COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION latest

Meetings Monday 23 May 2022

● Council of the EU   23/05/2022 19:26 | MEETING | Main results - European Economic Area Council, 23 May 2022   At its 54th meeting, the European Economic Area (EEA) Council held a policy debate on reducing strategic dependencies in the fields of raw materials and energy. European Economic Area Council, 23 May 2022 Main results At its 54th meeting, the European Economic Area (EEA) Council held a policy debate on reducing strategic dependencies in the fields of raw materials and energy. The ministers also assessed the overall functioning of the EEA Agreement. Chaired on behalf of the Council of the European Union by Mikuláš Bek, Czech Minister for European Affairs, the meeting was attended by Anniken Huitfeldt, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway, Dominique Hasler, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein, and Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland. Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič and representatives of the European External Action Service also attended the meeting. Meeting information Brussels 23 May 2022 17:00

Meetings Monday 23 May 2022

● Council of the EU   23/05/2022 19:05 | MEETING | Main results - General Affairs Council, 23 May 2022   The Council examined the draft conclusions of the special meeting of the European Council on 30 and 31 May 2022, and held a hearing on Hungary under the Article 7(1) TEU procedure.

General Affairs Council, 23 May 2022

Main results
Conference on the Future of Europe

On 9 May 2022, at the closing ceremony of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the final report on the conference was delivered to the three co-presidents. The report presents 49 proposals broken down into 326 measures. It is the outcome of an unprecedented EU-wide exercise, which mobilised EU citizens very intensively over a period of one year through the organisation of European and national panels.

At the ceremony, the co-presidents reaffirmed, on behalf of each of their institutions, the commitment they had made collectively at the signing of the joint declaration in 2021 to follow up on the conference proposals.

It is now up to the Council to organise effectively its own follow-up work. With that in mind, ministers discussed the conclusions of the conference and the methodology to be used for following up on the proposals.

The Council could revert to this on 21 June (General Affairs Council), on the basis of a document to be produced by the General Secretariat of the Council analysing ways to implement the proposals.



The Conference on the Future of Europe was an innovative exercise of citizen participation. European affairs ministers had a fruitful discussion on how to follow up on the proposals of the conference participants.Mikuláš Bek, Minister for European Affairs of CzechiaConference on the Future of Europe
Report on the final outcome of the conference
Rule of law in Hungary

The Council held a hearing on the values of the Union in Hungary (Article 7(1) TEU procedure).

The hearing covered the issues raised by the European Parliament in its reasoned proposal of September 2018, which triggered this procedure. The exchanges focused in particular on the independence of the judiciary, the functioning of the constitutional and electoral system, freedom of expression and the fight against corruption.

Hungary had already been heard three times by the Council, on 16 September 2019, 10 December 2019 and 22 June 2021.
Special meeting of the European Council (30 and 31 May 2022)

The General Affairs Council prepared for the special meeting of the European Council on 30 and 31 May, at which EU leaders will discuss the following matters: Ukraine, defence, energy and food security.
European Council meeting (23 and 24 June 2022)

Ministers exchanged views on the annotated draft agenda for the European Council meeting on 23 and 24 June.



The Council also adopted without discussion the items included in the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items.
Council conclusions on the development of the European Union’s cyber posture

Today the Council approved conclusions on the development of the European Union’s cyber posture. The conclusions stem from the Strategic Compass, the EU’s action plan to strengthen its security and defence policy by 2030, which provides for the development of an EU cyber posture by enhancing the EU's ability to prevent cyberattacks.Cyber posture: Council approves conclusions (press release, 23 May 2022)
Public access to documents: 2021 report

The Council today approved its annual report on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 on public access to documents. The report describes trends in requests for access to Council documents in 2021.Public access to Council documents: 2021 report (press release, 23 May 2022)
Annual report on access to documents for 2021


Meeting information

Meeting n°3871
Brussels
23 May 2022
10:00
Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda
Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities
Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities, addition 1
Background brief
Outcome documentsList of participants

The Council today approved its annual report on the implementation of Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to documents. Throughout 2021, 24,… Press material Monday 23 May 2022   ● Council of the EU   23/05/2022 13:03 | Press release | Public access to Council documents: 2021 report   The Council today approved its annual report on the implementation of Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to documents. Throughout 2021, 24,341 original language documents were added to the register, of which 73.7 %, or 17,933 documents, are public and available to download. On 31 December 2021, the public register listed 460,907 original language documents. Of the total number of original language documents listed in the register, 71.7 % (330,434 documents) were public and available to download. Enhanced legislative transparency In 2020 the committee of permanent representatives (Coreper) - composed of the ambassadors of EU member states - decided on an approach to strengthen legislative transparency. One of the decisions was to make all initial negotiating positions of the Council public, either when adopted by Coreper or by the Council in the form of a general approach. In 2021, all 53 of such files have been made public. Access to documents requests In 2021, the Council received 2,083 initial requests for access to documents and 44 confirmatory applications. At the initial stage, full access was granted to 8,492 documents (83.3 %) and partial access to 519 documents (5 %). Access was refused to 1,178 documents (11.6 %). Anyone can request access to documents listed in the public register which are not yet public. Access can only be refused on the basis of certain exceptions which include the need to protect the institution's decision-making process and the public interest as regards defence and military matters and international relations. If access is refused at the initial stage, a confirmatory application may be submitted. Background Regulation 1049/2001 governs the right of access to EU institution documents. It aims to ensure that citizens can exercise their right of access in the easiest possible way. The report which was adopted today describes trends in requests for access to Council documents in 2021 and reviews complaints to the Ombudsman and rulings handed down by the European courts in cases concerning the institutions’ implementation of the regulation. Annual report on access to documents for 2021 Request a document: online form Today I hosted President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia again. This was our third discussion in this format. We focused… Press material Monday 23 May 2022   ● European Council   23/05/2022 01:07 | Statements and remarks | Press statement by President Michel of the European Council following a trilateral meeting with President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia   Today I hosted President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia again. This was our third discussion in this format. We focused on the situation in the South Caucasus and the development of EU relations with both countries as well as the broader region. The discussion was frank and productive. We reviewed the entire set of issues. We had a detailed discussion on humanitarian issues, including demining, and efforts to free detainees and address the fate of missing persons. We reached the following outcomes: Border issues The first joint meeting of the Border Commissions will take place on the inter-state border in the coming days. It will address all questions related to the delimitation of the border and how best to ensure a stable situation. Connectivity The leaders agreed on the need to proceed with unblocking the transport links. They agreed on the principles governing transit between western Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan, and between different parts of Armenia via Azerbaijan, as well as international transport through communications infrastructure of both countries. Notably they agreed on principles of border administration, security, land fees but also customs in the context of international transport. The Deputy Prime Ministers will take this work forward in the coming days. Peace Agreement The leaders agreed to advance discussions on the future peace treaty governing inter-state relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Teams led by the Foreign Ministers will take forward this process in the coming weeks. In addition to this track, I also stressed to both leaders that it was necessary that the rights and security of the ethnic Armenian population in Karabakh be addressed. Socio-economic development The EU will take forward with both parties the work of the Economic Advisory Group, which seeks to advance economic development for the benefit of both countries and their populations. I also stressed the importance of preparing the populations for long-term sustainable peace. The EU is ready to step up its support. We agreed to remain in close contact and will meet again in the same format by July/August. Thank you. Meetings Monday 23 May 2022   ● Council of the EU 23/05/2022 16:34 | MEETING | Agenda highlights - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 24 May 2022 EU agriculture ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza and a strategic approach to the development of vaccination. Ministers will further exchange views on the situation of agricultural markets in view of the situation in Ukraine. Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 24 May 2022 Live streaming Live streaming 24 May 202207:30 Arrivals 10:15 Public session 14:50 Public session 19:20 Public session 20:00 Press conference Estimated schedule Agenda highlights EU agriculture ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza and a strategic approach to the development of vaccination. Ministers will further exchange views on the situation of agricultural markets in view of the situation in Ukraine. Highly pathogenic avian influenza Ministers will adopt conclusions on vaccination as a complementary tool to current measures for the prevention and control of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Avian influenza poses a risk to public health and is detrimental to animal health and welfare, with serious economic consequences for the poultry sectors affected. Presidency note on highly pathogenic avian influenza Other matters Agricultural markets Ministers will be briefed by the Commission on the development of solidarity channels between the EU and Ukraine, and on the market situation for agri-food products in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The invasion of Ukraine has significantly disturbed global agricultural markets, putting pressure on agricultural products and commodities needed for agricultural production such as energy and fertilisers. Despite the additional uncertainty this creates for markets, the EU has a significant agri-food trade surplus and is largely self-sufficient for food. High market prices and inflationary trends have nevertheless brought concerns around affordability, with food prices being the main concern.Commission communication on safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine 12th WTO Ministerial Conference Ministers will have the opportunity to provide political guidance to the Commission in view of the 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation, which will take place from 12 to 15 June in Geneva, Switzerland.Twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference Epidemiosurveillance platforms The French presidency will inform ministers about an event on epidemiosurveillance platforms that took place in hybrid format in March.Seminar on epidemiological surveillance platforms Keeping of companion animals The Cyprus delegation will share information with ministers regarding the establishment of a new EU legislative framework for an EU positive list for the keeping of companion animals. This session will be public.Position paper on a new EU legislative framework for an EU Positive List for the keeping of companion animals on behalf of Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Malta Phytosanitary controls on imports into the EU The Spanish delegation will inform ministers of the need to implement effective protection systems for phytosanitary controls on imports into the EU. This session will be public. Soil protection The Slovakia delegation will inform ministers on the workshop ‘Dialogue on the future of soil protection in the EU and its potential to help achieve the goals of the European Green Deal’ that took place in Brussels on 27 April. This session will be held publicly.Dialogue on the future of soil protection in the EU and its potential to help achieve the goals of the European Green Deal Reducing the use of peat in the horticultural sector The German delegation will inform ministers of the need to reduce the use of peat in the horticultural sector in order to contribute to the fight against climate change. This session will be held in public.Peat reduction in horticultural growing media - Information from the German delegation G7 Agriculture Ministers' Meeting The German delegation will brief Ministers on the G7 Agriculture Ministers' meeting in Stuttgart on 13-14 May, which discussed building resilience in agricultural systems. This session will be public. Report from the meeting of G7 agricuture ministers (Stuttgart,13 - 14 May 2022) - Information from the German delegation Spring droughts The Belgian delegation will inform the Ministers about the very unfavourable weather conditions in Belgium this spring, which are leading to a deterioration in the condition of food crops and the availability of feed for livestock, with widespread declines in productivity. This will be discussed during the exchange of views on the market situation.Drought situation in Belgium in spring 2017 = Information from the Belgian delegation Beneficiaries of EAFRD funded projects The Romanian delegation will share information on the impact of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine on the construction and assembly sector, as well as on the implementation of national rural development programmes. This session will be public.The difficult situation the beneficiaries of EAFRD-funded projects are facing as a result of the high price increase of material/costs - Information from the Romanian delegation Meeting information Meeting n°3872 24 May 2022 10:00 Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda Provisional list of A items Background brief Provisional list of A items, addition 1 List of A items, non-legislative activities