Belgium (Brussels Morning) – EU leaders convene to discuss urgent matters: backing Ukraine, resolving the Middle East crisis, and addressing concerns of European farmers.
The EU leaders are expected to gather on Thursday for a two-day meeting to discuss several issues, including continued backing for Ukraine amid Russia’s war and the aggravating situation in the Middle East. In a note to the 27 heads of state and government, the European Council president, Charles Michel, summarised his priorities for a summit planned for tomorrow and Friday.
He expressed: “Into the third year of Russia’s battle of aggression against Ukraine, we face a pivotal moment. Urgency, intensity and relentless determination are imperative,” he noted, stressing that “our major task is the swift provision of military assistance to Ukraine and, building on recent endeavours like that of Czechia, the fast-track procurement and delivery of ammunition to Ukraine.”
At the summit, leaders “must concentrate on effectively implementing and executing our sanctions, as well as increasing our efforts on the use of windfall profits from immobilised assets,” Michel said.
The European Council president also stated that the summit will focus on defence, the Middle East and agriculture. EU must also support the defence industry access to private and public funds, and decrease regulatory burdens and barriers. Creating this strategic security mindset requires strong leadership and a critical understanding of the urgency of the threats the EU faces. “I expect our European Council to live up to this.”
Discoursing the situation in the Middle East, he reported: The horribleness of the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza have crossed the brink of inhumanity. Too many civilians have passed. Too many innocent lives are at threat because of the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza and raging famine.
International law ought to be fully respected. A sustainable ceasefire is urgently required to protect civilians, permit the hostages to return safely and ensure that humanitarian assistance can be delivered as needed. With farmers’ protests persisting in different parts of the continent, Michel also touched upon the necessity to address concerns.
EU European farmers have expressed their concerns loud and clear. He stated “We must act decisively on the challenges they face. This suggests taking stock of the work carried out so far and ensuring that improvement is made without delay, particularly concerning the position of farmers in the food supply chain and fair contest, both within the internal market and globally.”
Moreover, According to an invitation letter dispatched by Council President Charles Michel, the leaders will also be concerned with enlargement, external relations, migration, and the European Semester — the EU’s yearly routine to coordinate economic, fiscal, employment, and social policies. Regarding enlargement, the bloc will examine the latest developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, and Moldova.
In December 2023, EU leaders consented to the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, furnished that the countries have fulfilled the conditions. They also indicated their willingness to commence accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On migration, they will try to discuss the root reasons for migration and the need for heightened external action and partnership with states of origin and transit. Also, a Euro Summit will be held in the margins of the session. The EU heads will also have a lunch with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the summit.
