Support for Ukraine, ceasefire in the Middle East, enlargement of the Union in the Balkans. The first day of the European Council summit taking place in Brussels on March 21 and 22 ended in the evening. Various subjects are on the table of the 27 leaders of the member countries, from international politics to more internal questions on community mechanisms. Before the press conference with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council Charles Michel wanted to announce some of the results obtained and the points from which to start again to continue the negotiations. One of the most important decisions is that concerning the start of negotiations for Bosnia's accession to the European Union. “Congratulations to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina! Today's decision to begin accession negotiations represents an important step in bringing the country closer to the EU. An enlarged EU equals a stronger EU”, rejoiced the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. And Palazzo Chigi also expressed “great satisfaction” on the part of the Meloni government: “An objective sought with conviction by the “Italy, which offers a clear European perspective to Sarajevo. Italy will continue to encourage and support the Bosnian government to continue with determination the path of reforms it has started. With this decision, the European Union sends a clear and unequivocal message not only to Sarajevo, but to the entire Western Balkans.”
Bosnia in the EU, negotiations have started
“The European Council has just decided to begin accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Congratulations! Your place is in our European family”, Michel's message on social networks. “Today's decision represents a fundamental step forward on your path to the EU. Now the hard work must continue so that the Bosnia and Herzegovina is progressing steadily, as your people wish,” the president's message said. As noted in the summit's side note, the Council “invites the Commission to prepare the negotiating framework only when all relevant measures indicated in the Commission recommendation of 12 October 2022 will have been taken”. The decision to open accession negotiations has raised serious doubts from a group of Member States, including the Netherlands, Denmark, France and Estonia, according to which the progress made so far by this Balkan country on the European path is still limited. The group of Friends of the Balkans, which brings together several states including Italy, Austria, Hungary and Slovenia, has on the contrary accelerated Sarajevo's progress in the integration process.
Additional profits on Russian assets for the purchase of weapons in Ukraine
“A message to the Kremlin: we are determined, we are resolute, we are ready to do everything to support prosperity and peace in Europe,” Michel said. Which reiterated the intentions of the 27 to continue their unconditional support for kyiv. “We are accelerating our military support: munitions, missiles, air defense systems,” the Belgian politician said on X. President von der Leyen also announced her intention to increase customs duties on grain imports from from Russia and Belarus. The Council also addressed the issue of using additional profits from sanctioned and immobilized Russian assets. Michel is convinced that the mechanism can be launched quickly: the Council assessed the Commission's proposal and provided “broad support for this approach”. Michel stressed that this would help secure more funds for military support to kyiv. For von der Leyen, who speaks of 3 billion euros of revenue to be spent this year, there is margin to be able to be operational from July 1.
The ceasefire in Gaza
Michel reiterates that all European leaders condemn the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7. And this highlights how the Gaza Strip needs greater humanitarian support, for which the mediation of the UNRWA agency is necessary. “We believe in the two-state solution, we believe in the political process and also in the role that the European Union can and must have,” he explained during the press conference. “The EU calls for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a lasting ceasefire,” he wrote on X, defining the intentions of the 27 leaders. Which urge “the Israeli government not to undertake a ground operation in Rafah: such an operation would worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and would not allow the urgent provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance”. Von der Leyen echoes this, explaining that the Council's consensus is on the need for a humanitarian pause.
Greater defense cooperation
The Commission presented two projects aimed at intensifying the cooperation efforts of member countries in the common defense sector. “Our strategy aims to make more effective the investments of the 27 in the defense industry, which is one of the common market industries and therefore falls under the competence of the Commission,” explained von der Leyen, “an industrial strategy to have better contracts together, to also improve the interoperability of the armed forces of the Member States. This will also allow us to strengthen the research and innovation sector. Michel also supported greater commitment from countries in this sense: “I deeply believe in a paradigm shift in the European project, which was based on cooperation and prosperity, while defense was entrusted to national competences, we have decided today to strengthen the European pillar. » . On the sidelines of the summit, Belgian President Alexander De Croo acknowledged that there are divergent views within the Council on the possibility of financing common defense through the issuance of Eurobonds.
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