COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION latest

 

Meetings Friday 10 June 2022

● Council of the EU   10/06/2022 19:33 | MEETING | Justice and Home Affairs Council, 9-10 June 2022   On Friday, the Council very broadly supported the first step of the gradual approach to migration and asylum. Home affairs ministers discussed the situation in the Schengen area and adopted a general approach on the reform of the Schengen borders code. They also agreed on draft legislation to improve law enforcement cooperation. Ministers discussed the response to the situation in Ukraine.

Council of the EU
Justice and Home Affairs Council, 9-10 June 2022

Main results
Home affairs (10 June 2022)
Asylum and migration

The Council very broadly supported the first step of the gradual approach to migration and asylum proposed by the presidency, including the screening regulation, the Eurodac regulation and the solidarity mechanism.

In the coming days, the presidency and the Commission will hold a meeting of the solidarity platform to operationalise the declaration on solidarity. The presidency will also formalise the adoption of the negotiating mandates for the screening and Eurodac regulations.EU migration policy (background information)
EU asylum reform (background information)
Schengen borders code: adoption of the general approach

As part of the presidency’s move to strengthen and reform Schengen, the Council today adopted its general approach on the reform of the Schengen borders code. This reform: (i) provides new tools to combat the instrumentalisation of migration flows; (ii) establishes a new legal framework for external border measures in the event of a health crisis, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 experience; (iii) modernises the legal framework for reintroducing internal border controls, to ensure the principle of free movement while addressing persistent threats; and (iv) introduces alternative measures to such controls.

Ministers also discussed the situation of the Schengen area. They responded to the main challenges and conclusions of the Schengen evaluations presented in the Commission’s report on the state of Schengen and discussed the lines of action proposed by the presidency for the coming months. These lines of action aim to strengthen the functioning of the Schengen area and cover several aspects, including the political governance of the Schengen area, external and internal borders, police cooperation, JHA information systems and visa and return policies.Schengen borders code: Council adopts its general approach (press release, 10 June 2022)

Ministers also adopted without discussion a Council regulation reforming the Schengen evaluation and monitoring mechanism. The regulation is intended to help make the Schengen area more adaptable to current and future challenges. It introduces a more strategic focus for the mechanism, simplified and accelerated evaluation and monitoring procedures, closer cooperation with all relevant stakeholders and a stronger strategic role for the Council.

Over lunch, ministers held a political discussion on the activity of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). They discussed the deployment of the standing corps, the governance of the agency, their expectations as regards the implementation of its mandate and the prospects for developing Frontex’s cooperation with third countries.
Response to the situation in Ukraine

Ministers took stock of the implementation of the 10-point plan for stronger European coordination on welcoming people fleeing the war from Ukraine. They stressed the need to continue work on the full implementation of the plan, including support for the reception and integration of people fleeing the war and assistance to Moldova. They also examined whether further action might need to be taken in the medium and long term, in particular with regard to contingency plans and possible additional financial needs.

Ministers also discussed measures to prevent and combat the possible trafficking in human beings and firearms and stressed the importance of remaining very vigilant on the evolution of criminal threats.The 10-point plan: for stronger European coordination on welcoming people fleeing the war from Ukraine (European Commission)
EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information)
Police cooperation

The Council adopted general approaches for a directive on information exchange between law enforcement authorities and the regulation on automated data exchange for police cooperation (Prüm II).

In addition, in order to effectively combat crime and respond to new criminal threats, the Council adopted a recommendation on operational police cooperation.Council adopts two general approaches and a recommendation to improve operational police cooperation and information exchange (press release, 10 June 2022)
Any other business

Ministers were briefed on the cooperation between competent authorities dealing with counter-terrorism, in the presence of the counter-terrorism group (CTG).

The presidency informed ministers of work done on non-legislative activities, in particular the implementation of the EU drugs strategy and action plan (2021-2025) and the fight against radicalisation.

It also informed ministers about the latest developments in work on current legislative proposals.Information on current legislative proposals

The presidency also reported on the preparations and agenda for the next EU-US ministerial meeting in the area of justice and home affairs.



The upcoming Czech presidency of the Council presented its work programme and priorities for the next six months.
Justice (9 June 2022)
Judicial responses to the situation in Ukraine

The Council exchanged views on the appropriate judicial responses in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Ministers confirmed the need to continue the coordination begun by the French presidency to support investigation and prosecution in relation to international crimes. Ministers reiterated their commitment to ensuring that, to the fullest extent possible, this war does not cause even greater suffering for displaced minors. Further to the démarches by Ukraine, they confirmed the importance of a political response at EU level.

Ministers also discussed the Commission’s recent proposal to extend the list of ‘EU crimes’ to violations of EU restrictive measures, given the exceptional situation and the need to ensure the effectiveness of EU sanctions. They responded very positively to the proposal, and discussions at technical level will resume quickly in order to meet the European Council’s call for speed.Judicial responses to the situation in Ukraine (discussion paper)
EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information)
EU restrictive measures against Russia over Ukraine (background information)
The Commission proposes rules on freezing and confiscating assets (European Commission, 25 May 2022)
Rights of the child

The Council adopted conclusions on the EU strategy on the rights of the child. The conclusions have a particular focus on the protection of children’s rights in crisis or emergency situations, in light of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

More generally, the member states are called on to develop policies to enforce the rights of all children without discrimination, to increase efforts to prevent and combat all forms of violence against children, to strengthen their justice systems so that they respect the rights of all children and to increase opportunities for children to be responsible and resilient members of the digital society. A network of national contact points will make it possible to provide a more effective response to abduction alerts.Council adopts conclusions on the rights of the child (press release, 9 June 2022)
Environmental crime

The Council agreed on a partial general approach on the draft environmental crime directive. The partial general approach covers the articles and recitals defining criminal offences. Instead of the nine offences that currently exist under EU criminal law, ministers agreed on the definition of 20 offences, thus broadening and clarifying the scope of conduct that is prohibited because it harms the environment. This includes timber trafficking, a major cause of deforestation in some parts of the world, the illegal recycling of polluting boats and serious breaches of legislation on chemicals.

Ministers also discussed the harmonisation of sanction levels in order to provide guidance for further work.Proposal on environmental crime: partial general approach
Digitalisation of judicial cooperation in criminal matters

To step up the effectiveness of the tools for judicial cooperation in criminal matters and, as a result, the fight against cross-border crime, the Council approved Council general approaches on a proposal regarding digital information exchange in terrorism cases and on a proposal to establish a collaboration platform for joint investigation teams.

These proposals are part of ongoing efforts to modernise and digitalise cross-border judicial cooperation, making it easier for prosecutors and judges to exchange information and bring to justice a growing number of criminals and terrorists acting across borders.Judicial cooperation: Council adopts negotiating mandate on two proposals to improve information exchange (press release, 9 June 2022)
A digital future for Europe (background information)
International transfers of personal data

Over lunch ministers exchanged views on data protection in the context of international transfers of personal data. The Commission presented the state of play of discussions with the US regarding the regulatory reforms needed to adopt a new adequacy decision for the transfer of personal data, following the invalidation of the two previous decisions by the Court of Justice of the European Union. Ministers stressed the importance of adopting a robust framework that respects the existing rulings of the Court of Justice and provides businesses with the legal certainty they need.

Ministers also discussed more generally the issue of transfers of personal data and the need for a coherent and ambitious European policy on this issue, given that such transfers have become a major strategic challenge in several important areas of public policy.Transfers of personal data (presidency paper)
Any other business

Ministers took stock of the ongoing negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament regarding the e-evidence proposals. The two institutions are now engaged in in-depth work to confirm a number of points of convergence and to prepare for political discussions on the central points of the text, which are scheduled for 14 June.E-evidence proposals: progress report
Better access to e-evidence to fight crime (background information)

Ministers were informed about the state of play on the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). During the current presidency, the Council of Europe ad hoc group met for the 13th time. In parallel to this work, experts also focused on the preparation of the internal EU rules that will be needed.

The Commission presented its guidelines on extradition, published on 8 June 2022. This initiative notably follows concerns raised by some member states regarding the instrumentalisation of certain criminal prosecutions launched by third countries against EU citizens, including requests to member states for arrest and extradition.Guidelines on extradition (European Commission)

The presidency informed ministers about the latest developments in work on current legislative proposals.Information on current legislative proposals

It also presented the agenda for the next EU-US ministerial meeting in the area of justice and home affairs.



The upcoming Czech presidency of the Council presented its work programme and priorities for the next six months.

The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items.


Meeting information

Meeting n°3878
Luxembourg
9 June 2022
09:30
Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda
Provisional agenda
List of A items, non-legislative activities
List of A items, legislative deliberations
Background brief
Outcome documentsList of participants
List of participants

Meetings Friday 10 June 2022

● Council of the EU   10/06/2022 18:16 | MEETING | Competitiveness Council, 9-10 June 2022   Ministers responsible for research and space met in Luxembourg to adopt several sets of conclusions and to discuss support for young researchers in times of crisis and the European space programme

Council of the EU Competitiveness Council, 9-10 June 2022 Main results Research and space, 10 June 2022 Principles and values for international cooperation in research and innovation Ministers adopted conclusions on principles and values for international cooperation in research and innovation. The Council emphasised that international cooperation is of paramount importance in order to enhance the impact of research and innovation in addressing major global challenges. In the context of current Russian military aggression against Ukraine, the Council has added a statement to the conclusions deploring the Ukrainian crisis and its impact on research and innovation.European research area (background information) Horizon Europe (background information) Open science The ministers adopted conclusions on research assessment and implementation of open science. In the conclusions, the Council has given political impetus for joint action to be taken in three key areas: reform of research assessment systems, capacity building for academic publications, and the promotion of multilingualism as a means of communicating and disseminating the results of scientific research.EU space policy (background information) European missions Ministers adopted conclusions on European missions. In these conclusions, the Council provides guidance on the framework for the implementation of the European missions, in particular concerning the governance of the new instruments at European, national and local level to enhance synergies between funding programmes.Watch the recording of the public debate Council provides political guidance on international cooperation, open science and European missions (press release, 10 June 2022) Infographic - European Research AreaSee full infographic Supporting young researchers in times of crisis The Council held a policy debate on ways to support young researchers in times of crisis and, more generally, how to ensure good working conditions and long-term career prospects for them once an emergency situation is over. A number of ministers described the difficulties young researchers face in their countries. These difficulties have been aggravated by current crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian aggression against Ukraine. To ensure support for young researchers, the Council noted the importance of coordinating actions at European level to promote the sustainable development of scientific careers. Most ministers stressed the need for safety nets to prevent the harmful effects of future crises. These actions should not be limited to research alone but should also cover other sectors, including social, employment and education policies.Watch the recording of the public debate Copernicus by 2035 Ministers adopted conclusions on Copernicus by 2035. These conclusions prepare the main topics for discussion on the future of the Copernicus programme up to 2035 and provide political guidance for its future developments. Space traffic management Ministers adopted conclusions on space traffic management (STM). These conclusions propose concrete actions to make sure that space activities are conducted safely and sustainably. Ministers confirmed the importance of the three pillars that are proposed in the conclusions. They have underlined the importance of reinforcing the EU’s capabilities in space surveillance and the tracking of orbiting objects, encouraging coordination on EU legislation and standardisation. The first two axes will strengthen the EU’s voice in the international arena in order to promote this common approach.Watch the recording of the public debate Towards safe and sustainable use of space and a vision for Copernicus: the Council adopts conclusions (press release, 10 June 2022) Infographic - EU in spaceSee full infographic Resilience and competitiveness of the EU space programme Ministers held a policy debate on the resilience and competitiveness of the EU space programme. In their interventions, Ministers stressed that space is key to protecting European independence in space in the years and decades to come and that secure and affordable access to space must be guaranteed. They discussed what measures could be taken to strengthen the resilience of the EU with regard to space, and how the EU space programme can contribute to security and defence, in particular in relation to current challenges. Ministers also stressed the importance of maintaining a competitive EU space programme and underlined the contribution of the new actors in 'New Space' and the innovative solutions they offer. The Council noted that the regulation on secure connectivity proposed by the European Commission in February 2022 is of central importance to shoring up the EU's resilience with regard to space.Watch the recording of the public debate Other topics on the agendaThe presidency discussed with ministers the events and activities that took place during the French presidency, including the informal meeting in Paris of ministers responsible for higher education and research, which had been followed by the Forum of Universities for the Future of Europe. Other events included a meeting of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures and a conference to celebrate 25 years of the Marie Skłodowska -Curie actions programme. The European Commission updated delegations on the state of play of the implementation of the new governance of the European Research Area.Watch the recording of the public debatesThe Czech delegation presented its work programme for the upcoming Czech presidency. Internal market and industry, 9 June 2022 Consumer credit directive The Council unanimously approved a general approach on the proposed revision of the consumer credit directive. The revised directive repeals and replaces the current 2008 directive on credit agreements. The proposal, presented by the European Commission on 30 June 2021, aims to modernise and ensure a higher level of consumer protection, reduce the current fragmentation of the market and deepen the cross-border market for consumer credit. In their interventions, ministers stressed the importance of consumer credit legislation and highlighted the need for consumers to be protected in an increasingly digitalised environment. The directive covers new products and credit actors that have emerged through the development of e-commerce. It simplifies the information provided to consumers in order for them make informed decisions and aims to make this information readable on digital devices. To combat irresponsible lending practices that could lead to over-indebtedness, the directive requires member states to protect consumers against excessive rates and to promote financial education and debt advice. It also regulates the assessment whether or not a consumer will be able to repay their credit. Ministers broadly agreed that the proposal presents a fair and balanced compromise that establishes a strong mandate for negotiations, which are scheduled to start this year with the European Parliament.Watch the recording of the public debate Council’s general approach Consumer protection: Council adopts its position on new rules for consumer credit (press release, 9 June 2022) Regulation on semiconductors (Chips Act) The Council also reviewed the progress made so far on the Chips Act. Ministers welcomed the Chips Act, which is intended to guarantee the EU's future technological sovereignty, and emphasised its urgency given the current worldwide shortage of chips. Ministers stressed the need for coordinated action at EU level to resolve the current semiconductor supply crisis. They supported the direction proposed by the European Commission, which offer relevant levers to strengthen short- and long-term production capacities in Europe. Lastly, ministers noted the importance of developing international partnerships to strengthen the resilience and strategic autonomy of the European Union. To do this, it will be important to attract investment in innovative production facilities and to have a skilled workforce.Watch the recording of the public debate Presidency note The resilience of Europe’s strategic industrial ecosystems The Council held a policy debate on the resilience of strategic industrial ecosystems, during which the ministers stressed the importance of strengthening the resilience of these ecosystems. In the light of recent developments, the ministers stressed that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine highlighted the need to make Europe’s economic base more resilient and more competitive. Accordingly, the ministers stated their willingness to continue to work on these aspect. The Council discussed specific actions to reduce strategic dependencies, in particular concerning critical raw materials. In the context of the Commission’s preparation of a legislative initiative on raw materials, ministers stressed the importance of securing the EU’s supplies of these materials, which are essential for the success of the green and digital transitions. They highlighted various levers, such as the development of strategic partnerships with third countries, the development of the circular economy, and the creation of a fair and sustainable investment framework, including from an environmental point of view.Watch the recording of the public debate Industrial policy (background information) Presidency note Other topics on the agendaThe presidency briefed delegations on the state of play on the proposal for a directive on consumer rights in the green transition. The Czech delegation presented its work programme for the upcoming Czech presidency. The Council also adopted without discussion the items that figured in the lists of non-legislative A items. Meeting information Meeting n°3877 Luxembourg 9 June 2022 10:00 Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda List of A items, non-legislative activities Background brief Press releasesTowards safe and sustainable use of space and a vision for Copernicus: the Council adopts conclusions 10 June 2022, 17:37 Council provides political guidance on international cooperation, open science and European missions 10 June 2022, 11:20 Consumer protection: Council adopts its position on new rules for consumer credit 9 June 2022, 11:00 Media advisory - Competitiveness Council of 9 and 10 June 2022 8 June 2022, 14:55 Media advisory - Press briefing ahead of the Competitiveness Council of 9 and 10 June 2022 7 June 2022, 00:10 Press material Friday 10 June 2022   ● Council of the EU   10/06/2022 16:24 | Press release | Council adopts two general approaches and a recommendation to improve operational police cooperation and information exchange   To effectively fight crime and respond to new criminal threats, the Council adopted a recommendation on operational police cooperation. It also adopted the general approaches on an information exchange directive and the Prüm II regulation. Prüm II regulation The objective of the Prüm regulation is to facilitate the automatic exchange between law enforcement authorities of DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration data in order to prevent, detect and investigate criminal offences. It allows the law enforcement authorities to consult the national databases of one or several member states, and provides them with a ‘hit’ or ‘no hit’ reply. They can then request the relevant data. The new text extends this exchange to other data categories, such as facial images, the police records of suspects and convicted criminals, and driving licences. The new text also aims to modernise the technical infrastructure supporting these exchanges by replacing the multitude of direct connections between national databases with a central router connecting them all. This will make the system more powerful and efficient, allowing authorities to consult multiple databases more easily. The text also integrates Europol into the Prüm system by allowing the agency to launch queries and to provide access to its databases containing non-EU biometric data. Information exchange directive This text will regulate the organisational and procedural aspects of information exchange between law enforcement authorities, contributing to an efficient exchange of information. It will ensure equivalent access for law enforcement authorities to information available in other member states and avoid the proliferation of communication channels used for information exchange, while reinforcing the role of Europol as the EU’s criminal information hub. Member states will have a single point of contact (SPOC), operational 24/7, for information exchanges with other EU countries. For urgent cases, the information requested should be made available within eight hours if it is directly available to the SPOC and within three days if the SPOC can obtain it from public authorities or private parties. For all other requests, the information should be made available within seven days. In addition, Europol should be copied in on all information exchanges, with only certain exceptions listed in the text. The Secure Information Exchange Network Application (SIENA), managed by Europol, would become the default channel of communication. Recommendation on operational police cooperation Cross-border hot pursuits and surveillance, as well as patrols and joint operations, are key instruments of police cooperation, helping to ensure that people cannot escape law enforcement simply by crossing the border. The recommendation adopted sets out a series of standards for operational cooperation between police officers operating in another member state or participating in joint operations. Recommendations include: a series of principles for cross-border hot pursuits and surveillance a list of offences for which cross-border hot pursuit and surveillance should be allowed a framework for joint operations the introduction of a support platform for joint patrols and other joint operations, as well as ensuring effective access to information and communication through secure channels joint training and professional development with a view to setting up a European police culture Next steps Negotiations with the European Parliament on the two legislative proposals will start once the latter has adopted its position. Background Terrorist groups and organised crime organisations engage in a wide range of criminal activities, which spread across borders. According to Europol’s 2021 serious and organised crime threat assessment, almost 70% of criminal networks are active in more than three member states. Therefore, police officers need to be able to cooperate systematically across the EU and have access to information available to their colleagues in other member states if they are to effectively fight crime and respond to new criminal threats. A number of measures have been taken in recent years, including the implementation of interoperability between EU justice and home affairs databases and the strengthening of Europol’s mandate. However, more can still be done. On 9 December 2021, the European Commission presented these proposals as part of a package to improve police cooperation. Proposal for an information exchange directive (general approach) Proposal for a Prüm II regulation (general approach) Council Recommendation on operational law enforcement cooperation As part of the work carried out under the French presidency to reform and strengthen the Schengen area in the face of new challenges, the Council tod… Press material Friday 10 June 2022   ● Council of the EU   10/06/2022 16:19 | Press release | Schengen borders code: Council adopts its general approach   As part of the work carried out under the French presidency to reform and strengthen the Schengen area in the face of new challenges, the Council today adopted its general approach on the reform of the Schengen borders code. This reform: (i) provides new tools to combat the instrumentalisation of migrant flows; (ii) establishes a new legal framework for external border measures in the event of a health crisis, drawing on the lessons learned from the experience with COVID-19; (iii) updates the legal framework for reintroducing internal border controls in order to safeguard the principle of free movement while responding to persistent threats; (iv) introduces alternative measures to these controls. The general approach now enables the Council to start negotiations with the European Parliament, once the Parliament has adopted its own position. The fight against the instrumentalisation of migration flows The text defines the instrumentalisation of migrants as a situation in which a third country or non-state actor encourages or facilitates the movement of third-country nationals towards the EU’s external borders or to a member state in order to destabilise the EU or a member state. It introduces new measures to combat this phenomenon, including limiting the number of crossing points at the external border or limiting their opening hours, and intensifying border surveillance. External border measures in the event of a health crisis The text provides for the possible swift adoption of binding minimum rules on temporary travel restrictions at the external borders in the event of a threat to public health. This will strengthen the currently available tools applied during the COVID-19 pandemic, which have been based on non-binding recommendations. The binding implementing regulation to be adopted by the Council in such situations will include minimum restrictions, with the possibility for member states to apply stricter restrictions if the conditions so require. It will also include a list of essential travellers to be exempted from certain measures, which will be decided on a case by case basis. Reintroduction of internal border controls The text sets out more structured procedures for the reintroduction of internal border controls, with stronger safeguards. It takes into account a recent judgment by the European Court of Justice, which confirmed the principle of freedom of movement within the Schengen area, while specifying the conditions for the reintroduction of internal border controls. In this regard, it offers possible responses to persistent threats to public policy and internal security. If a continued need for internal border controls is confirmed beyond two years and six months, the member state concerned will need to notify the Commission of its intention to further prolong internal border controls, providing justification for doing so and specifying the date on which it expects to lift controls. The Commission will then issue a recommendation, also relating to that date, and with regard to the principles of necessity and proportionality, to be taken into account by the member state. Promotion of alternative measures The text updates the Schengen borders code by providing for alternative measures to internal border controls, in particular by proposing a more effective framework for police checks in member states’ border regions. The text introduces a new procedure to address unauthorised movements of irregular migrants within the EU. In the context of a bilateral cooperation framework based on voluntary action by the member states concerned, this mechanism will allow a member state to transfer third-country nationals apprehended in the border area and illegally staying in its territory to the member state from which they arrived, in the context of operational cross-border police cooperation. Reform of the Schengen borders code (general approach)

The Council adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth €6 million to the benefit of the Balkan Medical Task Force (B… Press material Friday 10 June 2022   ● Council of the EU   10/06/2022 15:50 | Press release | European Peace Facility: Council adopts assistance measure in support of the Balkan Medical Task Force   The Council adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth €6 million to the benefit of the Balkan Medical Task Force (BMTF). The assistance measure will support the capacity building of the BMTF by procuring the necessary equipment and materiel for the medical units of the Armed Forces of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, participating in the BMTF. In this context, the objective of the measure is to strengthen military medical capabilities of the region and civilian relief efforts, and ultimately contribute to regional cooperation and cohesion. In order to achieve its objective, the assistance measure will finance: mobility assets, components for field hospitals at ‘role 2’ standards, laboratory equipment and supplies, and IT and communication equipment. The assistance was requested on behalf of the BMTF by the Republic of North Macedonia in April 2022. Press material Friday 10 June 2022   ● Council of the EU   10/06/2022 11:52 | Press release | Council provides political guidance on international cooperation, open science and European missions   EU ministers responsible for research today adopted three sets of conclusions establishing political guidelines on international cooperation in the field of research and innovation, on the promotion of open science policies and on the implementation of European missions. Council of the EU Press release 10 June 2022 11:20 Council provides political guidance on international cooperation, open science and European missions EU ministers responsible for research today adopted three sets of conclusions establishing political guidelines on international cooperation in the field of research and innovation, on the promotion of open science policies and on the implementation of European missions. Principles and values for international cooperation in research and innovation The Council conclusions set out the values and principles which must guide international cooperation in research and innovation, including scientific freedom, gender equality, research excellence and protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. Ministers agreed to launch a multilateral dialogue with the EU’s main partners on the basis of those principles and values with a view to ensuring balanced and mutually beneficial international cooperation. A statement was added to the conclusions on the consequences of Russian military aggression against Ukraine in the field of research and innovation. The conclusions follow on from the Council conclusions of 28 September 2021 on the global approach to research and innovation, which outline the EU’s strategy for international cooperation in a changing world. The conclusions also follow up on the Council Recommendation on a Pact for Research and Innovation, adopted on 26 November 2021, which recommends that Member States apply a set of values and principles for research and innovation in the Union.Conclusions on principles and values for international cooperation in research and innovation Conclusions on principles and values for international cooperation in research and innovation – statement on Russian military aggression against Ukraine Open science The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for immediate open access to scientific publications, as rapid access to the latest research results has proved essential in order to deliver rapid responses to the epidemiological crisis. Open and more accessible science has a crucial role to play in enhancing the quality, efficiency, transparency and integrity of research and innovation. In its conclusions on open science, the Council proposes joint action throughout the European Research Area in three areas: the reform of research assessment systems, developing capacities for academic publishing and scientific communication and promoting multilingualism to raise the profile of EU research results. Improvements in these three areas will make research careers more attractive, facilitate scientific exchanges and bring science and society closer together.Council conclusions on research assessment and implementation of open science European missions European missions are among the major novelties of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme. They aim to resolve major societal challenges such as climate change, action against cancer, healthy oceans and waters, climate-neutral and smart cities and healthy soils. By setting time frames and measurable goals, European missions develop a systemic and coordinated approach which aims to combine research and innovation, strategic measures and legislative initiatives in all sectoral policies with a view to having a broad societal impact. In its conclusions on European missions, the Council provides guidance on their governance mechanisms, on investments from EU programmes and policies and their relationship to national and local policies, programmes and initiatives, on the monitoring, review and evaluation framework, and on citizen engagement.Council conclusions on European missions Communication on European missions (European Commission)Visit the meeting page