COUNCIL OF THE EU

 

Press material Monday 26 June 2023

● European Council   26/06/2023 13:22 | Press release | Letter from President Michel on the next Strategic Agenda   Dear colleagues, In June 2019, the European Council defined the Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024. We set four priorities for the Union: protecting citizens and freedoms; developing a strong and vibrant economic base; building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe; and promoting European interests and values on the global stage. We have come a long way since then. We were the first continent to define our goal of climate neutrality by 2050, and many have followed us since. We are thus paving the way for the greening of our economies. The EU rose to the challenge of Covid, protecting its citizens and making innovative vaccines available to the rest of the world. We adopted an ambitious recovery plan that has boosted confidence and consolidated our economies by making them more resilient, while speeding up our green and digital transitions. In Porto in 2021, we reaffirmed our ambitions for a social Europe. Lastly, in the light of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine we have demonstrated our unity and unfailing determination. In Versailles in March 2022, we defined the pillars of our European sovereignty. Each new crisis has led us to forge our unity and build, brick by brick, a European Union that is more in control of its own destiny. Our voice is increasingly heard on the international stage. Public support for the European Union is high, along with its power of attraction. Many countries want to join the EU. Our European values are a beacon for all who cherish justice and freedom. However, the challenges facing the European Union, both economic and geopolitical, are considerable. As our world evolves, it is becoming more unstable and complex. It obliges us to enhance our strategic ambition. What kind of geopolitical and economic power do we want to become in the long-term, with potentially more than thirty Member States? To defend our democracies and our values, to ensure lasting peace and prosperity for the benefit of our citizens, the European Union must be equipped with general political directions and priorities. It is up to us to define them in four major areas: consolidating our economic and social base (the green and digital transitions, competitiveness, innovation, health); tackling the energy challenge; strengthening our security and defence capabilities; and deepening our engagement with the rest of the world. We must also strengthen our overall approach on migration. These are just some of the themes we will develop. And the European elections will be an opportunity for Europe's citizens to play their full part in these crucial debates for our common future. I believe we should approach our objectives and priorities with two major issues in mind. Our Union is founded on fundamental values. But these values are under attack, often in innovative ways. In a world undergoing profound technological change, where artificial intelligence will play a major role with consequences that we cannot fully fathom, we must ensure that we remain capable of protecting and promoting these values, both inside and outside our Union. The new geopolitical context has put enlargement back at the centre of our debates. We need to consider the enlargement process and our absorption capacity. At our meeting in June 2022, we reaffirmed the need to take account of the EU's capacity to absorb new members, as set out in Copenhagen in 1993, when deciding on each future enlargement. This requires us to reflect on the implications of enlargement for the EU's various policies and their financing, as well as on our decision-making methods. In terms of method, it is essential that we define our strategic orientations for the Union in a collective and inclusive manner. I propose that we have an information point at the next European Council, which will enable me to draw up our work plan. We will have the opportunity to broaden our discussions in Granada during the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, with the goal of finalising our work during the Belgian Presidency. We will take advantage of the various European Councils to go into different topics in greater depth. Preparing our new strategic agenda will require a great deal of effort, both at our level and at the level of our teams. It will be done in close cooperation with the EU institutions, taking into account the work carried out to date. I look forward to working with all of you on this ambitious agenda. Letter from President Michel on the next Strategic Agenda

Press material Monday 26 June 2023

● European Council   26/06/2023 13:22 | Press release | Letter from President Michel on the next Strategic Agenda   Dear colleagues, In June 2019, the European Council defined the Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024. We set four priorities for the Union: protecting citizens and freedoms; developing a strong and vibrant economic base; building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe; and promoting European interests and values on the global stage. We have come a long way since then. We were the first continent to define our goal of climate neutrality by 2050, and many have followed us since. We are thus paving the way for the greening of our economies. The EU rose to the challenge of Covid, protecting its citizens and making innovative vaccines available to the rest of the world. We adopted an ambitious recovery plan that has boosted confidence and consolidated our economies by making them more resilient, while speeding up our green and digital transitions. In Porto in 2021, we reaffirmed our ambitions for a social Europe. Lastly, in the light of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine we have demonstrated our unity and unfailing determination. In Versailles in March 2022, we defined the pillars of our European sovereignty. Each new crisis has led us to forge our unity and build, brick by brick, a European Union that is more in control of its own destiny. Our voice is increasingly heard on the international stage. Public support for the European Union is high, along with its power of attraction. Many countries want to join the EU. Our European values are a beacon for all who cherish justice and freedom. However, the challenges facing the European Union, both economic and geopolitical, are considerable. As our world evolves, it is becoming more unstable and complex. It obliges us to enhance our strategic ambition. What kind of geopolitical and economic power do we want to become in the long-term, with potentially more than thirty Member States? To defend our democracies and our values, to ensure lasting peace and prosperity for the benefit of our citizens, the European Union must be equipped with general political directions and priorities. It is up to us to define them in four major areas: consolidating our economic and social base (the green and digital transitions, competitiveness, innovation, health); tackling the energy challenge; strengthening our security and defence capabilities; and deepening our engagement with the rest of the world. We must also strengthen our overall approach on migration. These are just some of the themes we will develop. And the European elections will be an opportunity for Europe's citizens to play their full part in these crucial debates for our common future. I believe we should approach our objectives and priorities with two major issues in mind. Our Union is founded on fundamental values. But these values are under attack, often in innovative ways. In a world undergoing profound technological change, where artificial intelligence will play a major role with consequences that we cannot fully fathom, we must ensure that we remain capable of protecting and promoting these values, both inside and outside our Union. The new geopolitical context has put enlargement back at the centre of our debates. We need to consider the enlargement process and our absorption capacity. At our meeting in June 2022, we reaffirmed the need to take account of the EU's capacity to absorb new members, as set out in Copenhagen in 1993, when deciding on each future enlargement. This requires us to reflect on the implications of enlargement for the EU's various policies and their financing, as well as on our decision-making methods. In terms of method, it is essential that we define our strategic orientations for the Union in a collective and inclusive manner. I propose that we have an information point at the next European Council, which will enable me to draw up our work plan. We will have the opportunity to broaden our discussions in Granada during the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, with the goal of finalising our work during the Belgian Presidency. We will take advantage of the various European Councils to go into different topics in greater depth. Preparing our new strategic agenda will require a great deal of effort, both at our level and at the level of our teams. It will be done in close cooperation with the EU institutions, taking into account the work carried out to date. I look forward to working with all of you on this ambitious agenda. Letter from President Michel on the next Strategic Agenda

Press material Monday 26 June 2023

● Council of the EU   26/06/2023 11:45 | Press release | Somalia: Council conclusions confirm a new strengthened partnership between the EU and Somalia   The Council today approved conclusions reaffirming the EU’s commitment to its long-standing partnership with Somalia and the willingness to deepen its strategic cooperation. The Council commends the Federal Government of Somalia for its efforts to build a stable and peaceful Somalia, and to ensure delivery on the security transition in line with the relevant UN Security Council mandates, as well as for its ambitious reform agenda. The conclusions stress that the focus of the EU’s partnership with Somalia is now on jointly implementing the “EU-Somalia Joint Operational Roadmap – A Renewed Focused Engagement” and maintaining the positive dynamic. As progress in the political, security and socio-economic spheres continues, the EU highlights the importance for Somalia to further advance good governance, the rule of law, the fight against corruption and impunity, and the promotion and protection of human rights. The EU will continue to mobilise its entire toolbox in support of Somalia, including through NDICI-Global Europe, the Global Gateway, humanitarian assistance, as well as the EPF and CSDP missions and operation. Text of the conclusions EU support to Somalia: Council approves further support under the European Peace Facility to the Somali National Army and to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) (press release, 2 March 2023)

Press material Monday 26 June 2023

● Council of the EU   26/06/2023 10:47 | Press release | European Peace Facility: Council agrees on second top-up of the overall financial ceiling by €3.5 billion   The Council today adopted a decision increasing the overall financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility (EPF) by €3.5 billion, building on an earlier agreement from 20 March 2023. This decision is intended to ensure the EPF financial sustainability and predictability in the longer term, and preserve its global geographical scope and the EU's ability to prevent and swiftly respond to crises and conflicts. "Today’s decision will again ensure that we have the funding to continue delivering concrete military support to our partners’ armed forces. This is already the second increase of the European Peace Facility funding since its creation in 2021. In less than two years, the Facility has proven its worth. It has completely changed the way we support our partners on defence. It makes the EU and its partners stronger." Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy With today’s top-up, the overall financial ceiling now totals more than €12 billion (in current prices). This decision sends a clear political signal of the EU’s enduring commitment to military support for Ukraine and other partners alike.

Press material Monday 26 June 2023

● Council of the EU   26/06/2023 15:04 | Press release | Cybersecurity at the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies: Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement   The Council presidency and European Parliament negotiators today reached a provisional agreement on a regulation aimed at ensuring a high common level of cybersecurity across the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. The measures were proposed by the Commission in March 2022 against the background of a significant surge in the number of sophisticated cyberattacks affecting the EU public administration in recent years. The new regulation will create a common framework for all the EU entities in the field of cybersecurity and will improve their resilience and incident response capacities. "The digital transformation can only be successful if we can ensure secure and resilient public administration and democratic institutions in this process. The new rules will help EU entities to prevent and counter cyberattacks, which have become increasingly frequent in the past few years." Jessika Roswall, Minister for EU Affairs of Sweden on behalf of the Council presidency Measures for a high common level of cybersecurity To ensure high common standards across EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, the new rules require them to establish a governance, risk management and control framework in the area of cybersecurity. All EU entities will also have to implement cybersecurity measures addressing the identified risks, conduct regular cybersecurity maturity assessments and put in place a cybersecurity plan. A stronger CERT-EU and enhanced coordination Under the new regulation, the mandate of the EU’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-EU) will also be strengthened, and it will be renamed the ‘Cybersecurity Service for the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies’, while keeping the current acronym. CERT-EU will advise all EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and help them to prevent, detect and respond to incidents. It will also act as a hub for information exchange and coordination on cybersecurity and incident response. All EU entities will be required to share non-classified incident-related information with CERT-EU without undue delay. A new interinstitutional Cybersecurity Board In addition, the new regulation will establish an interinstitutional Cybersecurity Board to drive and monitor the implementation of the regulation by EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. The new board will also supervise CERT-EU’s implementation of general priorities and objectives and provide it with strategic direction. The board will consist of representatives of all the EU institutions and advisory bodies, the European Investment Bank, the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), the European Data Protection Supervisor, the EU Agency for the Space Programme, as well as representatives of the EU Agencies Network. The Secretariat of the board will be provided by the European Commission. Next steps The provisional agreement will now be finalised at technical level, after which it will be submitted to the member states’ EU ambassadors for confirmation. Once confirmed in both the Council and the Parliament, it will be formally adopted by both institutions. Background In its conclusions of 20 June 2019, the European Council invited the EU institutions, together with the member states, to work on measures to enhance the resilience and improve the security culture of the EU against cyber and hybrid threats from outside the EU, and to better protect the EU’s information and communication networks, and its decision-making processes, from malicious activities of all kinds. The regulation setting out a common cybersecurity framework for the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies is one of the measures provided for in the EU's Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade, presented by the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in December 2020 to strengthen the EU's collective resilience against cyber threats. In its conclusions of 22 March 2021 on that strategy, the Council stressed that cybersecurity is vital for the functioning of public administration and institutions at both national and EU level and for our society and the economy as a whole. Cybersecurity at the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies: Council adopts its position on common rules (press release, 18 November 2022) Cybersecurity (background information)