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Council of the European Union      20/6/2018 Digital single gateway: easier access to online information and procedures Coreper today endorsed an agreement between the Bulgarian presidency and European Parliament representatives to set up a single digital gateway which will provide access to online information and procedures, assistance and problem solving services to citizens and companies. "The digital single gateway will be a user-friendly single entry point to assist citizens and businesses to find the information they need on the EU internal market. It will provide full access to a wide range of online procedures to help them when they want to move, work, retire, study or when they want to establish or carry out businesses in another country. This is a major achievement within the digital single market." Emil Karanikolov, Minister for the economy of Bulgaria Council of the European Union      20/6/2018  New measures to fight against illegal competition practices in the internal market The EU's committee of permanent representatives (Coreper) today endorsed an agreement between the Council, represented by the Bulgarian presidency, and the European Parliament on new measures to bring the enforcement of competition rules in line with the digital age and to tackle illegal competition practices in the EU. The new rules will strengthen cooperation between national competition authorities and the European Commission, and will be an effective way of ensuring that free and open competition is not distorted in the internal market. "Effective enforcement of competition rules is necessary to protect consumers from illegal business practices that keep the prices of goods and services artificially high. At the same time, the improved enforcement will ensure that companies compete fairly in Europe, enabling them to generate wealth and create jobs." Emil Karanikolov, Minister for the economy of Bulgaria A truly common competition enforcement area in Europe provides a more even level playing field for businesses operating in the internal market and reduces unequal conditions for consumers. Distortion in competition undermines consumer confidence in the internal market, including in the digital environment. The new directive provides better tools for the public enforcement of competition rules. Council of the European Union      19/6/2018  Pensions: Council agrees its stance on pan-European pension product The Council has agreed its negotiating stance on a proposal that would make it easier for people to put money aside for their old age. On 19 June 2018, EU ambassadors asked the presidency to start negotiations with the European Parliament on the proposed 'pan-European pension product' (PEPP), a new class of personal pension scheme, as soon as the Parliament is ready to negotiate. The draft regulation is aimed at providing greater choice for people who wish to save for their retirement, and at the same time boosting the market for personal pensions. According to the Commission, only 27% of Europeans between 25 and 59 years of age have subscribed to a pension product. "The pan-European pension product will bolster our capital markets unionplan, as it will help channel savings towards long-term investments", said Vladislav Goranov, minister for finance of Bulgaria, which currently holds the Council presidency. “It will promote competition amongst pension providers, enabling them to sell pension products outside their national markets and giving savers more choice over how and where to place their savings." Under the proposal, PEPPs would have the same standard features wherever they are sold. They would be offered by a broad range of providers, principally insurance companies, banks, occupational pension funds, investment firms and asset managers. Council of the European Union      19/6/2018  Schengen internal border controls: Council agrees negotiating mandate on the amendment of the Schengen borders code On 19 June 2018, EU ambassadors endorsed, on behalf of the Council, a mandate for negotiations on a proposal amending the Schengen border code as regards temporary reintroduction of controls at internal borders. On the basis of this mandate, the Council Presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament once the latter has adopted its position. "The Schengen area has brought uncontested benefits to people across Europe. Today's agreement aims to preserve these achievements. It will provide member states with the necessary tools to respond to the evolving security challenges they face while ensuring the proportionality of this response." Valentin Radev, Bulgarian minister of interior This proposal aims to provide increased flexibility for member states to address serious threats to  public policy or internal security and, on the other hand, to ensure that the reintroduction of internal border controls is only used as a last-resort. To address serious threats to  public policy or internal security, the proposed amendment would allow to reintroduce internal border controls under the same reason for a total period of no longer than one year. It would also include a series of safeguards which should be met in order to ensure the proportionality and necessity of these measures, including a risk assessment and consultation mechanisms. When border controls at internal borders are carried out for more than six months, the Commission shall issue an opinion. Council of the European Union      19/6/2018  Visa policy: Council agrees negotiating mandate on the amendment of the visa code On 19 June 2018, EU ambassadors endorsed, on behalf of the Council, a mandate for negotiations on a proposal amending the visa code. On the basis of this mandate, the Council Presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament once the latter has adopted its position. "An efficient management of migration includes ensuring we are able to return those who do not have a right to stay. The new visa code rules will give us another tool to respond to those third countries who are not willing to take their own nationals back." Valentin Radev, Bulgarian minister of interior The updated regulation will modernise the EU visa policy, allow for improved security and increase the available tools to respond to migration challenges. Better conditions for legitimate travellers It will provide faster and more clear procedures for legitimate travellers, notably by: allowing for the lodging of applications up to 6 months and no later than 15 days before the trip providing for the possibility of filling in and signing the application form electronically defining more clearly which member state is competent for examining an application when the intended visit covers several member states introducing a harmonised approach to issuing multiple entry visas to regular travellers with a positive visa history for a gradually increasing period going from 1 to 5 years. Covering costs of processing To ensure member states can better cover costs of visa processing without representing a deterrent for visa applicants, the visa fee will be increased to 80 euros. The regulation also introduces a mechanism to assess every three years the need to revise the amount of the visa fee. Better cooperation on readmission of irregular migrants The regulation also aims to contribute to improve cooperation with third countries on readmission. It will introduce a new mechanism for using visa policy as leverage to readmission, which will be used when a third country does not cooperate with member states on the readmission of irregular migrants. The Commission will regularly assess third countries' cooperation on readmission. Where a country is not cooperating, it will  propose to the Council to adopt an implementing decision applying specific restrictive visa measures related to visa processing and visa fee. Council of the European Union     18/6/2018  Main results - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 18/06/2018 The AgriFish Council had a first exchange of views on the proposals for: a new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, fisheries control and the post 2020 CAP reform package. Ministers also discussed the fishing opportunities for 2019 and the agricultural market situation.