European Council Summit in Brussels ends, Bosnia, Herzegovina receives EU Candidate status

Europe: The European Council summed up its one day-summit that was held in Brussels on December 15, 2022. During the summit, the EU leaders discussed various aspects, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, Energy issues and solutions, Economy, Security and Defence, the Southern Neighbourhood, transatlantic relations and issues of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran. The summit ended with the EU providing candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the summit, the European Council denounced the Russian aggression in Ukraine that has been going from the past ten months and ensured Ukraine with unconditional support in its efforts to achieve sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Recently, the EU has approved €18 billion in assistance to Ukraine that would be disbursed in highly concessional loans of about €1.5 billion per month that would cover its recurring expenses such as salaries, pensions and necessary maintenance. 

Also, Molodova will be supported for its energy security. The Council also denounced Iran for providing military support to Russia.

The European Council also discussed exerting pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine. It discussed its packages of sanctions imposed on Russia, including the recent oil price cap.

Regarding food security, the European Council stressed the significance of the programmes such as the EU-Ukraine solidarity lanes, the UN-Black Sea Grain Initiative and the Grain from Ukraine programme.

The measures to tackle the energy crisis were also discussed by the EU leaders. The Council will be finalizing the work on proposals for the new regulations that look forward to enhancing solidarity through gas purchases, exchanges of gas across borders and reliable price benchmarks. The use of renewable and efficient energy for sustainable development was emphasized. 

The European Union has already been working on with REpowerEU project, which aims to reduce the dependency upon Russian fossil fuels for energy, Instead focusing on the use of indigenously produced renewable energy.

Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina were provided with EU candidate status. Following this feat, Bosnia and Herzegovina would have to strengthen the rule of law, and its practices to combat corruption and organized crime, migration management and fundamental rights.