NEWS
Spring European Council meeting
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Alenka Bratušek, attended the meeting of the European Council held on 20 and 21 March 2014 in Brussels to discuss the European Semester, industry competitiveness, climate and energy, relations with Africa and preparations for the upcoming EU–Africa summit, but the main focus was on the Ukraine crisis. At a working diner, the members of the European Council discussed the response to the recent referendum in Crimea, which the representatives of the European institutions deemed illegal and in contravention with the Constitution of Ukraine and international law, and to the events that followed the referendum. On the second day of the meeting, the heads of state or government of EU Member States, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, signed the political provisions of the Association Agreement with Ukraine.
EU leaders agreed that the only possible solution to the current situation lies in a political dialogue and called upon Russia to start the talks with Ukraine. They also adopted a list of names of individuals who they believe have contributed the most to the escalation of crisis and destabilisation of situation in Ukraine. A ban on the issue of visas and asset freezes will apply to these individuals. "Increasing sanctions are not in our interest, and I believe not in the interest of Russia, but EU is united and firm in this," said Prime Minister Bratušek and noted that we would be turning a blind eye if we thought that sanctions would not affect Slovenia. She reiterated that the crisis should be resolved through dialogue, as the introduction of sanctions would be painful for both, Europe and Russia.
At today's morning session, the leaders devoted most of their time to the debate on a framework for climate and energy policies. Member States presented their views, which are not yet completely unanimous. They agreed that the final agreement on the objectives should be adopted by October at the latest. A large part of the debate was devoted to the completion of internal energy market with special emphasis on the reduction of energy dependence on third countries. The leaders called on the Commission to present by June a plan for reducing EU energy dependence. The most relevant options are to increase energy efficiency, diversify supply and continue to develop renewable and other indigenous energy sources. A decision was adopted on solidarity among Members States in case of sudden disruptions of energy supply in one or several Member States. Prime Minister Bratušek also welcomed the agreement reached yesterday on the single resolution mechanism representing the second pillar of banking union, which has been overshadowed by the Ukraine crisis but is an important step forward in ensuring the security and stability of the EU financial system.
- Signing ceremony of the political provisions of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement: