Council of the EU,update

 

Press material Thursday 23 November 2023

● Council of the EU   23/11/2023 13:23 | Press release | DPRK/North Korea: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the satellite launch   The European Union strongly condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) launch of a military satellite using ballistic missile technology on 21 November. This represents a clear threat to international peace and security and constitutes a flagrant violation of UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit such launches. The DPRK must cease all illegal and dangerous actions that escalate military tensions in the region. It is critical that all UN Member States, especially Members of the UN Security Council, urge the DPRK to resume meaningful dialogue with all parties, and ensure the full implementation of UN sanctions with a view to the DPRK abandoning all its nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missile programmes and existing nuclear programmes, in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and cease all related activities. In this context, the EU urges the DPRK and Russia to refrain from any exchanges of military equipment, missile technology or ammunition and abide by the successive UN Security Council resolutions which clearly prohibit any arms exports or imports involving the DPRK. The EU reiterates its deep concern about deepening military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK, potentially in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, as well as reports of arms transfers for the use in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and strongly condemns any such transfers. Immediate DPRK compliance with its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions is the only viable route to sustainable peace and security on the Korean peninsula. The DPRK can never have the status of a nuclear weapon state in accordance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The EU urges the DPRK to refrain from testing nuclear weapons, reaffirm the moratorium in that regard and to return immediately to full compliance with the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, bring into force the Additional Protocol and sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The DPRK’s use of resources to support its unlawful weapons programmes exacerbates the difficult living conditions and human rights situation endured by much of its population. The EU also expresses its deep concerns about any behaviour in outer space which could be threatening or perceived as threatening and could lead to uncontrolled escalation. In line with the recently adopted EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence, the EU will use all available tools, to prevent, discourage and, when necessary, appropriately respond to space threats. The EU expresses its full solidarity with the Republic of Korea and Japan. The EU is ready to work with all relevant partners in promoting a meaningful diplomatic process aimed at building sustainable peace and security through the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Press material Thursday 23 November 2023

● Council of the EU   23/11/2023 11:58 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Councils of 27-28 and 30 November 2023   The press briefing ahead of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment and social policy) of 27-28 November 2023 and the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health) of 30 November 2023 will take place on Thursday, 23 November at 18.00. This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Justus Lipsius press room. To attend the event remotely, please use this link to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Thursday, 23 November 2023, 17.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment and social policy), 27-28 November 2023 – Meeting page Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health), 30 November 2023 – Meeting page

Meetings Thursday 23 November 2023

● Council of the EU   23/11/2023 11:35 | MEETING | Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 27 November 2023   Background brief - Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) of 27 November 2023

Press material Thursday 23 November 2023

● Council of the EU   23/11/2023 10:34 | Press release | Common European values and democratic citizenship: the role of education and training in the spotlight   Ahead of the European elections, and at a time when democracy is under pressure and cannot be taken for granted, shaping active citizens aware of their common values is more relevant than ever. Building on this premise, the ministers have approved conclusions on the contribution of education and training to strengthening common European values and democratic citizenship. "The protection of the values that we share as Europeans and the importance of democratic citizenship are the very backbone of our societies and an utmost priority for the Spanish presidency. Today, we reaffirm the role of education in shaping active, engaged and creative citizens." Pilar Alegria, Spanish Minister for Education, Vocational Training and Sport In particular, the Council calls on member states to further promote common European values and democratic citizenship, in all levels and types of education and training and, in particular to: promote citizenship education and strengthen the sense of identity and belonging at local, regional, national and EU level enhance knowledge and understanding of the EU and its history promote media literacy to help people make informed decisions help newcomers to the EU to develop competences for active participation promote the right of children and young people to be heard ensure that learning environments are safe and inclusive spaces The member states, together with the Commission, are further invited to boost education on common European values and promote democratic citizenship in the education and training policy agenda. This includes measures such as mobility, twinning and transnational cooperation within the entire European educational community. The Erasmus+ actions are also part of what may contribute to better knowledge of th

Press material Thursday 23 November 2023

● Council of the EU   23/11/2023 10:40 | Press release | Digital skills and competences and successful digital education and training: fit for the digital era   Today, the Council has adopted a set of recommendations on the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training, and on improving the provision of digital skills and competences in education and training. With this package, the Council is addressing the need to make education fit for a genuine digital transformation and able to keep pace with the times, while providing the necessary skills and competences that are – and will be – necessary in this new reality. "Digital skills and competences need to be accessible to the entire population, across all age groups and backgrounds. And every school, every education and training institution should duly take into account both the risks and opportunities that technology brings about." Pilar Alegría, Spanish Minister for Education, Vocational Training and Sport Four in five people to have basic digital skills by 2030 The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to improve the digital readiness of education and training systems in terms of resilience, accessibility, high-quality and inclusiveness. What is more, under the Digital Decade commitment, the EU’s target is for 80% of the population aged 16-74 to have at least basic digital skills by 2030. Against this backdrop, and in the context of the European Year of Skills (2023), it is more relevant than ever to focus on the needs of education and training when it comes to digital transformation, taking action at all levels (pre-primary, primary, secondary and vocational education and training, higher education, adult learning), in a lifelong learning perspective, and for all groups of the population (e.g. young people, adults and professionals). Digital skills and competences The Council recommendation adopted today on digital skills and competences recommends that member states agree on national, and where appropriate regional, strategies or strategic approaches for digital education and skills and competences, inviting them to: set or review national objectives for the provision of these skills and competences take measures targeting ‘priority or hard-to-reach groups’ strengthen digital skills and competences in primary and secondary education promote the teaching of digital skills transversally in different subjects enhance digital skills and competences for all students in higher education, providing learning opportunities across levels and disciplines give adults opportunities to acquire digital skills and address the shortage of ICT professionals Successful digital education and training At the same time, the Council recommendation on the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training focuses on how to make education and training systems fit for the digital age. It provides guidance on how to prepare people to use technology creatively, safely and responsibly, based on an understanding of how it functions. Among other measures, it calls on member states to: integrate digital technologies into teaching and empower teachers to use them support the development of digital educational tools, including research into the impact of artificial intelligence take cybersecurity measures in education and training, including awareness raising invest in connectivity, digital infrastructure and digital accessibility in education and training Next steps Both recommendations were adopted today and they will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The European Commission will monitor their implementation across member states; it will then prepare and send a report to the Council within five years. European Education Area (background information) A digital future for Europe (background information)

Meetings Wednesday 22 November 2023

● Council of the EU   22/11/2023 14:16 | MEETING | Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 23-24 November 2023   Background brief - Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 23-24 November 2023

Press material Wednesday 22 November 2023

● Council of the EU   22/11/2023 13:27 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) of 27 November 2023   The press briefing ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) will take place on Thursday, 23 November 2023 at 12.45. This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Europa building press room. To attend the event remotely, please use this link to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for the previous press events of Trade meetings do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Thursday, 23 November 2023, 11.00. Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.

Press material Wednesday 22 November 2023

● Council of the EU   22/11/2023 15:34 | Press release | Circular Economy: Council adopts position on a directive that enshrines consumers’ right to repair   The Council has today adopted its position (or 'negotiating mandate') on a proposed directive on common rules promoting the repair of goods, also known as the right-to-repair (or R2R) directive. The proposed text aims to remove obstacles that discourage consumers from seeking repair, such as inconvenience, lack of transparency or difficult access to repair services. The mandate clarifies manufacturers' repair obligations, limits the requirement to provide information on repair services to those that have a legal obligation to fix defective products, promotes a European online repair platform and introduces an extension of the liability period of the seller in case of repair. Easier to repair and reuse Very often, when a product such as a vacuum cleaner or a washing machine breaks or is defective it is easier to dispose of it and buy a new one than have it repaired, especially when the legal guarantee has expired. The new legislation creates incentives for consumers to prolong the life of the product by having it repaired, which in turn will boost the repair sector, reduce waste and promote more sustainable business models. A new set of rights and tools will be available for consumers to make repair more attractive. In particular: the right for consumers to claim repair for products that are technically repairable under EU law (for instance, washing machines or mobile phones) an obligation for producers to inform consumers about the products that they are legally obliged to repair a European repair information form which consumers can request from any repairer, bringing transparency to repair conditions and prices an online repair matchmaking platform to connect consumers with repairers in their area an extension of six months of the liability period of the seller in case of repair Council mandate The Council mandate supports the general objectives of the directive, but introduces some improvements regarding the obligation to repair, the information form, the online platform, and maintains the choice between repair and replacement. Obligation to repair The mandate requires manufacturers to perform repairs within a reasonable time and, unless the service is provided for free, for a reasonable price so that consumers are not deterred from exercising their rights. European repair information form To cut red tape for small repairers, only those who have a legal obligation to repair will have to provide the standardised EU repair form upon request. For all other repairers, provision of the form remains voluntary. If repairers provide it, the conditions set out in the form will be binding for them. The form must be provided free of charge, although the consumer may be asked to pay the cost of the diagnostic service. According to the Council's position, the key information included in the form will be valid for 30 calendar days, but the consumer and repairer may agree to extend this period. European online repair platform The Council's position proposes a single European online repair platform designed and operated at European level, instead of 27 national platforms. This will improve accessibility and facilitate cross-border services. Nevertheless, member states will be able to maintain existing national online repair platforms or to establish new ones if they meet the conditions set out in the directive. Freedom of choice The negotiating mandate maintains consumers' right to choose between repair and replacement for defective products within the liability period of the seller. In the case of repair, the seller's liability period will be extended by six months from the moment when the product is brought into conformity. This period may be further prolonged by member states if they so wish. The seller will have to inform the consumer about their right to have their product repaired or replaced, as well as the extension of the liability period in the case of repair. Transposition The Council position provides for a longer transposition period, so businesses will have six more months to adapt to the new requirements.