THIS WEEK offers a weekly snapshot of the key developments in Brussels and across Europe over the next seven days, published every Monday morning.
EU leaders are meeting on Thursday (19 March) for a busy and timely European Council in Brussels, where support for Ukraine, energy security, Middle East stability and competitiveness are expected to top the agenda.
United Nations secretary general António Guterres is expected to join leaders for lunch to discuss the situation in the Middle East after US-Israeli attacks on Iran triggered a regional war.
But the financial obstacles the UN is facing after the US cuts are also expected to come up.
Likewise, European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde and Eurogroup president Kyriakos Pierrakakis are also expected to join leaders to share their economic analysis — amid concerns over a new price shock driven by increasing energy prices.
“It will be crucial to review ongoing efforts to increase our defence readiness. The current geopolitical context once more demonstrates how urgent they are,” the European Council president, António Costa, said in its invitation letter to the head of state and government.
His remarks come after several EU countries, including France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, have sent naval vessels, frigates, and anti-missile systems to Cyprus following Iranian drone attacks on a UK base at Akrotiri.
The reinforcement of Cyprus’s defence capabilities also ties into broader discussions, such as the need to protect maritime routes such as the key Strait of Hormuz.
This will also be discussed on Monday, during a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers, where the Netherlands is expected to propose a new sanction regime that helps to support freedom of navigation.
EU foreign affairs ministers are also expected to rubber-stamp new sanctions targeting 19 Iranian officials and entities responsible for serious human rights violations.
The ministers will also assess the potential impact of the Iran war on Ukraine’s arms deliveries, amid fears that a prolonged conflict could divert attention from Kyiv and stretch ammunition supplies ahead of an expected major Russian spring offensive.
Ukrainian officials have warned that the Middle East conflict could redirect scarce air-defence systems and other military resources away from Ukraine, putting pressure on the EU to unleash its €90bn aid package (currently blocked by Hungary) and step up bilateral support.
“We need more bilateral support from European member states for Ukraine, not only because it’s important in the framework of burden sharing, but also because … Ukraine is not getting enough,” said a senior EU diplomat, arguing that it is even more pertinent given current developments.
Besides Iran and Ukraine, EU ministers will also review Lebanon’s government moves to curb Hezbollah’s military activities and EU support for Lebanese Armed Forces disarmament efforts, with a focus on UNIFIL, protecting civilians amid displacements, and activating ReliefEU aid.
Gaza and the West Bank will also be part of the ministers’ agenda, as Israel’s settlement expansions and humanitarian crisis risk broader conflict.
“For many member states, it hasn’t dropped off the table, because what we’re seeing right now in both Gaza and the West Bank is highly problematic,” said the senior diplomat.
Previous attempts to impose sanctions on Israeli violent settlers were blocked by Hungary, but some countries argue that trade measures could be used by the European Commission to put pressure on the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.
On Tuesday, EU ministers responsible for European affairs will meet to prepare for the European Council. They will also exchange views on the next long-term EU budget and vote on proposed amendments to the EU’s electoral law allowing pregnant MEPs or those who have just given birth to vote by proxy.