COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION interesting latest news

Press material Monday 24 April 2023

● Council of the EU   24/04/2023 16:27 | Press release | Council green lights EU law which improves information exchange between law enforcement authorities   The Council today adopted EU rules to make it easier for national law enforcement authorities to exchange information and fight crime more effectively. Under the new rules, member states in possession of information concerning a serious criminal offence must make this available to other member states' law enforcement authorities. Equivalent access to information The information exchange directive which ministers adopted today lays down the principle that foreign police bodies should be able to access information related to criminal offences available in another country under the same conditions as law enforcement authorities of that country. Single contact points Member states will have a single point of contact (SPOC), which will be operational 24/7, for information exchanges with other EU countries. The directive also stipulates the deadlines for making information available to police authorities of another country. In certain urgent cases, the requested information should be made available within eight hours. Streamlined communication channels The new EU law will also remedy the current proliferation of communication channels used for law enforcement information exchanges between member states (which hinders the adequate and rapid exchange of such information and increases the risks concerning the security of personal data). This is why relevant authorities will be obliged to use Europol’s secure information exchange network application (SIENA) – a platform which enables the swift and user-friendly exchange of operational and strategic crime-related information.

 

Press material Tuesday 25 April 2023

● Council of the EU   25/04/2023 10:36 | Press release | Council gives final green light to legislation that will make products safer for consumers   The Council has today adopted the general product safety regulation (GPSR), which reinforces the safety rules for products sold both offline and online. The regulation will reinforce market surveillance for unsafe products and consumer rights for anyone who has been sold an unsafe product. "With the adopted regulation, we are making sure that consumers enjoy the highest level of product safety, whether they shop online or physically. If we are serious in our digital transformation, we need to make sure that citizens feel confident about the safety of what they purchase independently of how they purchase it." Erik Slottner, Swedish Minister for Public Administration The regulation adopted today reinforces product safety and consumer protection, and makes it easier for consumers to repair, return or replace unsafe products. In detail: online marketplaces will have to co-operate with market surveillance authorities if they detect a dangerous product on their platform, and must establish a single point of contact in charge of product safety market surveillance authorities will be able to order online marketplaces to remove dangerous products from their platforms or to disable their access a single market surveillance regime will apply to all products if a product has proven to be unsafe, economic operators must immediately adopt corrective measures and inform market surveillance authorities and consumers if a product must be recalled, consumers will be entitled either to have it repaired or replaced or to be refunded (and can choose between at least two of these options) economic operators should have a person responsible for products sold online and offline (independently of the product’s origin), who will ensure the availability of technical documentation, instructions, and safety information

Press material Tuesday 25 April 2023

● Council of the EU   25/04/2023 10:47 | Press release | Maritime safety: Council adopts legislation for safer journeys with ferries in Europe   The Council adopted today a new law to improve stability requirements for the so-called ‘ro-ro’ (roll-on/roll-off) passenger ships, known as ferries. The new directive will play an important role in ensuring the safety of both vessels and their passengers in the EU, in accordance with the new international standards in the field. ‘Ro-ro’ passenger ships provide numerous maritime links within member states, between member states and with third countries. They are therefore of major importance to passenger and freight transport in Europe. The proposal to revise the existing directive originates from maritime accidents, such as the sinking of the ‘Estonia’ in 1994. The revised directive ensures, as far as possible, consistency with the applicable international standards for the stability of damaged passenger ships recently updated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under its 2020 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS Convention). The IMO has recently introduced a new model for assessing the survivability of damaged ‘ro-ro’ passenger ships, as well as new related requirements. However, these new international standards are not completely in line with the requirements already in force in the Union for smaller new vessels. Therefore, the new law maintains a level of safety requirements equivalent to existing Union law for those ships. The revised directive also aims to strengthen fleet entry requirements within the Union for existing large vessels that have not yet been certified in the Union. The text of the new directive maintains the general purpose of the initial Commission proposal, except for the extension of the transposition deadline from 12 to 18 months.

Meetings Monday 24 April 2023

● Council of the EU   24/04/2023 20:26 | MEETING | Main results - Foreign Affairs Council, 24 April 2023   The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine and its geopolitical consequences. Under current affairs it exchanged on: Sudan, Moldova, Lebanon, China and the Middle East Peace Process.

Council of the EU
Foreign Affairs Council, 24 April 2023

Main results
Sudan

The Foreign Affairs Council touched on the situation in the country and the violent clashes going on between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since 15 April.
The High Representative stressed the crucial importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities and return to regional negotiations, and reported on the evacuation of EU staff and citizens.
Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and EU action plan on its geopolitical consequences

The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

At the beginning of the Council discussion, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, addressed EU ministers via video conference, and briefed them about the latest developments on the ground and Ukraine's military priorities and needs, especially in terms of ammunition and missiles.



We all want peace, first and foremost the Ukrainians. But it needs to be a just peace. Until then we will continue supporting Ukraine’s defence. Recently, some ideas regarding peace were floated by China, and also Brazil. For credible, honest peace efforts one needs to also talk to Kyiv and go there to see the aggression through the eyes of those who are being bombed.Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The High Representative stressed that in total the EU and its member states have already facilitated the delivery of over €13 billion in military support. He also updated ministers on the EU military support to Ukraine in the context of the three-track plan to provide Ukraine with one million rounds of artillery ammunition, either from existing stocks or jointly procured.

So far the EU has delivered on track one through the adoption of an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility worth €1 billion, designed to address Ukraine’s most immediate needs. EU member states are also finalising work on track two to facilitate joint procurement. Lastly, the European Commission will soon present concrete proposals on how to ramp up the European defence production capacity under track three.

Ministers were also informed about the activities of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), which has already exceeded its initial target by training over 16 000 Ukrainian soldiers. The EU aims to train a total of 30 000 soldiers by the end of 2023.

The Foreign Affairs Council then discussed the implementation of the EU action plan on the geopolitical consequences of the Russian aggression.

This is a key instrument setting out the EU’s strategy to increase its bilateral engagement with key partners in its immediate neighbourhood, Asia, Africa and Latin America. The aim of the plan is to strengthen EU partnerships around the world through political and economic engagement, and the key use of the Global Gateway initiative.
Informal exchange with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

EU Foreign Affairs Ministers held an informal exchange over lunch with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili focusing on Georgia’s European perspective and the need to strengthen its democracy.

The discussion confirmed that Georgia has made significant progress in many key reforms, and stressed that rule of law, human rights, media, civil society and independent state institutions are important elements for each country aspiring to join the EU.
Current affairs

The Foreign Affairs Council discussed Moldova and agreed on three concrete measures to support the country:

- the Council established a new civilian EU CSDP partnership mission that will strengthen Moldova's crisis management structures and enhance its resilience to hybrid threatsMoldova: EU sets up a civilian mission to strengthen the resilience of the security sector (press release, 24 April 2023)

- the Council reached a broad agreement on a new framework for sanctions against those who destabilise the country and
- the Council agreed to allocate a further €40 million from the European Peace Facility to support Moldova’s defence capabilities

On China, the High Representative pointed out that there are areas where the interests of the EU and China converge and they need to work together, e.g. to address global challenges such as climate change, debt management and global health. He also stressed that the EU expects China to act in defence of international rules and norms, in their entirety and not selectively, especially when it comes to Russia’s unjustified, unlawful war of aggression against Ukraine.

The High Representative welcomed the statement in which China distanced itself from the unacceptable remarks of its ambassador to Paris, which contrasted with China’s recognition of Ukraine - including with Crimea - in 1991.
Other decisions

The Council approved conclusions on Ethiopia and adopted restrictive measures against:

- human rights violations in Iran
- drug trade benefitting the Syrian regime
- persons and entities affiliated to ISIL and operating in the Cabo Delgado region in MozambiqueEthiopia: Council conclusions confirm EU support for lasting peace (press release, 24 April 2023)
Iran: Council sanctions eight additional individuals and one entity over human rights violations (press release, 24 April 2023)
Syria: EU sanctions drug trade benefitting the regime (press release, 24 April 2023)
EU fight against terrorism: one group and two individuals added to the EU sanctions list (press release, 24 April 2023)

The Council also approved the items on the list of non-legislative A items without discussion.
Pay transparency directive

The Council adopted new rules to combat pay discrimination and help close the gender pay gap in the EU.

Under the pay transparency directive, EU companies will be required to share information about how much they pay women and men for work of equal value, and take action if their gender pay gap exceeds 5%. The new directive also includes provisions on compensation for victims of pay discrimination and penalties, including fines, for employers who break the rules.Gender pay gap: Council adopts new rules on pay transparency (press release, 24 April 2023)
European Year of Skills

The Council has adopted the legislative act paving the way for a European Year of Skills for the period 9 May 2023 until 8 May 2024.

The overall objective of the European Year is to promote a mindset of reskilling and upskilling. The aim is to boost the competitiveness of European companies and create quality jobs. Focusing on reskilling and upskilling should also help to close skill gaps and shortages.Council and Parliament pave the way for a European Year of Skills (press release, 7 March 2023)


Meeting information

Meeting n°3944
Luxembourg
24 April 2023
10:00
Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda
List of A items, legislative deliberations
List of A items, non-legislative activities
Background brief
Outcome documentsVideo footage
List of participants
Meeting voting results

Press material Monday 24 April 2023

● Council of the EU   24/04/2023 16:26 | Press release | Council adopts law to improve and digitalise cross-border judicial cooperation   The Council has cleared a new EU law establishing a digital platform which will make it easier for prosecutors and judges – working together in joint investigation teams – to exchange information and bring criminals to justice. Digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation The platform will facilitate the daily coordination and management of joint investigation teams (JITs). It will enable the exchange and temporary storage of operational information and evidence, ensure secure communication and facilitate the traceability of evidence. The platform will be connected to the IT tools used by the authorities participating in the JITs. Use of the platform will be strongly encouraged, but will remain voluntary. eu-LISA, the EU agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice, will be tasked with designing, developing and operating the platform.

Press material Monday 24 April 2023

● Council of the EU   24/04/2023 15:59 | Press release | Ethiopia: Council conclusions confirm EU support for lasting peace   The Council today approved conclusions stressing that Ethiopia is a key strategic partner for the EU in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea and that the EU stands ready to support further progress on the path towards lasting peace. The EU fully supports the agreement for lasting peace through a permanent cessation of hostilities (CoHA) concluded between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front on 2 November 2022. Subject to its sustained implementation, the EU will progressively normalise relations with Ethiopia and return to a full and strengthened strategic engagement with the country. Accountability and transitional justice are particularly important in that context. The Council conclusions also express serious concern regarding escalating tensions, alleged violations and abuses of human rights, and violence in various parts of the country. The EU is closely monitoring the situation and encourages urgent de-escalation and dialogue. Council conclusions on Ethiopia (24 April 2023)