Council of the EU:update

 

Meetings Tuesday 26 July 2022

● Council of the EU   26/07/2022 18:19 | MEETING | Main results - Extraordinary Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 26 July 2022   EU energy ministers reached a political agreement on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15% for this winter. Ministers held an exchange of views on the energy situation in Europe in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. They also exchanged views on their national measures and contingency plans, as well as on further short-term actions to strengthen EU's security of energy supply. Council of the EU Extraordinary Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 26 July 2022 Highlights from the extraordinary Energy Council held in Brussels on 26 July 2022 Main results EU energy ministers reached a political agreement on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15% for this winter. The purpose of this Council regulation is to save gas in order to prepare for possible disruptions of gas supplies from Russia that is continuously using energy supplies as a weapon. The regulation foresees the possibility for the Council to trigger a ‘Union Alert' on security of supply, in which case the gas demand reduction would become mandatory. The EU is united and solidary. Today’s decision has clearly shown the member states will stand tall against any Russian attempt to divide the EU by using energy supplies as a weapon. Adopting the gas reduction proposal in record time has undoubtedly strengthened our common energy security. Saving gas now will improve preparedness. The winter will be much cheaper and easier for EU’s citizens and industry.Jozef Síkela, Czech minister of industry and tradeMember states commit to reducing gas demand by 15% next winter (press release, 26 July 2022) Ministers held an exchange of views on the energy situation in Europe in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Ministers exchanged views also on their national measures and contingency plans, as well as on further short-term actions to strengthen EU's security of energy supply. Ministers discussed how to stimulate a reduction of demand by protected customers (like households and critical entities) before winter in order to reduce the risk of gas shortage for critical customers who are not protected. They exchanged views on which measures, next to sharing energy savings best practices, should be prioritised to enhance energy security ahead of the next winter whilst ensuring stable energy supply to industry and citizens. Ministers also discussed the initiatives of the 'Save gas for a safe winter' package presented by the Commission on 20 July, in particular how they intend to make use of the measures, to make sure available gas resources are shared among member states. Under other business, Greece shared information concerning the power market design to decouple electricity prices from soaring natural gas prices. After the meeting, ministers had an informal lunch with Ukrainian energy minister German Galushchenko to discuss the EU’s energy cooperation with Ukraine. At the meeting, the Council adopted without discussion the ‘A-items’ listed below.Energy prices and security of supply (background information) Impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the markets: EU response (background information) EU response to Ukraine invasion (background information) Watch the recording of the public session Meeting information Meeting n°3892 Brussels 26 July 2022 10:00 Preparatory documentsBackground brief Provisional agenda List of A items, non-legislative activities List of A items, non-legislative activities, corrigendum 1 Outcome documentsList of participants

The Council today adopted a decision extending for one year, until 31 July 2023, the framework for targeted restrictive measures to address the situa… Press material Tuesday 26 July 2022   ● Council of the EU   26/07/2022 16:37 | Press release | Lebanon: EU extends framework for targeted sanctions   The Council today adopted a decision extending for one year, until 31 July 2023, the framework for targeted restrictive measures to address the situation in Lebanon. This framework, originally adopted on 30 July 2021, provides for the possibility of imposing sanctions against persons and entities who are responsible for undermining democracy or the rule of law in Lebanon, and this through any of the following actions: obstructing or undermining the democratic political process by persistently hampering the formation of a government or by obstructing or seriously undermining the holding of elections; obstructing or undermining the implementation of plans approved by Lebanese authorities and supported by relevant international actors, including the EU, to improve accountability and good governance in the public sector or the implementation of critical economic reforms, including in the banking and financial sectors and including the adoption of transparent and non-discriminatory legislation on the export of capital; serious financial misconduct, concerning public funds, insofar as the acts concerned are covered by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, and the unauthorised export of capital. Sanctions consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons, and an asset freeze for entities. In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed. Background On 7 December 2020, the Council adopted conclusions in which it noted with increasing concern that the grave financial, economic, social and political crisis that has taken root in Lebanon had continued to worsen over the previous months and that the Lebanese population was the first to suffer from the increasing difficulties in the country. It underlined the urgent need for the Lebanese authorities to implement reforms in order to rebuild the confidence of the international community and called on all Lebanese stakeholders and political forces to support the urgent formation of a credible and accountable government in Lebanon, able to implement the necessary reforms. Since then, the Council has repeatedly expressed grave concern about the deteriorating situation in Lebanon and has repeatedly called on Lebanese political forces and stakeholders to act in the national interest. On 30 July 2021 the Council adopted a framework for targeted restrictive measures to address the situation. The timely holding of recent general election on 15 May 2022 has yet to translate into the formation of a fully-fledged government and the welcome signature of a Staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on April 7th 2022 remains to be converted into a disbursing agreement with the IMF. Meanwhile, the economic, social and humanitarian situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate and the people continue to suffer. The Union remains ready to use all its policy instruments to contribute to a sustainable way out of the current crisis and to react to a further deterioration of democracy and the rule of law, and of the economic, social and humanitarian situation in Lebanon. The stability and prosperity of Lebanon are of crucial importance for the whole region and for Europe. The EU stands by the people of Lebanon in this hour of need. However, it is of the utmost importance that the Lebanese leadership put aside their differences and work together to form a government and enact the measures required to steer the country towards a sustainable recovery.