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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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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 crime
See full infographicEnvironmental 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 EU
See full infographicRussia’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
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