On Thursday 24 June, the Heads of State or Government of the EU Member States will have a number of foreign policy issues on their table for dinner.
UN. Over lunch, they will first meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, with whom they are expected to discuss multilateralism, global issues such as health and climate, and issues related to regional crises and challenges.
At the dinner, they will discuss, among other things, relations with two strategic partners: Turkey and Russia.
Turkey. As agreed (see EUROPE 12686/3), the European Council is expected to revisit relations with Turkey. Contrary to what was envisaged in March, it is not expected to take a more formal decision on enhanced cooperation.
Leaders are only expected to take note of progress on the technical work on the modernisation of the Customs Union and on the high-level dialogues.
The draft conclusions of 21 June, in contrast to those of 14 June (see EUROPE 12745/4), refer to the situation of the Rule of law and fundamental rights in Turkey, which remains “a major concern”. “The targeting of political parties and the media represents a major setback for human rights and runs counter to Turkey’s obligations to respect democracy, the Rule of law and women’s rights. Dialogue on these issues remains an integral part of EU-Turkey relations”, leaders are expected to warn.
They are also expected to make it clear that they expect Ankara to make a “positive contribution” to the resolution of regional crises.
The European Council is also expected to reiterate (see EUROPE 12686/3) its call on the European Commission to “present without delay” a proposal to continue funding Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and other parts of the region.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to present to the leaders her proposals on the EU’s future contribution. According to diplomats quoted by Reuters, the European Commission is considering giving €5.77 billion to Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, including €3.5 billion for Turkey, until 2024. According to a European source, there is a very broad consensus among the Member States that the EU should finance the actions through the Multiannual Financial Framework, and the European Commission has given its agreement.
The Heads of State or Government warned that the European Council would remain focused on the Turkish issue, without being more specific about a forthcoming discussion.
Russia. The Heads of State or Government are expected to discuss EU-Russia relations and strategy towards Moscow, on the basis of the joint communication from the High Representative of the Union and the European Commission presented on 16 June (see EUROPE 12742/1). According to draft conclusions dated 21 June, the leaders are expected to reiterate their commitment to the five guiding principles of the EU’s policy towards Russia.
France and Germany reportedly put forward the issue of formats for discussion with Moscow. “If we want to establish a relationship of strength in a constructive way, we have to talk to each other. Some Member States are doing this. The issue is the EU. The question of formats is to be discussed. How do you talk to the Russians? At what level? Through which channel?”, asked one diplomat. A new version of the conclusions would thus propose a review of existing formats for dialogue with Russia, including at the level of the leaders, but this has yet to be agreed by the EU-27.
The leaders are also expected to invite their ministers to take the work forward, adding that they would return to the subject at a future meeting.
Belarus. Following a political agreement by their foreign ministers on 21 June on sectoral sanctions against Belarus, ambassadors from EU Member States approved the sanctions on Wednesday 23 June, which would cover fertilisers, petrochemicals and tobacco, financial services and dual-use goods (see EUROPE 12745/1). The measures must be agreed by the EU-27 through a written procedure that ends at noon on Thursday, in time for EU leaders to welcome them. According to the draft conclusions, the European Council is also expected to reiterate its call for the immediate release of all political prisoners and arbitrarily detained persons, including the journalist Roman Protassevich and his companion, Sofia Sapega. It is also expected to call for an end to the repression of civil society and independent media.
Africa. The Heads of State or Government are also expected to reiterate their call for Malian transitional authorities to fully implement the ‘Transition Charter’. They are also expected to welcome the conclusions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) summit on 19 June. ECOWAS maintained Mali’s suspension while noting the progress made by the transitional authorities.
Furthermore, according to the EU leaders, “the EU and its Member States will continue to support the stabilisation of the G5 Sahel countries, in particular the G5 Sahel joint force, as well as efforts to strengthen governance and the Rule of law”. The French president will take the opportunity to inform his colleagues about the direction of the adaptation of the French military presence in the Sahel.
The leaders may also adopt conclusions on Ethiopia, “where the situation is extremely serious”, a diplomatic source said (see EUROPE 12745/3).
Finally, in the aftermath of the second Berlin Conference, the European Council is expected to confirm its commitment to the stabilisation process in Libya under the auspices of the United Nations.
See the draft conclusions dated 21 June: https://bit.ly/3zOc3Xq (Camille-Cerise Gessant with the editorial staff)