EU Informal Summit: Leaders picked new chiefs!

Posted on 30 August 2014 by redaksiyon

Donald Tusk elected European Council President and Federica Mogherini appointed as new EU High Representative’!!

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The European Council decided today to elect Donald Tusk as President of the European Council, and to appoint Federica Mogherini as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The President of the European Council is elected for the period from 1 December 2014 until 31 May 2017. The mandate of two and a half years of the President of the European Council is renewable once. Donald Tusk was also appointed President of the Euro Summit, for the same period.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is appointed for the period from the end of the current term of office of the Commission until 31 October 2019.
The appointment was made in agreement with the President-elect of the Commission.

The President of the Commission, the High Representative and the other members of the Commission will be subject as a body to a vote of consent by the European Parliament.

CVs of Donald Tusk and of Federica Mogherini

Donald Tusk

Donald Tusk has been Prime Minister of Poland since 16 November 2007.
Born on 22 April 1957 in Gdańsk. He is a graduate in history from the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Gdańsk, where he was also one of the creators of the Students Solidarity Committee.

He cooperated with Free Trade Unions of the Coast area and was a co-founder of the Independent Students’ Association in Gdańsk, as well as head of “Solidarity” at the Wydawnictwo Morskie publishing house and a journalist of the “Samorządność” weekly, published by the trade union. For seven years, he earned his living as a worker in the “Świetlik” co-operative.

In the elections of 1997, he became a Senator running on behalf of the Freedom Union (UW), and served as Deputy Marshal (Speaker) of the Upper House. He was also a Deputy Marshal of the Sejm in the years 2001-2005 and Member of the Lower House in its 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th term. Since April 2003, he has been the chairman of the Civic Platform party.

Married with two children: daughter Katarzyna and son Michał.

Federica Mogherini

Federica Mogherini is the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs since February 2014.

She is a Member of the Italian Parliament (Chamber of Deputies) where she was elected for the first time in 2008.
In her parliamentary capacity, she has been the Head of the Italian Delegation to the Nato Parliamentary Assembly and Vice-president of its Political Committee (2013-2014); member of the Italian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2008-2013); Secretary of the Defence Committee (2008-2013) and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

She also coordinated the Inter-Parliamentary Group for Development Cooperation.
She has been in the leadership of the Democratic Party since it was founded, in 2007: first as Secretary for Institutional Reforms, then as a member of the National Council, and in 2013-2014 as Secretary for European and International Affairs.
She was previously a member of the Bureau of PES (Party of European Socialists), Vice-president of the European Community Organisation of Socialist Youth (ECOSY), member of the Bureau of the European Youth Forum, and a member of the Secretariat of the Youth Forum of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).

She is member of IAI – Istituto Affari Internazionali, of the Council for the United States and Italy and a fellow of the German Marshall Fund for the United States.
She is also member of the European Leadership Network for Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (ELN) and of the Group of Eminent Persons (GEM) of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).

She was born in Rome in 1973 and graduated in Political Science at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. She is fluent in English and French, and has a good understanding of Spanish.
She’s married to Matteo and mother of two daughters, Caterina and Marta.

Remarks by President Herman Van Rompuy following the decision of the European Council to elect a new European Council President and to appoint a new EU High Representative

Special meeting of the European Council – 30th August 2014 Video Package.

Statement by President Barroso following his meeting with President Poroshenko of Ukraine

We have discussed the latest developments in the security and humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine, which have further increased our concern. And this afternoon the European Council will also address these developments.

President Poroshenko’s visit today in Brussels is an important symbol of the European Union’s continuing support for Ukraine and our commitment to achieving a political, negotiated solution to the conflict which respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and unity.

This is our primary objective.

I have personally been engaging intensively with both sides over the past weeks – as I have done throughout this crisis. At my initiative, the EU was represented at the Minsk meeting earlier this week. I have been in continuous contact with Presidents Putin and Poroshenko, calling for a political solution to the crisis, based on a ceasefire that also has clear guarantees regarding border security and control.

And the Commission as a whole is doing its utmost to help solve the conflict. We are doing it of course, namely, in areas of our competence. Thanks to our efforts we will resume trilateral talks on energy in the beginning of September, to facilitate a solution to the gas dispute. We are also intensifying our contacts on the implementation of the association agreement with Ukraine (including the free trade agreement). And there will be a ministerial meeting on this matter possible on the 12th of September.

But, at the same time, the European Union has been very clear that all this needs to go hand in hand with a solution to the political and security problem. Unfortunately, this is not what we have witnessed in the past few days. In fact, the situation has worsened considerably. The opening of new fronts and the use of Russian regular forces is not acceptable and represents a grave transgression.

Just yesterday, I had a very long and frank talk with President Putin over the phone. I had the opportunity to convey these messages to President Putin. I urged him to change course. No one’s interest is served by new wars on our continent. No one’s interest is served by confrontation. This is simply not the way that responsible, proud nations should behave in the 21st century.

Nobody is underestimating Russia’s concerns. We are ready to listen to Russia’s concerns. But political differences need to be resolved through political means. Russia should not underestimate the European Union’s will and resolve to stand by its principles and values.

As the conflict moves into urban areas, we need to avoid more civilian casualties. The humanitarian situation needs to be addressed urgently. International assistance is needed, but it must be done in coordination with the Ukrainian authorities, in full respect of international humanitarian principles but also in full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Just this month, the Commission pledged a further €2.5 million to assist the most vulnerable people affected by the fighting, and we are ready to increase our support for the Ukrainian-led and international humanitarian response efforts. Just now, in a meeting with President Poroshenko, we have discussed some of these issues and where and how we are going to deal with them in the future.

We are also helping Ukraine to cope with the economic effects of the crisis. In March, the European Union agreed on an extraordinary assistance package which the European Commission proposed for Ukraine.

More than half a billion euros in loans and 250 million euros in grants have already been mobilised by the European Commission as part of this package. Over one billion more (in loans) could be released in the coming months and we are ready to consider further financial assistance should additional needs be identified by the IMF during its next review mission.

And unilateral trade measures proposed by the European Commission in April have resulted in a 14% increase in Ukrainian exports to the European Union in recent months. This is an unprecedented boost of exports of Ukraine to the European Union. This is also a way to compensate for some losses the Ukrainian economy has already been feeling because of the conflict with Russia.

The Commission has also set up a support group to ensure that the Ukrainian authorities have all the assistance they need to carry out the political and economic reforms necessary to stabilise the country.

This is of paramount importance. While the security situation is the primary concern of the Ukrainian authorities, the reform process, encompassing a broad national dialogue, constitutional review and decentralisation is part and parcel of an overall political solution. We expect the upcoming elections to help accelerate such reforms.

Only a politically stable, economically viable Ukraine can ensure and consolidate its own independence.

Finally, we are ready to host a donors’ conference at the end of the year that includes reconstruction of the eastern regions particularly affected.

The situation in Ukraine touches both Europe and the wider international community. This is a matter of grave and global concern.

I said just now to President Poroshenko – and I said it also yesterday to President Putin – we are in a very serious, I would say, dramatic situation. We may see a situation where we reach the point of no return. If the escalation of the conflict continues, this point of no return can come. I believe it’s still not yet too late to find a political solution. I believe we should do everything we have in our capacity to avoid an escalation. That would certainly be detrimental to the interests, first of all, of Ukraine but certainly also of Russia and of Europe as a whole. We are working based on the principles and we respect those principles at the same time it is our duty to call the attention of all those involved to the risks of further escalation.

Two months ago, you said the signature of the association agreement was “one of the most important days since the independence of Ukraine”. We have not forgotten this, and we thank you for your clear and principled position.

The European Union stands for peace and democracy and I want to encourage you to do everything in your power to bring peace back to the region.

I want to conclude now by saying that it was a very good occasion to discuss, in depth, these issues with President Poroshenko. And of course that we are going to keep in contact over the next days and weeks, and I am very happy that today, he has also the opportunity to address the European Council. Source.

Statement on New European Council President and High Representative

I want to congratulate Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on his election as President of the European Council, and Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini on her appointment as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The Prime Minister was a warm host when I visited Warsaw last November, and when President Obama and I returned earlier this year. The Polish people are strong and rightly proud of their country, and I know the Prime Minister will carry his leadership to the Council.

I have met with Foreign Minister Mogherini several times, most recently in Paris last month, and I value the collegial rapport we have developed as we work on a range of challenging issues.

I look forward to working closely together with both leaders to overcome the stark challenges we face to security, democracy, and freedom in Europe’s east, the Middle East, and throughout the world – and to defend and achieve our common vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace.

I also want to salute President Van Rompuy and especially High Representative Ashton, my close colleague and partner on the full range of global security issues, for their dedicated and indispensable work helping to steer the European Union through the last years.

The United States and Europe share deep common commitments to freedom, security, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and open markets. We are joined by enduring links of culture and commerce, by our shared history and our common hopes for the future.

As the European Union names its new leaders and moves to confirm a new Commission, I look forward to continuing our work together to build an ever stronger transatlantic relationship, and a safer, more prosperous world for future generations. John Kerry, Secretary of State August 31, 2014

No military action to solve the Ukrainian problem.

I just spoke with Chancellor Merkel of Germany on the situation in Ukraine. We agree — if there was ever any doubt — that Russia is responsible for the violence in eastern Ukraine. The violence is encouraged by Russia. The separatists are trained by Russia. They are armed by Russia. They are funded by Russia. Russia has deliberately and repeatedly violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. And the new images of Russian forces inside Ukraine make that plain for the world to see. This comes as Ukrainian forces are making progress against the separatists.

As a result of the actions Russia has already taken, and the major sanctions we’ve imposed with our European and international partners, Russia is already more isolated than at any time since the end of the Cold War. Capital is fleeing. Investors are increasingly staying out. Its economy is in decline. And this ongoing Russian incursion into Ukraine will only bring more costs and consequences for Russia.

Next week, I’ll be in Europe to coordinate with our closest allies and partners. In Estonia, I will reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the defense of our NATO allies.

At the NATO Summit in the United Kingdom, we’ll focus on the additional steps we can take to ensure the Alliance remains prepared for any challenge. Our meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission will be another opportunity for our alliance to continue our partnership with Ukraine. And I look forward to reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the United States to Ukraine and its people when I welcome President Poroshenko to the White House next month.

I consider the actions that we’ve seen in the last week a continuation of what’s been taking place for months now. As I said in my opening statement, there is no doubt that this is not a homegrown, indigenous uprising in eastern Ukraine. The separatists are backed, trained, armed, financed by Russia. Throughout this process, we’ve seen deep Russian involvement in everything that they’ve done.

I think in part because of the progress that you had seen by the Ukrainians around Donetsk and Luhansk, Russia determined that it had to be a little more overt in what it had already been doing. But it’s not really a shift.

What we have seen, though, is that President Putin and Russia have repeatedly passed by potential off-ramps to resolve this diplomatically. And so in our consultations with our European allies and partners, my expectation is, is that we will take additional steps primarily because we have not seen any meaningful action on the part of Russia to actually try to resolve this in diplomatic fashion.

And I think that the sanctions that we’ve already applied have been effective. Our intelligence shows that the Russians know they’ve been effective, even though it may not appear on Russian television. And I think there are ways for us to deepen or expand the scope of some of that work.

But ultimately, I think what’s important to recognize is the degree to which Russian decision-making is isolating Russia. They’re doing this to themselves. And what I’ve been encouraged by is the degree to which our European partners recognize even though they are bearing a cost in implementing these sanctions, they understand that a broader principle is at stake. And so I look forward to the consultations that we’ll have when I see them next week.

We are not taking military action to solve the Ukrainian problem. What we’re doing is to mobilize the international community to apply pressure on Russia. But I think it is very important to recognize that a military solution to this problem is not going to be forthcoming. Now, the fact that Russia has taken these actions in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainians has resulted, I believe, in a weakening of Russia, not a strengthening of Russia. That may not be apparent immediately, but I think it will become increasingly apparent.

What it’s also done is isolated Russia from its trading partners, its commercial partners, international business in ways that I think are going to be very difficult to recover from. And we will continue to stand firm with our allies and partners that what is happening is wrong, that there is a solution that allows Ukraine and Russia to live peacefully. But it is not in the cards for us to see a military confrontation between Russia and the United States in this region.

Keep in mind, however, that I’m about to go to a NATO conference. Ukraine is not a member of NATO, but a number of those states that are close by are. And we take our Article 5 commitments to defend each other very seriously, and that includes the smallest NATO member, as well as the largest NATO member. And so part of the reason I think this NATO meeting is going to be so important is to refocus attention on the critical function that NATO plays to make sure that every country is contributing in order to deliver on the promise of our Article 5 assurances.

Part of the reason I’ll be going to Estonia is to let the Estonians know that we mean what we say with respect to our treaty obligations. We don’t have those treaty obligations with Ukraine. We do, however, stand shoulder to shoulder with them, and we’re doing not just a lot of work diplomatically but also financially in order to make sure that they have the best chance at dealing with what is admittedly a very difficult situation. President B.Obama. Full Transcript.

Ukrayna’da Gerilimin Yükselmesi

Son günlerde Ukrayna’nın güneydoğusunda ağır silahların da kullanıldığı yeni çatışmaların meydana geldiği ve Ukrayna sınırında ciddi ihlaller yaşandığı yönündeki haberleri derin bir kaygıyla karşılıyoruz.

Bu tırmanmanın, Ukrayna’da ateşkes ve barışın sağlanmasını teminen Minsk’te 26 Ağustos günü Rusya ve Ukrayna liderlerinin de katılımıyla düzenlenen Zirve’den hemen sonra vuku bulması, diyalog zeminine vereceği zarar bakımından ayrıca kaygı vericidir.

Gerilimin düşürülmesi ve diyalog ortamının tesisi için tüm tarafları aklı selime davet ediyoruz.

Türkiye, mevcut krize Ukrayna’nın egemenliği, toprak bütünlüğü ve uluslararası hukuk çerçevesinde siyasi bir çözüm bulunması konusunda çaba göstermeye devam edecektir.

Turkey concerned on the recent Increase of Tensions in Ukraine

We are deeply concerned by the news that in recent days renewed conflicts occurred in the southeast of Ukraine during which heavy weapons have also been employed, and that the serious viloations of the Ukrainian borders have taken place.

That this escalation ensued following the summit meeting held in Minsk with the participation of Russian and Ukrainian leaders on 26 August with a view to ensuring the ceasefire and peace in Ukraine, is particularly worrisome as it may prejudice the enviroment of dialogue.

We call on all parties to act with common sense for reducing the tensions and establishing an atmosphere of dialogue.

Turkey will continue to exert its efforts to find a political solution to the current crisis within the bounds of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and in compliance with the international law. MFA