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23/05/2023 09:00 | Press release Sweden to host Trade and Technology Council meeting On 30–31 May, Sweden will host a meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) within the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The TTC serves as the main forum for the US and EU to coordinate approaches to key global trade, economic and technology issues. The meeting will be held in Luleå and is the fourth of its kind.

Press release

23 May 20239:00
Sweden to host Trade and Technology Council meeting


Luleå House of Culture, where the meeting will take place.© Luleå House of Culture


On 30–31 May, Sweden will host a meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) within the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The TTC serves as the main forum for the US and EU to coordinate approaches to key global trade, economic and technology issues. The meeting will be held in Luleå and is the fourth of its kind.


The co-chairs at the meeting will be US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, US Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

The Swedish Government will host the meeting and only participate in selected parts of the programme. Sweden will be represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch.

“Sweden is proud to welcome the European Union and the United States to Luleå for the fourth Trade and Technology Council meeting. The TTC is one of the most important forums for negotiations in this area, where we are working to strengthen cooperation between the EU and the US. The TTC has also played a key role in creating a united front against Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, especially by establishing a common transatlantic export controls strategy,” says Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström.

“The TTC is a very important forum for discussing how we can tackle the challenges resulting from the implementation of the green and digital transitions. Northern Sweden, especially Luleå, is the perfect place to showcase how we are dealing with these challenges. Swedish companies have special expertise in this area, and Sweden hopes to lead the way in efforts to achieve these transitions,” says Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.

The formal TTC meeting will take place on the morning of Wednesday 31 May and end with a press conference at 15.30. In addition to the formal meeting, a number of side events will be held around Luleå, focusing on the green and digital transitions. The last day to apply for media accreditation is today, Tuesday 23 May.

Press release

22 May 202313:15
EU strengthens its civilian missions to better respond to crises around the world


Snapshot from the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia).© European External Action Service (EEAS)


Today the Council and its member states have agreed on a new Civilian CSDP Compact, a key deliverable from the Strategic Compass approved in March 2022.


The Compact aims to strengthen the civilian side of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and enhance the civilian missions’ effectiveness, impact, flexibility, and robustness. This will enable them to tackle more efficiently current, emerging, and future security challenges. The Compact will also allow the EU to face more effectively the current geopolitical environment marked by the return of war to Europe with Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.

More than 2,200 women and men work in 13 civilian missions across three continents. They react to a variety of situations from monitoring crises, strengthening partner countries' capacities, to supporting the work of the police or the judiciary. Their role is crucial. With the new Compact, we will make our missions more effective by acting faster, securing against new and emerging threats, investing in more and better civilian capabilities, and cooperating more with our partners.EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell



The EU is committed to raising the political visibility of civilian CSDP, including through annual discussions at ministerial level, as well as the understanding of its contribution to the security of European citizens, local communities, and EU’s partners.

The EU also plans to be ready to deploy 200 civilian experts within 30 days, when needed, including in complex environments.

The new Compact includes concrete commitments to have strengthened headquarters for civilian missions, strengthen the resilience of host states and related missions, enhance synergies with other EU instruments under the Integrated Approach to Conflicts and Crises and promote coordination and cooperation with justice and home affairs (JHA) and other relevant EU actors and partners. It also aims at investing further in the necessary capabilities aiming to increase the number of seconded experts across all missions and all levels aiming to reach at least 40 percent women’s participation and 100 percent seconded staff in operational positions.

A civilian capability development process will be set-up to assess the capability needs, develop requirements, conduct a gap analysis and review periodically the progress made in line with the new Civilian CSDP Compact.

During its Presidency of the Council of the EU, Sweden has been a driving force behind the development and adoption of the new Compact.

The new Civilian CSDP Compact is a significant step forward for the EU’s capability to deploy and operate efficient civilian missions, which are a unique tool for contributing to safety and civilian security sector reform in crisis areas. The civilian missions also help prevent wider security challenges such as hybrid threats, terrorism and radicalisation. Sweden makes a substantial contribution to the missions through secondments of staff such as police officers, prosecutors, judges, prison and probation officers, security sector and IT experts, and medics.Tobias Billström, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs


Background

The new Civilian CSDP Compact builds on the first Compact adopted in November 2018. Through the first Compact the EU has strengthened its capacity to deploy and sustain civilian crisis management missions. These missions aim to reinforce the police, rule of law and civil administration in fragile and conflict settings.

The EU currently runs 13 civilian missions on 3 continents:the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq)
the European Union Integrated Border Management Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya)
the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah crossing point (EUBAM Rafah)
the European Union Police and Rule of Law Mission for the Occupied Palestinian Territory (EUPOL COPPS)
the European Union Advisory Mission in Central African Republic (EUAM RCA)
the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali)
the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger)
the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Sahel Somalia)
the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX)
the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia)
the European Union Advisory Mission Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine),
the EU Mission in Armenia (EUM Armenia),
and the recently established EU Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova)

Read morePress release on the Council website: Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP): EU strengthens its civilian missions to better respond to crises around the world
The new Civilian CSDP Compact in full on EEAS’ website: Civilian CSDP Compact
Factsheet on the new Compact: Civilian CSDP Compact

Article

23 May 202316:00
Humanitarian aid funding gap to be addressed
© European Union


The global need for humanitarian assistance has almost tripled since 2019, while funding from donors has not increased at nearly the same pace. At its meeting on 22 May, the Foreign Affairs Council therefore approved conclusions on addressing the dramatically widening gap between humanitarian needs and funding.


The Council conclusions focus on measures needed to deal with the humanitarian funding gap and are structured based on three priority areas:expanding the donor base for humanitarian aid
streamlining implementation of humanitarian aid; and
reducing humanitarian needs

The international donor base for humanitarian aid is very narrow. Five Member States – Sweden, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Denmark – provide nearly 90 per cent of EU humanitarian funding. In light of the approved conclusions, the EU will increase its ambition regarding humanitarian funding. This will occur partly through a commitment for more balanced distribution within the EU and partly through a commitment for Member States – based on humanitarian needs – to allocate an appropriate proportion of their official development aid budget to humanitarian measures, for example 10 per cent.

In the area of humanitarian assistance during its Presidency of the Council of the EU, Sweden has pursued and focused on finding a common funding solution for humanitarian aid. The Council conclusions follow up on the European Humanitarian Forum (EHF), which the Swedish Presidency and European Commission co-hosted on 20–21 March.

Read more on the Council website: Council conclusions on addressing the humanitarian funding gap - Consilium (europa.eu)

Press material Monday 22 May 2023

● Council of the EU   22/05/2023 14:13 | Press release | Iran: five individuals and two entities targeted by EU’s eighth package of sanctions for human rights violations   The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures on an additional 5 individuals and two entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. The new listings include the current commander of the Tehran Police Relief Unit of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), and an individual linked to the “Maryam Arvin case” - a lawyer who was brutally arrested, gravely mistreated, and subsequently died for her activities in defence of protesters. Today’s sanctions also target the spokesman of the Iranian Police, and the secretary of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace of Iran (SCC), the authority responsible for repression in the cyberspace. Furthermore, the Council is listing the IRGC Cooperative Foundation, which is the body responsible for managing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ investments and funnelling money into the regime’s brutal repression and the Student Basij Organization (SBO). The latter acts as the IRGC’s violent enforcers on university campuses where students staged protests in the fall of 2022, and were subsequently the victims of repression and serious human rights violations such as abduction and torture. Restrictive measures now apply to a total of 216 individuals and 37 entities. They consist of an asset freeze, a travel ban to the EU and a prohibition to make funds or economic resources available to those listed. A ban on exports to Iran of equipment which might be used for internal repression and of equipment for monitoring telecommunications is also in place. The European Union expresses its support for the fundamental aspiration of the people of Iran for a future where their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected, protected and fulfilled. The EU calls on Iran to end the practice of imposing and carrying out death sentences against protesters, reverse the death penalty sentences pronounced, as well as provide due process to all detainees. The EU also calls upon Iran to end the distressing practice of detaining foreign civilians with a view to making political gains. Today’s package of listings follows the previous seven adopted by the Council on 17 October, 14 November, and 12 December 2022, 23 January, 20 February, 20 March and 24 April 2023. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Council implementing regulation and implementing decision concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Iran (including the list of sanctioned individuals and entities) Iran: Council sanctions eight additional individuals and one entity over human rights violations (press release, 24 April 2023) Iran: Council approves conclusions, 12 December 2022

Press material Tuesday 23 May 2023

● Council of the EU   23/05/2023 11:18 | Press release | EU defence cooperation: Council welcomes Denmark into PESCO and launches the 5th wave of new PESCO projects   Today the Council adopted a decision confirming Denmark’s participation in the Permanent Structured Cooperation. Denmark therefore becomes the 26th member of PESCO. "PESCO is at the core our defence cooperation. With Denmark joining the PESCO family and 11 new projects adopted today, we are expanding and deepening our cooperation. This enables member states to invest together, develop needed capabilities and prepare our forces." Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy In a referendum on 1 June 2022, Danish voters supported Denmark joining the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy ending the country’s 30-year-long opt-out on EU’s defence cooperation. As a result, Denmark joined the EU cooperation on security and defence on 1 July 2022, and started to contribute to EU’s military CSDP missions and operations. On 23 March 2023, it notified the Council and the High Representative of its intention to participate in PESCO and its ability to meet the commitments. Denmark has also joined the European Defence Agency in March 2023. The Council today also adopted a decision updating the list of PESCO projects. As a result, 11 new projects will be added to the list of the existing ones that have been developed since December 2017. The list of new projects touches on training, land, maritime and air systems, cyber, and enabling joint multiple services. It includes the following projects: European Defence Airlift - Training Academy (EDA-TA) Integrated Unmanned Ground Systems 2 (iUGS 2) Counter Battery Sensors (CoBaS) Anti-Torpedo Torpedo (ATT) Critical Seabed Infrastructure Protection (CSIP) Future Short-Range Air to Air Missile (FSRM) Next Generation Medium Helicopter (NGMH) Integrated Multi-Layer Air and Missile Defence System (IMLAMD) Arctic Command & Control Effector and Sensor System (ACCESS) Robust Communication Infrastructure and Networks (ROCOMIN) ROLE 2F Background The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is a key EU defence initiative​. It provides a framework for defence cooperation among the participating EU member states who have entered into more binding commitments between one another. They jointly develop defence capabilities, coordinate investments, enhance the operational readiness, interoperability and resilience of their armed forces, and collaborate in projects. With today's decision, the number of collaborative projects has risen to 68 and covers various areas such as: training facilities, land formation systems, maritime and air systems, cyber, and enabling joint multiple services and space. As of today, the 26 member states participating in PESCO are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Denmark: Statement by the High Representative on the outcome of the referendum on the opt-out in defence matters (EEAS website, 1 June 2022) Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) – Factsheet, EEAS website PESCO website

Press material Tuesday 23 May 2023

● Council of the EU   23/05/2023 10:32 | Press release | Council calls for transparent, equitable, and open access to scholarly publications   Today the Council has adopted conclusions on the ‘high quality, transparent, open, trustworthy and equitable scholarly publishing’, in which it calls for immediate and unrestricted open access in publishing research involving public funds. "If we really believe in open science, we need to make sure that researchers can make their findings available and re-usable and that high-quality scientific articles are openly accessible to anyone that needs to read them. This should be particularly the case for research that benefits from public funding: what has been paid by all should be accessible to all." Mats Persson, Swedish Minister for Education, Ministry of Education and Research The hazards of scholarly publishing Scientific articles and other forms of scholarly publishing continue to be the primary means of disseminating research results and scientific findings. However, far from every article is available to other researchers or other interested readers. The costs of paywalls to access and publish articles are becoming unsustainable and the publication channels for researchers are frequently in the hands of private companies, which often control the intellectual property of the articles. The peer review of articles is essential to assure the quality control of the articles, but this process comes with challenges such as increased numbers of submissions and reviewers’ fatigue. There is also an issue with predatory and questionable publishing practices. In its conclusions, the Council calls on the Commission and the member states to support policies towards a scholarly publishing model that is not-for-profit, open access and multi-format, with no costs for authors or readers. Some Member States have introduced secondary publication rights into their national copyright legislation, enabling open access to scholarly publications which involve public funds. The Council encourages national open access policies and guidelines to make scholarly publications immediately openly accessible under open licences. The conclusions acknowledge positive developments in terms of monitoring progress, like within the framework of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), and suggest including open science monitoring in the European Research Area monitoring mechanism. The Council conclusions also encourage Member States to support the pilot programme Open Research Europe (to create a large-scale open access research publishing service), the use of open-source software and standards, to recognise and reward peer review activities in the assessment of researchers as well as to support the training of researchers on peer-review skills and on intellectual property rights. Council conclusions on high-quality, transparent, open, trustworthy and equitable scholarly publishing

Press material Tuesday 23 May 2023

● Council of the EU   23/05/2023 12:06 | Press release | Cyber Defence: Council conclusions stress the importance of further strengthening the EU resilience to face cyber threats   With cyberspace as a field for strategic competition, risks for EU security and defence increase at a time of growing geopolitical tensions and dependence on digital technologies. Against this background the Council approved today conclusions on cyber defence stressing the need for the EU andits member states to further strengthen their resilience to face cyber threats and increase its common cyber security and cyber defence against malicious behaviour and acts of aggression in cyberspace. Today’s conclusions welcome the Joint Communication of the European Commission and the High Representative on the EU Policy on Cyber Defence of November 2022, and emphasise the importance to substantially invest, both individually and collaboratively, in enhanced resilience and the deployment of full-spectrum defensive cyber defence capabilities. EU cooperation frameworks and financial incentives can be of key importance in this perspective. In line with the Strategic Compass, the conclusions invite member states and other relevant actors to act together for a stronger cyber defence, by strengthening cooperation and coordination within and of the EU, between military and civilian cyber communities and between public and a trusted private ecosystem. The Council welcomes the proposal for an EU Cyber Defence Coordination Centre to enhance coordination and situational awareness of in particular commanders of EU missions and operations and strengthening of the wider EU command and control architecture. The Council encourages member states to secure the EU defence ecosystem by further developing their own capabilities to conduct cyber defence operations, including when appropriate proactive defensive measures to protect, detect, defend and deter against cyberattacks. The EU and its member states should reduce their strategic dependencies across their capabilities and supply-chains, as well as develop and master cutting-edge cyber defence technologies. This includes strengthening the European defence technological and industrial base. Furthermore the Council urges member states to invest in interoperable cyber defence capabilities, including through the development of a set of voluntary commitments for the further development of national cyber defence capabilities, and making the best use of collaborative research opportunities at EU level. The Council also recognises the direct benefit of collaborative projects at EU level to support the development of national cyber defence capabilities. Moreover, the Council invites member states to address the significant cybersecurity skills gap, leveraging the synergies between military, civilian and law enforcement initiatives. Lastly, the Council underlines the key importance of partnering to address common challenges. It calls on the High Representative and the Commission to explore mutually beneficial and tailored partnerships on cyber defence policies, including on cyber defence capacity building through the European Peace Facility (EPF). To this end, cyber defence should be added as an item to the EU’s dialogues and consultations on cyber and to the overall security and defence consultations with partners. Council Conclusions on the EU Policy on Cyber Defence Joint communication "EU policy on Cyber Defence" (EEAS website) EU Cyber Defence Policy Framework (2018 update) (19 November 2018)

Press material Tuesday 23 May 2023

● Council of the EU   23/05/2023 14:15 | Press release | Easy access to corporate information for investors: Provisional agreement reached on the European Single Access Point (ESAP)   The EU is about to create a single point of access to public financial and sustainability-related information about EU companies and EU investment products. Today, negotiators from the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on three proposals creating the European Single Access Point (ESAP), which is part of the Capital Markets Union (CMU) Action Plan. "Today’s agreement comes as good news both to European businesses as well as investors worldwide. We are about to create a platform which will make it much easier to find and compare investment products and companies, including SMEs, which are sustainable and which have a bright financial future. This will help European businesses in becoming even more attractive for investors." Elisabeth Svantesson, Minister for Finance of Sweden Free, user friendly, centralised and digital access to financial and sustainability-related information made public by European companies, including small companies, will facilitate the decision-making process for a broad range of investors, including retail investors. By increasing the circulation of information, also across borders, and by increasing the digital use of that information, ESAP will further foster the integration of financial services and capital markets within the Union and help achieving the objectives of the Capital Markets Union. ESAP does not impose any additional information reporting requirements on European companies. This is because ESAP will provide access to information already made public in application of the relevant European directives and regulations. Sustainability information will be made available early on ESAP, supporting the objectives of the European Green Deal. Under the provisional agreement, the ESAP platform is expected to be available from summer 2027 and gradually phased in to allow for a robust implementation. Based on coherent phases this phasing-in will ensure that European regulations and directives will in accordance with their priority enter into the scope of ESAP within four years. This ensures that sufficient time is available to define and implement the required technical aspects of the project. During this time, there will also be a regular assessment of ESAP’s functioning and a review clause that should guarantee the adequacy of the platform to the needs of its users and its technical efficiency. From the start (phase 1), co-legislators agreed that the scope should include information according to the short selling regulation (EU) No 236/2012, the prospectus regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the transparency directive 2004/109/EC. Six months after ESAP has been made public (48 months after entry into force), phase 2 will begin. The scope of phase 2 will be quite large and include, among others, information according to sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector (SFDR) regulation, the credit rating agencies (CRA) regulation and the benchmark regulation. During the third and last phase relevant information stemming from around 20 additional pieces of legislation are added to the scope, including the capital requirements regulation (CRR), the markets in financial instruments regulation (MiFIR) and the EU green bonds regulation (EUGBR). The agreement is provisional as it still needs to be confirmed by the Council and the Parliament before it can be formally adopted. Background This proposal is part of the Capital Markets Union package which the Commission presented on 25 November 2021. The Council agreed its position on the proposal on 29 June 2022. Trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament started on 8 March 2023 and ended in today’s provisional agreement. Easy access to corporate information for investors: Council agrees its position on the European Single Access Point (ESAP) (press release, 29 June 2022) Capital Markets Union (background information)

Press material Tuesday 23 May 2023

● Council of the EU   23/05/2023 15:24 | Press release | The Council calls for a European approach on space traffic management   Today the Council adopted conclusions on the ‘Fair and sustainable use of space’, which includes a call for a European approach to space traffic management, at a time when orbits are increasingly congested with space objects. "Space orbits are a common good that we all need to look after not only for ourselves but also for the future generations. We need to continue profiting from the opportunities of satellite technologies, but in a way that is sustainable, safe and fair for all the peoples of the planet." Mats Persson, Swedish Minister for Education, Ministry of Education and Research A call for action Ministers recognise that while space technology provides multiple benefits to society and the economy, some of the orbits around the Earth are congested with satellites and debris that make the future development of space activities riskier and more complex. In addition, light pollution and electromagnetic interference disturb astronomical observation and research. To tackle these challenges, the Council conclusions call for mitigation measures to monitor and manage existing space debris and to find ways to reduce the amount of waste in future orbital activities. To achieve these goals, the Council conclusions propose to reinforce capabilities through, for instance, the contribution of the European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking service, in collaboration with the EU Space Programme Agency, to advance towards an EU approach to space traffic management. The Council conclusions recognise that the space is a global common that should be free for exploration and use by all states. Therefore, it invites the Commission and the member states to explore the acceptance of the Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention and the Registration Convention under the United Nations Treaties and Conventions on outer space. The Council conclusions also call on member states and the Commission to continue implementing the 21 voluntary guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, adopted by the United Nations. Background On 15 February 2022, the Commission and the EEAS published a communication called ’An EU Approach for Space Traffic Management – An EU contribution addressing a global challenge’ where a definition of the concept of ’Space Traffic Management’ (STM) was proposed. The Council discussed this idea on 22 June 2022 and proposed to use this definition as the basis of the EU work at EU level. Council conclusions on ’Fair and sustainable use of space’ Communication ‘An EU Approach for Space Traffic Management – An EU contribution addressing a global challenge’

Meetings Tuesday 23 May 2023

● Council of the EU   23/05/2023 18:44 | MEETING | Main results - Competitiveness Council, 22-23 May 2023   Ministers responsible for research and space met in Brussels to adopt conclusions on scholarly publishing and on the fair and sustainable use of space. They also discussed Knowledge security and responsible internationalisation, science denial, and space policy in a new geopolitical landscape.

Council of the EU
Competitiveness Council, 22-23 May 2023

Main results
Internal market and industry
Regulation on machinery

Ministers made the final approval of the regulation on machinery.



The updated rules will provide legal certainty for the European machinery industry for the foreseeable future. They will ensure a high level of protection for our workers and our citizens while increasing the reputation of machines made in the EU.Paulina Brandberg, Minister for Gender Equality and Working LifeNew rules for machinery: Council gives its final approval (press release, 22 May 2023)
Watch the recording of the public debate
Ecodesign regulation

Ministers adopted a Council position (general approach) on the Ecodesing regulation.

The new regulation builds on the 2009 Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC), which only covers energy-related products, and transforms it into a regulation, applicable to almost all categories of products.



If we want really sustainable European products on the market, we need to address the issue from the starting point: their design. The Ecodesign regulation will make sure that products sold in the EU market are fit and ready for the green transition.Ebba Busch, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry and Deputy Prime MinisterEcodesign regulation: Council adopts position (press release, 22 May 2023)
Watch the recording of the public debate
Other topics on the agenda

The ministers discussed four important files related to the European competitiveness:Long term competitiveness
Net-Zero industry act
Single Market at 30 and beyond (during working lunch), and
Critical raw materials act.

These four sessions provided an in-depth vision of the member states on the important package on competitiveness that the Commission presented on 16 March.

This debate at the minister level will allow the Council to advance on negotiating positions for these files.Long-term competitiveness of the EU: looking beyond 2030
Watch the recording of the public debates
Unitary Patent System

The presidency also took the opportunity to celebrate Unitary Patent System's entry into force next 1 June, after a long and complex process that started in 2012.

The Unitary Patent System will make access to the European patent system easier and less costly and will improve the level of patent protection, by making it possible to obtain uniform patent protection in all the participating EU member states.The Unitary Patent System – Note from the presidency
Statement of Swedish minister of justice, Gunnar Strömmer with invited personalities
Research
Scholarly publishing

The Council adopted conclusions on ‘high quality, transparent, open, trustworthy and equitable scholarly publishing’ where it calls for immediate and unrestricted open access in publishing research involving public funds.



If we really believe in open science, we need to make sure that researchers can make their findings available and re-usable and that high-quality scientific articles are openly accessible to anyone that needs to read them. This should be particularly the case for research that benefits from public funding: what has been paid by all should be accessible to all.Mats Persson, Minister for Education, Ministry of Education and ResearchCouncil calls for transparent, equitable, and open access to scholarly publications (press release, 23 May 2023)
Council conclusions on high-quality, transparent, open, trustworthy and equitable scholarly publishing, 23 May 2023
Watch the recording of the public debate
Other topics on the agenda

Ministers held an exchange of views on knowledge security and responsible internationalisation. Ministers discussed the protection of an open research environment from any form of malicious activity. They also discussed how to foster global cooperation in a way that promotes the sharing of knowledge and expertise while safeguarding the EU’s interests and values. Ministers shared best practices and national challenges in addressing these two issues.Presidency note on "Knowledge security and responsible internationalisation”
Watch the recording of the public debate

Under any other business, ministers were informed by the European Commission about the Seals of Excellence.

The Italian delegation made a presentation on the candidature of Rome to host the EXPO 2030.

Over an informal lunch, ministers discussed on science denial.
Space
Fair and sustainable use of space

Ministers adopted Council conclusions on 'Fair and Sustainable Use of Space', where they called for a European approach on space traffic management.


Space orbits are a common good that we all need to look after not only for ourselves but also for the future generations. We need to continue profiting of the opportunities of satellite technologies but in a way that is sustainable, safe and fair for all the peoples of the planet.Mats Persson, Minister for Education, Ministry of Education and ResearchCouncil calls for a European approach on space traffic management (press release, 23 May 2023)
Council conclusions on fair and sustainable use of space, 23 May 2023
Watch the recording of the public debate


Infographic - EU in spaceSee full infographic
Other topics on the agenda

Ministers held a policy debate on EU Space Policy in a new Geopolitical Landscape. The discussion was based on Commission’s and EEAS' joint communication ‘European Union Space Strategy for Security and Defence’ that was presented on 10 March 2023.

Ministers discussed the influence of the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence influence on the implementation of the current Space Programmes and the synergies that could be obtained while safeguarding the space programmes’ policy objectives.European Union Space Strategy for Security and Defence
EU space policy (background information)

Ministers were informed by the Spanish delegation on the programme for their upcoming presidency.

The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items.


Meeting information

Meeting n°3949
Brussels
22-23 May 2023
Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda
List of A items, legislative deliberations
List of A items, non-legislative activities
Background brief
Outcome documentsList of participants

Meetings Tuesday 23 May 2023

● Council of the EU   23/05/2023 19:10 | MEETING | Main results - Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 23 May 2023   The Foreign Affairs Council in its defence configuration discussed EU support to Ukraine and, under current affairs, EU missions and operations including CSDP/CFSP activities in Africa, the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, and PESCO.

Meetings Tuesday 23 May 2023

● Council of the EU   23/05/2023 12:37 | MEETING | Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 30 May 2023   Background brief - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 30/05/2023

Meetings Tuesday 23 May 2023

● Council of the EU   23/05/2023 09:08 | MEETING | Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 25 May 2023   The Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) will discuss EU-US and EU-China trade relations. Ministers will also be informed about the preparations for the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference. Ongoing bilateral trade negotiations will be on the table during a working lunch.

Meetings Monday 22 May 2023

● Council of the EU   22/05/2023 20:32 | MEETING | Main results - Foreign Affairs Council, 22 May 2023   The Foreign Affairs Council held discussions on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Horn of Africa and the Western Balkans. Under current affairs it was informed about: Tunisia, Syria and Central Asia.

Meetings Monday 22 May 2023

● Council of the EU   22/05/2023 18:35 | MEETING | Main results - Competitiveness Council, 22-23 May 2023   Ministers responsible for the internal market and industry met in Brussels to make the final approval of the Machinery regulation and adopt a Council position on the Ecodesign regulation. Ministers also held discussions on long term competitiveness, Single Market at 30, the Net-Zero industry act, and the critical raw materials act.