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

On 10 September 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1269[1] amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP.

The Council Decision renewed the existing restrictive measures for a further 6 months, until 15 March 2021, and amended the list of individual designations subject to restrictive measures as set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP, concerning 41 individuals and 28 entities.

The Candidate Countries Montenegro and Albania[2], and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this Council Decision.

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 11.09.2020 in the Official Journal of the European Union no. L 298, p. 23.

[2] Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.



Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel

Saturday 21 November 2020
G20 summit under the Saudi G20 Presidency via videoconference (local time)
16.00 Opening remarks
16.10 Working session 1
18.40 Side event “Pandemic preparedness and response”

Sunday 22 November 2020
G20 summit under the Saudi G20 Presidency via videoconference (local time)
15.30 Side event “Safeguarding the Planet”
16.00 Intervention at the working session 2
18.30 Closing remarks

Monday 23 November 2020
09.00 Phone call with Prime Minister of Kuwait Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah
11.00 Phone call  with the Holy Father Pope Francis

Tuesday 24 November 2020
10.00 Video conference with President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta

Thursday 26 November 2020
16.30 Video conference with inter-institutional actors



Expert forum looks at migration management in Europe

One of the discussions pivoted on procedures for equality and non-discrimination of migrants and people in need of international protection. FRA provided an overview of how non-discrimination provisions are embedded in EU law and how these resonate in practice. Special attention was given to non-discrimination provisions encapsulated in the EU law instruments establishing large-scale IT systems for migration management and in the EASO and Frontex regulations. Migration academics and representatives of the Council of Europe joined the event. 



FRA hosts third meeting of Roma Working Party

FRA presented the Portfolio of Indicators and the Roma Survey 2020. On the second day, participants shared their experiences in health monitoring, and their lessons learned concerning reporting, stakeholder engagement, and data collection. In the closing session, new ideas were put forward to discuss in the following RWP meeting, scheduled for February 2021. 



Webinar focuses on pushbacks and rights violations at EU borders

In light of the publication of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, representatives of civil society organisations, policymakers as well as EU institutions, the Council of Europe and other international organisations came together online to discuss the available evidence on these rights violations and possible ways forward. Discussions focused on examining the evidence underpinning allegations and institutional obstacles in taking this sufficiently into account. They also covered as well as ending abuses and ensuring accountability at the EU level. FRA drew on its research and experience on the ground, providing input on the methods and requirements of independent border monitoring. It pointed out the differences from accountability mechanisms, as well as mentioning the pilot project with Frontex on establishing fundamental rights monitors. The webinar was attended by some 160 participants.