European External Action Service - EEAS 🇪🇺

@EUNAVFORASPIDES Proud of everyone contributing to this mission! 👏

Today, the operation has reached 29 months since its launch. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES has a totally defensive mandate, contributes to regional stability and prosperity by providing safety to fellow seafarers and protecting global common goods. @eu_eeas

Grateful to our partners on the ground @UNODC_TPB, @UNODC_SEAP and @UNODC_Nigeria

Over the past decade, the EU has funded more than 100 projects worldwide to tackle the root causes of violent extremism. In Indonesia, Iraq and Nigeria, the STRIVE Juvenile programme partnered with @UNODC to stop terrorist groups from recruiting and exploiting children. Reliable. And that’s the whole point. Read more: eeas.europa.eu/eeas/counter-t…

Go dark, change identity and swap cargo. That is the playbook of Russia's shadow fleet. But every workaround leaves a trace. EU sanctions are there to expose it. Read more about EU sanctions against Russia: link.europa.eu/tthxh6

#Israel/#Palestine: Statement by the Spokesperson on settlement expansion eeas.europa.eu/eeas/israelpal…

EU naval operations @EUNAVFORASPIDES and @EUNAVFOR Atalanta are indispensable to safeguarding maritime security in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. It was impressive to see the professionalism and commitment of the crews on the Italian and Spanish navy vessels firsthand. Their work helps keep some of the world's most vital shipping lanes open. Aspides has already protected more than 670 merchant vessels against the threat of Houthi attacks, while Atalanta is playing a pivotal role in combatting piracy and deterring arms trafficking off the Somali coast.

#Afghanistan: We welcome the appointment of @USGRabab_UN as the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General. The EU looks forward to working with her in Kabul and international fora, including future steps for the ‘Doha process’. The world must not forget Afghanistan.

Can peace last without Justice? Today, we mark the Day of International Criminal Justice. The @IntlCrimCourt holds perpetrators of the gravest crimes accountable. The EU is firmly committed to the Rome Statute and the fight against impunity. Read more: link.europa.eu/J7XnTR

The HR/VP @kajakallas attended the official signing ceremony of the EU-Djibouti Status of Forces Agreement for Operation ASPIDES in Djibouti. This agreement marks a crucial step in securing sea lanes and strengthening regional partnerships.

With thanks to our partners across Central America, whose engagement made this Committee possible: El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica & Nicaragua @cancilleriasv @MinexGt @CancilleriaPma @CancilleriaHN @CRcancilleria

This week we held our first-ever Political and Cooperation Association Committee. We reaffirmed the values that bring us together: democracy, the rule of law and a commitment to working more closely. Our partnership delivers for people on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ethiopia is a valued partner for the European Union and one of Africa’s most influential countries. It was good to meet with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister @AbiyAhmedAli and Foreign Minister @GHessebon in Addis Ababa today. We discussed the region's most pressing security challenges, including the devastating war in Sudan, Al-Shabaab's terrorist threat in Somalia, Iran's attacks on its neighbours. We also talked about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and its repercussions beyond Europe. Stronger EU-Ethiopia ties are in our shared interest. Our relation delivers. And we are committed to more cooperation, more business opportunities, more investments.

This is a historic year for EU-India relations, with our cooperation deepening across trade, technology, security and defence. It was good to speak today with @DrSJaishankar about taking our partnership further, including on maritime security. Together, we must defend freedom of navigation, protect open and resilient supply chains, as well as deepen cooperation between EU operations ATALANTA and ASPIDES and the Indian navy to uphold security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

On 15-16 July, the HR/VP @kajakallas will travel to Ethiopia and Djibouti. Read more: link.europa.eu/q64Cg8

Another milestone on Ukraine’s EU path. One month after opening accession negotiations on cluster 1 (fundamentals), the EU and Ukraine opened negotiations on cluster 6, covering: 🔸trade & international relations 🔸foreign, security & defence policy ➡️link.europa.eu/8tQqDk

@EUNAVFOR_MED @kajakallas @MarineNationale @Armees_Gouv @EtatMajorFR @AmbaFranceLibye @Premarmed Happy Bastille Day to all our French colleagues and partners!

Today, Operation #IRINI 🇪🇺 celebrates #France’s National Day 🇫🇷 and extends its warmest wishes to all the #French people! #Irini4peace

Read HR/VP Kaja Kallas full remarks: link.europa.eu/BDTJv3

The HR/VP @kajakallas is currently in Brussels for the Foreign Affairs Council meeting to discuss key geopolitical topics. Watch HR/VP Kaja Kallas press remarks following today's meeting x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Russia continues to conduct cyber-attacks against the EU, its Member States, and our partners. Today, the EU is exposing not only Russia FSB, but also the wider ecosystem of actors Russia relies on to carry out these attacks. We are also sanctioning individuals and entities who support Russia’s efforts to target Europe. Read more: link.europa.eu/gDbhmC

Read HR/VP Kaja Kallas full remarks: link.europa.eu/bMfxvg

Today, 13 July, EU foreign affairs ministers are gathering in Brussels for the Foreign Affairs Council meeting #FAC. Watch HR/VP @kajakallas doorstep ahead of today's meeting here: x.com/i/broadcasts/1…