Foreign Affairs Council, 12 December 2022

Summary:

A meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) was held on 12 December 2022. The agenda included the following items:

• Exchange of views on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including assisting Ukraine in repairing its energy system and ensuring accountability for Russian crimes;
• Discussion on the ninth package of sanctions against Russia;
• Exchange of views on Iran, in light of the latest developments;
• Adoption of further sanctions against Iran for violations of human rights in the country;
• Review of the EU Monitoring Capacity to Armenia;
• Discussion on the deteriorating situation between Kosovo and Serbia;
• Exchange of views on the latest developments regarding Moldova, the Southern neighbourhood, human rights, Tunisia, and the Global Gateway;
• Adoption of conclusions on Iran;
• Adoption of conclusions on Yemen;
• Adoption of conclusions on the Civilian CSDP Compact;
• Political agreement on increasing the financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility (EPF);
• Establishment of a military partnership mission for Niger;
• Adoption of further restrictive measures against North Korea (DPRK);
• Agreement on prolonging the mandates of EUCAP Somalia, EUTM Somalia, and EU Naval Force Operation ATALANTA.
• Agreement on renewing the sanctions against certain Malian individuals and entities.

Official

General Secretariat of the Council: Background Brief for the Council meeting - Foreign Affairs Council, 12 December 2022 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/60686/20221209-final-background-note-dec-fac-for-publishing.pdf

EU EEAS: Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival (12 December 2022) https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/foreign-affairs-council-press-remarks-high-representative-josep-borrell-upon-arrival-5_en

French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs: News: EU – Participation of Catherine Colonna in the Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels, 12 December 2022) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/europe/news/article/eu-participation-of-catherine-colonna-in-the-foreign-affairs-council-brussels

German Federal Foreign Office: News, 12/12/2022: Last EU Foreign Affairs Council of the year: Focus on the Eastern Partnership, Ukraine and Iran https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/-/2568990

Irish Department of Foreign Affairs: Press Release, 12/12/2022: Minister Coveney attending the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels https://www.dfa.ie/news-and-media/press-releases/press-release-archive/2022/december/minister-coveney-attending-the-foreign-affairs-council-in-brussels.php

Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Press Release, 12/12/2022: The Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council and the Ministerial Meeting of the Eastern Partnership https://mfa.gov.cy/press-releases/2022/12/12/fac-dec-bru-outcome-2022/

Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: News, 12/12/2022: MFA Undersecretary of StatePaweł Jabłoński attends EU ministerial meeting https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/mfa-undersecretary-of-statepawel-jablonski-attends-eu-ministerial-meeting

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