THE EUROPEAN – SECURITY AND DEFENCE UNION
EU Presidency
Russia – Ukraine
The Czech Republic takes over from France
Agreement to unblock Ukrainian cereals
(Ed/nc, Paris) On 1ST July, the Czech Republic took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from France. Under the motto “Europe as a Task: Rethink, Rebuild, Repower”, the Czech Presidency will focus on five priority areas. 1. Ukraine: to assist Ukraine is a first priority, as well as Europe-
Charles bridge, Prague, Czech Republic
an cooperation and solidarity to
photo: © alexgres, stock.adobe.com
(Ed/hb, Paris) On 15th July 2022, under the aegis of Turkey and the United Nations (UN), Russia and Ukraine agreed on a text which relieves the world food markets. After two months of discussions, delegations from the Kremlin and Kyiv have signed – separately with Turkey and the UN – an agreement in Istanbul, which
achieve the long-term integration of refugees into the societies of the Union. The post-war reconstruction of Ukraine will be another important task. 2. Energy security: The Presidency will emphasise on the EU’s energy security issues and the importance of breaking the EU’s dependence on Russian gas, oil and coal. The focus will be put on implementing the RePowerEU package, which includes a faster transition to low-carbon and renewable energy sources, energy savings or more resilient, diversified sources. 3. Security and defence: given the growing global instability, reinforcing security and defence capabilities, in particular in partnership with NATO and the implementation of key topics
Cargo vessel loading grain in the port of
within the Strategic Compass are further priorities. At the same time, the Czech Presidency
Odessa, Ukraine
photo: © Elena Larina/shutterstock
will address cyber threats and the geopolitical context of new technologies and space. 4. Economy: strategic resilience of the European economy is another area the Presidency will focus on. Against the background of the fragility of global supply chains, the shock of inflation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian aggression on Ukraine, the Czech Presidency wants to drastically reduce the EU’s dependence on hostile or unstable regimes and deepen free trade with democratic nations in the world. 5. Democracy: finally, the Presidency will focus on respecting and strengthening freedoms and European values in both offline and online environments. In the international context, it will implement the European Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, using relevant instruments, including potential sanction mechanisms. Web Czech Presidency https://bit.ly/3ODHIB4
guarantees corridors of secure navigation in the Black Sea and provide load control in Turkish ports. The contract is automatically renewable every four months. It is planned that 8 million tons of grain will be evacuated every month from the silos of the Ukrainian ports. This agreement, however, remains extremely fragile as it was illustrated by the Russian attack on the port of Odessa, only a few days after the signing.
EU Enlargement
Frustrations after EU-Western Balkans meeting
6
(Ed/nc, Paris) On 23rd June, the EU-Western
countries which had hoped for an ac-
Balkans leader’s meeting took place in Brussels.
celeration of the accession processes.
The leaders from Albania, Bosnia and Herzego-
This created frustration, especially
vina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and
for North Macedonia and Albania,
Serbia discussed with EU representatives the
because of the behaviour of Bulgaria
progress on EU integration and the challenges
which has been blocking North Mace-
Family picture of the participants in the EU-Western
stemming from Russia’s aggression against
donia’s EU accession over a years-long
Balkans leader’s meeting, Brussels, 23rd June 2022
Ukraine.
dispute relating to history and lan-
Charles Michel, President of the European Coun-
guage. Bulgaria finally lifted some of
cil, stated: “This is an important moment because
its postulates, which allowed the Union mid-July
process for the Western Balkans. Building on
there is a very strong political will to re-energise
to invite Albania and North Macedonia to start
the revised methodology, the European Council
the process with the Western Balkans, to send
the negotiations for accession.
invited the Commission, the High Representative
a very clear and strong message.”
The EU-Western Balkans leader’s meeting was
and the Council to further advance the gradual
Even though the EU leaders expressed their un-
followed by a European Council, where EU lead-
integration between the European Union and
ambiguous support for the integration of the
ers decided to grant EU candidate status to
the Western Balkan region already during the
Western Balkans in the EU, the results of the
Ukraine and to the Republic of Moldova. They
enlargement process itself in a reversible and
meeting didn’t meet the expectations of these
also called for the acceleration of the accession
merit-based manner.
photo: © EU, 2022/Dati Bendo
