Defence ministers, followed by their foreign affairs counterparts, are meeting in Wicklow, Ireland, this week to discuss once again the support to be provided to Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.
Ukraine. On Tuesday 1 September, defence ministers will address the latest developments regarding EU defence assistance to Ukraine, at a time when Kyiv needs air defence more than ever (see EUROPE 13922/1).
The meeting will focus in particular on industrial co-operation between the EU and Ukraine, the loan in support of Ukraine, €60 billion of which is earmarked for the military sphere, and the European Peace Facility. Although Hungary has lifted its blockage of the Facility’s €6.6 billion, the Member States still have to agree on how these funds are to be used. The EU’s High Representative, Kaja Kallas, has proposed that they be used to reimburse Member States for past weapons deliveries, finance new joint purchases and maintain the operations of the EUMAM military assistance mission in Ukraine. There will also be an exchange on the future of this mission with a view to its strategic review.
The protection of critical infrastructure could also be discussed, as could action against the shadow fleet. On Monday 31 August, Kaja Kallas announced that the previous day, in the Mediterranean, operation EUNAVFORMed Irini had boarded the tanker MV SUN, “suspected of sailing under a false flag in violation of international maritime law”. According to Ms Kallas, this is the sixth vessel suspected of belonging to the shadow fleet to have been boarded as part of EU operations in recent months.
On Wednesday, it will be the turn of foreign ministers to discuss Ukraine. On Thursday 27 August, Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands and Spain called for discussions to resume on the use of immobilised Russian assets for the benefit of Kyiv (see EUROPE 13925/5). But on Saturday 29 August, the Belgian Defence Minister, Theo Francken, warned during the Terzake programme that the use of the assets immobilised in Belgium was “non-negotiable” and that it was “not reasonable” for Member States “to keep raising this subject and back us into a corner”.
The foreign ministers could also discuss support to be provided to Ukraine regarding its energy infrastructure, with winter approaching.
According to the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministers of Iceland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Switzerland and Ukraine have been invited to take part in the exchange on Ukraine.
Middle East. Defence ministers, followed by their foreign affairs counterparts, will also debate the Middle East.
On Tuesday, the lunch at the informal Defence meeting will focus on the situation in the region, particularly in Lebanon and in terms of maritime security, while attacks continue in the Strait of Hormuz.
Since its launch in February 2024, and as of 24 August, operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES had provided support in the Red Sea to more than 2,390 merchant vessels and ensured close protection for more than 720 vessels.
The ministers are expected to discuss EU support for the Lebanese armed forces after the end of the UN UNIFIL mission at the end of the year, which could take the form of a CSDP mission in the country.
On Wednesday, the ‘Gymnich’ discussion could focus on the conflict between Iran and the United States, at a time when strikes have resumed between the two countries.
In a statement published on Monday 31 August ahead of the meetings of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors on 31 August and 1 September in Asheville, United States, the European Commission recalled that continued diplomatic efforts were necessary to achieve a peaceful settlement, restore regional stability and guarantee full freedom of navigation and secure transit in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the Commission, the EU is ready to take further measures against Iran, “if necessary”, in order to preserve its security and interests. “The EU will continue to work closely with the United States and other G7 partners and members of the international community to maintain pressure on Iran and contribute to de-escalation and regional stability”, the Commission warned.
The ministers could also return to the measures to be taken regarding products originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. During the summer, settler violence continued and the Israeli government announced new housing in the E1 area (see EUROPE 13922/5). Before the summer break, the Member States were deeply divided on the issue, both on the measures themselves and on the method of decision-making (see EUROPE 13914/3).
The result of Iceland’s referendum on Saturday 29 August on reopening negotiations on accession to the EU could also be addressed. Icelanders voted by 52.8% against resuming discussions with the EU (see EUROPE 13927/2). A more general discussion on enlargement is scheduled at the informal meeting of European affairs ministers in Dublin on Friday.
Space. On Tuesday, defence ministers will also examine the role of space in security and defence.
“Space is at the heart of Europe’s security and defence preparedness”, as recent conflicts show, and “space itself has become a more contested environment, thus requiring protection against a wide range of threats”, stresses a preparatory EU Council working document obtained by Agence Europe.
The document states that if “Europe wants to remain a credible space power, it must be able not only to use space, but also to guarantee access to it, protect its assets and services and preserve its freedom of action, both in normal times and in times of crisis”. And it added that: “The scale of the threats, the pace of global competition and the risk of fragmentation require a more coherent European response”.
Thus, Europe still has critical gaps in defence space capabilities, and remedying them through a concerted European approach, as part of the European defence preparedness strategy for 2030, “will benefit all Member States” and will make it possible to reach the necessary scale.
In the working document, the ministers are asked how to ensure that Europe remains a leading space power, “with sufficient autonomy and freedom to access and operate in space, including in support of security and defence”. “What tools do we need to credibly deter, detect and counter threats in and from space?”, the document asks.
It also questions how the EU can further support the pooling and sharing of space capabilities, including military space assets, which new space capabilities serving defence could be supported at European level, and the strengthening of the EU Satellite Centre, SatCen.
In addition, the ministers will discuss the role the EU can play in supporting Member States — in complementarity with NATO, the European Space Agency and its partners — in order to ensure the necessary space functions, including in times of crisis.
EEAS. Lastly, on Wednesday, Europe’s foreign ministers will examine the functioning of the European External Action Service (see EUROPE 13909/10), which has been the subject of criticism.
According to a European official quoted by Politico, the High Representative asked the Member States, in a brief questionnaire, about five points: - how can the EU assert itself more strongly as a global player with a clearer strategy; - how can the EEAS make better use of its 145 delegations; - how can it fulfil its mandate; - how can the institutional organisation be streamlined in co-ordination with the European Commission and the Council of the EU; - how can the EEAS contribute more effectively to leaders’ discussions. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)