The European Council reached conclusions on Ukraine, the economy, security and defence, external relations, China, and the upcoming EU-CELAC summit with leaders from Latin American and Caribbean states.
During their two-day summit meeting, the EU leaders held a strategic discussion on the EU’s relations with partners in the Southern Neighbourhood, the Council said in a statement at the end of the summit on Friday afternoon. They welcomed work done on a mutually beneficial comprehensive partnership package with Tunisia, and expressed support to the resumption of political dialogue in the context of the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement.
They underlined the importance of strengthening and developing similar strategic partnerships between the European Union and partners in the region, according to the statement.
In light of the recent elections in Turkiye, the Council invited the EU High Representative and the European Commission to submit a report to the European Council on the state of play of EU-Turkiye relations.
The Council said it remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the UN framework.
The Council said it continued its strategic discussion on the EU’s relations with China and reaffirmed the EU’s multifaceted policy approach towards China, where it is simultaneously a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival.
Despite their different political and economic systems, the EU and China have a shared interest in pursuing constructive and stable relations, anchored in respect for the rules-based international order, balanced engagement and reciprocity.
The EU will continue to engage with China to tackle global challenges, it said.
The Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of “Russia’s war of aggression” against Ukraine, and recalled the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The EU will continue to provide strong financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes.
The EU and its Member States will intensify their diplomatic outreach efforts and continue to cooperate with Ukraine and other countries to ensure the widest possible international support for the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, including through an upcoming Global Peace Summit.
The Council condemned the “continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression provided by Iran and Belarus.” Belarus must stop allowing Russian armed forces to use its territory, including for the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons. Iran must stop providing drones to Russia, it said.
The Council held an exchange of views with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg on EU-NATO cooperation and Euro-Atlantic security.
The Council condemned the recent violent incidents in the north of Kosovo and called for an immediate de-escalation of the situation.
On the external dimension of migration, President of the European Council Charles Michel, in a separate statement said that Poland and Hungary did not agree to a Council statement on migration.
Solidarity measures, relocation and resettlement of migrants should be on a voluntary basis and that all forms of solidarity should be considered equally valid and not serve as a potential pull factor for irregular migration, argue the two EU countries
Source: Kuwait News Agency