Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine

On 30 July 2018, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/1085[1].

The Decision adds additional entities to the list of persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures as set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP.

The Candidate Countries Montenegro* and Albania*, and the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, align themselves with this declaration.

They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

[1] Published on 31.07.2018 in the Official Journal of the European Union no. L 194, p 147.

*Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.



Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them

On 16 July 2018, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/1000[1]. The Council Decision adds one person to the EU sanctions list of persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda.

The Candidate Countries the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia* and Albania*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia, align themselves with this declaration.

They will ensure that their national policies conform to these Council Decisions.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

[1] Published on 16.07.2018 in the Official Journal of the European Union no. L I 178, p.3.

*The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.



Pressemitteilung: Europäischer Rechnungshof untersucht Hilfe für die am stärksten benachteiligten Personen in Europa

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Press Release: EU Auditors to examine aid to the most deprived people in Europe

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Drought in Europe: Commission presents additional measures to support farmers

The European Commission presented today an additional package of actions aimed at increasing the availability of fodder resources for livestock, one of the main challenges faced by farmers dealing with the impact of drought. This package complements the measures already announced early August.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, said: “The Commission reacted swiftly to the first signals of these extreme climatic events and I keep following the situation closely. I am in contact with ministers from affected Member States as we are assessing the adequacy of the actions already in place. We are today taking additional action which I believe should provide relief to European farmers against the shortage of feed for animals. I welcome the recent announcements by several Member States ready to act for their agricultural sector, and I will continue working with them to ensure they use to the full extent the possibilities available, most notably within the Common Agricultural Policy.”

More specifically, the new derogations presented today concern certain greening rules:

  • Possibility to consider winter crops which are normally sown in autumn for harvesting/grazing as catch crops (prohibited under current rules) if intended for grazing/fodder production;
  • Possibility to sow catch crops as pure crops (and not a mixture of crops as currently prescribed) if intended for grazing/fodder production;
  • Possibility to shorten the 8-weeks minimum period for catch crops to allow arable farmers to sow their winter crops in a timely manner after their catch crops;
  • Extension of the previously adopted derogation to cut/graze fallow land to France.

The proposal on higher advanced payments, already announced a few weeks ago, was also formally presented today. Farmers will be able to receive up to 70% of their directpayment and 85% of payments under rural development already as of mid-October 2018 instead of waiting until December to improve their cash flow situation.

These proposals come in addition to the provisions already available for such circumstances. In all cases, the Commission ensures that all these measures are implemented in a proportionate way taking into account environmental concerns. For example, under existing state aid rules, aid of up to 80% of the damage caused by drought (or up to 90% in Areas of Natural Constraint) can be provided, subject to certain specific conditions. The purchase of fodder can qualify for aid as either material damage or income loss. Compensation for damage can also be granted without the need to notify the Commission (the so-called “de minimis aid”) with amounts up to €15,000 per farmer over three years. Relief possibilities also exist under rural development, including the financing of re-seeding of pastures for example or compensation for loss of income.

Today’s proposals were submitted to Member States gathered in a Committee meeting. They should be voted in the coming days and formally adopted by the end of September. The measures will apply retro-actively.

The Commission is in contact with all Member States to receive updated information by 31 August of the impact of drought.

For more information

Announcement on advance payments and first derogations

Presentation on impact of drought in Europe

Monitoring Agricultural ResourceS (MARS) Bulletins