Justice and Home Affairs Council, 13-14 October 2022..and more...

 

12/10/2022 18:00 | Press release Informal meeting of ministers responsible for energy Ministers responsible for energy met in Prague on Wednesday. The discussions were aimed at clearly defining the European Commission's legislative proposals regarding joint purchases of gas or possible price capping. The informal meeting was also attended by representatives of countries of the European Free Trade Association.

Press release

12 October 202218:00

Informal meeting of ministers responsible for energy





Ministers responsible for energy met in Prague on Wednesday. The discussions were aimed at clearly defining the European Commission's legislative proposals regarding joint purchases of gas or possible price capping. The informal meeting was also attended by representatives of countries of the European Free Trade Association.


“In the first part of the meeting, we focused on the issue of high gas prices and the search for a quick but, at the same time, effective solution. The discussion on this topic is not easy, each country has different conditions, different rules, different interests, but is crucial because we must mitigate the economic impacts,” says the Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela and adds: “I expect the European Commission will take this discussion into account during the preparation of the legislative proposal on this issue. It should be published by the Commission next week, and I believe that we will be able to discuss it at the formal Energy Council on October 25 in Luxembourg. Afterwards, we will most likely call another extraordinary meeting of energy ministers to seek approval.”

The main elements of the proposal should include a functional platform for joint gas purchases, increasing the transparency of the TTF price index and strengthening its resilience to speculative behaviour and enhancing energy savings and solidarity between Member States.

During the working lunch, the ministers discussed the energy preparedness of individual countries, the EU as a whole, as well as neighbouring regions before the coming winter.

In the afternoon session, the ministers also talked about broader aspects of the functioning of the European electricity market. “We also discussed the way how the market should be set up so that it can better respond to the current crisis situation and at the same time be prepared for the future energy mix. It will be low-carbon and more based on nuclear and renewable energy sources. We gave the representatives present the opportunity to comment on the possibility of solving this problem and thus provide the European Commission with guidelines for further work in the area” adds Minister Síkela.

The informal meeting of energy ministers was attended by the Director of the Agency for the Cooperation of European Regulators (ACER) Christian Zinglersen, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol, Director of the Secretariat of the Energy Community Artur Lorkowski, Vice President of the European Investment Bank Thomas Östros. Ukrainian Minister German Galushenko, described in his video-message the current situation in his country and called on all present to show solidarity and help with the supply of energy equipment.
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Press material Wednesday 12 October 2022

● Council of the EU   12/10/2022 19:12 | Press release | Presidency press release - Informal meeting of energy ministers in Prague (Czech Republic), 11-12 October 2022   An informal meeting of European energy ministers was hosted by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU on 11 and 12 October in Prague. Ministers discussed, among other things, further work on energy emergency measures, EU's preparedness for winter and possibilities of an electricity market reform and its financing. Read the full text of the press release in EN and CZ. Further information Dmitrij Černikov Czech presidency spokesperson (Coreper 1) Tel. +32 2 2139 440 GSM +32 472 904 980 dmitrij_cernikov@mzv.cz

Meetings Tuesday 11 October 2022

● Council of the EU   11/10/2022 16:03 | MEETING | Justice and Home Affairs Council, 13-14 October 2022   Background brief - Justice and Home Affairs Council, 13-14 October 2022

Council of the EU
Justice and Home Affairs Council, 13-14 October 2022

Agenda highlights
Justice, 13 October
Fight against impunity in Ukraine

The Czech presidency, Europol and Eurojust will update ministers on the EU’s ongoing support to the investigation and prosecution of international crimes. Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, numerous reports have indicated that crimes against humanity and war crimes have been and are being committed in Ukraine. The EU and its member states fully support Ukraine in making sure that those responsible for the terrible atrocities committed are brought to justice, and the EU has taken a number of measures in this regard.Support in the investigation and prosecution of war crimes (background information)
Judicial training

Ministers of justice will exchange views on judicial training and its impact on access to justice in the context of rule of law.


Infographic - How the EU fights environmental crimeSee full infographic
Environmental crime

Ministers will assess progress made at technical level on the draft environmental crime directive. In June 2022 ministers agreed on a partial general approach covering the definitions of the criminal offences. Work is currently ongoing on the harmonisation of sanction levels. This proposal will replace the existing legislation with a more ambitious text, defining new environmental criminal offences, providing more details on sanctions and introducing measures to assist persons who report offences.
European Public Prosecutor's Office

Ministers will take stock of the work of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in the first year since the start of its operations. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is an independent body of the European Union responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU. It started its operations on 1 June 2021.European Public Prosecutor's Office (background information)
Fundamental rights

Over lunch, ministers will exchange views on upholding fundamental rights in times of crises, in the presence of the director of the Fundamental Rights Agency. In order to deal with the challenges raised by crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, member states may need to adopt extraordinary measures. In this context they have to strike a balance between the protection of fundamental freedoms and the need to effectively tackle the situation.Protection and promotion of human rights (background information)
Home Affairs, 14 October
Schengen Council

Ministers will exchange views on the overall state of the Schengen area with a particular focus on the management of external borders, and will decide actions in this field. This exchange will take place on the basis of a Commission barometer and a risk analysis by Frontex. Regular discussions on the state of Schengen aim to ensure a better overall steering at ministerial level of matters concerning the Schengen area. Since March 2022, this format is convened on the occasion of every Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting.

The Council will be invited to approve conclusions on the multiannual strategic policy cycle for European integrated border management (EIBM). Taking into account the political guidance by the Council contained in the conclusions, the Commission will publish its EIBM communication by the end of 2022 and, on that basis, enable Frontex to prepare a technical and operational strategy for EIBM and the member states their national EIBM strategies.Strengthening the EU’s external borders (background information)


Infographic - Refugees from Ukraine in the EUSee full infographic
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine

Ministers will discuss the situation of refugees in the EU, as well as the internal security implications in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Since 24 February, EU member states have put in place reception capacities to host over 4 million people who have arrived to the EU seeking refuge from the war in Ukraine. On 4 March the Council unanimously introduced temporary protection to provide immediate and collective protection to these persons. The EU has also provided support to the most affected member states through its civil protection mechanism and EU agencies and is working to unlock additional funds to provide emergency support.

EU home affairs ministers have also supported the mobilisation of the EU platform for fighting organised and serious crime (EMPACT) to help EU member states tackle criminal networks and individuals who may try to exploit the war in Ukraine. Crimes in conflict situations may include human trafficking, cyber-attacks or arms trafficking.Reception of refugees (background information)
EU fight against organised crime (background information)
Asylum and migration

The presidency will provide a state of play on the files regarding asylum and migration.

Over lunch, ministers will discuss recent evolutions in the Western Balkans migratory route, which has seen a large upsurge in migrant numbers this year.EU asylum reform (background information)
EU migration policy (background information)


Meeting information

Meeting n°3899
Luxembourg
13 October 2022
10:00
Prepa
ratory documentsProvisional agenda
Provisional list of A items
Provisional list of A items, addition 1
Background brief

Press material Wednesday 12 October 2022

● Council of the EU   12/10/2022 11:36 | Press release | Council agrees its negotiating mandate on the non-acceptance of Russian travel documents issued in Ukraine and Georgia   EU ambassadors today agreed a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on a decision on the non-acceptance of Russian travel documents issued in Ukraine and Georgia. This decision is a response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s practice of issuing Russian international passports to residents of the occupied regions. It also follows Russia’s unilateral decision to recognise the independence of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008. Russian travel documents issued in, or to persons resident in, Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine or breakaway territories in Georgia will not be accepted as valid travel documents for obtaining a visa or crossing the borders of the Schengen area. "With its illegal annexation of Ukrainian regions Russia has once again shown its blatant disregard for the rules-based international order. We will never recognise the violation of Ukraine and Georgia’s fundamental rights to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU stands united and resolutely with both countries and their people." Vít Rakušan, Minister of the Interior of Czech Republic Russian travel documents issued in these regions are already not recognised, or in the process of not being recognised, by EU member states. This decision aims to set out a common approach, ensure the proper functioning of the external border and common visa policies and safeguard the security of EU member states. Next steps On the basis of this mandate, the presidency is ready to start discussions with the European Parliament. Background Since the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula in March 2014, Russia has issued Russian international passports to residents of Crimea. That practice was extended to the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk in April 2019, followed by the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia occupied regions in July 2022. The systematic issuance of Russian passports in those occupied regions constitutes a further infringement of international law and Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. The EU has repeatedly condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and expressed full solidarity with the people of Ukraine. EU member states have firmly rejected and unequivocally condemned the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukrainian regions and territories, as well as Russia’s recognition of the independence of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In reaction to the Russian annexation of Crimea and the most recent developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a series of individual and economic sanctions have been introduced. The EU has also fully suspended the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia.

Press material Wednesday 12 October 2022

● Council of the EU   12/10/2022 14:02 | Press release | Council and European Parliament agree on adapting EU standardisation rules   The Council and the European Parliament today reached a provisional political agreement on the proposal to amend the European standardisation regulation. "Harmonised standards are of key importance as they enable EU businesses to put harmonised and trustworthy goods on the internal market. I am glad that today we agreed to adapt this regulation. This will help to enhance Europe’s competitiveness and to better promote the green and digital priorities worldwide." Jozef Síkela, Czech Minister for Industry and Trade The regulation lays down procedures for developing harmonised standards within the EU. These harmonised standards make it easier to place products on the single market and thereby strengthen the EU’s competitiveness. The proposed amendment introduces new requirements for European standardisation organisations (ESOs) to ensure the involvement of national standardisation bodies. Reinforcing the role of national representatives will improve the functioning of ESOs and enhance member states’ representation in their decision-making processes. The amendment will also ensure the promotion of European values in developing European standards. That is particularly important in view of the ongoing digital transition.

Press material Wednesday 12 October 2022

● Council of the EU   12/10/2022 17:00 | Press release | Member States agree on a temporary waiver from slot rules at EU airports   To ensure that the EU properly responds to the current situation in the field of air transport, Member States reached an agreement today regarding the waiver from slot-use requirements at EU airports. The deal foresees temporary measures in reaction mainly to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath and to air travel impacts of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The current situation in air transport is marked by a significant return of passenger demand in summer this year, as airports and airlines were not capable to completely reboot the capacity at the required speed. This upward trend is expected to continue, although it will stay below pre-covid level for the coming months and is very different from one market or region to another. Most recent statistics show air operations below the baseline forecast. As regards the upcoming winter season starting end of October, Member States agreed that a high degree of uncertainty due to inflation, energy crises, a possible return of COVID-19 waves and related measures, as well as the evolution of the war, must be taken into account. "Air traffic is returning to the pre-pandemic volumes. This new regulation aims to ensure a gradual return to normality in line with this trend. It will provide more certainty to airports and air carriers, improve connectivity across Europe and will make air travelers’ lives easier." Jaroslav Zajíček, Czech Deputy Permanent Representative