COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Tuesday 21 November 2023

● Council of the EU   21/11/2023 13:27 | Press release | Latin America and the Caribbean: Council approves conclusions on EU-LAC relations   Today, the Council approved conclusions on relations between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), in which it stresses that, by joining forces, the EU and LAC can make a meaningful difference in promoting sustainable growth, building fair and resilient societies and advancing peace and security, inclusive multilateralism and the rules-based international order. Recognising that the inclusive and constructive dialogue during the recent EU-CELAC Summit allowed both regions to better understand each other’s priorities, the Council welcomes the bi-regional roadmap 2023-2025 presented at the Summit, and encourages the parties to promptly set up the agreed consultative coordination instance to advance shared commitments. The conclusions highlight that, at multilateral level, the EU and LAC are natural partners and should further strengthen their cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges, including the global climate and environmental crises. The EU is committed to working with LAC partners for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as on the reform of global governance, including the international financial architecture, to make it more inclusive and effective. The Council recognises the importance of strengthening and developing EU-LAC trade, with the full implementation of existing agreements and ratification of agreements signed. The Council welcomes the imminent signature of the modernised EU agreement with Chile, looks forward to the rapid finalisation of the modernised agreement with Mexico and takes note of the ongoing work between the EU and Mercosur. The Council welcomes the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda to advance a fair, green, digital transition as a demonstration of the shared priorities of the EU and LAC, underpinned by transparency and the highest environmental and social standards. The EU is working with LAC partners to promote a responsible human-centric and rights-based model of inclusive digital transformation through the EU-LAC Digital Alliance. The full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, including by keeping the 1,5°C goal within reach, remains a key shared EU-LAC objective. The EU will work with LAC partners to establish a global pledge to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency efforts at the global level by 2030. The Council calls for EU-LAC cooperation on justice and security at all levels to tackle transnational organised crime, and reaffirms the importance of promoting, protecting and respecting all human rights and fundamental freedoms, along with strengthening the rule of law and democracy, including free, fair and transparent elections. The Council recommends stepping up joint work to promote social cohesion and gender equality. The EU will continue its engagement with LAC on Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, including on its repercussions experienced also far outside of Europe. In the EU-CELAC summit declaration, leaders from both regions expressed deep concern at the ongoing war against Ukraine, and expressed support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at a just and sustainable peace in line with the UN charter. The EU will continue its engagement with LAC countries and seek their support for Ukraine’s Peace Formula, including through an upcoming Global Peace Summit, the accountability for war crimes, crime of aggression and other most serious crimes committed during the war as well as for countering Russia’s disinformation.

Press material Tuesday 21 November 2023

● Council of the EU   21/11/2023 11:14 | Press release | The Council approves conclusions on the Team Europe approach   The Foreign Affairs Council, in its development configuration, approved today conclusions on the Team Europe approach. The Council underlines that since the establishment of the Team Europe approach, the world has been facing a series of interlocking crises, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their ongoing consequences. These multiple crises are weakening the capacities of partner countries to tackle the persistent challenges of poverty, climate change and environmental degradation, conflict, food insecurity, growing inequalities and economic downturn, with serious repercussions on migration and forced displacement. The Council considers that the Team Europe approach increases the ability of the EU and its member states to work together with partner countries to address these and other global challenges, mitigate their consequences and allow a social, green and digital transition, while upholding human rights, democracy, the rule of law and gender equality. The Council also considers that it is timely to take stock of the Team Europe approach, within the context of the evolution of European development cooperation, notably in light of the 2021 launch of the Global Gateway Strategy and the approaching mid-term of the implementation of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-GE). The Team Europe approach is a precondition for the successful implementation of the Global Gateway Strategy, including the envisaged mobilisation of up to €300 billion in investments by the end of the current EU long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework). The use of the Team Europe approach as the preferred option whenever feasible for the EU’s and its member states’ development cooperation and partnerships, maximises effectiveness and policy coherence for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implementing the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Paris Agreement. The Council is determined to improve and intensify the implementation of the Team Europe approach by connecting all three of its main methods of work, namely joint programming, joint implementation and Team Europe initiatives. Council conclusions on the Team Europe approach

Press material Tuesday 21 November 2023

● Council of the EU   21/11/2023 11:16 | Press release | The Council approves conclusions on a social, green and digital transition   The Foreign Affairs Council, in its development configuration, approved today conclusions on a social, green and digital transition in which the Council reaffirms the European Union’s and its member states’ commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conclusions underline that sustainable development is currently hampered by climate change and the ecological crisis as well as shocks and conflicts, such as the global consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. These multiple crises are leading to the destabilisation of the geopolitical landscape, aggravating global challenges, and increasing fragility, with a noticeable impact in developing countries. The Council particularly highlights that the increasing levels of poverty and inequality within and among countries pose a threat to sustainable development. In order to leave no-one behind, a strong and positive social agenda should be enhanced and promoted in cooperation with partner countries. In this context, the Council stresses how the social, green and digital transitions reflect EU values, aim to strengthen the autonomy of partner countries and give added value to EU partnerships. Reinforcing social cohesion and facilitating access to basic social services and social protection reduces poverty and inequalities and has the potential to promote new social contracts and social inclusion globally. The Council reaffirms the EU’s strong commitment to an empowered civil society, including women’s rights organisations and feminist movements, organisations advocating for children’s rights and the rights of persons with disabilities, human rights defenders and social partners, as well as an enabling and accessible environment for civil society. The Council stresses the importance of the development effectiveness agenda and highlights that the social, green and digital transitions require substantial and sustainable mobilisation of financial resources, including through Global Gateway. e Council conclusions on a social, green and digital transition

Press material Monday 20 November 2023

● Council of the EU   20/11/2023 22:30 | Press release | Council and EU Parliament reach deal to advance police cooperation in Europe   Negotiators from the Spanish presidency of the Council and from the European Parliament have reached a political agreement on updating an EU law which facilitates automated data exchange for police cooperation. "Fighting crime is a joint interest and responsibility. Today’s deal will improve European citizen’s security when the police can quickly run searches for DNA, fingerprints, facial images, vehicle registration data and police records in law enforcement databases across Europe." Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez, acting Spanish Minister for the Interior Increased number of data categories The existing framework – often referred to as Prüm I – allows law enforcement authorities to consult the national databases of other member states as regards DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration data. If provided with a ‘hit’, authorities can then request the relevant data from their foreign counterparts. The co-legislators agreed to broaden the data categories for which automated exchanges can happen. Once the updated law enters into force, police authorities will be able to also use the Prüm scheme to search for facial images and police records. Moreover, if allowed by national law, searches across all categories to find missing persons or identify human remains will also be possible. If the database search results in a positive match, the country in question has to provide the relevant data (e.g. name, date of birth, criminal offence linked to the data) within 48 hours. Modernisation of the IT-system The new law also modernises the technical infrastructure that underpins the exchange of information. The new Prüm regulation will see a router put in place by eu-LISA (the EU agency in charge of large IT systems, such as the Schengen Information System) to facilitate the establishment of connections between member states (and Europol) in order to retrieve data. The router will consist of a search tool and a secure communication channel. The law enforcement authority that is searching for a match will submit its data (e.g. a fingerprint) to the router. The router will dispatch this request for a query to the databases of all other EU member states and Europol. For automated searches of police records indexes, member states and Europol will use the European Police Records Index System (EPRIS). Bigger role for Europol Under the new rules, Europol – the EU agency that supports member states in the fight against organised and serious crime – will also be able to search national databases to cross-check information it has received from third countries.

Meetings Monday 20 November 2023

● Council of the EU   20/11/2023 18:24 | MEETING | Main results - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 20 November 2023   Today, EU agriculture and fisheries ministers met in Brussels and approved Council conclusions on a long-term vision for the EU's rural areas. The conclusions provide political guidance to the Commission and member states on their future actions in support of these areas, which cover more than 80% of the EU's territory. Additionally, fisheries ministers held a first exchange of views on two proposals from the Commission on fishing opportunities, namely the proposal for fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 2024 and, in the case of some stocks, also for 2025 and 2026, as well as the proposal on fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea for 2024.

Meetings Monday 20 November 2023

● Council of the EU   20/11/2023 17:32 | MEETING | Main results - European Economic Area Council, 20 November 2023   The European Economic Area (‘EEA’) Council discussed the overall functioning of the EEA Agreement and held an orientation debate on economic security.

Press material Monday 20 November 2023

● Council of the EU   20/11/2023 16:17 | Press release | A long-term vision for the EU's rural areas: Council approves conclusions   The Council today approved conclusions on a long-term vision for the EU's rural areas, providing political guidance to the Commission and member states aimed at further fostering the prosperity, resilience and social fabric of rural areas and rural communities. Rural areas as key contributors to the EU's economies and societies The set of conclusions, unanimously approved by EU agriculture ministers, recognises the key contributions made by rural areas to the economic strength of the EU, the green and digital transitions, and climate action. Additionally, the conclusions highlight the role of rural areas in ensuring sustainability and food security, and in preserving the cultural heritage of local communities. The conclusions particularly stress the importance of agriculture, including in terms of ensuring the open strategic autonomy of the EU’s food systems and reducing external dependencies. This is especially important considering the current geopolitical context.