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Friday 3 December 2021   ● Council of the EU   03/12/2021 13:58 | Press release | Joint press statement EU - Western Balkans: Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs   The Ministers of Home Affairs and Justice of Slovenia, representing the Presidency of the Council of the EU, together with the European Commission, represented by the European Commissioners for Home Affairs and for Justice, met on 1-3 December 2021 in Brdo pri Kranju with their counterparts from the Western Balkans at the annual EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the incoming French and Czech Presidencies of the Council of the EU. The following matters were discussed: HOME AFFAIRS Strengthening migration, asylum and border management The EU and the Western Balkans reaffirmed that migration management is a common challenge that needs to be addressed in close partnerships. Constructive cooperation has already delivered clear results and will be further strengthened, also with the support of EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies. The ministers concurred that efforts to reinforce border management and to intensify regional information exchange remain a top priority. In this context, the EU and the Western Balkans partners agreed to continue their work on developing interoperable systems for identification and registration of mixed migratory flows, as well as National Coordination Centres (NCCs) across the region. The Commission reiterated its readiness to provide technical support. The ministers exchanged views on the progress made by the Western Balkans in their reception conditions and asylum systems. The need of contingency planning in case of an increase of migratory flows was underlined by the EU. The ministers committed to further strengthen cooperation in the fight against migrant smuggling. The EU underlined also the need to work to enhance return systems, including the conclusion of readmission agreements with key countries of origin. Regional cooperation on return should be reinforced. The ministers agreed that cooperation with EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies will be enhanced. In this context, the remaining Frontex Status Agreements should be concluded without delay. Countering terrorism, extremism and radicalisation The ministers agreed that terrorism, extremism and radicalisation continue to pose serious threats to the EU and the Western Balkans. The participants discussed the progress and gaps in the implementation of the Joint Action Plan on counter-terrorism, which remains a key joint framework for the protection of our citizens. The EU and the Western Balkans exchanged views on the current challenges and threats in the region. They highlighted the need to effectively address the issue of returning foreign terrorist fighters, through sharing all relevant information. The ministers reiterated their commitment to prevent radicalisation leading to all forms of extremism and terrorism. The EU and the Western Balkans exchanged information regarding the evacuated Afghan citizens in transit in the region, including their security screening. The participants agreed that sharing information on this matter will remain essential. Tackling organised crime The EU and the Western Balkans reiterated the importance of working together to tackle organised crime, by taking resolute action to fight against smuggling, trafficking of human beings, weapons and the illicit production and trafficking of drugs. The EU underlined that developing Early Warning Systems and National Drug Observatories are prerequisites for efficient policies aimed at reducing both drug demand and drug supply. The early identification of victims is equally crucial to prevent trafficking in human beings and to ensure the referral of victims for further assistance and protection. The ministers exchanged views on areas where cooperation should be further strengthened to fight cross-border crime. The EU stressed the importance of the participation of the Western Balkans in the new EMPACT cycle 2022-2025. The ministers discussed the steps taken to actively participate in the operational actions under this framework. In this respect, the participants agreed to enhance cooperation with the EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies. The ministers renewed their commitment to the Roadmap for comprehensive small arms and light weapons control in the Western Balkans. The Presidency presented the outcome of the Ministerial Conference on the prevention and investigation of child sexual abuse, held via videoconference on 12 November 2021. The event underlined the importance of strong international cooperation in the fight against sexual abuse of children both online and offline, and highlighted the importance of preventive action and awareness-raising as well as support for the development of appropriate tools to detect and investigate sexual child abuse. JUSTICE Rule of law and judicial reforms The ministers reiterated the key importance of the rule of law for carrying out reforms, including judicial reforms, and to ensure good governance and the respect for human rights. In this context, the Western Balkans partners outlined the key achievements in the area of rule of law and judicial reform, as well as areas where further progress is needed. They restated their continued commitment to strengthening the rule of law, in particular by continued efforts to ensure the independence, accountability, integrity, quality and efficiency of justice systems. The results of the Western Balkans dashboard project and the regional justice surveys are helpful indicators, which will be taken into account in national policymaking and shaping the reform agenda. The Commission provided an update on the annual Rule of Law Report for the EU-27 Member States, which is part of the European rule of law mechanism, and on the advancement of two projects for the measurement of the performance of the justice systems of the Western Balkan partners. Following a presentation by the Commission, the Western Balkan partners demonstrated their readiness to ensure cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), including on the basis of the notification of the EPPO as a competent authority for the purposes of the relevant MLA Conventions/Treaties, and to support forthcoming negotiations in the Council of Europe on a new legal instrument on the cooperation with the EPPO. Enhancing judicial training The ministers acknowledged the importance of enhancing judicial training and the key role of the EU’s support. In this context, the Commission presented the objectives and the state of play of implementation of the judicial training strategy 2021-2024, which is an essential tool to ensure the effective application of EU law, to foster mutual trust among justice professionals in cross-border proceedings and to support the implementation of the EU’s values and principles. The Commission highlighted the role of the Western Balkans in the Strategy and stressed the importance of a more needs-driven approach to EU support for judicial training. The ministers acknowledged the need for better needs identification and long-term ownership and sustainability of training programmes, in particular by securing the lasting involvement of all members of the judiciary, including justice leaders and seniors. It remains necessary to focus first and foremost on building up national capacities for judicial training. Data on judicial training provided through different sources, including the EU questionnaire on judicial training and the Western Balkans dashboard will serve to guide further improvements in this area. The Commission informed of the upcoming Conference on initial judicial training to be organised under the French Presidency on 22-23 February in Bordeaux and invited Western Balkan partners to actively engage in it. Digitalisation of justice The EU and the Western Balkans reaffirmed the importance of digitalisation in order to facilitate access to justice, improve its overall efficiency, and ensure the resilience of justice systems while also strengthening their integrity and accountability. The ministers exchanged on the efforts and challenges of digital transformation, presenting the latest initiatives in this area. The participants discussed the progress made on the establishment and generalised use of the Case Management System (CMS), the random allocation of cases, and the public access to judgments. The EU reiterated its continued support for further developing digital tools. The ministers agreed on the importance of swiftly addressing the outstanding obstacles to the generalised use of case management systems in view of their full operationalisation. The Western Balkan partners committed to the continued modernisation of their justice systems, with available EU support. Documents destinés à la presse jeudi 2 décembre 2021   ● Conseil européen   02/12/2021 15:55 | Discours | Discours du président Charles Michel lors de l'hommage européen à Valéry Giscard d’Estaing   L'Union européenne est le fruit d'efforts inlassables, menés par des femmes et des hommes déterminés, à la poursuite d'un idéal: le rêve européen évoqué il y a quelques instants. Le rêve et l'idéal d'une Europe unie, pacifiée et prospère. Le rêve européen d'une Europe qui promeut avec force ses valeurs fondamentales: la dignité personnelle de chaque être humain, la liberté, la démocratie, l'État de droit. Ces femmes et ces hommes courageux ont été tour à tour des architectes, des visionnaires souvent, pragmatiques toujours. Le président Valéry Giscard d'Estaing fut l'un de ces bâtisseurs engagés pour ce projet européen qui nous rassemble. Un président jeune et entreprenant qui a montré que la valeur n'attend pas le nombre des années. Il est frappant aujourd'hui pour notre génération de constater combien les lignes de crête de son action dessinent les défis d'aujourd'hui et inspirent notre génération pour les relever: renforcer le leadership européen, intensifier la coopération internationale, faire progresser la démocratie et l'État de droit, et faire confiance à la science et l'innovation. L'Europe: Valéry Giscard d'Estaing l'a voulue ambitieuse, forte, solide, confiante dans son avenir. L'Europe, il l'a voulue dotée d'institutions susceptibles de donner l'impulsion politique nécessaire, utile, et d'affirmer son rôle sur la scène internationale. C'est ainsi qu'il a contribué de manière active à renforcer les institutions européennes qui incarnent, on le voit aujourd'hui encore, cette double légitimité démocratique: celle des États membres, celle du Parlement européen. On l'a vu il y a quelques instants dans ces images fortes, historiques, lorsqu'il déclare en décembre 1974, à l'issue d'un Sommet européen à Paris: "Les Sommets sont morts, vive le Conseil européen !". Il donne ainsi naissance à cette institution, que j'ai l'honneur aujourd'hui de représenter. Depuis lors, les chefs d'État et de gouvernement se sont réunis bien plus que trois fois par an, et ont joué et jouent un rôle central dans chacune des grandes évolutions et des grandes transformations de ce projet européen, dans les impulsions politiques qui lui sont données. Comme président de la Convention une vingtaine d'années plus tard, c'est en promouvant l'inscription du Conseil européen dans les traités qu'il a aussi contribué à renforcer cette institution. Puis, promoteur obstiné de l'élection du Parlement européen au suffrage universel direct à partir de 1979, il donne corps et vigueur à cette légitimité démocratique européenne. Et c'est au travers de cette double légitimité que se construit jour après jour l'unité européenne. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing a probablement aussi été l'un des premiers à ressentir et à comprendre l'importance de la monnaie pour ce que nous appelons aujourd'hui l'autonomie ou la souveraineté stratégique européenne. Cet instinct qu'il a eu alors comme jeune ministre des finances du président Charles de Gaulle a été le socle sur lequel il a développé la coopération monétaire en Europe lorsqu'il fut lui-même président. Son action a finalement conduit à la création notre monnaie, l'euro, qui constitue aujourd'hui un atout stratégique majeur pour l'Union européenne. À nous, je le crois, maintenant, de lui donner sa pleine dimension internationale. L'action du président Valéry Giscard d'Estaing ne s'est pas limitée à l'Europe et à l'Union européenne. C'est à lui que nous devons également la création du G7, dont la première réunion s'est tenue au château de Rambouillet en novembre 1975. Et plus de quarante-cinq ans plus tard, le G7 – et son cousin le G20 – sont toujours des forums mondiaux essentiels. Comme on l'a encore constaté il y a quelques semaines à Rome, lors de la réunion du G20 où l'Union européenne s'est pleinement mobilisée pour convaincre et affirmer une ambition globale. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing a contribué à transformer la démocratie européenne. Il a aussi fait progresser la démocratie française: en abaissant la majorité à 18 ans, en réalisant des avancées majeures pour les droits des femmes, la création d'un secrétariat d'État à la condition féminine, le remboursement de la pilule contraceptive, le divorce par consentement mutuel; et bien sûr la loi sur l'interruption volontaire de grossesse, portée par cette grande dame, cette grande Européenne, Simone Veil, qui a marqué cette assemblée de son empreinte indélébile. Aujourd'hui encore, la cause des femmes et l'égalité des genres est un combat qui nous oblige, nous, au niveau européen. Je pense par exemple à cette bataille que nous devons continuer à mener pour l'égalité des salaires entre les femmes et les hommes, ou encore à la directive pour un meilleur équilibre entre les hommes et les femmes dans les conseils d'administration des entreprises. Enfin, nous devons, je le crois aussi, être mobilisés sur le plan international pour mieux protéger les femmes dans les conflits armés. Cet engagement pour l'égalité, le président Giscard d'Estaing l'avait parfaitement compris, parce qu'il savait qu'une société n'est pas totalement démocratique tant que les droits des femmes ne sont pas égaux aux droits des hommes, dans la loi, mais aussi dans la réalité. Enfin, et je conclus par cela, un trait de la personnalité de Valéry Giscard d'Estaing résonne fortement aujourd'hui. Je veux parler ici de son esprit scientifique. Un esprit qui tient à sa formation de polytechnicien, probablement, et qui, très certainement, a influencé son action comme président de la République, et son action au service du projet européen. Sa présidence a été marquée par de grandes épopées industrielles – Ariane, le Concorde, Airbus, le TGV – qui ont vu la France faire un bond en avant dans cette modernité technologique. Je le crois, nous devons nous inspirer de cette ambition. Faire confiance à la science et à l'innovation, à l'heure où nous nous engageons pour tenter de renforcer l'influence stratégique de l'Union européenne dans le monde, notamment sur le plan technologique et sur le plan industriel. Restons fidèles à cet esprit scientifique; à la raison, qui est l'un des principaux héritages européens. C'est cet esprit scientifique, cette confiance dans la raison, qui nous permettent d'innover sans cesse et par exemple de développer des technologies vaccinales quand nous sommes confrontés à cette pandémie qui frappe le monde. C'est aussi cet esprit scientifique et cette confiance dans la science et la raison, cette ambition, qui doivent nous inspirer pour relever cet extraordinaire défi existentiel, cette aventure hors norme que représente la double transition climatique et digitale. Dans ses Mémoires, Jean Monnet écrit que si "rien n'est durable sans les institutions", "rien n'est possible sans les hommes". L'amitié qui a lié Valéry Giscard d'Estaing au chancelier Helmut Schmidt a incarné cette affirmation. Et aucune des grandes avancées dont nous venons de parler n'eût été possible sans cette amitié, sans cette confiance, sans ce couple qui a rejoint dans l'histoire ceux que formèrent Charles De Gaulle et Konrad Adenauer, puis François Mitterrand et Helmut Kohl. Un couple dont nous savons – Monsieur le président français, Monsieur le président allemand, et je pense aussi ici à Angela Merkel – combien il est essentiel pour faire avancer notre projet européen et combien il le sera encore à l'avenir, à l'heure où un nouveau gouvernement entre en fonction en Allemagne. Parce que ce projet européen est aussi une aventure humaine, où l'alchimie des relations personnelles permet parfois, je le crois, de déplacer des montagnes et de rendre possible ce qui était impossible quelques mois plus tôt. Le président Giscard d'Estaing était un homme pudique; son épouse – chère Madame – le sait mieux que quiconque. Et l'hommage que nous lui rendons aujourd'hui, nous le devons à un homme d'action. Une action pour une Europe forte, unie et démocratique; une action pour une coopération internationale efficace, une action pour une société libre, moderne, qui garantit à chacune et chacun d'accéder à toutes les chances pour réaliser ses rêves et ses défis personnels, une action guidée par la foi en la raison et l'ambition du progrès. Et le plus bel hommage que nous puissions lui rendre, inspirés par le souffle de son action, c'est d'agir au service de ce projet de dignité, de progrès, de solidarité qu'est l'Union européenne. À nous maintenant, tous ensemble, d'y être fidèles, de poursuivre l'action, de bâtir ce projet européen sans relâche. Je vous remercie. ● European Council   02/12/2021 18:49 | Press release | EU-Latin America & Caribbean Leaders’ Meeting: Joining forces for a sustainable post-COVID recovery - Press release by Presidents Michel and von der Leyen   Leaders from the European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) met virtually on 2 December 2021. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, chaired the meeting, representing the EU alongside President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell also took part in the meeting. The Heads of State/Government of 7 LAC countries, holding the presidencies of regional and sub-regional organisations in 2021(1), participated in the meeting. President Michel said: “Today’s Leaders’ Meeting is an important step to relaunch the dialogue between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean at the highest level, after a 6-year hiatus. We hope it will also be a stepping-stone towards a fully-fledged bi-regional Summit as soon as conditions allow. More than ever, our strategic association is one of geopolitical relevance: together, EU and LAC account for nearly a third of UN membership and seven members of the G20. We can therefore have a decisive role in shaping the multilateral agenda and in addressing key global challenges such as COVID-19, sustainable development and climate change.” President von der Leyen said: “Our regions are vital partners. We share culture and values, we are supporters of multilateralism, and we connect through trade and investment. Building on these ties the EU is ready work together with Latin America and the Caribbean for a sustainable, digital and socially inclusive recovery. The Global Gateway Strategy, that we just launched, can take this partnership forward. It is a template how Europe can build more resilient connections with partners around the world. During the corona pandemic, the EU and its Member States have proved their solidarity. We have supported countries in the region with vaccines to address urgent health care needs as well as funding to tackle the socio-economic consequences, particularly among the most vulnerable groups. We must now work together for a long-term response to the crisis.” Building on the EU-LAC Informal Ministerial Meeting held in Berlin on 14 December 2020, Leaders held discussions on the theme of ‘Joining Forces for a Sustainable post-COVID Recovery’. During this meeting, EU leaders: Reiterated their readiness to step up cooperation to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Working as Team Europe together with Member States, the EU has already provided €3 billion in immediate health support to LAC. The EU has exported more than 130 million vaccine doses to LAC countries. It is a leading contributor to COVAX, which has delivered more than 50 million doses to the region. Furthermore, EU Member States have donated another 10 million doses to almost half of LAC countries. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide a loan to Argentina of around €85 million to finance resilience and pandemic preparedness initiatives as well as to support the purchase of vaccines. The EU is ready to explore possibilities to support the production and distribution of vaccines in the region. Pointed out the need to improve future health preparedness,. The EU is ready to support regional initiatives such as the UN ECLAC Plan for self-sufficiency in health matters in LAC, endorsed at the recent Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and the ongoing efforts of the Pan American Health Organisation. The EU also recalled the importance of a multilateral response and invited LAC partners to support the work on a new international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Announced that €3.4 billion will be made available under NDICI-Global Europe (2021-2027) for LAC in support of a sustainable long-term recovery from the pandemic. The European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) will be a novel part of this programme and aims to leverage more than €12 billion of public and private investment in the region. At least €800 million will be reserved to support the Caribbean and the implementation of the Post-Cotonou agreement. Stressed that fighting climate change and the loss of biodiversity must be a top priority for both regions. The EU is preparing a Team Europe Initiative to support efforts to halt deforestation in the Amazon. The EU recalled its €1 billion contribution to the Global Forests Finance Pledge announced in Glasgow, a 5-year support package to help partners worldwide protect, restore and sustainably manage forests. A new edition of the EUROCLIMA+ programme will support LAC partners with €140 million to achieve their commitments under the Paris Agreement. The EU offered to strengthen cooperation to support climate adaptation. Looked forward to launching an EU-LAC Digital Alliance in 2022 to foster human-centric digitalisation in partnership by advancing convergence in rules and standards and promoting digital innovation. The Alliance will build on the recent deployment of a transatlantic fibre optic cable (EllaLink) between the EU and LAC which should soon be extended to other LAC countries. This infrastructure development is supported by the EU through the BELLA programme. Following the launch on 1 December 2021 of the Global Gateway, the EU’s connectivity strategy, the EU will engage with LAC countries to jointly identify other viable projects, such as developing the potential of green hydrogen and creating sustainable raw materials value chains with the LAC region. Encouraged making full use of the vast network of trade and association agreements between both regions as a motor for economic recovery, job creation, and business and investment opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic. Highlighted that no lasting recovery can be achieved without respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, with particular attention to be given to vulnerable groups and promoting the empowerment of women and girls. They referred to a new regional Team Europe Initiative on Security and Justice to support bi-regional cooperation on citizen security, organised crime and the rule of law. Discussed cooperation to tackle rising inequalities and to promote social cohesion. The EU announced the launching of a new Team Europe Initiative in 2022 that will focus on addressing structural challenges, such as building resilient social protection systems, reshaping fiscal policies and promoting inclusive public policy design. Referred to the 2021-2023 EU-CELAC Strategic Roadmap on Science, Technology and Innovation as an opportunity to deepen research collaboration on the common challenges facing the regions. Congratulated the EU-LAC Foundation on its 10th anniversary and underscored that the Foundation is a valuable tool to support the bi-regional partnership, deepening mutual knowledge by bringing together civil society and other stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic. They welcomed the active parliamentary diplomacy between the regions, in particular the work of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly. Welcomed the publication of the Latin American Economic Outlook “Working Together for a Better Recovery” (LEO 2021), prepared by OECD, the UN Economic Commission for LAC and the Development Bank for Latin America (CAF), with support from the European Commission. ______________ (1) Brazil (pro-tempore presidency of Mercosur 2nd half 2021), Colombia (pro-tempore presidency Pacific Alliance 2021; Andean Community 1st half 2021 and Prosur 2021), Costa Rica (pro-tempore presidency SICA 1st half 2021), Ecuador (pro-tempore presidency Andean Community 2nd half 2021), Guatemala (pro-tempore presidency SICA 2nd half 2021), Mexico (pro-tempore presidency CELAC 2020-2021), Suriname (pro-tempore chair CARIFORUM 1st half 2021). ● Council of the EU   02/12/2021 13:05 | Press release | COVID-19: Council removes Jordan and Namibia from the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted   Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries, special administrative regions and other entities and territorial authorities for which travel restrictions should be lifted. In particular Jordan and Namibia were removed from the list. This review is a regular process, taking into account a defined set of criteria which were last updated on 20 May 2021. They cover the epidemiological situation and overall response to COVID-19, as well as the reliability of the available information and data sources. Reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case by case basis. As stipulated in the Council recommendation, this list will continue to be reviewed every two weeks and, as the case may be, updated. Based on the criteria and conditions set out in the recommendation, as from 2 December 2021 member states should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries: Argentina Australia Bahrain Canada Chile Colombia Indonesia Kuwait New Zealand Peru Qatar Rwanda Saudi Arabia South Korea United Arab Emirates Uruguay China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity Travel restrictions should also be gradually lifted for the special administrative regions of China Hong Kong and Macao. Under the category of entities and territorial authorities that are not recognised as states by at least one member state, travel restrictions for Taiwan should also be gradually lifted. Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation. Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) also take part in this recommendation. ● Council of the EU   02/12/2021 13:02 | Press release | Council adopts fairer, greener and more performance-based farming policy for 2023-2027   At a meeting today the Council formally adopted the common agricultural policy (CAP) for the period 2023-2027. The new legislation paves the way for a fairer, greener and more performance-based CAP that seeks to ensure a sustainable future for European farmers, provide more targeted support to smaller farms, and allow greater flexibility for member states in adapting the measures to local conditions. "After more than three years’ hard work we have finally reached the finishing line. The new CAP that was adopted today marks a milestone in EU farming policy, setting the stage for a fairer and more sustainable future for European farmers." Jože Podgoršek, Slovenian Minister for Agriculture The process of reforming the CAP began in 2018 when the Commission published its initial proposal. In October 2020 the Council and the European Parliament adopted their negotiating positions, kick-starting nine months of negotiations that culminated in a political agreement reached in June 2021. A key feature of the new policy is the introduction of strategic plans at member-state level, enabling national governments to tailor the provisions of the CAP to the needs of their farming communities in cooperation with local authorities and relevant stakeholders. The policy is also the most environmentally ambitious to date, with a quarter of direct payments reserved for green farming practices. Moreover, it is the first CAP to include a social dimension aimed at guaranteeing adequate employment conditions for farm workers. What happens next? The three regulations that make up the CAP reform package will be signed by both the Council and the Parliament and published in the Official Journal. Member states have until 1 January 2022 to submit their draft strategic plans, after which the Commission will begin the process of evaluating these plans and providing feedback. The new CAP will take effect from 2023 and will apply until 2027. EU ambassadors today agreed on a mandate to negotiate with the European Parliament on a proposal to update existing rules on information accompanying… Press material Wednesday 1 December 2021 ● Council of the EU 01/12/2021 17:01 | Press release | Anti-money laundering: Council agrees its negotiating mandate on transparency of crypto-asset transfers EU ambassadors today agreed on a mandate to negotiate with the European Parliament on a proposal to update existing rules on information accompanying transfers of funds. The update aims to extend the scope of the rules to certain crypto-assets. Council of the EU Press release 1 December 2021 16:55 Anti-money laundering: Council agrees its negotiating mandate on transparency of crypto-asset transfers EU ambassadors today agreed on a mandate to negotiate with the European Parliament on a proposal to update existing rules on information accompanying transfers of funds. The update aims to extend the scope of the rules to certain crypto-assets. Today’s agreement is an important step towards closing the gaps in our financial systems that are malevolently used by criminals to launder unlawful gains or finance terrorist activities. Crypto-assets are more and more at risk of being exploited for money laundering and criminal purposes, and I’m glad the Council could make swift progress on this urgent proposal.Andrej Šircelj, Slovenian Minister for Finance The aim of the proposal is to introduce an obligation for crypto-asset service providers to collect and make accessible full information about the sender and beneficiary of the transfers of virtual or crypto assets they operate. This is what payment service providers currently do for wire transfers. The purpose is to ensure traceability of crypto-asset transfers, so as to be able to better identify possible suspicious transactions and if necessary blocking them. The modifications introduced by the Council in its position streamline and clarify the Commission’s proposal, in particular by introducing requirements for crypto-asset transfers between crypto-asset service providers and un-hosted wallets. It also requires that the full set of originator information travel with the crypto-asset transfer, regardless of the transaction amount. Given the urgent need to ensure traceability of crypto-asset transfers, the Council in its position aims to synchronise the application of the proposal on transfer of funds and the market in crypto-assets regulation (MiCA). Background This proposal is part of a package of legislative proposals to strengthen the EU's anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing (AML/CFT) rules, presented by the Commission on 20 July 2021. The package also includes a proposal to create a new EU authority to fight money laundering. This proposal aligns EU legislation with key standards of the Financial Action Task Force. Council negotiating mandate with the European Parliament on information accompanying transfers of funds and certain crypto-assets Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on information accompanying transfers of funds and certain crypto-assets (recast) Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010, (EU) 1094/2010, (EU) 1095/2010 Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the mechanisms to be put in place by the Member States for the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing and repealing Directive (EU) 2015/849 Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing The EU's response to terrorism (background information)