to start military action as per UNSC Resolution 2147, and as

called for also by the UNSC Presidential Statement of 8 January 2015 and the International

Envoys for the Great Lakes Region Communiqué of 2 January 2015. It calls upon the

authorities of the DRC and MONUSCO to engage immediately to disarm the FDLR. At

any point, FDLR combatants can still choose a peaceful path by entering into the existing

Disarmament, Demobilisation, Repatriation, Reintegration and Resettlement (DDRRR)

programme which continues to repatriate former FDLR members to Rwanda.

The EU greatly regrets the recent upsurge in violence attributed to armed groups in the

eastern DRC and deplores the substantial loss of life incurred. Continuing and severe

human rights violations in the DRC, in particular gender based violence and the

recruitment and use of child soldiers, whether conducted by armed groups or other actors,

are absolutely unacceptable and must end. The protection of civilians and the neutralisation

of all armed groups in the eastern DRC must therefore remain a priority and the EU

encourages the DRC, in partnership with MONUSCO, to take robust and effective action

against them. The EU urges the DRC, in cooperation with Uganda and Rwanda, to

accelerate DDRRR of ex-M23 members. The EU reiterates its support for all those

engaged in combatting sexual violence and its consequences. There can be no impunity for

those responsible for abuses and violations of human rights and of international

humanitarian law and the EU calls upon the DRC to ensure that authors of these crimes are

brought to justice.

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Ending the threat from the FDLR and other armed groups is crucial to realising the

ambition of a region at peace with itself. Military action has to be complemented by

political action that will also build a long-term basis for stability. By tackling the root

causes of instability, it will strengthen confidence and allow for future investment and

development. Key to this is pursuing the implementation of commitments taken under the

PSC Framework, the organisation of credible and free elections and the active participation

of women in line with UNSCR 1325. The EU encourages the guarantors –

UN/AU/ICGLR/SADC – and all countries in the region to continue efforts in this regard.

The EU supports the efforts of Saïd Djinnit, Special Envoy of United Nations Secretary

General for the Great Lakes Region in that regard. The EU pledges to fulfil its own

responsibilities, both through political means and with the resources at its disposal."

Tunisia

The Council adopted the following conclusions on Tunisia:

"1.

The European Union congratulates Tunisia in the wake of the legislative and presidential

elections which mark an historic step in the country's democratic transition.

It welcomes the democratic commitment and the sense of responsibility of the Tunisian

people and of all the political leaders and civil society who have managed to preserve a

spirit of dialogue conducive to ensuring the success of this process. The EU pays tribute to

the Independent High Authority for the Elections (ISIE) which has excellently organised

several free, transparent and democratic elections within a short period of time. Tunisia's

democratic transition is a source of hope and inspiration for other peoples of the region.

The EU congratulates Mr Béji Caïd Essebsi on his election as President of Tunisia, as well

as the newly-elected representatives of the Tunisian people. It wishes the new authorities

every success with the inclusive preparation and the implementation of the reforms which

are key to consolidating the rule of law and the democratic achievements of the new

Constitution, guaranteeing the security of all Tunisians and meeting the economic and

social aspirations that were behind the 2011 revolution.

The EU remains steadfastly committed to cooperating with the new President of Tunisia,

the next government, and the whole of Tunisian society, in order to deepen the Privileged

Partnership between the EU and Tunisia. With this in mind, the EU will continue to back

the efforts of the new authorities with political and financial support commensurate with

both the progress already achieved and the challenges faced."

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EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Council appointed Mr. Lars-Gunnar Wigemark as the new EU Special Representative in

Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1 March 2015 until 30 June 2015. For more details, see

press release.

EU-Armenia relations

The Council approved the EU position for the fifteenth meeting of the EU-Armenia Cooperation

Council, to take place on 20 January 2015 in Brussels.

EU action against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

The Council endorsed the six-monthly progress report on the implementation of the EU strategy

against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, covering activities in the second half of

2014.

COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY

EUCAP SAHEL Mali

The Council agreed to launch the EU CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali). It also allocated

a budget of €11.4 million for the mission between now and 14 January 2016. For more details, see

press release.

EU terrorist list

The Council decided to appeal against the judgment of the General Court in the case Council vs

Hamas of 17 December 2014 (T-400/10). The Court had annulled, on procedural grounds, the

Council's decision to maintain Hamas on the EU list of terrorist organisations. During the appeal,

Hamas will remain on the terrorist list. For more information, see

Statement by High Representative

Federica Mogherini.

EU military advisory mission in the Central African Republic

The Council established the EU military advisory mission in the Central African Republic (CAR).

This mission sets out to support security sector reform in the CAR. It also authorised the High

Representative to open negotiations with the CAR authorities for an agreement on the status of this

mission. For more information, see

press release.

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ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

Capital requirements: Technical standards

The Council decided not to object to the Commission's adoption of a regulation supplementing what

is known as the capital requirements regulation ("CRR") 575/2013 with regard to regulatory

technical standards for the specification of the margin periods of risk used for the treatment of

clearing members' exposures to clients.

The regulation is a delegated act pursuant to article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.

It can now enter into force, unless the European Parliament objects.

AGRICULTURE

Pesticides - maximum residue levels

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of three Commission regulations amending

annexes II, III and V to regulation 396/2005

as regards:

–

maximum residue levels for acetamiprid, chromafenozide, cyazofamid, dicamba,

difenoconazole, fenpyrazamine, fluazinam, formetanate, nicotine, penconazole,

pymetrozine, pyraclostrobin, tau-fluvalinate and tebuconazole in or on certain products

(amendment of annexes II and III) (15710/14);

maximum residue levels for bone oil, carbon monoxide, cyprodinil, dodemorph, iprodione,

metaldehyde, metazachlor, paraffin oil (CAS 64742-54-7), petroleum oils (CAS 92062-35-

6) and propargite in or on certain products (amendment of annexes II, III and V)

(16594/14);

maximum residue levels for 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, benfuracarb, carbofuran,

carbosulfan, ethephon, fenamidone, fenvalerate, fenhexamid, furathiocarb, imazapyr,

malathion, picoxystrobin, spirotetramat, tepraloxydim and trifloxystrobin in or on certain

products (amendment of annexes II, III and V) (16595/14).

–

OJ L 070, 16.3.2005, p. 1.

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Regulation 396/2005 establishes the maximum quantities of pesticide residues permitted in products

of animal or vegetable origin intended for human or animal consumption. These maximum residue

levels (MRLs) include, on the one hand, MRLs which are specific to particular foodstuffs intended

for human or animal consumption and, on the other, a general limit which applies where no specific

MRL has been set. MRL applications are communicated to the European Food Safety Authority

(EFSA) which issue a scientific opinion on each intended new MRL. Based on EFSA's opinion, the

Commission proposes a regulation such as those listed above to establish a new MRL or to amend

or remove an existing MRL and modifying the annexes of regulation 396/2005 accordingly.

These Commission regulations are subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means

that now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt the regulation, unless

the European Parliament objects.

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