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Press material Monday 21 March 2022

● Council of the EU   21/03/2022 21:37 | Press release | International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March 2022: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU   In a Europe shaken by the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and its population, the EU confirms, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the firm commitment to act against all human rights violations and to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance worldwide. This same day, dedicated to the memory of the Sharpeville massacre, we convene member states, partner countries, international organizations and civil society to the second EU Anti-racism Summit, to delve deeper into the fight against racism and persistent structural inequities and to take stock of what has been achieved since the adoption of the EU anti-racism action plan. 2022 is the European Year of Youth, and the Summit will pay special attention to the critical role young people play in combating racism and discrimination and will look at critical areas for action such as law enforcement, environmental racism, and racism in education and in culture. The EU anti-racism action plan calls for a better enforcement of EU law, fair policing, protection of minority groups and stronger national measures defined in national action plans. This is an opportunity to review our policies and activities under a non-discrimination and equal opportunities perspective and to launch new initiatives in sectors such as education, health and social inclusion. Racist hate speech and hate crime must be stopped. To this end, we are strengthening the implementation of the laws already in place and extending the criminal law response at EU level to face new challenges. Cooperation with our partners is central to EU strategies and policies against racial discrimination. This translates into multiple actions, ranging from promoting the ratification and the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to strengthening support to civil society organisations’ engagement against xenophobic attitudes towards migrants. As reaffirmed by the European Council in its recent Recommendation on Roma equality and Conclusions on racism and antisemitism, the EU is fully committed to eliminating racism in all its forms. We will join efforts with the relevant institutions, organizations and individuals to ensure that every human being can enjoy the same dignity and rights.

Press material Monday 21 March 2022

● Council of the EU   21/03/2022 17:55 | Press release | A Strategic Compass for a stronger EU security and defence in the next decade   Today the Council has formally approved the Strategic Compass, at a time when we witness the return of war in Europe. The Compass gives the European Union an ambitious plan of action for strengthening the EU's security and defence policy by 2030. The more hostile security environment requires us to make a quantum leap forward and increase our capacity and willingness to act, strengthen our resilience, and invest more and better in our defence capabilities. The strength of our Union lies in unity, solidarity and determination. The objective of the Strategic Compass is to make the EU a stronger and more capable security provider. The EU needs to be able to protect its citizens and to contribute to international peace and security. This is all the more important at a time when war has returned to Europe, following the unjustified and unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine, as well as of major geopolitical shifts. This Strategic Compass will enhance the EU’s strategic autonomy and its ability to work with partners to safeguard its values and interests. A stronger and more capable EU in security and defence will contribute positively to global and transatlantic security and is complementary to NATO, which remains the foundation of collective defence for its members. It will also intensify support for the global rules-based order, with the United Nations at its core. "The threats are rising and the cost of inaction is clear. The Strategic Compass is a guide for action. It sets out an ambitious way forward for our security and defence policy for the next decade. It will help us face our security responsibilities, in front of our citizens and the rest of the world. If not now, then when?" Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Eur The Strategic Compass provides a shared assessment of the strategic environment in which the EU is operating and of the threats and challenges the Union faces. The document makes concrete and actionable proposals, with a very precise timetable for implementation, in order to improve the EU's ability to act decisively in crises and to defend its security and its citizens. The Compass covers all the aspects of the security and defence policy and is structured around four pillars: act, invest, partner and secure. Act In order to be able to act rapidly and robustly whenever a crisis erupts, with partners if possible and alone when necessary, the EU will: - establish a strong EU Rapid Deployment Capacity of up to 5000 troops for different types of crises - be ready to deploy 200 fully equipped CSDP mission experts within 30 days, including in complex environments - conduct regular live exercises on land and at sea - enhance military mobility - reinforce the EU's civilian and military CSDP (Common Defence and Security Policy) missions and operations by promoting a rapid and more flexible decision-making process , acting in a more robust way and ensuring greater financial solidarity - make full use of the European Peace Facility to support partners Secure In order to strengthen its ability to anticipate, deter and respond to current and fast-emerging threats and challenges, and safeguard the EU's security interest, the EU will: - boost its intelligence analysis capacities - develop Hybrid Toolbox and Response Teams bringing together different instruments to detect and respond to a broad range of hybrid threats - further develop the Cyber Diplomatic Toolbox and set up an EU Cyber Defence Policy to be better prepared for and respond to cyberattacks - develop a Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Toolbox - develop an EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence - strengthen the EU’s role as a maritime security actor Invest Member states have committed to substantially enhance their defence expenditures to match our collective ambition to reduce critical military and civilian capability gaps and strengthen our European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. The EU will: - exchange on national objectives on increased and improved defence spending to match our security needs - provide further incentives for member states to engage in collaborative capability development and jointly invest in strategic enablers and next generation capabilities to operate on land, at sea, in the air, in the cyber domain and in outer space - boost defence technological innovation to fill strategic gaps and reduce technological and industrial dependencies Partner In order to address common threats and challenges, the EU will: - strengthen cooperation with strategic partners such as NATO, the UN and regional partners, including the OSCE, AU and ASEAN - develop more tailored bilateral partnerships with like-minded countries and strategic partners, such as the US, Canada, Norway, the UK, Japan and others - develop tailored partnerships in the Western Balkans, our eastern and southern neighbourhood, Africa, Asia and Latin America, including through enhancing dialogue and cooperation, promoting participation in CSDP missions and operations and supporting capacity- building

Press material Monday 21 March 2022

● Eurogroup   21/03/2022 14:49 | Press release | Economic situation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: President Donohoe's report to the President of the Euro Summit   The President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe, has sent a letter to the President of the Euro Summit, Charles Michel, to report on the work of the Eurogroup. The letter will inform the discussion that Leaders will hold at the Euro Summit on 25 March 2022. The report takes stock of the economic situation and fiscal policy in light of recent developments, in particular Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. "Beyond the human tragedy unfolding in Ukraine, the Russian aggression is also clearly a challenge to our common prosperity, values and security, but it is one that we can overcome. The key contribution of the Eurogroup to this wider struggle is to work together to safeguard the recovery. A strong euro area economy is also an anchor for stability and security on our continent." Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup and Minister of finance of Ireland The letter highlights the resilience of the euro area in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is clear that the war in Ukraine is now denting growth momentum and exacerbating inflationary pressures, due in particular to energy supply and energy prices, and finance ministers are looking at ways to shield vulnerable groups from these impacts. At its March meeting, the Eurogroup adopted a statement recalling its strong coordination of fiscal policy in the euro area to weather the heightened risks and uncertainties. The Eurogroup agreed that transitioning from an aggregate supportive fiscal stance to a broadly neutral stance next year appears to be appropriate. At the same time, the Eurogroup recognises the need for differentiation of fiscal strategies across member states and it stands ready to react to the evolving economic situation through agile and flexible policies. The report also takes stock of progress achieved by the Eurogroup on key issues relevant for the Economic Monetary Union, including: economic governance framework banking union digital euro Letter by the President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe, to Charles Michel, President of the Euro Summit, ahead of the Euro Summit of 25 March 2022

Meetings Monday 21 March 2022

● Council of the EU   21/03/2022 13:40 | MEETING | General Affairs Council, 22 March 2022   Background brief - General Affairs Council of 22 March 2022

Council of the EU
General Affairs Council, 22 March 2022

Main results
European Council meeting on 24 and 25 March 2022

Ministers held an exchange of views on the draft conclusions of the European Council on 24 and 25 March 2022.

EU leaders will discuss Russian military aggression against Ukraine, energy, COVID-19, security and defence, external relations and economic issues.
European Council 24-25 March 2022 (background information)
Political party funding

Today the EU’s European affairs ministers reached political agreement (a partial general approach) on the recast of the regulation on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations.

This revision aims to enhance the transparency of European political parties and bolster the framework for their funding, in particular to counter the risks of foreign interference and manipulation, while seeking to limit the administrative burden that European political parties might have to bear. It will also facilitate action by and the visibility of European political parties, which are a vehicle for EU citizens to express their will, in the member states, and thus for European democracy. Finally, it will help to strengthen the confidence of European citizens in their European institutions and political parties.



The transparency of political campaigns and elections is vital to protect the democratic process. Citizens have a right to know where party funding comes from. The regulation will help increase transparency and limit foreign interference.Clément Beaune, French Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs
Council of the EU takes steps towards more transparent funding of European political parties (press release, 22 March 2022)
European Semester

The European Semester process was also on the agenda.

The French presidency has drawn up a synthesis report of the Council’s contributions to the 2022 European Semester, summarising the Council’s contributions concerning the autumn package of the 2022 European Semester published in November last year. Exchanges of views relating to the first phase of the 2022 European Semester have been held in various Council configurations. The results of those exchanges are reflected in the document.

The presidency presented the updated roadmap for the 2022 European Semester setting out the dates of the most important discussions, in particular participation in the relevant Council configurations with a view to the European Council meetings on 24 and 25 March and in June. Ahead of the June European Council, the Commission presented the spring package consisting of country-specific reports and the Council’s recommendations.

Ministers also agreed to forward the draft recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area to the European Council for approval. The draft recommendation was finalised and approved in January. The text will be adopted by the Council after approval by the European Council.
2022 Synthesis report
Updated roadmap
Draft recommendation
Conference on the Future of Europe

The presidency has proposed to the Council a methodology for the next stages of the Conference with a view to the closing event on 9 May, taking into account the comments previously made by the member states.

At the end of last week, the recommendations of the last Citizens’ Panels on the economy, social justice, youth and education, global Europe and immigration were presented to the plenary.

The next plenary sessions are scheduled for 25 and 26 March, 8 and 9 April and 29 and 30 April. They are intended to prepare the final proposals of the plenary.

The final results of the Conference, based on citizens’ recommendations, will be presented in a report to be sent by the executive board to the joint presidency of the Conference on 9 May.

The institutions, including the Council, will then be responsible for implementing the conclusions of the Conference, within the powers conferred on them by the Treaties.
Conference on the Future of Europe (background information)
Any other business

The Commission presented, as an AOB item, the proposals for regulations on autonomous measures vis-à-vis the United Kingdom.

The Council also adopted without discussion the items that figured in the list of non-legislative A items.


Meeting information


Meeting n°0475
Brussels
22 March 2022
10:00
Preparatory documents
Background brief
Provisional agenda
Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities
Provisional list of A items, addition 1
List of A items, non-legislative activities
Outcome documents
List of participants