In the major humanitarian crisis Afghanistan is facing, the EU has launched projects worth €268.3 million, stepping up vital support to the Afghan population. The EU support focusses on maintaining education, sustaining livelihoods, and protecting public health, including for refugees, migrants and internally displaced people. It is channelled through United Nations agencies working in Afghanistan […]
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Economic sanctions on Russia renewed for another six months
The Council decided on 13 December to prolong the restrictive measures currently targeting specific economic sectors of the Russian Federation by six months, until 31 July 2022. The Council decision follows the latest assessment of the state of implementation of the Minsk agreements – initially foreseen to happen by 31 December 2015 – at the European Council […]
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EU reaction to cyber-attacks on Ukraine
At the meeting held in Brest (France) on January 13-14 and chaired by the High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, the foreign ministers of the EU Member States discussed the foreign policy and strategic security of the European Union. The Strategic Compass, to be adopted in March 2022 and covering the […]
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What is the EU Strategic Compass?
What is the EU Strategic Compass? Over the past twenty years, the European Union has enhanced its role as a security and defence actor. However, in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment, the Union faces new threats and security challenges, as hybrid threats, cyber-attacks and foreign manipulation of information. Climate change is a growing threat-multiplier leading […]
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Transatlantic cooperation in support of Ukraine
On Saturday, January 15, the EU High Representative held a telephone communication with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in which, as reported by the European External Action Service, both representatives rejected the Russian initiative to rebuild spheres of influence in Europe and underlined their determination to continue intensive consultations on this and other issues […]
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Republic of Korea and Europol sign arrangement to combat cross-border serious organised crime
On 22 December, the Korean National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) signed a Working Arrangement in order to support the Member States of the European Union and the Republic of Korea in preventing and combating serious crime and terrorism. The Working Arrangement introduces […]
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A strategic compass for Europe
On 15 November, EU foreign affairs and defence ministers sitting in a joint session exchanged views on the first draft of the EU Strategic Compass, which is due to provide clear political-strategic guidance on the EU approach to security and defence in the next 5 to 10 years, and step up the EU’s role as global […]
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Increased data sharing would help in the fight against smuggling of migrants
Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement cooperation agency, supports EU Member States in combating migrant smuggling. Part of this role involves serving as an information exchange hub. However, Europol faces continuous challenges in gaining access to all relevant criminal databases, and in making full use of external information sources. This is the conclusion of a […]
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Afghanistan: EU’s position and next steps
The Council approved conclusions on Afghanistan emphasising the EU’s commitment to peace and stability in the country and to supporting the Afghan people. The conclusions also set out the EU’s line of action for the near future. The EU recognises that the situation in Afghanistan is a major challenge for the international community as a whole, and stresses […]
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