On 3 July 2026, the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union published an information note listing 96 working papers (WK documents) distributed to the Public International Law Working Party (COJUR) during the first semester of 2026. The document serves as a reference for delegations to track documents discussed and circulated within the working party, covering a wide range of sensitive international law topics.
The list includes papers on registration and deregistration of international non-governmental organisations in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, draft objections and comments on the United Nations Convention against Transnational Crime, and EU and Member State reactions to Türkiye’s declaration on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. Other items cover negotiations for agreements with third countries to prevent illegal operations by the 'shadow fleet', draft COHAFA common messages on sexual and gender-based violence in Haiti and on Country Based Pooled Funds, and proposals for amendments to the ILC Draft Articles on Crimes against Humanity.
The working party also addressed EU-US informal dialogue on international refugee and asylum law, non-papers on follow-up actions regarding the 'shadow fleet' and protection of critical undersea infrastructure, the zero draft of the UN General Assembly resolution on the ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change obligations, and the compatibility of US sanctions against ICC staff with international law.
Policy orientations and trade-offs The list reflects the EU's effort to coordinate Member States' positions on contentious international law issues, balancing legal consistency with diplomatic flexibility. For instance, reactions to Türkiye's BBNJ declaration require aligning EU maritime policy with Member States' bilateral interests, while discussions on US sanctions against ICC staff test the EU's commitment to international criminal justice against transatlantic relations. The inclusion of shadow fleet and undersea infrastructure papers indicates a focus on maritime security and sanctions enforcement, potentially affecting shipping and energy sectors.
Impact on stakeholders - EU Member States: Gain a structured overview of ongoing legal discussions, facilitating national position-taking and coordination on issues such as sanctions, human rights, and law of the sea. - EU institutions: The Council's working party shapes the EU's external legal positions, influencing negotiating mandates for international agreements and common messages in multilateral forums. - Third countries (Türkiye, US, Russia, Israel, Palestine): EU legal reactions and dialogues may affect bilateral relations, particularly on sanctions, territorial disputes, and maritime security. - International organisations (UN, ICC, ILC): EU input on draft articles, resolutions, and conventions contributes to the development of international law, with potential impacts on global governance frameworks.
Institutional follow-up The list is an internal reference document for COJUR delegations. The working party will continue discussions on these topics in the second semester of 2026, potentially leading to Council conclusions, EU statements in multilateral forums, or negotiating directives for international agreements.