EUROGROUP,COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,latest news

Press material Monday 14 March 2022   ● Council of the EU   14/03/2022 23:35 | Press release | Trade: provisional agreement to promote reciprocity in access to international public procurement markets   The Council Presidency and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on a draft regulation aimed at promoting reciprocity in access to international public procurement markets. The provisional agreement is subject to approval by the Council and the European Parliament before going through the formal adoption procedure. This legislative act will enable us to introduce a new trade policy tool to ensure access and a level playing field for EU companies on third countries’ public procurement markets. After all, according to the Commission, public procurement accounts for 15 to 20% of global GDP. "Currently, European procurement is broadly open to companies from third countries, but European companies do not always have reciprocal access to public procurement in those countries. This new European instrument will equip the EU with credible leverage to open up our partners’ public procurement to our companies and will enable us to right that imbalance and defend our companies against these discriminatory practices. Today's well-balanced agreement is a historic step in implementing an open, sustainable and firm trade policy." Franck Riester, minister with responsibility for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs A new lever for European trade policy The instrument aims to create bargaining leverage to encourage third countries to end practices which close their public procurement markets. Thus, when the Commission carries out an investigation, it will invite the third country concerned to consult with it in order to guarantee European companies open access to all to its public procurement. Otherwise, at the end of a transparent investigation, the European Union will be able to apply reciprocal measures by restricting the access of that third country’s companies to European public procurement markets. IPI measures Thus, if the Commission finds that European companies face serious and recurring restrictions on access to a third country’s public procurement and if, following consultation with the third country concerned, those barriers persist, it may impose measures limiting the access of that third country’s companies to European public procurement in response. Such limitations on access may be imposed either by applying a penalty to the scoring of tenders submitted by economic operators from that country, or by excluding such tenders entirely from award procedures. IPI measures only apply to economic operators, goods and services from third countries which do not have an international public procurement agreement with the EU or whose agreement does not include commitments to open up markets for these goods or services. Furthermore, they apply only to procurement procedures with an estimated value equal to or above EUR 15 000 000 excluding VAT for works and concessions, and at least equal to or above 5 000 000 excluding VAT for goods and services. Member states will be able to request exemption from IPI measures for a limited list of local contracting authorities, under certain strict conditions. Lastly, given the EU’s objective of encouraging sustainable growth in low-income countries, the Commission will not be able to launch any investigations into the practices of least-developed countries which benefit from the ‘everything but arms’ arrangement. Anti-circumvention measures In order to avoid circumvention of these rules, additional obligations will be imposed on successful tenderers in procurement procedures to which an IPI measure applies, such as an obligation not to subcontract more than 50% of the total value of the contract to economic operators from a third country subject to an IPI measure. Guidelines and review of the regulation The Commission will publish guidelines to help member states’ tendering authorities in applying the regulation, and in particular to facilitate its application by SMEs. It will also regularly review the scope, functioning and effectiveness of the regulation. Background On 21 March 2012, the European Commission presented a first proposal for a regulation, which did not obtain the necessary support in the Council. On 29 January 2016, the European Commission adopted an amended proposal, and it was on this basis that the Council agreed its negotiating mandate on 2 June 2021, before starting its contacts with the European Parliament. Next steps The agreement will be submitted to the EU’s Permanent Representatives Committee for approval on behalf of the Council, after finalisation of the text at technical level. Parliament and Council will then be called on to adopt the proposed regulation at first reading.

 

Meetings Monday 14 March 2022

● Eurogroup   14/03/2022 21:33 | MEETING | Main results - Eurogroup, 14 March 2022   The Eurogroup discussed fiscal policy coordination for 2023 and key macroeconomic developments. It also discussed a work plan for all outstanding elements of the Banking Union. Meetings Eurogroup Eurogroup, 14 March 2022 Main results Highlights from the Eurogroup meeting of 14 March held in Brussels Regular format Euro area fiscal policy coordination for 2023 Ministers discussed fiscal policy coordination for 2023, with a view to safeguarding the economic recovery in the euro area. The Eurogroup issued a statement. The Eurogroup also took stock of the economic situation arising from Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and other key macroeconomic developments having influence on budgetary planning for 2023. Given uncertainties and risks, we need to remain agile and flexible in our policy response. The Eurogroup will work closely with the Commission in the coming weeks and months to do this. We reiterated our agreement to maintain a supportive fiscal stance for this year. Looking ahead, we concurred that the economic recovery will set the stage for a gradual evolution in fiscal policy, leading to a broadly neutral overall fiscal stance in 2023 for the euro area. We stand ready to adjust our policies if economic developments require us to do so.Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup Eurogroup statement on the fiscal guidance for 2023 (press release, 14 March 2022) Economic governance framework (background information) Greece – 13th enhanced surveillance report The Eurogroup discussed the thirteenth enhanced surveillance report on Greece. The enhanced surveillance framework for Greece was activated by the Commission on 11 July 2018, and entered into force in August 2018. The quarterly enhanced surveillance reports enable close monitoring of the economic, fiscal and financial situation and the post-programme policy commitments, as agreed by the June 2018 Eurogroup. We very much welcome the progress made by the Greek authorities despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup Inclusive format Banking Union - state of play Ministers discussed the way forward to agree on a work plan for all outstanding elements of the Banking Union, ahead of the March Euro Summit. Our discussions got into the substance of a work plan that our leaders have asked us to deliver. I put forward a phased approach with four work streams and I am happy to report that overall my colleagues confirmed that this approach is a credible basis for further discussions.Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup Preparation of the March Euro Summit The Eurogroup prepared the Euro Summit that will take place on 24-25 March 2022. Meeting information Brussels 14 March 2022 13:30 Preparatory documents Draft agenda, Eurogroup Draft agenda, Eurogroup in inclusive format Draft annotated agenda, Eurogroup Draft annotated agenda, Eurogroup in inclusive format Outcome documents List of participants List of participants, Eurogroup in inclusive format Meetings Monday 14 March 2022   ● Council of the EU   14/03/2022 20:12 | MEETING | Main results - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, 14 March 2022   Ministers of employment and social affairs discussed the situation in Ukraine and the financial support measures decided on at European level for the reception of refugees. The Council also reached a general approach on a proposal for a directive on improving gender balance in the boardroom.

Council of the EU
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, 14 March 2022

Main results

The Council discussed the situation in Ukraine and the financial support measures decided on at European level for the reception of refugees.

The Council also adopted a general approach on a draft directive on improving the balance between women and men on company boards. Ministers also approved conclusions on a European Court of Auditors special report, adopted the joint employment report 2022 and approved conclusions on the 2022 annual sustainable growth survey and joint employment report.

The ministers participated in two policy debates aimed at contributing to the full realisation of the EU’s potential in employment, firstly in a debate on combating discrimination in access to employment and on promoting diversity in the world of work, and secondly in a debate on the full participation of older people in the world of work.
Ukraine

People displaced by the conflict in Ukraine must be given assistance for their reception and support, access to the labour market and housing and social assistance, with particular attention to children and people with disabilities. Ministers exchanged views after a presentation by the Commission of its initiative of 8 March 2022. The initiative, known as CARE, aims to renew the budgetary flexibilities and reallocations introduced in European social funds in 2020 to finance such assistance to the refugees.
Gender balance on company boards

With only 30.6% of board members and 8.5% of board chairs being held by women in the EU, the Council is moving forward with an EU law to improve the balance between women and men on these bodies. At their meeting in Brussels, ministers agreed on their position on this draft directive and thereby cleared the way for negotiations with the European Parliament to reach a final agreement on the text.

The directive aims to set a quantitative objective to be reached of the under-represented sex on boards of listed companies. When a company does not meet the objectives, it will be obliged to carry out appointments or elections for directors by applying clear, neutrally formulated and unambiguous criteria.



Today's agreement in the Council is an important step. I would reiterate that I wish to see negotiations with the European Parliament commence rapidly to achieve the definitive adoption of this directive, which will make it possible to take action on the glass ceiling which women too often face in the world of work.Élisabeth Borne, French Minister of Labour, Employment and Economic Inclusion
Member states adopt a general approach on an EU directive aiming to strengthen gender equality on corporate boards (press release, 14 March 2022)
Gender balance on corporate boards (background information)
Combatting discrimination at work and promoting diversity in the workplace

Despite the extensive EU rulebook to guarantee equal treatment, more than 50% of EU citizens are of the opinion that discrimination persists in their country. Discrimination at work is among other things caused by the persistence of stereotypes, an inadequate awareness of employers and workers as regards their obligations and rights and an insufficient implementation of anti-discrimination measures. Ministers exchanged views on this subject and addressed, in particular, further actions that might be needed at EU level to combat discrimination in employment. They also discussed the means national authorities should be allocated to ensure the effective implementation of the EU's rules.
Promoting the full participation of older people in the labour market

While the level of employment for people between 55 and 64 is only 59.6% (according to Eurostat data), ministers discussed possible EU actions to boost their participation in the labour market and training as well as ways to adapt their work environment and their working conditions to facilitate them staying in work.

The presidency recalled that a culture of life-long learning and investment in health and safety at work were two key factors to keep people in work. In this regard, the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027 highlights the need to adapt the working environment and conditions in order to prevent professional exclusion.
European Court of Auditors special report

The Council approved conclusions on a special report of the European Court of Auditors about measures since 2014 of the European Social Fund (ESF) to tackle long-term unemployment. The report comes to the conclusion that ESF measures were not always adapted to address the specific needs of long-term unemployed people. The conclusions - among other points - call upon member states to offer in-depth individual assessments and guidance to jobseekers using all the resources available, including upskilling and reskilling schemes, to help remove social and psychological barriers to returning to work.
European semester

In the context of the 2022 European Semester, the Council adopted the joint employment report 2022 and approved conclusions on the 2022 annual sustainable growth survey and joint employment report. In their conclusions, ministers call on member states to reflect the priorities of the annual sustainable growth survey and joint employment report and to step up their efforts to implement the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
European Semester (background information)
European Semester in 2022 (background information)
Other business

The presidency and the Commission briefed delegations about the upcoming Social Tripartite Summit.

The European Commission informed ministers about the implementation of the EU action plan against racism, the annual report about equality between women and men, its recent communication entitled action plan for the social economy, the European child guarantee, and national objectives in the area of work, skills and poverty reduction in the context of the action plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights.

The chairs of the Employment Committee and of the Social Protection Committee presented the work programmes of their committees for 2022.
Work Programme of the Employment Committee for 2022
Work Programme of the Social Protection Committee 2022


Meeting information


Meeting n°3851
Brussels
14 March 2022
09:00
Preparatory documents
Provisional agenda
List of A items, non-legislative activities
List of A items, non-legislative activities, addition 1
Background brief
Outcome documents
List of participants