| ● Council of the EU | | | 20/09/2022 17:03 | Press release | | | | | The Council adopted today a decision on the conclusion of the framework agreement between the European Union and its member states, and Australia. This decision clears the path, on the EU side, for the entry into force of the agreement by late October 2022. This ambitious agreement contributes significantly to the improvement of the partnership between the EU and Australia, a partnership which is based on joint values and principles, including respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, international peace and security. It will guide future engagement between the two parties and enable them to tackle challenges in foreign and security policy, sustainable development, climate change, and economic and trade matters. The agreement also includes cooperation in a broad range of policy areas such as health, the environment, energy, education, culture, labour, disaster management, fisheries and maritime affairs, transport, legal cooperation, money laundering and terrorist financing, organised crime, and corruption. Furthermore, it will encourage closer links between leaders across government, business, and civil society. Background and next stepsOn 15 April 2016, the High Representative and the Commission submitted to the Council a joint proposal for a Council Decision on the signature and provisional application of the framework agreement between the European Union and its member states, and Australia. The agreement was signed in Manila (Philippines) on 7 August 2017, following a Council Decision clearing the signature. On 28 November 2016, the High Representative and the Commission submitted to the Council a joint proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the of the framework agreement, and on 18 April 2018 the European Parliament gave its consent. The ratification procedure by member states was finalised on 27 July 2022. The decision on the conclusion of the framework agreement enters into force today, i.e. on the date of its adoption, and the framework agreement itself will enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date on which the parties have notified each other of the completion of their respective legal procedures. Council Decision on the conclusion on behalf of the Union of the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Australia, of the other part Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Australia, of the other part Delegation of the European Union to Australia (EEAS) |
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| ● European Council | | | 21/09/2022 00:56 | Statements and remarks | | | | | We, the leaders of the Governments of Spain, and the United States of America, the African Union, the European Union, Colombia, Germany, Indonesia, Nigeria, having met on September 20, 2022, affirm our commitment to act with urgency, at scale and in concert, to respond to the urgent food security and nutrition needs of hundreds of millions of people around the world. Food systems and global food security are at a critical moment. The compounded impacts from a global pandemic, growing pressures from the climate crisis, high energy and fertilizer prices, and protracted conflicts, including Russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine have disrupted production and supply chains and dramatically increased global food insecurity, especially for the most vulnerable. We can only overcome global food insecurity by working together to create innovative partnerships – including international financial institutions and other key stakeholders – within the global community. We commit to strengthen international cooperation and partnership initiatives between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations as well as civil society organizations. As of September 20, 2022, over 100 United Nations Member States have endorsed the Roadmap for Global Food Security – Call to Action. We underscore the need to act with sustained urgency and in coordination to fulfill the goals of the 2021 Food Systems Summit - as well as to respond to immediate humanitarian needs and build more resilient agriculture and food systems along these seven specific lines of action: - Make new, additive financial donations to key humanitarian organizations to allow for an increased provision of immediate life-saving humanitarian assistance wherever possible;
- Provide, where possible and as needed, in-kind donations and necessary associated costs to key humanitarian organizations for transportation and delivery of food commodities based on assessed needs by governments of affected countries or humanitarian organizations;
- Keep food, fertilizer, and agricultural markets open and avoid unjustified restrictive measures, such as export bans on food and fertilizer, which increase market volatility and threaten food security and nutrition at a global scale;
- Support an increase of fertilizer production, where possible and as needed, in order to compensate for shortages, accelerate and scale-up fertilizer innovations, support their marketing, and promote methods to maximize fertilizer efficiency
- Accelerate efforts to support sustainable agriculture and food systems, through strengthening agricultural productivity, particularly in the most affected countries to build their resilience and support domestic production, including as appropriate through efforts to support an energy transition that is just and equitable, to make them more resilient and available to producers of all scale, including small holder farmers;
- Increase investments in research and technology to develop and implement science-based and climate-resilient agricultural innovations, including seeds, that contribute to building sustainable and resilient agricultural sectors and food systems; and
- Monitor markets affecting food systems, including futures markets, to ensure full transparency, and to share reliable and timely data and information on global food market developments, especially through the relevant international organizations.
| ● European Council | | | 20/09/2022 22:47 | Statements and remarks | | | | | Welcome to today’s Global Food Security Summit. A special thanks to my colleagues who are here with me today: President Sall of Senegal and Chair of the African Union, Prime Minister Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain and Secretary of State Blinken from the United States. Together we will co-chair this event. Let me thank you for your participation in this important meeting. Food security is the major global challenge today. Today’s global food crisis is being exacerbated by Russia’s war against Ukraine. It impacts every country, and we need to adapt our response to local needs. Over 200 million people in the world are in acute need of food, and even more may lose their lives to hunger. This is not acceptable; this is not sustainable. Famine is looming in many parts of the world, and now is the time for all of us to translate our political commitments into concrete action. This crisis goes far beyond food. In fact, we are facing a cost of living crisis, a crisis caused by the ‘perfect storm’ of food, energy and economic challenges. We represent together the different regions of the world, and we must harness the momentum of each initiative: the Global Alliance on Food Security, the Roadmap - Call to Action, FARM, or the African Emergency Food Production Facility, and others. We are here together to find solutions collectively, together with Africa and together with the rest of the world. We need more coordination, we need more money, and in the European Union, we are stepping up our efforts. With our Member States, we have put forward a comprehensive Global Food Security Response of nearly 8 billion euros until 2024 to provide humanitarian relief along with short-term and longer-term solutions, especially to countries most in need, particularly in Africa. And getting grains out of Ukraine has been one of our top priorities. Our EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes have carried more than 10 million tonnes of food products, and the UN-led Black Sea Grain Initiative is making a real difference. It is getting food to countries most in need and helping to stabilise markets. And contrary to Russia’s disinformation, this food is getting to Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Another priority is to tackle the shortage of fertilisers. We need to develop capacities for production, especially in Africa. What we did with vaccine manufacturing capacities can be, and in my opinion should be, an inspiration. I launched this idea at our G7 meeting in Germany with the participation of Macky Sall and Cyril Ramaphosa. None of us can do this alone. We know that the United States also launched the Global Fertiliser Challenge. We need to get others on board — donors, governments, banks and private companies. We need to make sure all our global initiatives are well coordinated and tailored to the needs of the most vulnerable. Russia’s war against the people of Ukraine is a test, a test of our international rules-based order. And we are here this afternoon to rally the forces that believe in global cooperation to make the world a better and safer place. We trust the United Nations, which has a central role in coordinating the international response to this crisis. I am convinced that only together will we make progress. I am convinced that only together will we get the job done. Thank you. |
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| ● Council of the EU | | | 20/09/2022 18:30 | MEETING | | | | | Ministers focused on preparations for the October European Council, rule of law, follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe and plans for legislative work. |
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Council of the EU
General Affairs Council, 20 September 2022
Main results
October European Council
The Council started preparations for the European Council meeting on 20-21 October by discussing an annotated draft agenda.
At the European Council meeting, leaders will revert to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its consequences. They will also address the energy situation and economic issues.
As regards external relations, the European Council will address EU-Asia relations, prepare the EU-ASEAN summit and hold a strategic discussion on China. It will also take stock of preparations for the UN Climate Change conference in Sharm El-Sheikh (COP27) and for the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal.
Draft annotated agenda of the European Council meetingAnnual rule of law dialogue
In the framework of the annual rule of law dialogue, ministers held a horizontal discussion focusing on the main trends in the area of the rule of law in the EU.
The debate was structured around four pillars: justice systems, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism, and other institutional issues related to checks and balances. It made use of the rule of law report by the Commission, issued on 13 July 2022, which includes for the first time specific recommendations to member states.
The aim of the Council’s rule of law dialogue is to have an open and constructive debate on the situation regarding the rule of law across the EU, in full respect of the principles of objectivity, non-discrimination and equal treatment of all member states.
Country-specific aspects will be covered at the meeting of General Affairs Council in November. The focus will be on the following five member states: Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Sweden.
I believe that the exchanges conducted in this format allow us to have a real political discussion, in a positive and constructive atmosphere. The Council dialogue facilitates the sharing not only of good practices, but also of critical remarks: both should guide our actions in the most delicate aspects of the rule of law.Mikuláš Bek, Czech Minister for European Affairs
2022 Rule of law report (European Commission)Conference on the Future of Europe
Ministers exchanged views on the follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe.
The discussion focused on the possible use of passerelle clauses included in the Treaties to switch from unanimity to qualified majority voting in the Council, and Conference-related initiatives highlighted in the State of the Union address as well as in the related Commission’s ‘letter of intent’ outlining key initiatives planned for 2023. Ministers were also informed about the Conference proposed measures where the Council could act on its own.
During the debate on the follow-up to the Conference, ministers considered that priority should be given at this stage to the follow-up of the vast majority of Conference proposals and initiatives (approximately 95%) that can be implemented using all the possibilities offered by the current Treaty framework.
Various views were offered on the issue of the extension of qualified majority voting in the Council by using passerelle clauses. Most of the ministers were open to consider the use of passerelle clauses in certain fields, on a case-by-case basis. Several ministers pointed out that further assessment was needed before they could express a detailed position on this issue or take a decision on this matter.
Ministers welcomed the Commission’s plan to propose a number of legislative initiatives to follow up on the Conference, in line with the commitment taken by the three EU institutions when launching the exercise.
The presidency also briefed ministers on preparations for the feedback event for citizens, which is scheduled for 2 December.
The Conference set out to engage citizens in a debate on our common future and what matters the most for them. It is now time for the EU institutions to show that we have listened to their concerns. The Council is fully committed to play its part in this process.Mikuláš Bek, Czech Minister for European Affairs
The Conference on the Future of Europe (background information and timeline)Report on the final outcome of the ConferencePreliminary technical assessment of the proposals (10 June 2022)European Council conclusions, 23-24 June 2022EU-UK relations
Ministers assessed the state of play of EU-UK relations, focusing on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, in particular the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič updated ministers on the latest developments, following the UK government’s decision to table legislation disapplying core elements of the Protocol in June 2022 and its reply to the ongoing infringement procedures on 15 September 2022.
Ministers reaffirmed their support to the European Commission's approach. They reiterated in particular the EU’s readiness to constructively discuss a negotiated solution within the Protocol to the practical difficulties in implementing it on the ground.
Commission launches four new infringement procedures against the UK (22 July 2022)Commission launches infringement proceedings against the UK and provides further details on possible solutions to facilitate the movement of goods (15 June 2022)Remarks by Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič at the press conference on the Protocol of Ireland / Northern Ireland (15 June 2022)Legislative programming
As part of the annual legislative programming exercise, the Commission presented to the Council the 2022 Strategic Foresight Report and its ‘letter of intent’ with regard to the preparation of the Commission’s work programme. Ministers outlined their views on the main priorities for next year and the initiatives that in their view are the most needed.
2022 Strategic Foresight ReportCommission’s letter of intentPresidency priorities
The Czech presidency presented to ministers its overall priorities for the duration of its term of office, as well as those falling within the remit of the General Affairs Council.
Czech presidency programmeUkraine: €5 billion assistance adopted
The Council today formally adopted the decision to provide €5 billion of additional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine, as a matter of urgency. This financial assistance complements other EU support to Ukraine in the humanitarian, development, customs and defence fields.
Council adopts additional €5 billion assistance to Ukraine (press release 20 September 2022)Meeting information
Meeting n°3894
Brussels
20 September 2022
10:00
Preparatory documents
Provisional agendaList of A items, non-legislative activitiesList of A items, legislative deliberationsBackground briefOutcome documents
List of participantsMeeting voting results
