EU leaders look at relations with the countries to the East

The European Council – the gathering of the twenty-seven member states of the European Union – met in Brussels on Thursday, 24 June. Among other things, the Council reviewed the EU's relations with Russia and Turkey, two important and strategic countries with whom the European Union has a complex relationship. The tone adopted in dealing with the two countries was very different, as is appropriate given that Turkey remains an EU candidate country, whilst Russia is increasingly seen as a disruptive neighbour and rival.

Turkey - engage but not quite embrace

The European Council reiterated the EU’s readiness to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner to enhance co-operation in a number of areas of common interest, subject to the established conditionalities set out in March and in previous European Council conclusions.

EU leaders took note of the start of work at a technical level concerning the mandate for the modernisation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union and recalled the need to address current difficulties in the implementation of the Customs Union. They also took note of the preparatory work for high-level dialogues with Turkey on issues such as migration, public health, climate, counterterrorism and regional issues.

The European Council called on the Commission to put forward proposals for the continuation of financing for Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and other parts of the region.

Regarding Cyprus, the European Council recalled its previous conclusions and expressed its full commitment to the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions.

The Council noted that the Rule of law and fundamental rights in Turkey remain a key concern.

Russia - engage, but selectively and conditionally

In line with its conclusions of 24 and 25 May 2021, the European Council discussed relations with Russia. The EU is committed to a united, long-term, and strategic European approach based on the five guiding principles.

EU leaders called on Russia to fully assume its responsibility in ensuring the full implementation of the Minsk agreements as the key condition for any substantial change in the EU’s stance.

They also stressed the need for a firm and co-ordinated response by the EU and its member states to any further malign, illegal and disruptive activity by Russia. They invited the Commission and the High Representative to present options for additional restrictive measures, including economic sanctions.

The European Council stressed the need to further deepen and intensify political, economic and people-to-people ties and co-operation with the Eastern Partners and underlined its commitment to deepen relations with Central Asia.

Leaders reiterated the EU’s openness to a selective engagement with Russia in areas of EU interest. They invited the Commission and the High Representative to develop concrete options on topics such as climate and the environment, health, as well as selected issues of foreign and security policy and multilateral issues. In this context, the European Council will explore formats and conditionalities of dialogue with Russia.

EU leaders condemned the limitations on fundamental freedoms in Russia and the shrinking space for civil society. They also reiterated their support for all efforts to establish truth, justice and accountability for the victims of the downing of MH17 and their next of kin.

 

source: commonspace.eu with the press service of the Council of the European Union.
photo: EU flags (archive)

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Dozens participate in new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue process as societies prepare for the signing of historic peace agreement

Dozens participate in new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue process as societies prepare for the signing of historic peace agreement

The governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan have recently agreed the text of a historic peace agreement that ends years of animosity and warfare. The agreement is expected to be signed soon. LINKS Europe, which has a long history of engagement with the process of peace in the region, recently launched a new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue format in the framework of the European Union's EU4Peace initiative. In the last two weeks dozens of Armenians and Azerbaijanis, including academics, students, civil society activists, journalists and other professionals, many of them young, were involved. The work is organised in five thematic groups focusing on peace and security, connectivity, environment, governance and gender and equality and in phase 2 of the project, which has just ended, around fifty participants took part in in-person and online meetings, and more than twenty others were involved indirectly. The Chairpersons of the five thematic groups met in Vilnius, 3-6 July to launch the third phase of the program. The five thematic groups are now working on separate reports, which are expected to be finished in November and presented to the two governments and other stakeholders. The reports will outline a vision, up to 2040.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Dozens participate in new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue process as societies prepare for the signing of historic peace agreement

Dozens participate in new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue process as societies prepare for the signing of historic peace agreement

The governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan have recently agreed the text of a historic peace agreement that ends years of animosity and warfare. The agreement is expected to be signed soon. LINKS Europe, which has a long history of engagement with the process of peace in the region, recently launched a new Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue format in the framework of the European Union's EU4Peace initiative. In the last two weeks dozens of Armenians and Azerbaijanis, including academics, students, civil society activists, journalists and other professionals, many of them young, were involved. The work is organised in five thematic groups focusing on peace and security, connectivity, environment, governance and gender and equality and in phase 2 of the project, which has just ended, around fifty participants took part in in-person and online meetings, and more than twenty others were involved indirectly. The Chairpersons of the five thematic groups met in Vilnius, 3-6 July to launch the third phase of the program. The five thematic groups are now working on separate reports, which are expected to be finished in November and presented to the two governments and other stakeholders. The reports will outline a vision, up to 2040.