European Council

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1514 of 20 July 2023 updating the list of persons, groups and entities subject to Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2023/422.

The Council imposed sanctions on 38 individuals and 3 entities in Belarus. It also extended export bans to firearms, aviation and space industry.

The EU issued a statement on the situation of the Yazidi community in Iraq.

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel, 31 July - 6 August 2023

Today, the Council amended its sanctions regime in view of the situation in Haiti, allowing the EU to autonomously impose restrictive measures on individuals and entities responsible for threatening the peace, security or stability of Haiti, or for undermining democracy or the rule of law in Haiti.

Today, the Council imposed restrictive measures against nine Congolese and Rwandan individuals responsible for acts that constitute serious human rights violations and abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC.

The Council imposed restrictive measures against seven Russian individuals and five entities responsible for a digital information manipulation campaign aimed at distorting information and disseminating propaganda in support of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The EU has issued a statement on the situation in Niger.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/964 of 15 May 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States

The EU and the Kingdom of Norway signed an agreement for a financial contribution of Norway to the European Peace Facility for supplying military equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Council gives its final approval to the Chips Act.

The Council today adopted a revised energy efficiency directive that sets new rules to reduce final energy consumption at EU level by 11.7% in 2030. Member states will benefit from flexibilities in reaching the target.

Council adopts new law for more recharging and refuelling stations across Europe.

Council adopts new law to decarbonise the maritime sector.

The Council established a new sanctions regime allowing the EU to list Iranian people and entities responsible for providing military support through drones to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The Council also listed six individuals under other existing sanctions regimes.

The Council adopted a seventh round of sanctions in view of the situation in Myanmar/Burma.

The Council imposed restrictive measures against 18 individuals and five entities under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, because of their responsibility for serious human rights violations and abuses in Afghanistan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Ukraine and Russia.

The Council extended the framework for targeted restrictive measures to address the situation in Lebanon for an additional year, until 31 July 2024.

The Council approved conclusions setting out EU priorities at the United Nations during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (September 2023 – September 2024).

Trade with the United States: Council authorises negotiations on EU-US Critical Minerals Agreement.