On 20 and 21 November, the EU Foreign Ministers are gathering in Brussels for two meetings. The Foreign Affairs Council will focus on support for Ukraine and the situation in the Sahel and the Sudan. The meeting between the EU and Indo-Pacific Foreign Ministers, the EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, is the key platform for cooperation between the EU and the states of the Indo-Pacific. This is closely linked to the EU’s partnership with ASEAN, the region’s only association of states. We want to further develop this partnership together.

We will continue to support Ukraine

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has been raging unabated for almost four years now. The European Union is currently working on the 20th package of sanctions, thus keeping up the economic pressure on Moscow. The Foreign Affairs Council will focus on the Russian shadow fleet. Russia’s President Putin has been able to continue financing his war of aggression by circumventing the sanctions through the shadow fleet. The aim is to take even tougher and more targeted measures to stop that. Furthermore, the Foreign Ministers will look at how to support Ukraine’s endeavours to defend itself – particularly against the background of another challenging winter of war.

The situation in the Middle East

Key options on how to set a new course for Gaza’s long-term future will be discussed. The EU Foreign Ministers will talk about how the EU missions EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS can assume more responsibility for security and stability in Gaza in future. Europe is determined to make a major contribution towards the implementation of the 20-point plan.

EU Foreign Ministers to focus on security in Africa

A new EU strategy on the Sahel, specially developed by EU Special Representative Cravinho, is on the agenda. The Ministers will discuss political support for this new course – focusing on stability and sustainable development cooperation in the region.

Another key issue is the conflict in the Sudan: in reaction to the recent atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, the Council will adopt sanctions against the deputy leader of RSF and push ahead with drawing up additional sanctions against those responsible for war crimes. Germany is providing another 11 million euro in order to protect the suffering civilian population from hunger and thirst – a demonstration of European solidarity in times of great humanitarian hardship.