ΕU latest

PRESS

European Council    8/6/2018  Remarks by President Donald Tusk before the G7 summit in Charlevoix, Canada Good morning. Bonjour. When we met on the eve of our Taormina summit last year, I said that it would be the most challenging G7 in years. Unfortunately, this is even more true today. Despite the excellent preparation by our Canadian friends, including the personal engagement of Prime Minister Trudeau, our discussions here in Charlevoix will be far from easy. It is evident that the American president and the rest of the Group continue to disagree on trade, climate change and the Iran nuclear deal. What worries me most, however, is the fact that the rules-based international order is being challenged. Quite surprisingly, not by the usual suspects, but by its main architect and guarantor: the US. Naturally, we cannot force the US to change their minds. At the same time, we will not stop trying to convince our American friends and President Trump that undermining this order makes no sense at all. Because it would only play into the hands of those who seek a new, post-West order, where liberal democracy and fundamental freedoms would cease to exist. This is in the interest of neither the US, nor Europe. I want to be very clear today. Our common values and the rules-based order are worth fighting for, and we will always stand in their defence. Because they are the foundation of our liberal democracies and they define our way of life. There is no way we are giving up on them. But of course we are open to reasonable arguments, whenever something doesn’t function well. There is always room for debate. It is also one of the reasons we are here today. Even in difficult times like these, and despite all the differences, there is still much more that unites us, than divides us. It is far too early for our adversaries and enemies to celebrate. On most fronts, the G7 continues to push in the same direction: when it comes to achieving the complete denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula, countering the aggressive stance of Russia and searching for a political solution to the conflict in Syria. We must also demonstrate unity regarding the ongoing land reclamation and militarisation in the South China Sea, as the international law must apply to all countries, big and small, on land and at sea. As the G7, we also want to defend our democracies from threats by foreign actors. To this end, we will discuss stepping up cooperation to prevent and respond to unacceptable foreign interference in our democratic processes. We want to strengthen G7 coordination in this field. Our unity in these areas is crucial for Europe and for the whole world. And I still believe that the overall unity of our Group will prevail. Despite seasonal turbulences, we will persevere. I have no doubt about it. Last but not least, I want to make an important appeal in the case of Oleg Sentsov, the Ukrainian film maker, who was involved in the Euro Maidan protests in Kiev, and who opposed the annexation of Crimea by Russia. He is currently serving a twenty-year sentence in a high-security prison camp in Siberia, after a political trial in Russia, as a result of which he was accused of terrorism. Today is the 24th day of his indefinite hunger strike which he is planning to follow through, if his demand, that is the release of 64 Ukrainian political prisoners, is not met. This is why I ask the G7 leaders to show  Council of the European Union    8/06/2018    Presidency press release on the high level conference "EU cohesion policy: post-2020 perspectives for convergence and sustainable regions" 8 June 2018, Sofia See the press release. Council of the European Union    8/6/2018  EU-NATO cooperation: Council welcomes progress in the implementation of the common 74 actions Council conclusions on the third progress report on the implementation of the common set of proposals endorsed by the EU and NATO Councils on 6 December 2016 and 5 December 2017 1. Reaffirming its Conclusions of 6 December 2016 and of 19 June 2017 and 5 December 2017, the Council, considering that EU and NATO continue to face common security challenges, welcomes the continued close and mutually reinforcing co-operation with NATO. This co-operation takes place in areas of shared interest, both strategically and operationally, in crisis management in support of international peace and security as well as on defence capability development where requirements overlap working with and for the benefit of all Member States. For the EU, the implementation of the Joint Declaration signed in Warsaw in July 2016 by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization remains a key political priority with the overall objective of building a true organisation-to-organisation relationship. It constitutes an essential element of broader efforts aimed at strengthening the Union's ability to act as a securit y provider and strengthen its ability to cooperate with partners and to protect its citizens. 2. With regards to the ongoing EU initiatives aiming at strengthening security and defence, the Council recalls all relevant Conclusions, in particular those of November 2016, March, May and November 2017. The Council stresses that security and defence efforts of the EU and NATO substantially contribute, in a coherent manner, to a secure Europe, entailing both benefits and responsibilities, and for those Member States concerned, fostering an equitable sharing of the burden. 3. Recalling that the common set of proposals is not a standalone document and must be read in conjunction with the relevant Council conclusions, the Council welcomes further progress made in the implementation of the common set of proposals (a total of 74 actions). In this regard, it acknowledges the third progress report submitted jointly by the High Representative/Vice President/Head of the European Defence Agency and the Secretary General of NATO in accordance with paragraph 7 of the Council Conclusions of 5 December 2017. 4. The Council acknowledges ongoing work and stresses the importance of ensuring demonstrable progress, and communicating it to the public where relevant, in all areas listed in the Joint Declaration signed in Warsaw and specified in the common set of proposals, including the new topics, such as military mobility, counter-terrorism, and women, peace and security. 5. The Council reaffirms that EU-NATO cooperation will continue to take place in the spirit of full openness and transparency, in full respect of the decision-making autonomy and procedures of both organisations and in close cooperation with and full involvement of Member States. It is based on the principles of inclusiveness and reciprocity without prejudice to the specific character of the security and defence policy of any Member State. 6. The Council recalls that NATO cooperation with the non-NATO EU Member States is an integral part of EU-NATO cooperation. In this regard, the Council welcomes the positive contribution of non-NATO EU Member States to NATO activities. Such activities are an integral part of EU-NATO cooperation and the Council strongly supports their continuation. 7. The Council invites the High Representative/Vice President/Head of the European Defence Agency to continue progress on implementation, in close cooperation with Member States, ensuring their full involvement and transparency, and looks forward to receiving the next report, to be submitted jointly in June 2019. Read the third progress report on the implementation of the common set of proposals endorsed by the EU and NATO councils on 6 December 2016 and 5 December 2017 (PDF) Council of the European Union    8/6/2018  EU to create a common cybersecurity certification framework and beef up its agency – Council agrees its position The EU is to enhance its cyber resilience by setting up an EU-wide certification framework for information and communication technology (ICT) products, services and processes. The industry could use the new mechanism to certify products such as connected cars and smart medical devices. The Council today agreed its general approach on the proposal, known as the Cybersecurity Act. The proposal will also upgrade the current European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) into a permanent EU agency for cybersecurity. "We all want our devices to be secure. This new certification framework will increase trust and confidence in innovative digital solutions." Ivaylo Moskovski, Bulgarian Minister for Transport, Information Technology and Communications. Common cybersecurity certification The draft regulation creates a mechanism for setting up European cybersecurity certification schemes for specific ICT processes, products, and services. Certificates issued under the schemes will be valid in all EU countries, making it easier for users to gain confidence in the security of these technologies, and for companies to carry out their business across borders. Certification will be voluntary unless otherwise specified in EU law or member states' law. Features covered would include for instance resilience to accidental or malicious data loss or alteration. There will be three different assurance levels: basic, substantial or high. For the basic level, it will be possible for manufacturers or service providers to carry out the conformity assessment themselves. EU agency for cybersecurity The new rules will grant ENISA a permanent mandate and clarify its role as the EU agency for cybersecurity. ENISA will be given new tasks in supporting member states, EU institutions and other stakeholders on cyber issues. It will organise regular EU-level cybersecurity exercises, and support and promote EU policy on cybersecurity certification. The first EU legal act on cybersecurity, the network and information security (NIS) directive from 2016, had already given ENISA a key role in supporting the implementation of the directive. A national liaison officers network will be part of the mandate facilitating information sharing between ENISA and the member states. How will the text become law? The text agreed today is the Council's position for negotiations with the European Parliament. Both the Council and the Parliament have to agree on the final text before it can enter into force. Cybersecurity Act – Council general approach Reform of cyber security in Europe (background information) Digital single market for Europe (background information) Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης    8/6/2018  Η ΕΕ θα δημιουργήσει κοινό πλαίσιο πιστοποίησης της κυβερνοασφάλειας και θα ενισχύσει τον αντίστοιχο Οργανισμό της - καθορισμός της θέσης του Συμβουλίου Η ΕΕ πρόκειται να ενισχύσει την ανθεκτικότητα στον κυβερνοχώρο μέσω της δημιουργίας ενός πανευρωπαϊκού πλαισίου πιστοποίησης για τα προϊόντα, τις υπηρεσίες και τις διαδικασίες τεχνολογίας των πληροφοριών και των επικοινωνιών (ΤΠΕ). Η βιομηχανία θα μπορούσε να αξιοποιήσει το νέο μηχανισμό για την πιστοποίηση προϊόντων όπως τα συνδεδεμένα αυτοκίνητα και τα έξυπνα ιατροτεχνολογικά βοηθήματα. Το Συμβούλιο κατέληξε σήμερα σε γενική προσέγγιση όσον αφορά την πρόταση, γνωστή ως πράξη για την ασφάλεια στον κυβερνοχώρο. Στόχος της πρότασης θα είναι επίσης η αναβάθμιση του υφιστάμενου Οργανισμού της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης για την Ασφάλεια Δικτύων και Πληροφοριών (ENISA) σε μόνιμη Υπηρεσία της ΕΕ για την κυβερνοασφάλεια. "Όλοι θέλουμε οι συσκευές μας να είναι ασφαλείς. Το νέο αυτό πλαίσιο πιστοποίησης θα ενισχύσει την εμπιστοσύνη στις καινοτόμες ψηφιακές λύσεις." Ivaylo Moskovski, Υπουργός Μεταφορών, Τεχνολογίας των Πληροφοριών και Επικοινωνιών της Βουλγαρίας. Κοινή πιστοποίηση της κυβερνοασφάλειας Το σχέδιο κανονισμού προβλέπει τη θέσπιση μηχανισμού για τη δημιουργία ευρωπαϊκών συστημάτων πιστοποίησης της κυβερνοασφάλειας για ειδικές διαδικασίες, προϊόντα και υπηρεσίες ΤΠΕ. Τα πιστοποιητικά που εκδίδονται στο πλαίσιο των συστημάτων θα ισχύουν σε όλες τις χώρες της ΕΕ, έτσι ώστε να είναι ευκολότερο για τους χρήστες να αποκτήσουν εμπιστοσύνη στην ασφάλεια των τεχνολογιών αυτών, οι δε εταιρείες να διεξάγουν τις επιχειρηματικές τους δραστηριότητες πέραν των συνόρων. Η πιστοποίηση θα είναι εθελοντική, εκτός αν άλλως ορίζεται στη νομοθεσία της ΕΕ ή των κρατών μελών. Μεταξύ των χαρακτηριστικών που καλύπτονται θα συγκαταλέγονται η ανθεκτικότητα σε τυχαία ή κακόβουλη απώλεια ή αλλοίωση δεδομένων. Θα διακρίνονται τρία διαφορετικά επίπεδα διασφάλισης: βασικό, σημαντικό ή υψηλό. Για το βασικό επίπεδο, οι κατασκευαστές ή οι πάροχοι υπηρεσιών θα μπορούν να διενεργήσουν οι ίδιοι αξιολόγηση της συμμόρφωσης. Οργανισμός της ΕΕ για την κυβερνοασφάλεια Οι νέοι κανόνες θα χορηγήσουν στον ENISA μόνιμη εντολή και θα αποσαφηνίσουν το ρόλο του ως οργανισμού της ΕΕ για την κυβερνοασφάλεια. Νέα καθήκοντα θα ανατεθούν στον ENISA για την παροχή στήριξης στα κράτη μέλη, τα θεσμικά όργανα της ΕΕ και άλλους φορείς σε θέματα κυβερνοχώρου. Σε επίπεδο ΕΕ, θα διοργανώνει τακτικές ασκήσεις κυβερνοασφάλειας και θα υποστηρίζει και προωθεί την πολιτική της ΕΕ για την πιστοποίηση της κυβερνοασφάλειας. Η πρώτη νομοθετική πράξη της ΕΕ στον τομέα της κυβερνοασφάλειας - η οδηγία του 2016 σχετικά με την ασφάλεια δικτύων και πληροφοριών (NIS) - είχε ήδη προσδώσει στον ENISA βασικό ρόλο στην στήριξη της εφαρμογής της οδηγίας. Η εντολή προβλέπει επίσης ένα δίκτυο εθνικών υπαλλήλων-συνδέσμων με σκοπό τη διευκόλυνση της ανταλλαγής πληροφοριών μεταξύ του ENISA και των κρατών μελών. Πώς θα αποκτήσει το κείμενο ισχύ νόμου; Το κείμενο που συμφωνήθηκε σήμερα αποτελεί τη θέση του Συμβουλίου για τις διαπραγματεύσεις με το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο. Τόσο το Συμβούλιο όσο και το Κοινοβούλιο πρέπει να συμφωνήσουν σχετικά με το τελικό κείμενο προτού τεθεί σε ισχύ. Πράξη για την ασφάλεια στον κυβερνοχώρο - Γενική προσέγγιση του Συμβουλίου Μεταρρύθμιση της κυβερνοασφάλειας στην Ευρώπη (γενικές πληροφορίες) Ψηφιακή ενιαία αγορά για την Ευρώπη (γενικές πληροφορίες) Council of the European Union    8/6/2018  EULEX Kosovo: new role for the EU rule of law mission On 8 June 2018, the Council decided to refocus the mandate of the EU rule of law mission EULEX Kosovo. The mission, established 10 years ago, has had two operational objectives: a monitoring, mentoring and advising objective, providing support to Kosovo’s rule of law institutions and to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, and an executive objective, supporting the adjudication of constitutional and civil justice and prosecuting and adjudicating selected criminal cases. Today's decision brings the judicial executive part of the mission's mandate in Kosovo to an end: Kosovo will assume responsibility for all transferred investigations, prosecutions and trials. As of 14 June, the mission will concentrate on: monitoring selected cases and trials in Kosovo's criminal and civil justice institutions monitoring, mentoring and advising the Kosovo correctional service continuing its operational support for the implementation of EU-facilitated dialogue agreements for the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo. The mission will retain certain limited executive responsibilities in the areas of witness protection and support for the specialist chambers and the specialist prosecutor’s office, as well as responsibility for ensuring the maintenance and promotion of security as second security responder. The Council decision provides for the revised mandate to run until 14 June 2020. It also allocates a combined budget for the mission's operations in Kosovo and for the specialist chambers and the specialist prosecutor's office of EUR 169.8 million for two years (15 June 2018 - 14 June 2020). The budget will cover the EULEX Kosovo mission's expenditure of EUR 83.6 million for the implementation of its mandate in Kosovo. EUR 86.2 million will support the specialist chambers and the specialist prosecutor's office. EULEX Kosovo was launched in 2008. The headquarters of the mission are located in Prishtinë/Priština, Kosovo. Alexandra Papadopoulou has been the head of mission since 20 July 2016. On 5 June 2018 the Political and Security Committee extended her mandate until 14 June 2019. EULEX Kosovo website EU facilitated dialogue: relations between Belgrade and Pristina (EEAS website)