COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION update

 

Press material Tuesday 19 July 2022

● Council of the EU   19/07/2022 13:33 | Press release | Intergovernmental Conference at Ministerial level on the Accession of North Macedonia   Today the EU started the opening phase of the accession negotiations with North Macedonia. This follows a decision by the Council on 25 March 2020 to open accession negotiations, which was endorsed by the members of the European Council on 26 March 2020, as well as the approval by the Council on 18 July 2022 of the Negotiating Framework for the negotiations with North Macedonia, in accordance with the revised enlargement methodology. The EU delegation was headed by Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and the European Commission was represented by Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement. The delegation of North Macedonia was led by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski. "Today’s launch of the accession negotiation process is a good day for North Macedonia and a good day for the EU. The start of the negotiations is to the mutual benefit of North Macedonia and the EU." Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic North Macedonia is already a close partner of the EU in the Stabilisation and Association Process for the Western Balkans. The EU and North Macedonia stood side by side during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also in the face of Russia's unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine, and its impacts on the entire European continent. As stated by the Council on 14 December 2021, the EU delegation welcomed the continued determination of North Macedonia to advance the EU reform agenda and deliver tangible and sustained results. The EU delegation notes that the Commission has advanced its work to carry out and complete the process of analytical examination of the EU acquis and stands ready to present in due time its results to North Macedonia. On this basis, it invites the Commission to continue to assess the state of preparedness of North Macedonia for opening negotiations in specific areas and identify the issues that will most likely come up in the negotiations, starting with the fundamentals' cluster, which in accordance with the Negotiating Framework, will be opened first once North Macedonia has met the relevant criteria agreed by the Council. The EU also highly welcomed the fact that North Macedonia has fully aligned with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy decisions and declarations and encouraged North Macedonia to continue to do so. EU enlargement (Background information)

Meetings Tuesday 19 July 2022

● Council of the EU   19/07/2022 16:03 | MEETING | Main results - EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council, 19 July 2022   The 18th Cooperation Council between the European Union and Azerbaijan discussed bilateral relations and political matters. EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council, 19 July 2022 Main results The eighteenth Cooperation Council meeting between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held in Brussels on 19 July 2022. The aim of the meeting was to review the overall state of EU-Azerbaijan relations and to discuss mutual interest for future cooperation. Azerbaijan is an important partner of the European Union and a strategic energy partner, providing natural gas and oil to Europe, and hence contributing to EU’s efforts to diversify its energy resources. Energy was therefore an important topic in our discussions, building on the new Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy that was signed yesterday between the EU and Azerbaijan. The EU is interested in further enhancing the cooperation with Azerbaijan also with the conclusion of the new comprehensive EU-Azerbaijan agreement and of a Common Aviation Area Agreement. These agreements will bring benefit to all our citizens, both in the European Union and in Azerbaijan. The EU remains committed to successfully conclude the negotiations. The Council also discussed the human rights situation, democracy and the rule of law. These are at the core of EU-Azerbaijan relations, as both sides jointly stated in the 2019 Partnership Priorities that have been extended until 2024. The EU emphasised the importance of an enabling environment for an active civil society as well as the respect of human rights, fundamental freedoms and of the rule of law in line with international standards and commitments undertaken. The EU reconfirmed its firm engagement in promoting a secure, stable and prosperous South Caucasus. The EU emphasised its commitment to support the sides in progressing towards a comprehensive peace settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Moreover, the EU stressed the importance to prepare populations for long-term sustainable peace with positive and constructive public rhetoric. The EU also highlighted its support to addressing the consequences of conflict, including by providing assistance to demining and other outstanding humanitarian issues. The Council also exchanged on the cooperation within the Eastern Partnership framework, in particular in view of rolling out the Economic and Investment Plan which will deliver tangible benefits for the people of Azerbaijan and EU’s support to the country’s economic diversification, green and digital transition. Finally, the Council exchanged views on major international developments relevant to the EU and Azerbaijan. The EU reiterated its strong condemnation of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Ahead of the Cooperation Council, on 15 July, the EU issued the Cooperation Implementation report for Azerbaijan on developments in Azerbaijan and EU-Azerbaijan relations since the previous Cooperation Council in December 2020. The Cooperation Council was chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs J. Bayramov. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Mr Josep Borrell, led the EU delegation. EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi participated in the meeting.Cooperation Implementation Report on Azerbaijan

Press material Tuesday 19 July 2022

● Council of the EU   19/07/2022 15:42 | Press release | EUAM Iraq: New head of mission appointed   The Council today appointed Anders Wiberg as new head of mission for the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq). He will take up his duties on 16 August 2022 until 30 April 2024. Anders Wiberg is a Chief Superintendent of the Swedish National Police, a service he joined in 1991. He has also served in different international positions within the EU: he was Head of Operations of EUAM Iraq, and Chief of Staff in the Special Police Department of EULEX Kosovo. The decision was taken by the Political and Security Committee on 19 July 2022. Anders Wiberg - CV EUAM Iraq is based in Baghdad with a presence in Erbil. The mission’s overarching task is to assist in the development and coherent implementation of the Iraqi National Security Strategy, associated national strategies and other national security priorities. This process, supported by several international partners, involves inter alia support to institutional reform, anti-organised crime, anti-corruption, protection of cultural heritage, Integrated Border Management and counter-terrorism. EUAM Iraq is mandated to advise officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Ministry of Interior and other relevant authorities in charge of civilian related aspects of security sector reform. The mission can conduct visits at regional and provincial levels in support of Iraqi efforts to strengthen countrywide coordination as it relates to civilian security sector reform. The mission was launched on 16 October 2017 following a request from the Government of Iraq for support. Iraq: Council extends advisory mission on security sector reform until 2024 (press release, 13 April 2022) EUAM Iraq website Delegation of the EU to Iraq

Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine has been accompanied by a significant increase of malicious cyber activities,… Press material Tuesday 19 July 2022   ● Council of the EU   19/07/2022 15:10 | Press release | Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on malicious cyber activities conducted by hackers and hacker groups in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine   Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine has been accompanied by a significant increase of malicious cyber activities, including by a striking and concerning number of hackers and hacker groups indiscriminately targeting essential entities globally. This increase in malicious cyber activities, in the context of the war against Ukraine, creates unacceptable risks of spillover effects, misinterpretation and possible escalation. In this regard, we recall the EU and its Member States’ strong condemnation of the cyber-attacks against Ukraine on 14 January 2022, and the attribution on 10 May 2022 of the malicious cyber activity targeting the satellite KA-SAT network to the Russian Federation. The latest distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against several EU Member States and partners claimed by pro-Russian hacker groups are yet another example of the heightened and tense cyber threat landscape that EU and its Member States have observed. We strongly condemn this unacceptable behaviour in cyberspace and express solidarity with all countries that have fallen victim. We remain determined to address and investigate malicious cyber activities affecting international peace, security and stability, including the security of the European Union and its Member States, their democratic institutions, citizens, businesses, and civil society. The European Union recalls the need for all UN Member States to adhere to the UN Framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace in order to ensure international peace, security and stability. We call upon all states to comply with their due diligence obligations and urge them to take appropriate actions against malicious cyber activities conducted from their territory. Furthermore, we urge all relevant actors to raise awareness on cyber threats and to take preventive measures to protect critical infrastructure. We underline our continued support to the strengthening of global cyber resilience, and to improve preparedness in the face of cyber threats and mitigate attacks. We continue to closely monitor the situation in view of taking further steps where necessary to prevent and counter such malicious behaviour in cyberspace. Press material Tuesday 19 July 2022   ● Council of the EU   19/07/2022 13:34 | Press release | Intergovernmental Conference at Ministerial level on the Accession of Albania   Today the EU opened accession negotiations with Albania. This follows a decision by the Council on 25 March 2020 to open accession negotiations, which was endorsed by the members of the European Council on 26 March 2020, as well as the approval by the Council on 18 July 2022 of the Negotiating Framework for the negotiations with Albania, in accordance with the revised enlargement methodology. The EU delegation was headed by Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and the European Commission was represented by Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement. The delegation of Albania was led by Prime Minister Edi Rama. "We welcome the start of the accession negotiations with Albania. With Albania in the EU we would all be benefitting from a safer and more prosperous future." Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Albania is already a close partner of the EU in the Stabilisation and Association Process for the Western Balkans. The EU and Albania stood side by side during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also in the face of Russia's unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine, and its impacts on the entire European continent. As stated by the Council on 14 December 2021, the EU delegation welcomed the continued determination of Albania to advance the EU reform agenda and deliver tangible and sustained results. The EU delegation notes that the Commission has advanced its work to carry out and complete the process of analytical examination of the EU acquis and stands ready to present in due time its results to Albania. On this basis, it invites the Commission to continue to assess the state of preparedness of Albania for opening negotiations in specific areas and identify the issues that will most likely come up in the negotiations, starting with the fundamentals' cluster, which in accordance with the Negotiating Framework, will be opened first once Albania has met the relevant criteria agreed by the Council. The EU also highly welcomed the fact that Albania has fully aligned with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy decisions and declarations and encouraged Albania to continue to do so. EU enlargement (Background information) Today, we have finally taken important steps forward in the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. Intergovernmental Con… Press material Tuesday 19 July 2022   ● European Council   19/07/2022 11:53 | Statements and remarks | Statement by President Michel on the occasion of Intergovernmental Conferences on the accession with North Macedonia and with Albania   Today, we have finally taken important steps forward in the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. Intergovernmental Conferences at ministerial level were held in Brussels to implement the decision by the European Council of March 2020 to open accession talks. I congratulate the authorities and the citizens of North Macedonia and Albania for this long-awaited achievement. I realise that the road to reach this point has been long and challenging. As I have seen first-hand, the debate was particularly intense in North Macedonia, but has ultimately led to a positive vote in the national parliament, the Sobranie. Macedonians, today your country is taking the first key step on the path of negotiations with the European Union. As I said in Skopje a few days ago, North Macedonia can count on my full support on this journey.The country has undertaken important reforms and I know Macedonians are committed to our common EU future. I am also pleased that Albania's negotiations' path is now on its way. Albania has worked hard to ensure results from reforms and a track record of implementation in all areas identified by the Council. Today is a historic day and a time to celebrate what has been achieved, but also a time to look at the challenges ahead with a clear objective: to advance on the EU path without delay. Today's holding of IGCs unlocks the next phase for both Albania and North Macedonia. The screening process will now start, not only the updated explanatory screening, but also bilateral screenings. Hard work lies ahead for our negotiators, in Skopje, Tirana and Brussels, in this crucial phase. In the coming months, this will build a solid basis for the opening of the clusters of negotiating chapters. In parallel, the EU will focus on re-energising the enlargement process. At the EU-Western Balkans leaders' meeting and the June European Council, we decided to inject a new dynamic and a new determination to move forward together. We will further advance the gradual integration of the EU and the region, already during the enlargement process. The Western Balkans belong in the EU, and we need to make this happen. Our future is together, and the future of our children will be more prosperous and safe as we advance our project of shared values. EU agriculture ministers met in Brussels to discuss the recent Commission’s proposal on the regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection pro… Meetings Monday 18 July 2022   ● Council of the EU   18/07/2022 20:50 | MEETING | Main results - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 18 July 2022   EU agriculture ministers met in Brussels to discuss the recent Commission’s proposal on the regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products and agreed on a set of conclusions for the aquaculture sector. Ministers also received a presentation by the Czech presidency regarding its main priorities in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. They additionally discussed the market situation in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the implementation of the new common agricultural policy (CAP), including the approval of national strategic plans. Finally, they exchanged views on the regulation on the making available of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation, as well as the transport of animals in the EU, the impact of recent drought in member states and sanitary and phytosanitary measures under the WTO. Press material Monday 18 July 2022   ● Council of the EU   18/07/2022 16:17 | Press release | Council approves conclusions on the new aquaculture strategic guidelines for a more sustainable, resilient and competitive aquaculture sector   During today’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels, ministers agreed on a set of conclusions for the further development of sustainable aquaculture in the EU.  Council of the EUPress release 18 July 2022 16:15 Council approves conclusions on the new aquaculture strategic guidelines for a more sustainable, resilient and competitive aquaculture sector During today’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels, ministers agreed on a set of conclusions for the further development of sustainable aquaculture in the EU. Ministers welcomed the strategic guidelines for a more sustainable, resilient and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021 to 2030 proposed by the European Commission. They also underlined the importance of giving the appropriate high priority to the sector. The Council voiced its support for the development of new freshwater and marine aquaculture methods with low environmental impact and emphasized the need to ensure the provision of nutritious, healthy and safe food and to reduce the EU’s high dependence on imports of fishery and aquaculture products, therefore contributing to food security. Today, we managed to agree on the main direction for further development of the aquaculture in the EU. It is a fast growing and also diverse sector, producing both marine and freshwater species. I truly believe aquaculture plays an important role in strengthening our food security, but also in contributing to our goals set in the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork and EU biodiversity strategy. Highlighting the main challenges and threats can help us to increase the competitiveness and resilience of the aquaculture sector in the EU.Zdeněk Nekula, Czech Minister of Agriculture In this context, ministers pointed out the need for intensive cooperation between all relevant stakeholders in order to implement aquaculture guidelines, as well as the need to always take into account the specificities of each type of aquaculture system, both marine and freshwater. Ministers further noted the necessity to dispose of the used water in accordance with applicable law and the fact that the emission of certain amounts of nutrients into the water cannot be entirely avoided. They called on the Commission to improve coherence between the objective of a growing sustainable aquaculture sector in the EU and the EU environmental legislation. Ministers also noted with concern the growing populations of predators, in particular protected species such as cormorants and otters, which have become a considerable challenge for aquaculture operators, causing significant damages to many businesses. As such, they urged the Commission to identify effective and efficient EU-wide management measures to prevent and reduce the damage caused by these predators. They also underlined the importance of disease management, in which animal welfare and research play a key role. Finally, ministers stated that further steps in increasing the environmental performance of EU aquaculture include the growth of organic aquaculture, as envisaged in the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production. As such, they invited the Commission to consider proposing an amendment to the regulation on organic production and labelling of organic products, which currently only allows the certification of shellfish and fish farming as organic under very strict conditions. Some freshwater, marine and other aquaculture systems achieve higher environmental performance, but there is currently no EU level scheme to label or certify sustainable products and no conditions are set to favour these types of aquaculture. Ministers therefore invited the Commission to propose the establishment of a transparent EU system for recognising and rewarding producers for aquaculture management that is environmentally friendly or enables additional ecosystem services, to motivate producers and ensure a long-term support scheme for these activities. They also recommended increasing consumer awareness of all the benefits of aquaculture. Council Conclusions on the EU's new aquaculture strategic guidelines