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Highlights of the agenda of the informal ministerial meeting on economic and financial affairs (Ecofin) 07/09/2023 | Article Highlights of the agenda of the informal ministerial meeting on economic and financial affairs (Ecofin) The working sessions in Santiago de Compostela will focus on advancing strategic autonomy and strengthening international economic cooperation, especially with Latin America.

Press material Friday 8 September 2023

● European Council   08/09/2023 10:11 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President Charles Michel before the G20 summit in New Delhi   It is the start of India's G20 Presidency. Prime Minister Modi has asked a question: can the G20 go further? Can we shift our fundamental mindset for the benefit of all humanity? I believe we can. And that is why we are here, to go beyond the zero-sum mindset, to work towards mutual understanding and to make the world a fairer place for everyone, no matter where they live. So I would like first to thank Prime Minister Modi and India for their leadership over the past year, and for their priorities. I look forward to welcoming the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, and I am proud that the EU reacted immediately in a positive way to support this candidature. As we speak, Russia continues to attack the sovereign nation of Ukraine, killing people, destroying its cities. This is why the EU will continue to strongly back Ukraine and to pile pressure on Russia. The Kremlin's war is also unravelling lives far beyond Ukraine, including right here in South Asia. Over 250 million people face acute food insecurity worldwide. And by deliberately attacking Ukrainian ports, the Kremlin is depriving them of the food they desperately need. It is scandalous that Russia, after terminating the Black Sea Initiative, is blocking and attacking Ukrainian sea ports. This must stop. Ships with grain must have safe access through the Black Sea. Antonio Guterres' United Nations initiative had delivered 30 to 32 million tonnes to the markets, especially to developing countries. The Kremlin's offer of 1 million tonnes of grain to Africa is therefore absolutely cynical. On our side, the EU is stepping up to provide alternative export routes through our solidarity lanes, which so far have delivered 41 million tonnes of grains. We are also focusing on the existential challenge of climate change. Floods, droughts and record-high temperatures are a threat to humanity's survival. Climate change spares no one. Global warming will hit each one of us. Emissions must peak by 2025 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. So we need to act together to reach climate neutrality by 2050. In the EU, we have agreed on a package of ambitious measures on climate and energy, and this sets us on a clear path for climate neutrality by 2050. Here at the G20, we want to send a strong message ahead of the COP28 in Dubai, that, together as one global community, we need to put into action sustainable, inclusive and just transitions. Just transition means that it benefits each citizen worldwide, where rights and freedoms are protected and embraced. I sincerely believe the G20 is the right forum to drive forward the green transition worldwide. Together, we must be ambitious, and that means tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. Vulnerable economies should not have to choose between going green and reducing poverty. We will meet our $100 billion goal on climate funds for the first time this year. The EU has delivered its share and we welcome that others now appear ready to do so. Together we should reach this goal every year. We need to do more to make our climate transition fairer. Today's financial system is not inclusive. Many parts of the world are left out, without a voice. We need to change this. That's why we must tackle the weaknesses in the international system. For the EU, the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals are a beacon, and both require money. To reach our ambitious goals, we need ambitious financing and strong partnerships between governments and the private sector. The international community has delivered on the goal of rechannelling $100 billion of special drawing rights. This is a good and interesting example of countries binding together to support the most vulnerable. But I think we need more and we need to encourage others to do their part. Multilateral development banks and international financial institutions need to reform to better address these challenges, and this will require a massive jolt in financing. Sooner or later, we will have to increase the capacity of the banks to support, to invest, to assist the speed of progress on climate funds and help to achieve our sustainable development goals. Many developing countries are suffering under a mountain of debt and we must step up the common framework which these countries need. Finally, a word on global health. We need to be ready for the next global health emergency. Multilateral coordination is the gold standard in tackling these massive and unpredictable challenges. I remember that two years ago together with Dr Tedros, we made the proposal to launch negotiations for an international treaty. We need to deliver on this and step up our efforts. We sent this to the World Health Organisation, and I am confident that this G20 meeting will be the occasion to express support for a successful negotiation that will take place next May. The European Union is a constructive and reliable partner to the international community. We are a strong voice for more multilateralism and more cooperation between nations. This G20 comes at a critical time for multilateralism and for the future of the world. These are challenging times. Trust is the pillar of multilateralism. I sincerely hope that these two days will help to build more trust. Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilisation’. Let's be inspired by those words. You can count on the EU.

Press material Friday 8 September 2023

● Council of the EU   08/09/2023 09:31 | Press release | Council will sign agreement with Albania on Frontex cooperation   The Council adopted a decision to sign an agreement with Albania on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). The agreement will allow the organisation of joint operations and the deployment of Frontex border management teams in Albania. The deployment of Frontex teams will be subject to the country’s agreement. The decision was taken by written procedure. "Cross-border crime and immigration management are important challenges both for EU countries and our closests neighbours." Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez, acting Spanish minister of the interior Thanks to the agreement, Frontex will be able to assist Albania with managing migratory flows, countering illegal immigration, and tackling cross-border crime.

Meetings Thursday 7 September 2023

● Council of the EU   07/09/2023 14:27 | MEETING | Agenda highlights - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 18 September 2023   Ministers will focus on the agricultural aspects of the directive on soil health, agricultural issues related to trade, the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas, as well as annual fisheries consultations for 2024.