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In light of recent developments, the Council discussed and adopted conclusions on Iraq. In its conclusions, the Council commends the Iraqi Government of Prime Minister al-Abadi and the Iraqi security forces for the significant advances they have made in the military campaign against Da'esh over the past months. It also reiterates its steadfast support for Iraq's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Council emphasises the importance of an inclusive process of reconciliationboth at national and local level, and the need to make tangible progress on political reforms to enable full national reconciliation.
The EU has expressed its highest concern about the humanitarian situation in Iraq. The EU remains fully engaged through its humanitarian assistance, with € 159 million in 2016 and EUR 42 million in 2017 so far for humanitarian support to populations moist affected by the conflict.
The EU underscores the importance of security and the rule of law for stability in the liberated areas and across the whole country. It is essential that security agencies improve their relation with the civilian population. For this purpose, the EU and its Member States are already providing support to Iraq in the security sector. In response to the request by the Iraqi authorities, the EU is examining the deployment of an EU Security Sector Reform Advice and Assist Team to assist in the reform efforts in cooperation and coherence with other international partners.
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EU external action on counter-terrorism: Council adopts conclusions
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The Council adopted conclusions on EU external action on counter-terrorism. The Council reiterates its strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever and for whatever purpose.
Noting that terrorism constitutes one of themost serious threats to international peace and security and that the EU has a vital interest in continuing to work with partners at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels in countering this diverse threat, the Council address in its conclusions:
- Counter-terrorism structures, to reinforce the EU's capacity to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation, including in EU delegations through counter-terrorism / security experts;
- Internal-external nexus, to ensure greater coherence between internal and external actions in the field of security, strengthening the role of JHA agencies with regard to third countries, and noting that with the addition of the fight against terrorism to the Feira missions through the Council conclusions of May 2017, CSDP missions and operations have a stronger role in combating terrorism;
- Strengthened cooperation with the Middle-East and North Africa, Western Balkans, Turkey, Sahel and the Horn of Africa, through enhanced political dialogue, more counter-terrorism projects and financial support for counter-terrorism and countering and preventing violent extremism, and reinforced strategic communications, in particular through StratComms Task Force South;
- Strengthened international cooperation, in particular with key strategic partners, such as the United States, Australia, Canada and the Schengen partners as well as regional and multilateral bodies, in particular the United Nations, NATO, the Global Counter-terrorism Forum, Interpol and the Global Coalition against Da'esh;
- Strengthening the EU response in key thematic areas, such as preventing and countering violent extremism, the need to effectively address online recruitment and radicalisation, the acute challenge of foreign terrorist fighters, in particular the issue of returnees, aviation security, firearms trafficking, the issue of terrorist financing and money laundering and the links between serious and organised crime and terrorism.
The Council last adopted conclusions on counter-terrorism on 9 February 2015, in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks (January 2015), and these remain the cornerstone of the EU's external engagement on counter-terrorism. Since then, the EU's work in this area has considerably intensified.
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EU-NATO cooperation: Council welcomes progress made
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Council conclusions on Progress report on the implementation of the common set of proposals endorsed by EU and NATO Ministers on 6 December 2016
1. The Council recalls its conclusions of 6 December 2016 on the Implementation of the Joint Declaration by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( 15283/16).
2. The Council welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the common set of proposals (42 actions) and in this regard acknowledges the report submitted jointly by the High Representative/Vice President/Head of the European Defence Agency and the Secretary General of NATO in accordance with paragraph 9 of the Council Conclusions of 6 December 2016.
3. The Council calls for continued progress on implementation of the common set of proposals and looks forward to receiving the next report, including possible suggestions for future cooperation, in December 2017.
4. The Council reaffirms that EU-NATO cooperation will continue to take place in the spirit of full openness and transparency, in full respect of the decision-making autonomy and procedures of both organisations and in close cooperation with and full involvement of Member States . It will be based on the principles of inclusiveness and reciprocity without prejudice to the specific character of the security and defence policy of any Member State. The Council recalls that NATO cooperation with the non-NATO EU Member States is an integral part of EU-NATO cooperation and in this regard, the Council welcomes the positive contribution of non-NATO EU Member States to NATO activities. Such activities are an integral part of EU-NATO cooperation and the Council strongly supports their continuation.
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EU committed to an empowered and resilient civil society: Council adopts conclusions on engagement with civil society in external relations
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On 19 June, the Council adopted conclusions on EU engagement with civil society in external relations.
The Council recognises the many different roles that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) play as promoters of democracy, and as defenders of rights holders, the rule of law, social justice and human rights.
The conclusions underline the crucial importance of CSOs for the successful implementation of the EU Global Strategy and the 2030 Agenda, including in the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
At a time when the space for civil society is shrinking in a increasing number of countries, the Council reaffirms the EU's opposition to any unjustified restrictions to freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly that hinder the work of CSOs. The conclusions underline the EU's commitment to play an important role in promoting stronger positions on civic freedoms and against any reduction in the space for civil society to act.
The Council welcomes the progress achieved in the EU's engagement with civil society in external relations since its most recent conclusions of 2012. It also welcomes the increase of EU financial resources since 2012 in support of CSOs, noting that the EU has become the leading donor for local CSOs, including those active in humanitarian assistance and in protecting and promoting human rights and democracy.
The Council calls on the Commission to continue and strengthen its engagement with civil society and invites it to reflect further and report on the challenges encountered in partner countries where engagement with civil society is or has been difficult.
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Cyber attacks: EU ready to respond with a range of measures, including sanctions
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The Council agreed to develop a framework for a joint EU diplomatic response to malicious cyber activities, the cyber diplomacy toolbox.
The EU recognises that cyberspace offers significant opportunities, but also poses continuously evolving challenges for EU external action. The EU is concerned by the increased ability and willingness of state and non-state actors to pursue their objectives through malicious cyber activities. Such activities may constitute wrongful acts under international law and could give rise to a joint EU response. The EU reiterates that states should not knowingly allow their territory to be used for internationally wrongful acts using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
The framework for a joint EU diplomatic response is part of the EU's approach to cyber diplomacy, which contributes to conflict prevention, the mitigation of cybersecurity threats and greater stability in international relations. The framework is expected to encourage cooperation, facilitate mitigation of immediate and long-term threats, and influence the behaviour of potential aggressors in the long term.
The EU diplomatic response to malicious cyber activities will make full use of measures within the Common Foreign and Security Policy, including, if necessary, restrictive measures. A joint EU response to malicious cyber activities would be proportionate to the scope, scale, duration, intensity, complexity, sophistication and impact of the cyber activity.
The EU reaffirms its commitment to the settlement of international disputes in cyberspace by peaceful means. In this context, all of the EU's diplomatic efforts should as a priority aim to promote security and stability in cyberspace through increased international cooperation, and at reducing the risk of misperception, escalation and conflict that may stem from ICT incidents.
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Climate Change: the Council reaffirms that the Paris Agreement is fit for purpose and cannot be renegotiated
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Council conclusions on climate change following the United States Administration's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement
1. The Council deeply regrets the unilateral decision by the United States Administration to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. The Council also welcomes the numerous strong statements of commitment to the Paris Agreement from countries ranging from major economies to small island states.
2. The Paris Agreement brought us together in very challenging times. It is an unprecedented multilateral agreement between nearly 200 parties, supported by regions, cities, communities, companies as well as other non-state actors across the world, to address a problem that threatens us all. It demonstrates, along with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, our collective responsibility towards the entire planet, for this and future generations, and our commitment to act accordingly.
3. The Council reaffirms that the Paris Agreement is fit for purpose and cannot be renegotiated. The Agreement is ambitious yet not prescriptive and allows each Party to forge its own path, in contributing to the goals that serve to combat climate change, which threatens development, peace and stability around the world.
4. The Council reiterates the European Union's steadfast support for the United Nations as the core of a rules-based multilateral system. The European Union and its Member States remain united and absolutely committed to full and swift implementation of the Paris Agreement, recall the particular responsibility of major economies, accounting for some 80% of global emissions, and call on all partners to keep up the momentum created in 2015 towards successful results at COP 23 and COP 24.
5. The world can continue to count on the EU for leadership in the global fight against climate change, holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The EU will lead through its ambitious climate policies and through continued support to those who are particularly vulnerable, to build strong and sustainable economies on the path towards achieving greenhouse gas emissions neutrality in the second half of the century, and societies resilient to climate change. The EU and its Member States are the largest contributors of climate financing and remain committed to mobilise their share of the developed countries' goal to jointly mobilise USD 100 billion per year by 2020 for climate action in developing countries, from a variety of sources.
6. The EU is strengthening its existing global partnerships to this end and will continue to seek new alliances, from the world's largest economies to the most vulnerable island states. Our partnerships will include the many businesses, regions, cities, citizens and communities that have voiced their support for the Paris Agreement both worldwide and in the US and are taking ambitious climate action.
7. Together, we will implement the Paris Agreement because it is our common interest and responsibility. We see the Paris Agreement and the low greenhouse gas emission and climate resilient transition for what it is, the driver of an irreversible process of sustainable growth for our economies and the key to protecting our planet. The EU stands ready to cooperate with all parties to this end.
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Illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol: EU extends sanctions by one year
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On 19 June 2017, the Council extended the restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia until 23 June 2018.On 19 June 2017, the Council extended the restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia until 23 June 2018.
The measures apply to EU persons and EU based companies. They are limited to the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol. The sanctions include prohibitions on:
- imports of products originating in Crimea or Sevastopol into the EU;
- investment in Crimea or Sevastopol, meaning that no Europeans nor EU-based companies can buy real estate or entities in Crimea, finance Crimean companies or supply related services;
- tourism services in Crimea or Sevastopol, in particular, European cruise ships cannot call at ports in the Crimean peninsula, except in case of emergency;
- exports of certain goods and technologies to Crimean companies or for use in Crimea in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors and related to the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources. Technical assistance, brokering, construction or engineering services related to infrastructure in these sectors must not be provided either.
As stated in the declaration by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the EU on 17 March 2017, the EU continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and remains committed to fully implement its non-recognition policy.
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