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02/12/2022 19:20 | Press release The COMPET Council met in Brussels. The ministers discussed research and space Today, the final meeting of the research configuration of the EU Competitiveness Council under the Czech Presidency of the EU Council took place in Brussels. The meeting, chaired by the Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Vladimír Balaš, adopted several documents negotiated during the Czech Presidency by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. In the afternoon session that followed, space and the use of space data were discussed. Press release 2 December 202219:20 https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-233798?&lg=INT The COMPET Council met in Brussels. The ministers discussed research and space © EU Today, the final meeting of the research configuration of the EU Competitiveness Council under the Czech Presidency of the EU Council took place in Brussels. The meeting, chaired by the Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Vladimír Balaš, adopted several documents negotiated during the Czech Presidency by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. In the afternoon session that followed, space and the use of space data were discussed. At the meeting, the ministers also discussed the role of science as a tool for making evidence-based policy decisions and the concept of technological infrastructures, i.e. testing and experimental facilities used to validate the applicability of new technologies in industrial production. "This meeting concluded a substantial part of the political agenda of the Czech Presidency of the EU Council. By adopting a pair of EU Council Conclusions, the Ministers of the Member States set out the objectives for the direction of the European research, infrastructure and innovation ecosystem. The ministerial debate then confirmed the central role of science as a tool for informed, evidence-based policy decisions. In the weeks of December, we will still have to negotiate the implementation of the European Chips Act, but it can already be said that the Czech Republic has fulfilled its tasks as the presiding country to an excellent standard and has met all its political ambitions," said Vladimír Balaš, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, in his assessment of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. EU Council conclusions on research infrastructures At the very beginning of the meeting, EU Ministers approved the EU Council conclusions on research infrastructures. The EU Council conclusions set out priorities for the development of the European research infrastructure ecosystem up to 2030. They highlight the key role of research infrastructures as a tool for achieving knowledge-based solutions to major socio-economic challenges of European and global relevance. They call for ensuring adequate conditions for the long-term sustainable development of research infrastructures. They stress the need for further convergence of research infrastructure policy with other sectoral policies. Last but not least, they call for strengthening the European Strategic Forum for Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) in terms of its operational capacity, or for strengthening the digital dimension of European research infrastructures and stepping up their international cooperation at global level. EU Council conclusions on the New European Innovation Agenda The second of the key documents approved by EU Ministers was the EU Council conclusions on the New European Innovation Agenda. The EU Council conclusions respond to the need to further strengthen the European innovation ecosystem to make the EU a global innovation leader and provide policy direction on how to achieve this goal. The EU's ambition is to revise the regulatory environment for innovation to facilitate access to venture capital for deep-tech, start-ups and SMEs developing breakthrough innovations; to strengthen the entrepreneurial skills of innovation chain actors; to improve the networking of innovation stakeholders in the EU in order to concentrate the critical mass needed to achieve open EU strategic autonomy in critical technology domains; or to close the persistent gaps in research and innovation performance between European macro-regions. EU Council Recommendation on Knowledge Valorisation A complementary document to the EU Council conclusions on the New European Innovation Agenda is the EU Council Recommendation on Knowledge Valorisation. Although Europe holds the global lead in knowledge production, it is not able to apply this knowledge in industrial applications as effectively as other macro-regions of the world. Strengthening the ability to transfer knowledge from the scientific environment into practice, i.e. into goods and services that create new European and global markets, is therefore one of the EU's key ambitions for the near future. The EU Council Recommendation negotiated by the Czech Presidency of the EU Council provides measures to meet these ambitions. The trio of policy documents mentioned above and adopted complement the previously discussed and endorsed EU Council Conclusions on Widening, the Prague Declaration on Synergies in Research and Innovation Funding in Europe and the Brno Declaration on the Development of a Global Ecosystem of Research Infrastructures. During December, the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU will prepare further EU Council conclusions on synergies. However, in view of the deadline for the publication of the European Court of Auditors' Special Report, to which the EU Council Conclusions are intended to respond, the negotiations will have to be completed in the first half of 2023, i.e. during the incoming Swedish Presidency of the EU Council. Loading the video... Press conference - COMPET (research) Space was also discussed The morning session on research was followed in the afternoon by a meeting of EU space ministers. The meeting was chaired by Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka. The main focus of the ministers was a policy debate on the use of space data in the European Union. The potential of such data involves both the public and private sectors, with the idea that data from space systems can, for example, guide rescue teams in areas affected by natural disasters, improve land use in agriculture or enhance the safety of transport and energy infrastructure. "The Czech Presidency pays great attention to space. Data from satellites help us in our everyday lives, we use them in car navigation, precision agriculture and in monitoring climate change. In today's rapidly changing world, the security of space activities and data is also important. I am therefore pleased that, during our six months in office, we have managed to reach an agreement on the text of the regulation on the Secure Connectivity programme, now called IRIS2, between the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission. The aim is to build a space infrastructure of many hundreds of satellites that will provide secure, reliable and affordable autonomous connectivity for EU users," said Transport Minister Martin Kupka. As the Czech Presidency is coming to an end, and today's meeting was the last of this formation, Minister Kupka handed over the imaginary Presidency baton to Sweden. The Swedish delegation also informed the ministers present about the programme of the forthcoming Swedish Presidency.

Meetings Friday 2 December 2022

● Council of the EU   02/12/2022 17:54 | MEETING | Main results - Competitiveness Council (Research and space), 2 December 2022   Ministers responsible for research and space met in Brussels to adopt conclusions on the New Innovation Agenda and on research infrastructures. They also discussed the role of science in policymaking and EU space data exploitation.    Council of the EU Competitiveness Council (Research and space), 2 December 2022 Main results Research Scientific advice for better political decisions Ministers discussed the role of science in member states’ policymaking, where they reflected on how to improve the use of scientific advice for political decisions. During their interventions, ministers expressed interest in the creation and development of platforms of science advisors in their different sectorial ministries, and underlined that it is useful to coordinate national approaches at EU level. Ministers, moreover, agreed that the Commission should play a key role in providing coordination, expertise, and support for policy development in the EU.Watch the recording of the public debate A common approach to research and innovation The Council adopted two sets of conclusions that strengthen the EU's position in the field of research and innovation: on the New Innovation Agenda and on research infrastructures. The adoption of today's conclusions send a strong message to the European research and innovation community: the EU is working hard to remain the global leader in the field. We stay on top of new technologies and closely follow new waves of innovation, so that the EU and member states can develop a common approach to research and innovation.Vladimir Balas, Czech minister for education, youth and sports The conclusions on research infrastructures (RIs) are a cornerstone in the development of the European Research Area (ERA). The conclusions recognise the need to further strengthen RIs and facilitate broader access to them, since they can greatly contribute to the competitiveness of the European economy. The conclusions on the New Innovation Agenda set out an innovation policy to position the EU as a global leader. Innovation plays a crucial role in Europe’s competitiveness, in achieving the green and digital transitions, and in addressing societal challenges and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.New Innovation Agenda: Council adopts conclusions (press release, 2 December 2022) Research infrastructures: Council adopts conclusions (press release, 2 December 2022) Watch the recording of the public debate Council recommendation on the guiding principles for knowledge valorisation Ministers adopted a Council recommendation on the guiding principles for knowledge valorisation. Knowledge valorisation is the process of creating social and economic value from knowledge, by linking different areas and sectors and transforming data and research results into products and solutions that benefit society. The Council recommendation updates the European Commission recommendation from 2008 by broadening the scope of actors and activities, with a focus on the whole research and innovation ecosystem, and widening the scope to intellectual asset management.Council recommendation on the guiding principles for knowledge valorisation Watch the recording of the public debate Other topics on the agenda Under any other business, ministers were informed by the European Commission on the new EIT Culture & Creativity KIC and on a public consultation on the past, present and future of the European research & innovation framework programmes 2014-2027. Member states were informed by the Spanish delegation about PRIMA - the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area - as well as on the programme of the upcoming Swedish presidency.Watch the recording of the public debate Over an informal lunch, ministers discussed technology infrastructures. Space EU space data exploitation Minister held a policy debate on EU space data exploitation. The EU has access to a large reservoir of space data, but does not use its full potential. To keep up with emerging services such as AI and quantum technologies, member states have to join forces and work together towards a better exploitation of EU space data. This will enhance the EU's competitiveness.Martin Kupka, Czech minister for transport Infographic - EU in spaceSee full infographic Ministers discussed how to increase the use of space data and applications within the EU across different market segments. During their interventions, member states focused on what has already been implemented and developed at national level to make better use of space data exploitation. They reflected on possible barriers hindering the uptake of EU space services at European and national levels, where they identified possible solutions to remove such barriers, focusing on the role of education and awareness raising, exchange of best practices among users and between space and non-space sectors, as well as public and private sectors and access to finance for innovative solutions.Watch the recording of the public debate Ministers were informed by the Swedish delegation on the programme for their upcoming presidency. Meeting information Meeting n°3915-1 Brussels 2 December 2022 Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda List of A items, non-legislative activities List of A items, legislative deliberations Background brief Outcome documentsList of participants

Press material Friday 2 December 2022

● Council of the EU   02/12/2022 17:26 | Press release | Presidency press release - Conference on the Future of Europe: feedback event with citizens   The EU institutions held a feedback event today on follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe. In the Joint Declaration on the Conference on the Future of Europe, the three EU institutions took a commitment to follow up effectively on the final outcome of the Conference in accordance with their respective competences under the EU Treaties. The feedback event is part of the EU institutions’ response to the results of the Conference and their pledge to keep citizens informed about the implementation process. Read the Presidency press release: EN, FR, CS

02/12/2022 17:50 | Article Achievements of the Czech Presidency - November The Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU has been getting closer to the finish line and is gradually reaping the fruits of almost six months of work. In November, it managed to facilitate an agreement among Member States on further measures to tackle the energy crisis, negotiate the EU budget for 2023, successfully conclude further parts of the Fit for 55 climate package, and ensure the non-recognition of Russian passports issued in the occupied territories of Ukraine and Georgia.

Article

2 December 202217:50

Achievements of the Czech Presidency - November





The Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU has been getting closer to the finish line and is gradually reaping the fruits of almost six months of work. In November, it managed to facilitate an agreement among Member States on further measures to tackle the energy crisis, negotiate the EU budget for 2023, successfully conclude further parts of the Fit for 55 climate package, and ensure the non-recognition of Russian passports issued in the occupied territories of Ukraine and Georgia.

Energy: Agreement on joint gas purchases and solidarity measures in case of gas shortages

Energy ministers met for the fourth extraordinary Energy Council convened during the Czech Presidency. Their aim was to agree on further measures to help resolve the energy crisis caused by the interruption of gas supplies from Russia. In order to ensure energy security in the EU for this winter and the following winters, energy ministers agreed on a further package of measures aimed at joint gas purchases and solidarity in the event of a gas supply disruption. This will allow EU countries to cooperate on gas purchases, significantly improving their negotiating position on world markets and facilitating the filling of gas storages for next winter. Russian gas will be excluded from joint purchases. The agreement also introduces an obligation for Member States to share gas with each other in case any of them suffers an acute shortage of gas for its electricity production.

Moreover, Ministers supported faster authorisation for the construction of renewable energy projects, which also aims to get rid of dependence on Russian energy sources. Both proposals have been agreed, and energy ministers are expected to give their final approval during the next extraordinary meeting in mid-December, when the Commission's long-awaited proposal to cap gas prices should also be approved.
Finance and Trade: EU budget, banking reform and the end of economic pressure on the EU

The long and tense negotiations on the EU budget for next year ended with a last-minute agreement. If the Czech Presidency and the European Parliament had failed to reach an agreement by midnight on 14 November, the Commission would have had to present a new proposal. But an agreement was reached and the budget has now been formally approved. Overall, the budget includes €186.6 billion, an increase of 1.1% compared to this year's budget. The largest sums will go to agricultural policy, cohesion funds and neighbourhood policy.

The Council also decided to adjust this year's budget by allocating a total of €668 million to seven Member States affected by natural disasters such as the floods, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes that took place last year. They will be able to draw on the EU solidarity fund to deal with the consequences of these events.

A major achievement in the financial area was the agreement of a common negotiating position among EU countries on the implementation of banking reforms under the Basel III international agreements. These set out new ways of regulating, supervising and managing banks in response to the global financial crisis of 2008. They should increase their resilience in the event of similar economic shocks. Trilogues with the European Parliament can now start on the basis of a general approach on the revision of the capital requirements directive and the capital requirements regulation.

The Council also adopted a negotiating position for talks with the European Parliament on an instrument to enable the EU to defend itself in the event of economic pressure from third countries. The so-called Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) is primarily intended to deter countries from using pressure, but also offers the possibility to impose measures in the form of increased tariffs, import and export licences or restrictions on public procurement and foreign direct investment. Measures will only be used as a last resort if the country exerting economic pressure on the EU fails to be conciliated into ending it.

Ministers also agreed on new rules to prevent harmful tax competition and tax avoidance. The revision of the code of conduct for business taxation, which has not been amended since 1997, thus expands the range of tax measures that will be subject to review and scrutiny to ensure they are applied fairly across the EU.
Climate: Global conference and two success stories from the Fit for 55 package

In addition to chairing the meetings of the Member States in Brussels, the Presidency also plays a role in representing the EU externally. The Czech delegation represented all 27 countries at the 27th UN Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The most significant outcome of the summit was the agreement to set up a new fund to finance "loss and damage". This will provide funds for particularly vulnerable developing countries in the Global South to remedy droughts, floods, fires and other global warming impacts they face as a result of emissions mainly from developed countries. The EU, which is the world's largest contributor to climate finance, managed to agree in principle that countries that have been assessed as developing but are in fact already developed should also contribute to the future fund.

In addition, two more proposals from the Fit for 55 package were agreed. Czech negotiators reached an agreement on the so-called effort sharing regulation during a long night of negotiations with the European Parliament. The EU as a whole should reduce emissions in sectors such as road transport, agriculture, buildings and waste by 40 percent by 2030 compared to 2005. But not all countries will be required to reduce emissions at the same rate. In the case of the Czech Republic, the reduction should be 26 percent.

The agreement also ended several hours of negotiations with the European Parliament on CO2 emissions and removals from land use and forestry (the so-called LULUCF sector). The final contribution of this sector to achieving climate neutrality, the main objective of the Fit for 55 package, is set in the agreement at 310 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Together with the earlier agreement on stricter CO2 emission standards for cars and vans, this is the third approved proposal from the climate package, with more parts still under negotiation. Trilogues continue on the revision of the EU emissions trading system, the social climate fund and the directives on energy efficiency and renewables.
Foreign affairs and security: Training of Ukrainian soldiers and further sanctions on Iran

In mid-November, the EU launched the EUMAM military assistance mission. The mission is intended to train up to 15 000 members of the Ukrainian armed forces and will be deployed in various locations across EU Member States. This confirms the EU's support to war-torn Ukraine, which the EU intends to continue.

The EU has extended its sanctions list against Iran. It has added 29 more individuals and three entities for their involvement in human rights abuses. These include, for example, four members of the unit that arrested Mahsa Amini, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, who heads the state's law enforcement agencies, and Iran's state broadcaster Press TV, which is responsible for producing and broadcasting the forced confessions of those detained by the regime. The sanctions consist of a ban on entry into the EU and an asset freeze.

The EU also decided to impose further sanctions due to the continuing threat posed by chemical weapons. Asset freezes and travel bans to the EU now apply to ten individuals linked to the poisoning of Alexei Navalny and an entity linked to the production of chemical weapons delivery systems in Syria.

By adopting Council conclusions on disaster risk reduction in the EU's external action, development cooperation ministers decided to place greater emphasis on preventing crises before they occur. The Czech Presidency also negotiated Council conclusions on the Youth Action Plan for engaging young people in EU external action, which are intended, among other things, to strengthen the involvement of young people in the political sphere worldwide and facilitate their mobility. Moreover, it published guidelines to help cooperation between humanitarian, development and security actors in partner countries.


November in numbers


12

Councils in Brussels


31

Trilogues


9

Conclusive trilogues


345

Working groups


2

Extraordinary Councils


24

Ambassador’s meetings

Visa policy and border protection: Negotiations on migration, rejection of passports from Russian-occupied territories and a step forward to visa liberalisation for Kosovo

Interior ministers met in an extraordinary Home Affairs Council due to increasing migration flows. They discussed how to fight illegal migration and confirmed the unity with which the EU will approach this challenge. Before that, Member States also agreed to strengthen Frontex's cooperation with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia to protect the EU's external borders.

Russian travel documents issued in the occupied territories of Ukraine and Georgia will not be recognised in the Schengen area. Individual EU states do not accept them already, but the Czech Presidency has negotiated a unified EU approach to these documents. According to the agreement with the European Parliament, it will not be possible to cross the borders of the Schengen area or obtain a visa in the EU on the basis of these documents.

Kosovans are closer to visa-free travel to the EU. New rules could allow them to travel to the EU without a visa in about a year. After years of delays, the Czech Presidency has found a compromise on Kosovo passports and the Council now has a common position with which to start a trilogue with the European Parliament.

The EU Council and the European Parliament have agreed on the new information exchange directive. It will make it simpler for police and other law enforcement agencies to access information about criminal activity in other Member States, which will make their work much easier. It will also prevent criminals from being able to hide their activities by moving to another EU country. In another trilogue, a preliminary political agreement was also reached on the outstanding substantive issues of the e-evidence package. Further work at technical level and confirmation by Member States will follow.

The Czech Presidency also concluded a trilogue on EU-UK relations. The agreement reached is a safeguard to protect the EU single market in case the UK does not comply with the Brexit agreements.
Technology: The EU satellite system, enhanced cybersecurity of EU systems and digital declaration

The Czech Presidency has succeeded in negotiating an agreement on the deployment of hundreds of EU satellites that will increase the security of communications. The whole system will be called IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite). A total of €2.4 billion will be allocated to the programme. The satellites will provide reliable connectivity for critical infrastructure, government and private sector systems. Satellite connectivity is expected to compensate for terrestrial communication failures in the event of cyberattacks or natural disasters.

Under the Czech Presidency, Member States also agreed on a common position for negotiations with the European Parliament on enhancing cyber security in EU institutions and bodies. The proposal was made in response to the increasing frequency of cyberattacks.

In November, the declaration on digital rights and principles for the digital decade was finalised. In it, the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission signed up to protecting and promoting European values such as democracy, equality and sustainability in the digital world. The text of the declaration is expected to be signed by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on behalf of the Member States in mid-December, together with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The negotiations between the Czech Presidency and the European Parliament on product safety have also been successfully concluded. The new regulation updates the existing rules so that they also apply to online shopping and so that goods sold in the EU are safe and comply with European standards.
Council conclusions on cohesion policy and education

The Council approved conclusions on cohesion policy. They highlight its contribution to the quality of life of Member States' citizens and its positive impact on the EU's competitiveness, on closing regional disparities and on the transition to a modern digital sustainable economy. Looking ahead, the text argues that cohesion policy is a policy for all regions and stresses the importance of finding solutions to the specific challenges faced by EU regions.

The Czech Presidency has also opened up a discussion on a topic that has not received much attention so far. Drawing on the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, education ministers adopted Council conclusions on personal well-being in digital education. The successful use of digital technologies in schools should contribute to creating a pleasant and safe environment for pupils and teachers. Ministers also focused on the issue of early school leaving. They agreed on the Council's recommendation on pathways to school success to improve the performance of students underperforming in basic knowledge and skills such as reading, mathematics and science. Once again, the 27 EU ministers were joined by their Ukrainian counterparts. Minister Serhiy Shkarlet sent a video message to the Ministers of Education, while Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko personally attended the meeting of the Ministers of Culture, where he pointed out the extent of the damage to cultural institutions caused by Russian shelling of Ukrainian cities.