EU leaders sign security pact with Ukraine

EU leaders at a summit underlined their strong support for Ukraine in its war with Russia with the signing of a security agreement, military and financial support and the start of accession talks for EU membership. The leaders strongly condemned the recent escalation of hostilities by Russia, and in particular the intensified attacks against civilians and civilian and critical infrastructure. In that context, the leaders called for an urgent strengthening of support for Ukraine’s energy sector and urged the speeding up of preparations to support Ukraine during the winter.

The leaders called for the stepping up of the delivery of military support for Ukraine and reviewed where further efforts were needed.They promised the EU would continue to work closely with Ukraine and support its reform efforts on its path towards becoming an EU member state. The European Council also at the summit agreed on appointments and nominations for the EU’s top jobs and adopted the strategic agenda for 2024-2029, a policy plan that steers the EU’s future direction and goals.

For the top jobs for the upcoming institutional cycle, the leaders:

• elected Antonio Costa as President of the European Council
• proposed Ursula von der Leyen as candidate for President of the European Commission
• considered Kaja Kallas to be the appropriate candidate for High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The proposed candidate for President of the European Commission now needs to be elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members.The formal appointment of the new foreign affairs chief requires the agreement of the president-elect of the European Commission. The Commission president, the high representative and the other Commissioners will, as a body, be subject to a vote of consent by the European Parliament before their formal appointment by the European Council.

Source: EUbusiness