COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, EUROGROUP,update

 

Meetings Monday 16 October 2023

● Eurogroup   16/10/2023 20:30 | MEETING | Main results - Eurogroup, 16 October 2023   Ministers exchanged views with US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen on the global outlook and economic and financial policies. They discussed the future of European capital and financial markets, with a focus on solutions for unlocking funding. The Eurogroup also took stock of the progress on the digital euro project and discussed the implementation of the euro area recommendations for 2023.

16/10/2023 | Article Highlights of the informal ministerial meeting on Telecommunications On 23 and 24 October, the informal ministerial meeting on Telecommunications will take place in León, to discuss how to make digitalisation work for the growth and competitiveness of the European Union.

16/10/2023 | Article Highlights of the agenda of the informal ministerial meeting on Trade Trade ministers of the European Union (EU) member states will discuss how trade contributes to the economic security of the EU, as well as the state of the bilateral trade agenda of the 27.

Meetings Monday 16 October 2023

● Council of the EU   16/10/2023 23:07 | MEETING | Main results - Environment Council, 16 October 2023   EU environment ministers agreed on negotiating positions on Commission proposals regarding the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and the Regulation for CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. Ministers also approved Council conclusions in view of the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP28) and the submission of an updated EU NDC to the UNFCCC.

Press material Monday 16 October 2023

● Council of the EU   16/10/2023 21:39 | Press release | Paris Agreement: Council submits updated NDC on behalf of EU and member states   The Council today approved the submission of an updated nationally determined contribution (NDC) of the EU and its member states to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This document replaces the previous submission, dated 17 December 2020, and will be considered the current NDC of the EU and its member states. The EU’s updated NDC submission was prepared in light of the adoption of all the essential elements of the ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package, which will result in the EU cutting its net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels). Through the updated NDC, the EU and its member states reiterate their commitment to this legally binding target. "’With our updated NDC submission, we are sending a strong signal for our partners to follow us in the path towards a climate-neutral future. The EU and its member states are committed to their climate ambitions. We are ready to do our part to address the global climate crisis." Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, acting Spanish third vice-president and minister for the ecological transition and the demographic challenge In the updated NDC, the EU recalls the steps leading up to it, from the ratification of the Paris Agreement in October 2016, when the then NDC contained a GHG reduction target of at least 40% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels). Following the guidance of the European Council given on 11 December 2020, the EU submitted an updated NDC containing an enhanced reduction target of at least 55%. This target was then established as legally binding through the European Climate Law, adopted on 30 June 2021. The Council also provides an overview of the main domestic policies adopted in line with the new climate target agreed in December 2020, including the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), and the regulation on land-use related emissions and removals (LULUCF), as well as all the essential elements of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. In this context, according to the Commission’s estimates, the full implementation of the ‘Fit for 55’ legislative framework could enable the EU and its member states to overachieve the EU’s net domestic reduction of GHG emissions target of at least 55% compared to 1990 by 2030. The updated NDC includes the information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding (ICTU) outlining all the elements of the NDC. Background NDCs are an integral part of the Paris Agreement, Article 4(9) of which requires all parties to communicate their post-2020 climate actions, starting in 2020 and every five years thereafter. On this basis, the EU and its member states submitted an updated and enhanced NDC on 17 December 2020, replacing the first NDC submitted in 2015 as an intended NDC. NDCs set out the efforts made by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The EU submits an NDC on behalf of the EU and its member states. Paris Agreement on climate change (background information) Fit for 55 (background information) Climate neutrality (background information)

Press material Monday 16 October 2023

● Council of the EU   16/10/2023 20:49 | Press release | Council agrees on new rules to strengthen CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles   Today the Council has reached an agreement ('general approach') on a proposal to update and strengthen the regulation on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles. The aim of the proposal is to further reduce CO₂ emissions in the road transport sector and to introduce new targets for 2030, 2035 and 2040. The new rules will contribute to the EU achieving its ambitions to fight climate change. The proposal also aims to encourage an increasing share of zero-emission vehicles in the EU-wide heavy-duty vehicle fleet, while ensuring that innovation in the sector and its competitiveness are preserved and enhanced. The general approach will serve as a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the final shape of the legislation. "With today’s agreement we have reaffirmed our commitment to reach our ambitious climate targets. Lorries, buses and coaches are an important part of road transportation, affecting the daily lives of millions of citizens. Citizens deserve to live in a greener and healthier environment, and we are now a step closer towards this objective. At the same time, we are ensuring the competitiveness of the industry, by clarifying the roadmap for new investments." Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Spanish acting third vice-president of the government and minister for the ecological transition and the demographic challenge Main changes agreed by the Council The Council’s text strikes a balance between keeping the Commission proposal's main ambition to reduce the climate impact of the heavy-duty vehicle sector and allowing member states some flexibility in the implementation of the amended regulation, while strengthening innovation and reinforcing the EU’s competitiveness in the sector. Scope of the regulation The proposal expands the scope of the regulation to make almost all new heavy-duty vehicles with certified CO₂ emissions – including smaller trucks, urban buses, coaches and trailers – subject to emission reduction targets. An exemption from the CO₂ reduction targets set in the regulation will apply to small-volume manufacturers and to vehicles used for mining, forestry and agriculture; to vehicles for use by the armed forces and fire services; to vehicles for use in civil protection, public order and medical care; and to vocational vehicles such as garbage trucks. Member states amended the definition of 'zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle' by further lowering the proposed threshold, which still covers hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. Furthermore, member states added a sub-group of vehicles to include extra heavy combination (EHC) lorries in order to take better account of their characteristics, including with regard to their energy efficiency. New targets In line with the EU’s climate objectives for 2030 and beyond, the Council maintained the targets set by the Commission. Besides the 2025 CO2 emissions reduction target of 15% which was already provided for, the new rules introduce new targets: 45% emissions reduction from 2030 (increased from 30%) 65% emissions reduction from 2035 90% emissions reduction from 2040 Member states agreed to set the targets for trailers and semi-trailers at 7.5% (Annex I). Zero-emission target for urban buses The proposed amendment introduces a 100% zero-emission target for urban buses by 2035, while setting an intermediate target of 85% for this category by 2030. The Council agreed to exempt inter-urban buses from this target. In addition, the Council added a series of provisions to make the review clause more comprehensive, such as considering national investments already made and possible constraints due to specific territorial morphology or weather conditions in member states. Member states also clarified the provisions on public procurement procedures for zero-emission urban buses, in particular on the assessment criteria related to security of supply, to ensure legal soundness. Review clause The effectiveness and impact of the amended regulation on the abovementioned targets will be reviewed by the Commission in 2027, one year earlier than originally proposed by the Commission (Article 15). One of the issues the Commission will have to report on in its review is progress in the deployment of public and private recharging and refuelling infrastructure for alternative fuels for vehicles covered by this regulation. In its review, the Commission will also have to produce an assessment of the role of a carbon correction factor (CCF) in the transition towards zero-emission mobility in the heavy-duty vehicle sector. Next steps The general approach will serve as the Council’s mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the final shape of the legislation. The outcome of the negotiations will have to be formally adopted by the Council and the Parliament. Background The heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) sector is responsible for over 25% of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport in the EU. CO2 emissions standards for certain HDVs were set for the first time in 2019, with targets for 2025 to 2029 and for 2030 onwards, with a provision that there would be a review of the regulation by 2022. On 14 February 2023, the Commission submitted a proposal for a revision of the CO2 emissions standards for HDVs. Although the proposal is not part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, it is closely linked to it in that it contributes to the EU’s aim to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and to achieve climate neutrality in 2050. The main proposed changes relate to the extension of the scope of the regulation to cover buses and trailers, the definition of zero-emission vehicles, and new EU-wide emission reduction targets for 2030, 2035 and 2040. These targets do not apply to trailers and urban buses, which are subject to specific CO2 emission reduction requirements. General approach Commission Proposal on strengthening the CO₂ emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles Clean and sustainable mobility (background information)

Press material Monday 16 October 2023

● Eurogroup   16/10/2023 20:18 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by Paschal Donohoe following the Eurogroup meeting of 16 October 2023   This was a long and fruitful Eurogroup meeting, here in Luxembourg. A key ingredient to tackle the economic challenges we are faced with here in Europe is better integrated capital markets. After our transatlantic dialogue with Secretary Yellen and following the approach we agreed back in May, together with our non-euro area colleagues, we exchanged views on the drivers for progress and possible solutions to make our capital and financial markets more efficient. We welcomed two market participants and listened to their concrete experience to access funding and to invest in European capital markets. First, Zoé Fabian drew from her experience as Managing Director in Eurazeo Growth to provide the perspective of institutional investors searching for attractive investment opportunities across the EU. Then, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, co-founder and CEO of Klarna presented the point of view of high-growth companies looking for funding to scale up. Today’s engaging discussion evidenced the value of collecting first-hand experience from market participants, as it raised a number of possible solutions to improve our capital markets. These include activating more growth stage financing for EU scale-ups and developing a strong European exit market. It is also a reminder of our end goal: more private funding for EU companies to innovate, be competitive, and have the capacity to invest in the twin transition. In our November meeting, we will continue collecting insights from market participants, with a focus on institutional investors and retail participation. As the final item of our agenda in inclusive format, we touched upon the upcoming Euro Summit that is scheduled at the end of October. I outlined the main elements I expect to report on to Leaders, on our recent work and our upcoming priorities. In particular, I will highlight the work on macro-economic developments, fiscal policy, the digital euro, the international role of the euro as well as the banking union and the capital markets union. We then moved into our regular format, where we started with a stock take on the degree of implementation of the euro area recommendations for 2023. We acknowledged that last year’s recommendations influenced policy actions over 2023 and that Member States are implementing reforms and investments under the RRF that are key for achieving long-term euro area policy objectives. With regard to the implementation of recommendations, we broadly concurred that we have seen significant progress particularly in fiscal policy, public investments and financial stability. However, concerns remain about labour costs, skill mismatches, and on the remaining untargeted support for companies and the related risks for fiscal sustainability. On the challenges for policy actions in 2024, we all agreed that in the immediate future, the primary challenge lies in dealing with inflation and its impacts on fiscal policy, financial stability, wages, and more generally the labour market. However, as we look further into the future, we must also start thinking about addressing longer-term challenges, notably with regard to the competitiveness of our economies. This is also where the contribution of the RRF becomes particularly significant but obviously, there are many other factors that are crucial for our competitiveness that we need to review. Competitiveness is holding a prominent position on everyone's agenda. Starting at the next Eurogroup meeting in November, we have planned a series of discussions in which the Eurogroup is poised to make its contribution on how to better address euro area competitiveness challenges. We also discussed the digital future of our currency – the digital euro. The Governing Council is expected to soon decide whether to move to the next phase and the ECB President reported on the progress that they are making in preparing for this next step. While legislative deliberations continue in the Council, the Eurogroup will continue to lead the political engagement with the European institutions in the spirit of transparency and democratic legitimacy. To be absolutely clear: a decision whether to issue the digital euro will be taken later - it will be the result of a comprehensive and transparent debate. Finally, we also took a moment to reflect on the international meetings, right after Marrakesh. Now is the time to keep our current, relevant, course of action steady and we will also continue to closely monitor macroeconomic developments on the global stage.

Press material Monday 16 October 2023

● Eurogroup   16/10/2023 18:30 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by Paschal Donohoe following the meeting of Eurogroup ministers in inclusive format with the US Treasury Secretary, 16 October 2023   With the recent horrific attack on Israel still on our minds, the 27 members of the Eurogroup in inclusive format met with the United States Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen. This comes on foot of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Marrakesh, and this is now the Secretary's third time participating in a Eurogroup meeting, which is deeply valued by all of us. Dear Secretary Janet, let me welcome you again, and thank you again for making the effort to join us here in Luxembourg. Our meeting today in these challenging and difficult circumstances is a clear testimony to the importance that we attach to our dialogue and to the close transatlantic cooperation which is now taking place on so many different fronts. A close EU-US relationship is more important than ever in the economic sphere, but also on security matters and to uphold our shared commitment to freedom, to democracy and to the respect of human rights. We will stand united against those who threaten the multilateral rules based order and the fundamental principles of international law. Our discussion today focussed on the economic outlook and the challenges for the United States and for Europe in a global environment that is changing quickly. Against this background and looking at the different interlinked economic challenges that we confront, we are determined and we are confident that we will steer our way through this storm together. The global economy has slowed a bit in the second quarter of 2023, but it is still resilient, and we shared the strong view together that our economies, the European economy, the American economy have fared better than anticipated in the first half of this year. Up until now, on both sides of the Atlantic, we can see the shocks feeding through gradually, with the current dip in growth in Europe and of course, other developments that take place across the world. However, we remain confident that the situation will improve in 2024, and within Europe, we know that we have to continue to work together to find new ways of coordinating our efforts so that we can achieve more collectively than we can individually. And we will do this. A key theme of our discussion today was, of course, our assistance to Ukraine, where we agreed that we will continue to coordinate our efforts closely. We stand united together in our support of Ukraine in the face of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified aggression and their illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. So today we have reiterated our determination, our shared commitment to continue to work with our friends, with our partners in the United States of America to together tackle the interrelated short and long term challenges, but also to make the most of the opportunities which we are pursuing together. This means we need to increase our efforts so that our economic and financial policies are even more coordinated and impactful. I wish to thank Secretary Yellen for her leadership in making this happen. With her presence today and the exchange of views that we have had, we make that reality a bit closer.

Press material Monday 16 October 2023

● European Council   16/10/2023 16:22 | Statements and remarks | Address of President Charles Michel at the Berlin Process summit in Tirana   I would like to join the others to say thank you Edi (Rama), for your warm welcome and hospitality, and for this great video which clearly shows the broad context of this meeting. It is a pleasure to be back in Tirana. I would also like to thank you Chancellor Scholz, dear Olaf, for Germany’s leadership of this Berlin Process and for your strong personal commitment to the region. Several weeks ago, in Bled, I asked the question: “Is the European Union only content to manage crises or do we want to lead and shape the future?” The last 18 months have provided a strong and clear answer: we want to lead and we want to shape the future. And enlargement is part of this answer because enlargement is an investment in peace and prosperity, both for the EU and for our future member states. The Berlin Process plays an important role in boosting operational cooperation between the Western Balkan partners and the EU, with EU integration as the guiding light. In the Western Balkans, your journey to the EU began more than 20 years ago. And, yes, it has been a slow road, too slow, disappointing to you in the region, and to us in the EU. But now we all feel, we all know, that it is time to keep our promise. We have already reenergised the process but we still have a lot to do to get ready, on both sides. Our partners and friends in the region, you know you must deliver on your commitments – starting with the necessary reforms. And in the EU, we need to prepare to welcome new members. I believe we must be ready – on both sides – by 2030 to enlarge. I know this deadline has been met with some scepticism in your region because you have been waiting for a long time. Dear Edi, I know you have compared enlargement to a bride that never shows up to the wedding. I would like to tell you that the bride is now actively preparing the wedding. In the EU, not everyone is in favour of mentioning a date. Enlargement is and will always remain a merit-based process and putting forward a date has got the ball rolling. It is an encouragement for the Western Balkans to redouble their efforts to make the reforms that are urgent and needed, and for us on the EU side to launch this serious debate on the future of the EU. Just a few days ago, in Granada, with Prime Minister Sánchez, EU leaders held their first in-depth discussion on this topic and we agreed that we must work hard to get ready for future enlargements. Russia’s war against Ukraine has refocused our attention on the geopolitics of enlargement and on the Western Balkans region. Now more than ever, we must stand together, to defend international law, always and everywhere, to build on what unites us and to support the people of Ukraine. I am personally convinced that we will be stronger with you, the Western Balkans, at our heart. We will be stronger in setting global standards, cooperating with our partners, promoting our values and defending our common interests. You have made your goal of EU membership crystal clear many times and we want you to succeed. We will support you on your road to the EU. So how can we make it happen? First, through gradual integration into EU policies so the benefits can be felt more quickly by your people – even during the accession process. This integration could take place in different areas, especially the single market and economic cooperation. We have ambitious frameworks in place that support the alignment with the EU acquis. We should use these to phase in future member states. Second, completing the Common Regional Market would bolster economic growth and trade in the Western Balkans and make it more attractive for investments. I am pleased that a new agreement on professional qualifications will be signed today. We are also hopeful that the three regional mobility agreements will be ratified by all countries soon, because this will benefit both the Western Balkans and the EU. Finally, we cannot let bilateral conflicts hold us back. Resolving them could be more painful than reforms, but it must be done. Don’t let the ghosts of the past steal your future. The recent tensions between Serbia and Kosovo have again brought this to the forefront. In fact, you are walking the same path as the founding members of our Union. There is no cooperation without reconciliation. There is no stable future without reconciliation. We all know that reconciliation requires political courage and sincere focus on the future. Focus on the future will be the spirit for the EU-Western Balkans summit that will take place soon, in December in Brussels. Our people – especially our young people – want a brighter, more optimistic future. A future that is fair, prosperous and full of opportunities. I am certain we can make a difference. It is time to make it happen together, for the good of our entire continent. You can count on our sincere cooperation and commitment.

Press material Monday 16 October 2023

● Council of the EU   16/10/2023 17:31 | Press release | Council adopts position on new rules for more efficient treatment of urban wastewater   Today, the Council reached an agreement (‘general approach’) on a proposal to review the urban wastewater treatment directive. The revised directive is one of the key deliverables under the EU's zero-pollution action plan. While the current directive has proven highly effective in reducing water pollution and improving the treatment of wastewater discharges over the last three decades, this revision aims to update the directive by extending its scope and aligning it with the European Green Deal’s objectives. The general approach will serve as a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the final shape of the legislation. "Today we reached an important agreement to improve the already effective collection and treatment of urban wastewater in the EU. It brings us one step closer to the zero-pollution goal that we set for Europe. This sector’s contribution to our climate objectives is crucial and the new rules will further help us protect the environment and the health of our citizens." Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, acting Spanish third vice-president of the government and minister for the ecological transition and the demographic challenge Main changes agreed by the Council The Council’s text strikes a balance between keeping the main ambition of the proposed revision to improve the collection and treatment of urban wastewater and providing flexibility for member states in the implementation of the directive, while ensuring a high level of protection for human health and the environment. Scope of the directive The objectives of the directive were extended, as proposed by the Commission, beyond environmental protection, to also include the protection of human health and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To address pollution from small agglomerations, the Council extended the scope of the directive to include all agglomerations of 1 250 population equivalent (p.e.) and above, as opposed to the 2 000 p.e. of the current directive. For the purpose of this directive, population equivalent is a parameter used to define quantities of wastewater in terms of the potential water pollution load caused by one person per day, 'one population equivalent' being the daily organic biodegradable load having a five-day biochemical oxygen demand of 60 g of oxygen per day . Wastewater collecting systems and management plans The Council agreed that the obligation to set up urban wastewater collecting systems should be extended to all agglomerations of 1 250 p.e. or more. It also postponed the deadline for compliance with this obligation from 2030 to 2035, with some derogations available for smaller agglomerations and those member states that most recently joined the EU. For instance, member states that joined after 2004 or 2006 may have their deadlines for compliance extended for eight or twelve years, respectively, as they have already had to make more recent significant investments to implement the directive. If the establishment of a collecting system is not justified, feasible or cost-effective, member states can use individual systems to collect and treat urban wastewater. The text sets deadlines for member states to establish an integrated urban wastewater management plan covering agglomerations of over 100 000 p.e. by 2035, and agglomerations between 10 000 and 100 000 p.e. by 2040. Such integrated management plans will be reviewed at least every six years. Wastewater treatments The Council extended the obligation to apply secondary treatment (i.e., the removal of biodegradable organic matter) to urban wastewater before it is discharged into the environment to all agglomerations of 1 250 p.e. or more by 2035. Derogations apply to smaller agglomerations and member states that have recently joined the EU. By 2045, Member states will have to ensure the application of tertiary treatment (i.e., the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus) in larger plants of 150 000 p.e. and above. Tertiary treatment will be mandatory in smaller agglomerations in areas at risk of eutrophication. Member states introduced a derogation from this requirement when treated urban wastewater is reused for agricultural irrigation, provided that there are no environmental and sanitary risks. An additional treatment removing a broad spectrum of micropollutants ('quaternary treatment') is to be mandatory for all plants of over 200 000 p.e. by 2045, with intermediate targets in 2035 and 2040. Extended producer responsibility To cover the additional costs entailed by quaternary treatment and in line with the ‘polluter pays principle’, producers of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics leading to urban wastewater pollution by micro-pollutants would need to contribute to the costs of this additional treatment, through an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme. The Council agreed that EPR should apply to any product placed on the market, in any country and by any means. Exonerations from EPR are not to represent a disproportionate administrative burden for the producer. Energy neutrality and renewables Member states agreed that the urban wastewater treatment sector could play a significant role in significantly reducing GHG emissions and helping the EU achieve its climate neutrality objective. They introduced an energy neutrality target, meaning that by 2045 urban wastewater treatment plants will have to produce the energy they consume, with progressive intermediate targets. This energy can be produced on or off-site, and up to 30% of energy can be purchased from external sources. Wastewater surveillance and risk assessment The new rules introduce obligations for member states to monitor health parameters in urban wastewaters to track the presence of pathogens responsible for human diseases and pandemics, such as SARS-CoV-2 virus (coronavirus), poliovirus, and influenza virus. In addition, member states are required to assess the risks to the environment and human health caused by urban wastewater discharges, and, where necessary, take additional measures on top of the minimum requirements set in the directive to address these risks. Next steps The general approach will serve as the Council’s mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the final shape of the legislation. The outcome of the negotiations will have to be formally adopted by the Council and the Parliament. Background The urban wastewater treatment directive was adopted in 1991. The objective of this directive is to “protect the environment from adverse effects of wastewater discharges from urban sources and specific industries”. Under the current directive, member states are required to ensure that wastewater from all agglomerations above 2 000 inhabitants is collected and treated according to EU minimum standards. Member states also have to designate sensitive areas, according to criteria included in the Directive, for which stricter standards and deadlines apply. The Commission conducted an evaluation of the directive in 2019. This evaluation confirmed that the implementation of the directive has led to a significant reduction in pollutant releases. One of the key reasons for the directive’s effectiveness lies in the simplicity of its requirements, which allows for straightforward enforcement. Today 98% of EU wastewaters are adequately collected and 92% adequately treated. However, the evaluation showed that there are still sources of pollution that are not yet adequately addressed by the current rules. These include pollution from smaller agglomerations, storm water overflows and micropollutants that damage the environment. Additionally, the evaluation highlighted the urban wastewater sector as one of the largest consumers of energy in the public sector. The new rules aim to address these remaining issues and improve the sector’s contribution to achieving the EU climate goals. General approach Commission proposal to revise the urban wastewater treatment directive Treating urban wastewater (background information) Zero-pollution action plan Press material Tuesday 17 October 2023   ● Council of the EU   17/10/2023 10:07 | Press release | Iran: Council maintains restrictive measures under the non-proliferation sanctions regime after the JCPoA Transition Day   The Council decided to take the necessary steps to maintain the restrictive measures under the EU non-proliferation regime on Iran. The Council evaluated that there are valid reasons to refrain from lifting these restrictions on Transition Day (18 October 2023), as originally foreseen under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). The Council’s decision is in line with the provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and the JCPoA, in view of Iran not fulfilling its commitments under the JCPoA, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency since 2019. The Council adopted legal acts to maintain the designations, that had initially been imposed by the United Nations for individuals and entities involved in nuclear or ballistic missiles activities or affiliated to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Council also agreed to maintain sectoral and individual measures, existing under the EU’s sanctions regime, notably those related to Iran nuclear proliferation, as well as arms and missile embargoes. These steps do not amount to the imposition of additional EU sanctions on Iran. Moreover, all EU sanctions that had already been lifted under the JCPoA remain lifted. This decision is in line with the EU's commitment to the full implementation of the JCPoA, as expressed in Council conclusions in December 2022. The decision follows the letter received on 14 September 2023, by the High Representative as Coordinator of the Joint Commission of the JCPoA, from the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom within the setting of the JCPoA’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism, that they had triggered in January 2020. The ministers stated that they stand ready to reverse their decision, should Iran fully implement its JCPoA commitments. Council implementing regulation (EU) 2023/2196 implementing Regulation (EU) No 267/2012 concerning restrictive measures against Iran Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2195 amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Iran JCPoA: Statement by the High Representative as Coordinator of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (EEAS website, 14 September 2023) JCPoA: Statement by the High Representative as Coordinator of the Joint Commis