The foreign ministers of the 27 member states of the European Union meet this Thursday in Brussels to discuss the implementation of new sanctions against Iran and Russia and to define the EU’s next steps in the second phase of the United States plan for peace in Gaza, in an event marked by the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East and the situation of human rights at a global level.
The meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council takes place a week after the extraordinary European Council that brought together the heads of State and Government of the European Union in the Belgian capital following Washington’s tariff warnings to several European countries over Greenland.Although this matter is not formally on the agenda, diplomatic sources told Europa Press that the ministers will address it informally on the margins of the meeting.
The day will begin with a debate on Russian aggression against Ukraine, a conflict that turns four years old in February.The European Union is working on a twentieth package of sanctions against Russia, defined as “ambitious”, coinciding with the anniversary of the start of the invasion.However, ministers are not expected to address this package specifically this Thursday, pending the European Commission presenting specific punitive measures.
Despite this, diplomatic sources indicated that there is consensus to advance additional sanctions with the aim of maintaining pressure on the Kremlin. In this sense, the ambassadors of the member states advanced sanctions against six Russian propagandists on Wednesday, which will be formalized during the Council, as confirmed by different sources to Europa Press.
In parallel, ministers will debate the European Commission’s proposal on the use of the 90 billion euro loan that the EU will allocate to Ukraine over the next two years.The Community Executive proposed allocating 60 billion to military spending, with priority for Ukrainian and European industry, and 30 billion to other budgetary needs and the functioning of the Administration.
Several Member States pointed out the convenience of introducing a mechanism that prioritizes the purchase of weapons produced in the EU and Ukraine, but that allows recourse to third countries, such as the United States, when the equipment is not available in Europe in the short term.
In this context, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated this Monday that the EU “at the moment cannot provide anywhere near enough of what Ukraine needs to defend itself.”A day later, the European Commission recalled that this is an initial proposal and that it is up to the Twenty-seven to specify the details.
Another focus of the meeting will be the situation in the Middle East, with special attention to the second phase of the US peace plan for Gaza.Ministers will discuss the role that the EU must play in the face of the imminent opening of the Rafah crossing and possible European contributions to guarantee peace and access for humanitarian aid.
Among the options being considered are the training of the Palestinian police through the EUPOL COPPS mission and the reactivation of the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) at the Rafah crossing.The Peace Board proposed by the United States will also be analyzed, an initiative about which the Twenty-seven expressed “serious doubts” due to its possible incompatibility with the EU treaties and the United Nations Charter.
In the section dedicated to Iran, more concrete agreements are expected, such as the imposition of new sanctions in response to the repression against protesters, which left thousands dead in recent weeks.
The European Commission proposed making it difficult for Tehran to access components for the production of drones and missiles and expanding the list of Iranian officials sanctioned for human rights violations, nuclear proliferation and military support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Also, the discussion remains open about the possible designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, a measure supported by countries such as Spain, according to sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but which requires unanimity and faces reluctance due to its diplomatic impact.
During the working lunch, the ministers will exchange views with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on global priorities in this matter, including the protests in Iran and the situation in Sudan.
Subsequently, they will analyze the situation in the Great Lakes region, following the offensive of the March 23 Movement (M23) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, just days after the signing in Washington of an agreement to stop a conflict with risk of regionalization.
The day will conclude with the EU-Morocco Association Council, the first since 2019, co-chaired by High Representative Kaja Kallas and Moroccan Minister Naser Burita, with the aim of strengthening cooperation on migration, energy transition and trade.
(With information from Europa Press)
