Europaudvalget 2015-16
Rådsmøde 3369 - udenrigsanliggender
Offentligt
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Council of the
European Union
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EN
PRESSE 12
PR CO 4
OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
3369th Council meeting
Foreign Affairs
Brussels, 29 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. 3369 (udenrigsanliggender) den 29. januar 2015 - Bilag 1335916:
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CONTENTS
1
ITEMS DEBATED
Ukraine ................................................................................................................................................. 3
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
–
Restrictive measures - Ukraine ................................................................................................................................ 6
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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ITEMS DEBATED
Ukraine
The Council held an in-depth discussion on the latest escalation of violence in Ukraine and the EU's
reaction to it. It adopted the following conclusions:
"1.
The Council strongly condemns the indiscriminate shelling of the residential areas,
especially in Mariupol and the recent escalation of fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk
regions of Ukraine. The Council is shocked by the high number of casualties. It notes
evidence of continued and growing support given to the separatists by Russia, which
underlines Russia's responsibility. The Council expects Russia to exert its influence and to
induce the separatists, without delay to stop their hostile actions and live up fully to their
commitments under the Minsk agreements, including notably the cessation of hostilities
and the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the security zone along the line of contact
foreseen in the Minsk Memorandum, as urgent first steps, which the Foreign Ministers of
France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine called for in the Joint Statement, following their
talks in Berlin on 21 January. Recalling the European Council conclusions of 30 August,
24 October and 18 December 2014, the Council calls on all sides to fully assume their
responsibility and to implement their commitments under the Minsk agreements. It calls in
particular on the Russian Federation to condemn the separatists' actions. Public statements
distorting the reality on the ground, inciting to further violence, as well as publicly
humiliating hostages in violation of the international law will not lead to the badly needed
de-escalation. All signatories of the Minsk agreements should convene as a matter of
urgency within the framework of the Trilateral Contact Group to this effect.
The European Union will actively support all diplomatic efforts conducive to creating a
new political impetus, notably those currently ongoing under OSCE auspices, and will
engage further as necessary. These efforts should be undertaken in good faith and lead to
meaningful results. Full implementation of the Minsk agreements as the basis for a
sustainable political solution to the conflict, respecting Ukraine's independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity, must remain the focus of such talks. Progress must be
made on the withdrawal of illegal and foreign armed groups, military equipment, fighters
and mercenaries, freeing of all hostages, securing the Ukrainian-Russian border with
permanent monitoring by the OSCE, as well as early local elections in parts of the Donetsk
and Luhansk regions in the framework of the Ukrainian law on interim self-governance
and an inclusive national dialogue, notably on issues such as constitutional reform and
decentralisation.
2.
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3.
In view of the worsening situation the Council agrees to extend, in full compliance with the
requirements of EU law, the restrictive measures targeting persons and entities for
threatening or undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, adopted in
March 2014 and subsequently updated, until September 2015. Moreover, it calls on the
High Representative and the Commission to present within a week a proposal on additional
listings for decision at the FAC on February 9, 2015. The Council will continue to closely
follow the situation on the ground and the current diplomatic efforts, and asks that further
preparatory work by the Commission Services and the EEAS be undertaken on any
appropriate action, aiming at ensuring a swift and comprehensive implementation of the
Minsk agreements.
The EU will continue to work closely with international partners, including the OSCE and
the Council of Europe. The Council reiterates its appreciation of the OSCE's role, in
particular through the presence on the ground and objective reporting of the OSCE Special
Monitoring Mission to Ukraine as well as the efforts of the Special Representative of the
Chairperson-in-Office in the Trilateral Contact Group. The Council calls on all parties to
ensure free and safe access for the SMM's monitors and unmanned aerial vehicles to all
parts of Ukraine, including all parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts and areas along
the state border with Russia. The Council reiterates its support for the swift expansion of
the SMM to its full capacity and the expansion of the mandate of OSCE Observer Mission
at the Russian border checkpoints with a view of re-establishing Ukrainian control of its
border with Russia.
The Council encourages the Ukrainian authorities to swiftly take the intended legal steps
enabling the International Criminal Court to examine the alleged crimes against humanity,
committed on the territory of Ukraine in 2014-2015. The Council reiterates the importance
of moving forward with the ratification of the Rome Statute by Ukraine, as it has
committed to in the Association Agreement.
The Council condemns the raid on the premises of the ATR television, which represents
the most recent act of persecution and intimidation of the Crimean Tatar community and
another attempt to limit freedom of expression and media on the peninsula. The Council
reiterates its call on all parties to provide international human rights actors with full, free
and unrestricted access to the whole territory of Ukraine, including Crimea and Sevastopol,
the illegal annexation of which the EU condemns and will not recognise.
The Council tasks the High Representative / Vice President to step up efforts, in
cooperation with Member States and EU institutions, to further improve strategic
communication in support of EU policies and to explore options for the establishment of a
dedicated communication team to lead these actions. Such efforts should include proactive
communication of EU policies, correcting misinformation when it appears, and support for
the further development of independent media throughout the region.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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8.
The Council notes with concern recent Russian statements questioning the investigation
into the downing of flight MH 17. The Council emphasises that this investigation is carried
out by a fully independent expert team of international experts in full compliance with
ICAO rules and regulations, and calls on all parties to fully cooperate with the
investigation.
The Council reiterates its call on the Government of Ukraine to accelerate the
implementation of political and economic reforms. It urges Ukraine to deliver concrete
results in key reform areas to reply to the population's aspirations of a democratic and
modernised Ukraine, respecting the rights of persons belonging to national minorities.
These reforms should stabilize the economic, financial and political situation and anchor
the support of the international community, including by developing a climate suitable for
investment, notably in view of a possible international conference in support of Ukraine. It
welcomes some recent reform steps, including the adoption of the fiscal decentralisation
laws. It recalls that a reinvigorated reform process, including the adequate preparation for
the future implementation of Title IV of the Association Agreement, will be crucial in view
of Ukraine's political association and economic integration with the EU. The Council
welcomes the Commission's proposal for macro-financial assistance to Ukraine and looks
forward to its swift adoption.
The European Union expresses its grave concern about the deteriorating humanitarian
situation in the Donbas region of Ukraine. It urges all parties to fully respect international
law, to protect civilians and humanitarian workers and to ensure unhindered access for
humanitarian organisations in line with international humanitarian law and principles.
The EU remains committed to support the most vulnerable population affected by the
conflict with now a total of 900,000 internally displaced people and 600,000 refugees who
are forced to leave combat zones at short notice and are in dire need of assistance. In this
respect, the EU welcomes the recent decision of the Commission together with the
Member States, to mobilise additional funding and in-kind assistance to cover most urgent
needs, as communicated during the recent visit of Commissioner Stylianides to Ukraine.
So far, the EU's humanitarian and early recovery assistance amounts to a total of EUR 95
million. The Council calls on all international donors to respond to the increasing
humanitarian needs in a coordinated manner, on the basis of the UN Strategic Response
Plan. Plan."
9.
10.
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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Restrictive measures - Ukraine
The Council made technical amendments to the EU restrictive measures directed against the
misappropriation of Ukrainian state funds.
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