EU urges cessation in hostilities in Aleppo in order to open up humanitarian corridors

Brussels (Belgium)

Mariano Rajoy reported that, on an exceptional basis, this European Council had begun by listening to the testimony of the Mayor of Aleppo, who described "the dreadful situation in Syria" and the "tremendous suffering of the civilian population and the continuous problems in carrying out the evacuation".

In order to remedy this situation as far as possible, the European Union has called for an immediate cessation in hostilities, as well as on the Syrian authorities and their allies to allow the safe operation of humanitarian corridors for the distribution of aid and the evacuation of those in the city who are sick or injured.

"Full and unhindered access for United Nations personnel and those from other humanitarian organisations must urgently be guaranteed in order to supply basic necessities and urgent medical attention", said Mariano Rajoy.

The President of the Spanish Government underlined that "it is essential for international law to be respected" and that those responsible for violating this be "brought to account".

Commitment by the EU to Ukraine and Africa

The 28 Member States also adopted a declaration which, according to Mariano Rajoy, will resolve the political conflict created by the refusal by the Netherlands to ratify the European Union-Ukraine Association Agreement. This agreement "also stresses the EU's commitment to the territorial integrity of Ukraine", added Mariano Rajoy.
Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoThe Heads of State and Government of the EU, within its migratory policy, assessed the development of the "partnership frameworks" with five African countries of origin and transit of emigration: Senegal, Mali, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Niger. These cooperation programmes between the European Union and Africa seek to boost development, fight mafias and eradicate people trafficking, explained Mariano Rajoy.

In this spirit, before the start of the European Council, the President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy; the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel; the French President, François Hollande, and the Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, met with the President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou.

Mariano Rajoy maintained that the goal of the EU "is to continue stepping up our cooperation with the countries of origin and transit of the migratory flows, create prosperity in these countries and, by doing so, contribute to improving the quality of life of their citizens. That undoubtedly constitutes the most effective way to tackle the challenge of migration".

Security

Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoThe EU's internal security was another of the issues tackled at this European Council. Mariano Rajoy stated that "significant progress" had been observed in the fight against terrorism and in strengthening internal security, but that "the most decisive progress has been made in the area of external security and defence".

According to Mariano Rajoy, "we have made a genuine qualitative leap" in taking on greater European responsibilities in the defence of "our own security". In fact, Mariano Rajoy pointed out that the goal has been set of achieving the strategic autonomy of the EU and it has been agreed to mobilise the resources and civilian capabilities necessary to achieve that.

For the very first time, the European Commission has undertaken to mobilise EU funds for research and development programmes in certain areas of security and defence, stressed Mariano Rajoy.

Economic and social development of EU

The President of the Government explained that the European Council, with a view to continue boosting those initiatives already under way to foster the economic and social development of the EU, has backed the extension of the European Fund for strategic investments until 2020 and increased its resources. This agreement must now be negotiated by the European Parliament, he clarified.

The Heads of State and Government of the EU also reiterated the importance of the single market strategies and placed "great emphasis on two which are particularly important for Spain: Energy Union and the Digital Agenda".

The EU will also continue working on initiatives particularly aimed at young people with a view to increasing youth employment, recalled Mariano Rajoy.