On 22 February 2022, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, took part in the meeting of the European Union (EU) General Affairs Council. The meeting focused on the EU’s preparedness, response capability and resilience to crises, as well as preparations for the European Council meeting in March – decisions to be taken on foreign affairs, security and defence.
In the first part of the event, the spotlight was placed on Ukraine. Yesterday’s decision by the President of the Russian Federation brought to a halt current peace talks with Ukraine and provided grounds for further military invasion on the pretext of peacekeeping. It is clear that it was a plan well prepared long in advance regardless of the enormous international diplomatic efforts to deter Russia from such steps. We must respond in a resolute manner. We must immediately adopt rigorous sanctions that would include economic restrictions, as well as sanctions on high-ranking officials involved in taking unlawful decisions that violate international law, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica noted.
It is no less important to engage with all the international organisations, first of all with the United Nations, to hold Russia responsible for its ongoing aggression against Ukraine, the Parliamentary Secretary said. The Vice President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, informed the Council about the preparations of a decision on restrictive measures against Russia: on Monday in the afternoon, several meetings will be held to prepare legal grounds and formulate political decisions concerning the enforcement of sanctions.
The Parliamentary Secretary noted that Ukraine had been demonstrating a high level of restraint and the ability to evade provocations staged by Russia. It is of vital importance for the EU to continue demonstrating solidarity and true support for Ukraine. The EU should provide further political, economic and other kind of assistance to enhance Ukraine’s resilience and defence capabilities. We must support Ukraine in the strongest possible way, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica underlined.
Developments over the nearest weeks will determine the focus of an exchange of views on the EU’s external relations at the European Council. Latvia expects the European Council of 24-25 March to hold a discussion on the security situation in Europe, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the EU’s response and cooperation with our Allies. It is important for the European Council to discuss the ways to strengthen Ukraine’s long-term resilience in the economic and energy sector undermined by the volatile security situation created by Russia.
In a policy debate on enhancing the EU’s preparedness, response capability and resilience to future crises, the Parliamentary Secretary underlined in particular the cyber risks, the importance and manifestations of which have been increasing. The enhancement of resilience in society is essential for its ability to withstand crises. An increasingly serious threat to resilience and democratic processes in society is caused by foreign interference. We must make every effort to prevent the risks created by that interference at both the national and European level, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica said.
The agenda also included an item on the protection of journalists, and the European Media Freedom Act, which the European Commission is planning to launch later this year. The representatives of EU Member States then exchanged views on the course of the Conference on the Future of Europe and the expected outcomes. The European Commission informed the Council about current situation with the rule of law in Poland, and a relevant hearing took place. Further on, the Council was briefed by the Commission on the latest developments in the relations between the EU and the United Kingdom in the context of the EU-UK Joint Committee held on 21 February, the main topics of which were the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, and citizens’ rights.
Background information
The EU’s General Affairs Council meets on a monthly basis, and, in the first half of 2022, it is chaired by the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.