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Press material Friday 10 December 2021

● Council of the EU   10/12/2021 12:33 | Press release | 8th EAP: member states endorse provisional political agreement reached with Parliament   EU ambassadors today approved a provisional political agreement reached between the Council presidency and the European Parliament’s negotiators on 1 December, regarding the 8th Environmental Action Programme (EAP). The 8th EAP will serve as a guide for environmental and climate policymaking and implementation until 2030. "The agreement reached today delivers a strong 8th EAP - an ambitious policy framework that outlines the overall direction of the EU’s environment policy to 2030 and allows us to monitor our achievements on our path towards climate-neutrality and a zero-pollution environment. Through the addition of a mid-term review we also made sure that we can take stock of the progress made after the end of the European Green Deal in 2025 and that, where appropriate, further actions will be taken to reach our 2030 objectives." Andrej Vizjak, Slovenian Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning The presidency and the Parliament’s negotiators provisionally agreed among other things to the following: - The Commission will carry out a mid-term review in 2024 of the progress achieved in reaching the thematic priority objectives. Following this review, the Commission should present, where appropriate, a legislative proposal to add an annex to the 8th EAP, which contains a list and timeline of actions for the period after 2025. - Significantly decreasing the Union’s material and consumption footprints to bring them into planetary boundaries as soon as possible, including through the introduction of EU 2030 reduction targets, as appropriate - Strengthening environmentally positive incentives as well as phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies, in particular fossil fuel subsidies by: a binding framework to monitor and report on member states’ progress towards phasing out fossil fuel subsidies based on an agreed methodology; setting a deadline for the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies, consistent with the ambition of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees; a methodology set out by the Commission, in consultation with member states, by 2023, for identifying other environmentally harmful subsidies. On the basis of this methodology, Member states will be required to identify and report on such subsidies, allowing for a Commission report on the progress made in phasing them out; - Developing a summary dashboard and indicator set measuring ‘beyond GDP’. - Setting stricter requirements for the Commission to take stock annually of the progress achieved, as well as a governance mechanism with an annual exchange of views between the institutions. The Council and the European Parliament will now formally adopt the decision, after which it will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and enter into force. Background Environment action programmes have led the development of EU environment policy since the early 1970s. The Council approved conclusions on a future 8th EAP on 4 October 2019, calling on the Commission to present an ambitious and focused programme for the period 2021-2030. The European Commission presented its proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 on 14 October 2020. The 8th EAP aims at accelerating the green transition in a just and inclusive way, with the 2050 long-term objective of “Living well, within the planetary boundaries”, already established in the 7th EAP. The six thematic priority objectives of the 8th EAP concern greenhouse gas emissions reductions, adaptation to climate change, a growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes, a zero-pollution ambition, protecting and restoring biodiversity and reducing key environmental and climate pressures related to production and consumption. Text of the proposal for an 8th Environment Action Programme reflecting the outcome of the provisional agreement reached between the Council and the European Parliament Council mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the 8th Environment Action Programme Commission proposal for a General Union Environment Action programme to 2030 Council conclusions on "The 8th Environment Action Programme - Turning the Trends Together" ● European Council   10/12/2021 12:01 | Speech | Intervention by President Charles Michel at the Summit for Democracy   No two democracies are the same. No matter where a democracy has taken root on this planet, it is unique in its own way. But every democracy has many things in common. I would argue that they have the most important thing in common – they give power to the people. And to do that, democracies rely on values. Freedom. Equality. Human rights. The rule of law. History has shown that these values must be nurtured, defended, fought for. With vigour and with passion. Every day. Today more than ever our democracies, and the lives of our citizens, are defined by the digital transformation. This transformation presents not only huge opportunities but also risks for our democracies. We – in Europe – strive to place democratic values at the heart of our digital transformation. A transformation focused on people and their well-being. We believe this approach can be a global model for a free, secure, values-based internet. Our digital future is bursting with possibilities beyond our imaginations. Global data is today’s equivalent of yesterday’s carbon. That’s why today we must not repeat the mistakes of the past. We must use this powerful new resource wisely and sustainably. As leaders, we must ensure this vast potential is harnessed for good. Good for our citizens, good for our societies and good for our democracies. During the pandemic, we have witnessed the tremendous power of the internet to bring people together. To communicate, to share and even to heal. The power to forge tight-knit communities in difficult times. And crucially, the internet also has the power to hold politicians and public institutions accountable. Citizens coming together online, speaking with one voice. This is no ordinary power. It is a special and unprecedented power. But like all new and powerful tools, our digital transformation also brings new challenges to our democracies. Cyberattacks can paralyse individuals, businesses and governments. Increasingly sophisticated forms of information manipulation and interference have become more frequent and more destructive. They test our faith in facts and sow the seeds of doubt. Malign actors exploit digital technologies, like artificial intelligence and machine-learning algorithms. They infiltrate electoral campaigns and manipulate voter behaviour – an increasingly worrying trend. And big tech has amassed enormous power, but not all of these companies have shown the willingness to accept the matching responsibility. Their market dominance and data control give them enormous influence over our democratic process. Faced with these challenges, I believe people want the same protection online as they have offline. EU citizens believe that our digital society should be based on our European values. Inclusive societies that leave no one behind. We have a clear vision for a digitally transformed Europe by 2030. A transformation that puts people, and our planet, at the heart of our digital future. We want to be a global leader in promoting an open, interoperable, reliable and secure internet. We want an internet underpinned by rules that protect our citizens. And we want to help our partners become freer and more democratic. Because democracy and openness place the greatest freedom in the hands of people. And in Europe, we are taking concrete action. Our Digital Services Act will bolster transparency, especially in advertising and the algorithms behind these digital services. It will enhance accountability, foster innovation and protect people’s fundamental rights online. And we are leading the way in regulating artificial intelligence. We want to support the development and uptake of safe and ethical artificial intelligence, by both private and public actors. Artificial intelligence that respects fundamental rights without jeopardising investment and innovation. This could also mean banning or curtailing certain AI practices that can negatively impact our values and fundamental freedoms. We are equally working to strengthen people’s digital literacy. Their democratic rights must be guaranteed online in the same way as they are offline. Today cybersecurity is a top concern, especially for our open and free democracies. Cyber threats menace our security, our democracies, our economy and even our personal lives. Cyberattacks often unfold on a large scale, so we must respond on a large scale. That’s why we are working together to reinforce our ability to respond collectively. We will also strengthen our cyber defence through our upcoming European Strategic Compass and through our ambitious EU-NATO cooperation. Democracy relies on trust. Trust is built on fairness, accountability, transparency and the rule of law. This Summit for Democracy is a moment to show that democracies, above all other models, are rising to today’s challenges and delivering for our people. Today, that means making digitalisation the engine of our prosperity and the social well-being of our people, while protecting their fundamental democratic rights. I am convinced we have a unique opportunity in human history — to rally our fellow democracies, emerging democracies and non-democracies alike. And to harness our collective energies in a spirit of inclusive democratic renewal for the well-being of our people, no matter where they live on this planet. Thank you. Ministers discussed the issues of hybrid attacks and of migrant smuggling. They also held a debate on the Next Generation EU recovery funds and on ho… View in browser Meetings Thursday 9 December 2021   ● Council of the EU   09/12/2021 19:57 | MEETING | Justice and Home Affairs Council, 9-10 December 2021   Ministers discussed the issues of hybrid attacks and of migrant smuggling. They also held a debate on the Next Generation EU recovery funds and on how infiltration by organised crime into legal structures and processes can best be prevented. The Council concluded that Croatia has fulfilled the necessary conditions for the application of all parts of the Schengen acquis. ● Council of the EU   09/12/2021 19:08 | Press release | Council concludes Croatia has fulfilled the necessary conditions for the full application of the Schengen acquis   The Council today concluded that Croatia has fulfilled the necessary conditions for the application of all parts of the Schengen acquis. This verification that the necessary conditions for the application of all parts of the Schengen acquis have been met by Croatia is a precondition for the Council to be able to take a subsequent decision allowing for the lifting of internal border controls. Since its accession to the EU, Croatia applies the provisions of the Schengen acquis, with the exception of the provisions on the lifting of controls at internal borders. According to the EU act of accession of Croatia, the lifting of these controls can only occur following a Council decision to that effect, after verification in accordance with the Schengen evaluation procedures that Croatia fulfils the conditions. The Schengen evaluation of Croatia took place between 2016 and 2020. In October 2019, the Commission considered that Croatia had taken the measures needed to ensure the necessary conditions for the full application of the Schengen acquis. It closed the last action plan for the evaluated fields in February 2021. The purpose of today's conclusions is for the Council to formally establish that Croatia has fulfilled the necessary conditions. The approval of these conclusions is without prejudice to the adoption of the Council decision on the full application of the Schengen acquis. Council conclusions on the fulfilment of the necessary conditions for the full application of the Schengen acquis in Croatia

The Council today adopted the regulation establishing the EU asylum agency. This regulation aims to improve the application of asylum policy within t… View in browser Press material Thursday 9 December 2021   ● Council of the EU   09/12/2021 10:24 | Press release | Migration and asylum pact: Council adopts EU asylum agency regulation   The Council today adopted the regulation establishing the EU asylum agency. This regulation aims to improve the application of asylum policy within the EU, by turning the current European asylum support office (EASO) into a fully-fledged agency. This agency will be responsible for improving the functioning of the common European asylum system, by providing enhanced operational and technical assistance to member states and by contributing to more convergence in the assessment of applications for international protection. "Having a fully fledged EU asylum agency is an important step in the building of our common EU asylum policy. This agency will be able to provide quick, tangible support to member states wherever needed. It will also contribute to our cooperation with third countries, showing in a very concrete way the strength of our joint action." Aleš Hojs, Slovenian Minister for the Interior The EU asylum agency regulation strengthens the current EASO mandate and facilitates the deployment of experts to member states that have requested operational support. The new legislation increases the agency's support to cooperation among member states and third countries, thereby also contributing to the solidarity among member states and the EU overall external dimension. It also takes into account that discussions on a new migration and asylum pact are ongoing and defers the entry into application of the monitoring mechanism to a later stage.

● Council of the EU   08/12/2021 18:24 | Press release | Digitalisation of justice: Council presidency and European Parliament reach provisional agreement on e-CODEX   Today, the Council presidency and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the proposal for a regulation on the e-CODEX system. The main aim of this system is to enable the digitalisation of cross-border judicial communication and facilitate better access to justice for citizens and businesses. "A modern justice system, able to withstand in times of crisis, is essential to ensure citizens' right to access to justice and to a fair trial. Today's agreement is an important step in this direction. It will make the e-CODEX system the digital backbone of EU judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters. E-CODEX regulation will provide sustainable system, ensuring that judicial authorities can easily and quickly communicate in cross-border procedures. This was one of the priority dossiers of the Slovenian Presidency and we are pleased we managed to swiftly achieve the compromise text." Marjan Dikaučič, Slovenian Minister for Justice Digitalisation of justice aims to facilitate access to justice, improve overall efficiency, and ensure the resilience of justice systems in times of crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. e-CODEX system (e-Justice Communication via Online Data Exchange) is a key technological, digital enabler for modernising the communication in the context of cross-border judicial communication. e-CODEX allows for the interoperability between the IT systems used by judicial authorities. It enables different national e-justice systems to be interconnected in order to exchange case related data in civil and criminal matters. This system has been in development for a number of years and is currently still managed by a consortium of member states and other organisations.. The compromise aims to provide a sustainable, long-term legal framework for the system, by handing over its management to eu-LISA. The agency should take over the responsibility for the e-CODEX system no earlier than 1 July 2023 and at the latest on 31 December 2023. The provisional text introduces provisions protecting the independence of the judiciary, details on the governance and management structure within eu-LISA and possibilities for member states to contribute to further development of the e-CODEX system. Next steps The provisional agreement is subject to approval by the Council and the European Parliament before going through the formal adoption procedure. Background e-CODEX system consists of a package of software components that enables the connectivity between national systems. It allows its users (competent judicial authorities, legal practitioners and citizens) to electronically send and receive documents, legal forms, evidence or other information in a swift and secure manner. In this way, e-CODEX allows the establishment of interoperable and secure decentralised communication networks between national IT systems supporting cross-border cooperation in civil and criminal matters. For instance, e CODEX is already underpinning the e-Evidence Digital Exchange System, supports the exchanges in relation to European Investigation Orders and Mutual Legal Assistance in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters.