COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION latest

 

Press material Wednesday 13 December 2023

● Council of the EU   13/12/2023 07:10 | Press release | Anti-money laundering: Council and Parliament agree to create new authority   Today, the Council and the Parliament reached a provisional agreement on creating a new European authority for countering money laundering and financing of terrorism (AMLA) - the centrepiece of the anti-money laundering package, which aims to protect EU citizens and the EU's financial system against money laundering and terrorist financing. AMLA will have direct and indirect supervisory powers over high-risk obliged entities in the financial sector. This agreement leaves out a decision on the location of the agency’s seat, a matter that continues to be discussed on a separate track. Given the cross-border nature of financial crime, the new authority will boost the efficiency of the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework, by creating an integrated mechanism with national supervisors to ensure obliged entities comply with AML/CFT-related obligations in the financial sector. AMLA will also have a supporting role with respect to non-financial sectors, and coordinate financial intelligence units in member states. In addition to supervisory powers and in order to ensure compliance, in cases of serious, systematic or repeated breaches of directly applicable requirements, the Authority will impose pecuniary sanctions on the selected obliged entities. Supervisory powers The provisional agreement adds powers to AMLA to directly supervise certain types of credit and financial institutions, including crypto asset service providers, if they are considered high-risk or operate across borders. AMLA will carry out a selection of credit and financial institutions that represent a high risk in several member states. The selected obliged entities will be supervised by joint supervisory teams led by AMLA that will among other things carry out assessments and inspections. The agreement entrusts the authority to supervise up to 40 groups and entities in the first selection process. For non-selected obliged entities, AML/CFT supervision would remain primarily at national level. For the non-financial sector, AMLA will have a supporting role, carrying out reviews and investigating possible breaches in the application of the AML/CFT framework. AMLA will have the power to issue non-binding recommendations. National supervisors will be able to voluntarily set up a college for a non-financial entity operating across borders if deemed needed. The provisional agreement expands the scope and content of AMLA’s supervisory database by asking the Authority to establish and keep up-to-date a central database of information relevant for the AML/CFT supervisory system. Targeted financial sanctions The Authority will monitor that selected obliged entities have internal policies and procedures in place to ensure the implementation of targeted financial sanctions asset freezes and confiscations. Governance AMLA will have a general board composed of representatives of supervisors an Financial Intelligence Units from all member states, and an executive board, that would be the governing body of the AMLA, composed of the chair of the Authority and five independent full-time members. The Council and the Parliament removed the Commission’s veto right on some of the powers of the executive board, notably its budgetary powers. Whistleblowing The provisional agreement introduces a reinforced whistle-blowing mechanism. Regarding obliged entities, AMLA will only deal with reports coming from the financial sector. It will also be able to attend reports from employees of national authorities. Disagreements AMLA will be given the power to settle disagreements with a binding effect in the context of financial sector colleges and, in any other case, upon the request of a financial supervisor. AMLA seat The Council and European Parliament are currently negotiating the principles of the selection process of the new Authority’s seat location. Once the selection process has been agreed, the selection process for the seat will be concluded and the location will be introduced in the regulation. Next steps The text of the provisional agreement will now be finalised and presented to member states’ representatives and the European Parliament for approval. If approved, the Council and the Parliament will have to formally adopt the texts. Negotiations between the Council and Parliament on the regulation on anti-money-laundering requirements for the private sector and the directive on anti-money laundering mechanisms are still ongoing. Background On 20 July 2021, the Commission presented its package of legislative proposals to strengthen the EU’s rules on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). This package consists of: a regulation establishing a new EU anti-money laundering authority (AMLA) which will have powers to impose sanctions and penalties a regulation recasting the regulation on transfers of funds which aims to make transfers of crypto-assets more transparent and fully traceable a regulation on anti-money-laundering requirements for the private sector a directive on anti-money-laundering mechanisms The Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the regulation on transfers of funds on 29 June 2022. Commission proposal on AMLA Commission proposal on the AML regulation Commission proposal on the AML directive Anti-money laundering: Provisional agreement reached on transparency of crypto asset transfers (press release, 29 June 2022) Fight against money laundering and terrorist financing (background information)

Meetings Tuesday 12 December 2023

● Council of the EU   12/12/2023 20:07 | MEETING | Main results - General Affairs Council, 12 December 2023   The Council prepared for the upcoming European Council and approved conclusions on enlargement, the Council’s annual rule of law dialogue, and managing demographic change in Europe. Ministers also took stock of the negotiations for an association agreement with Andorra and San Marino and discussed Spain’s request to amend regulation no 1/1958.

Press material Tuesday 12 December 2023

● Council of the EU   12/12/2023 20:05 | Press release | Council approves enlargement conclusions   The Council has approved conclusions on enlargement for the six Western Balkans partners, Türkiye and – for the first time - Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Council conclusions on enlargement, 12 December 2023

Press material Tuesday 12 December 2023

● Council of the EU   12/12/2023 16:00 | Press release | Council and Parliament reach political agreement to criminalise violation of EU sanctions   The Spanish presidency of the Council and the European Parliament concluded their negotiations for an EU law which introduces criminal offences and penalties for the violation of EU sanctions. This directive ensures that those who violate or circumvent EU sanctions will be prosecuted. This gains particular importance in the context of the Russian war of aggresion against Ukraine. The law lays down that member states will need to define certain actions as criminal offences. These include: helping persons subject to EU restrictive measures to bypass a travel ban trading sanctioned goods and running transactions with states or entities which are hit by EU restrictive measures providing financial services or performing financial activities which are prohibited or restricted covering up the ownership of funds or economic resources by a person, entity or body which is sanctioned by the EU Inciting, aiding and abetting these offences will also be punishable as a crime. Trade with war material would constitute a criminal offence not only when committed intentionally but also if committed with serious negligence. Dissuasive penalties Member states must ensure that violating EU sanctions is punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal penalties. When the violation of a restrictive measure happens intentionally the maximum penalty must provide for a prison sentence. Concretely, member states must ensure that the crimes defined under this directive are punishable by a maximum penalty of at least one year of imprisonment or at least five years of imprisonment, depending on the offence. Member states can decide to implement laws which foresee higher sentences. In addition to imprisonment, those who have violated EU restrictive measures may be subject to fines. Liability and sanctions for legal persons The Council and the European Parliament negotiators have agreed that legal persons (e.g. companies) can also be held liable for the offences defined in this directive. This would be the case when such an offence has been committed – to their benefit – by a person with a leading position in the organisation. Legal persons who violate restrictive measures would have to face sanctions which include the disqualification of business activities and the withdrawal of permits and authorisations to pursue their economic activities. Stricter enforcement Member states must also step up their efforts to make sure that EU sanctions are respected. To that end, they will be obliged to provide for a limitation period, i.e. the time frame within which legal action must be initiated, that allows for proper law enforcement. Member states also need to take measures to freeze and confiscate the proceeds resulting from the violation of sanctions. Next steps The provisional agreement will now be submitted to the member states’ representatives (Coreper) for endorsement. If approved, the text will then be formally adopted by both the Council and European Parliament. Background Restrictive measures are an important component of the EU's foreign and security policy toolbox. They can consist of, for instance, asset freezes, travel bans and import/export restrictions. The enforcement of EU sanctions is a member state responsibility. But the types and levels of penalties in member states can vary because – so far – national systems that deal with the violation of EU sanctions differ significantly. Currently, member states are not required to criminalise violations and may thus apply administrative sanctions instead. In order to limit sanctions circumvention and tighten their enforcement, on 5 December 2022 the Commission proposed the present directive on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures. How and when the EU adopts sanctions (background information) EU response to Russia’s invastion of Ukraine (background information)

Meetings Tuesday 12 December 2023

● European Council   12/12/2023 16:43 | MEETING | EU-Western Balkans summit, 13 December 2023   Background brief - EU-Western Balkans summit of 13 December 2023

Press material Tuesday 12 December 2023

● Council of the EU   12/12/2023 15:54 | Press release | Standards for equality bodies: Council strikes deal with Parliament   The EU Council presidency has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a new law to help prevent sex discrimination in the workplace by strengthening the independence and functioning of the EU’s equality bodies. The directive agreed on today will set out binding standards for equality bodies dealing with equal treatment and opportunities between women and men in the areas of employment and occupation. "If we genuinely want to combat discrimination in all its forms, it is not enough to simply ban it – we also need to make sure that the rules are effectively enforced. Today’s agreement provides the EU’s equality bodies with the competences, independence and resources they need to challenge acts of discrimination and support victims." Ana Redondo, Spanish Minister for Equality Currently, all EU member states are already required to set up national bodies to combat discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of sex, yet the mandate and competences of these bodies vary from one member state to another. The new rules agreed on today with the Parliament will establish common EU-wide minimum requirements for equality bodies in a number of key areas. These include: enhanced competences for equality bodies to combat discrimination on the grounds of sex in matters of employment and occupation, including self-employment a legal requirement for equality bodies to be independent from external influence sufficient human, technical and financial resources a requirement for public institutions to consult equality bodies on matters related to discrimination, and for equality bodies to be empowered to promote equal treatment, for example via gender mainstreaming increased powers to conduct inquiries and dispute resolution in discrimination cases, in line with national law and practice The agreement reached with the Parliament also clarifies the definition of the term ‘victim’ as encompassing ‘all persons who consider that they have experienced discrimination’, clarifying that anyone can seek help from equality bodies if they think they have been discriminated against because of their sex. Next steps The provisional agreement will now have to be endorsed by the Council and the Parliament. It will then be formally adopted by both institutions following legal-linguistic revision. After the formal steps of the adoption have been completed, member states will have 24 months to incorporate the provisions of the directive into their national legislation. Background Equality bodies are public institutions that protect and provide assistance to victims of discrimination. The EU’s equality legislation stipulates that all member states must establish national equality bodies to deal with cases of discrimination on the grounds of sex, and racial or ethnic origin. Under the current legislation on equality bodies, member states have a wide margin of discretion, leading to significant differences across the EU as regards the competences, independence, resources, accessibility and effectiveness of such bodies. On 7 December 2022 the Commission published two proposals to strengthen equality bodies: a proposal for a directive of the Council and the European Parliament on standards for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities between women and men in matters of employment and occupation, with Article 157 TFEU as the legal basis (ordinary legislative procedure) a proposal for a Council directive on standards for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment between persons irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, equal treatment in the field of employment and occupation between persons irrespective of their religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, equal treatment between women and men in matters of social security and in the access to and supply of goods and services, with Article 19(1) TFEU as the legal basis (consent procedure) Because the legislation that is being revised is based on two different legislative procedures, it was necessary to publish two Commission proposals, even though their content is substantively the same. EU ministers for employment and social affairs agreed on the Council’s general approach for each of the directives at its meeting on 12 June 2023. Negotiations with the European Parliament on the proposed directive on standards for equality bodies (Article 157 TFEU) began on 28 November 2023. Standards for equality bodies: Council agrees its positions (press release, 12 June 2023) Social rights in the EU (background information)

Meetings Tuesday 12 December 2023

● Council of the EU   12/12/2023 13:54 | MEETING | Main results - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 10-11 December 2023   Fisheries ministers reached a political agreement on 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 on the proposal concerning fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea for 2024. The Council also discussed the market situation and exchanged views on the first year of implementation of the CAP strategic plans. Additionally, ministers exchanged views on the progress made regarding several current proposals, namely on new genomic techniques, on the sustainable use of pesticides

Press material Tuesday 12 December 2023

● Council of the EU   12/12/2023 14:15 | Press release | Evaluation of the Council’s rule of law dialogue – Presidency conclusions   The Council today reviewed its annual rule of law dialogue and discussed a set of conclusions on the issue. In the absence of consensus on the text, the Council presidency decided to issue presidency conclusions. It concluded that the text was supported or not objected to by 25 delegations. The conclusions consolidate the existing approach to the Council’s annual rule of law dialogue as a valuable preventive tool in the EU’s rule of law toolbox. The dialogue has allowed for an open exchange of comments and best practices based on the Commission’s annual rule of law report, while ensuring objectivity, non-discrimination and equal treatment of all member states. The conclusions also strengthen the Council’s dialogue by setting out a faster cycle, covering more member states per year, and by encouraging more frequent exchanges within the Council, and with external stakeholders, as appropriate. Background The Council’s annual rule of law dialogue was initiated by Council conclusions agreed on 16 December 2014. Since then, all member states have participated, in a spirit of sincere cooperation, in this dialogue. Since 2020, the dialogue has been divided into horizontal discussions, covering general rule of law developments in the EU, and country-specific discussions, focusing in detail on the situation in each member state. Both discussions make use of the Commission’s annual rule of law reports. Presidency conclusions - Evaluation of the annual rule of law dialogue, 12 December 2023 Rule of law (background information)

Press material Tuesday 12 December 2023

● Council of the EU   12/12/2023 13:39 | Press event | Council approves fishing opportunities for 2024 in EU and non-EU waters   Following three days of negotiations, fisheries ministers agreed on fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, the North Sea, and in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas for 2024. The political agreement reached by the Council is in line with the goal of ensuring the long-term sustainability of fish stocks, while at the same time protecting the livelihoods of communities that depend on fishing. For the Atlantic and the North Sea, in the case of eight fish stocks, the decision also concerns catch limits for 2025 and in two cases for 2026 as well. These are known as 'multiannual total allowable catches (TACs)'. This is based on multiannual advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The aim of this multiannual approach is to ensure predictability and stability for the industry, and to make the decision-making process more efficient. Overall, the political agreement reached by the Council includes catch limits, also known as ‘total allowable catches’ (TACs), for over 200 commercial fish stocks. The political agreement is based on proposals drawn up by the Commission and takes into account the best available scientific advice, while respecting the aims of the common fisheries policy (CFP) and the EU's multiannual plans for various sea basins. "After two days and one long night of intense negotiations we reached a political agreement which will help maintain fish stocks at sustainable levels, while also protecting the livelihoods of European fishing fleets." Luis Planas Puchades, Spanish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food The political agreement in detail The stocks concerned by the two proposals are those that the EU manages either on its own, jointly with neighbouring non-EU countries, or via agreements reached in regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). Approximately 100 of these stocks in the Atlantic and the North Sea are managed jointly with the United Kingdom. Following the UK's withdrawal from the EU, fish stocks jointly managed by the EU and the UK are considered shared resources under international law. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the two parties sets out the terms under which the EU and the UK determine their respective fishing rights in the Atlantic and the North Sea. Under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, both parties agreed to hold annual talks, and these were successfully concluded earlier this month. Prior to the meeting, the outcome of the deal was adopted via written procedure. Bilateral consultations with Norway and trilateral consultations on shared stocks between the EU, the UK and Norway have also been successfully completed ahead of the Council meeting. The political agreement reached during the Agriculture and Fisheries Council integrates those results into the main decision. Atlantic and the North Sea Following positive scientific advice and the improved state of the stocks, ministers agreed to increase the catch limits for the following stocks: megrims (11%) and anglerfish (7%) in Iberian waters plaice in the Kattegat (19%) hake in the southern Bay of Biscay, Iberian waters and waters around the Azores (10%) horse mackerel in Iberian waters (5%) To safeguard stocks following scientific advice and strike a balance with socioeconomic implications, ministers agreed to reduce catch limits for: whiting in the Bay of Biscay by 41% plaice in Iberian waters by 20% Norway lobster in Portuguese waters and Azores by 20% sole in 8c-e, 9 and 10 by 17% Given the continued critical state of European eel, the Council decided to continue the six-month closure period for any commercial eel fishing activities, with certain exemptions, and to prohibit recreational fisheries. Mediterranean and Black Seas Ministers agreed to reduce fishing efforts for trawlers in the western Mediterranean by 9.5% in order to protect demersal stocks. This is in line with the EU's legal obligation to attain the maximum sustainable yield for these stocks by 2025. In addition, ministers agreed to continue the use of the compensation mechanism that was established for the first time for 2022, allocating up to 6% additional days to trawlers eligible that comply with specific requirements, as an incentive to increase the protection of the stock. The Council additionally agreed to reduce the maximum catch limits for blue and red shrimp in subareas 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 by 5%, blue and red shrimp in subareas 8, 9, 10 and 11 by 3% and for giant red shrimp in the western Mediterranean Sea in subareas 8, 9, 10 and 11 by 3% compared to 2023. In the Black Sea, the Council agreed to roll-over the TAC for 2024 in the case of turbot, and to maintain a closure period for turbot fishing from 15 April to 15 June. Additionally, ministers agreed to carry over the unused EU turbot quota from 2022. Next steps The regulations will be finalised by the Council's legal and linguistic experts, following which they will be formally adopted by the Council and published in the Official Journal. The provisions will apply as of 1 January 2024. Background The setting of TACs and quotas is an annual management exercise undertaken by the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in December. Ministers set catch limits for commercial fish stocks for the following year, along with national quotas for each species. This year, for the first time, some stocks are set for two or even three years. Since 2020, following the entry into force of the multiannual plan for demersal species in the Western Mediterranean, the fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas have also been discussed at Council level. Main total allowable catches 2024 (table) Commission proposal applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters Commission proposal for the Mediterranean and Black Seas (consolidated version) Council approves EU-UK fishing deal for 2024 (press release, 8 December 2023) Management of the EU's fish stocks (background information)

Press material Tuesday 12 December 2023

● Council of the EU   12/12/2023 12:27 | Press release | Council and European Parliament agree on rules on freezing and confiscating criminal money   Spanish presidency and European Parliament negotiators have reached a political agreement on an EU law on asset recovery and confiscation. The new directive sets out EU-wide minimum rules on the tracing, identification, freezing, confiscation and management of criminal property. It will boost member states’ capacities to fight organised crime. "The gains from criminal activities are staggering. Only if governments have the means to claw back these profits do they stand a chance of fighting organised crime." Félix Bolaños, Spanish minister for justice The directive will apply to a wide range of crimes, such as organised crime, terrorism, trafficking in human beings and drug trafficking. It also comes with obligations for member states to ensure that the authorities involved in tracing, freezing and managing criminal money have qualified staff and appropriate financial, technical and technological resources. Violation of restrictive measures The proposed rules will also apply to the violation of sanctions once a still pending directive on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of EU restrictive measures has been adopted. As a result, people and companies profiting from circumventing sanctions will see their yields being seized in the same way as those of traffickers in human beings or drug cartels. More powerful asset recovery offices Member states will be required to reinforce asset recovery offices, whose role will be to facilitate cross-border cooperation in relation to asset tracing investigations. The asset recovery offices will also be tasked with tracing and identifying criminal money, in support of asset tracing investigations carried out by national authorities and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. They will also carry out tracing and confiscation tasks for proceeds that are the subject of a freezing or confiscation order issued by a body in another member state. In order to enable the asset recovery offices to perform their tasks, member states’ governments will have to make sure to give them access to the relevant national databases and registers. In some cases, access should be immediate and direct. Freezing and confiscation According to the text agreed on today, member states need to take measures to enable the freezing of property in order to ensure an eventual confiscation and to ensure, in the event of a final conviction, the confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds stemming from a criminal offence. However, member states will not only be obliged to ensure the confiscation of criminal money. They will also have to adopt rules which allow them to confiscate property of a value corresponding to the criminal yield. Where criminal assets or property of equal value are transferred to a third party, it must also be possible to confiscate them, but only if the third party knew or should have known that the purpose of the transfer or acquisition was to avoid confiscation. In some cases, the confiscation of criminal profits will also become possible where criminal proceedings have been initiated but cannot be continued. Confiscation of unexplained wealth In a first for many member states, a new rule on the confiscation of unexplained wealth will, under certain conditions, allow the confiscation of property identified in the context of an investigation in relation to criminal offences, provided that a national court is satisfied that the identified property is derived from criminal activities committed within the framework of a criminal organisation and that those activities give rise to substantial economic benefit. The agreement pays special attention to procedural safeguards. Asset management Member states will be required to designate authorities (asset management offices) to manage the frozen or confiscated property, either through direct management or through the provision of support and expertise to other bodies responsible for the management of frozen and confiscated property. Member states will also be required to enable the sale of frozen property, even before final confiscation, under certain conditions – for instance, if the property is perishable. Next steps Today’s agreement will need to be endorsed by member states’ representatives within the Council (Coreper). If approved, the text will have to go through the formal adoption process in both the Council and the European Parliament. Background According to Europol data, criminal organisations amass revenues which are estimated to amount to at least €139 billion every year. Despite the existence of a number of EU laws on the tracing and confiscation of illegal assets, in 2020, the Council called on the Commission to strengthen the legal framework. The European Parliament also asked for stronger asset recovery rules. The draft directive was proposed on 25 May 2022.

Υλικό τύπου Τρίτη 12 Δεκεμβρίου 2023

● Συμβούλιο της Ε.Ε   12/12/2023 12:27 | Δελτίο τύπου | Το Συμβούλιο και το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο συμφωνούν για κανόνες για τη δέσμευση και τη δήμευση χρημάτων εγκληματικών πράξεων   Η ισπανική προεδρία και οι διαπραγματευτές του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου κατέληξαν σε πολιτική συμφωνία σχετικά με έναν νόμο της ΕΕ για την ανάκτηση και τη δήμευση περιουσιακών στοιχείων. Η νέα οδηγία ορίζει ελάχιστους κανόνες σε επίπεδο ΕΕ για τον εντοπισμό, την ταυτοποίηση, τη δέσμευση, τη δήμευση και τη διαχείριση εγκληματικών περιουσιακών στοιχείων. Θα ενισχύσει τις ικανότητες των κρατών μελών για την καταπολέμηση του οργανωμένου εγκλήματος. "Τα κέρδη από τις εγκληματικές δραστηριότητες είναι εκπληκτικά. Μόνο εάν οι κυβερνήσεις έχουν τα μέσα να ανακτήσουν αυτά τα κέρδη, έχουν την ευκαιρία να καταπολεμήσουν το οργανωμένο έγκλημα." Félix Bolaños, Ισπανός υπουργός Δικαιοσύνης Η οδηγία θα εφαρμόζεται σε ένα ευρύ φάσμα εγκλημάτων, όπως το οργανωμένο έγκλημα, η τρομοκρατία, η εμπορία ανθρώπων και η διακίνηση ναρκωτικών. Συνοδεύεται επίσης από υποχρεώσεις για τα κράτη μέλη να διασφαλίσουν ότι οι αρχές που εμπλέκονται στον εντοπισμό, τη δέσμευση και τη διαχείριση του εγκληματικού χρήματος διαθέτουν εξειδικευμένο προσωπικό και κατάλληλους οικονομικούς, τεχνικούς και τεχνολογικούς πόρους. Παραβίαση περιοριστικών μέτρων Οι προτεινόμενοι κανόνες θα ισχύουν επίσης για την παραβίαση των κυρώσεων μόλις εγκριθεί μια οδηγία που εκκρεμεί ακόμη για τον ορισμό των ποινικών αδικημάτων και των κυρώσεων για την παραβίαση των περιοριστικών μέτρων της ΕΕ. Ως αποτέλεσμα, οι άνθρωποι και οι εταιρείες που επωφελούνται από την παράκαμψη των κυρώσεων θα δουν τις αποδόσεις τους να κατασχέθηκαν με τον ίδιο τρόπο όπως αυτές των εμπόρων ανθρώπων ή των καρτέλ ναρκωτικών. Πιο ισχυρά γραφεία ανάκτησης περιουσιακών στοιχείων Τα κράτη μέλη θα κληθούν να ενισχύσουν τα γραφεία ανάκτησης περιουσιακών στοιχείων, ο ρόλος των οποίων θα είναι να διευκολύνουν τη διασυνοριακή συνεργασία σε σχέση με τις έρευνες εντοπισμού περιουσιακών στοιχείων. Τα γραφεία ανάκτησης περιουσιακών στοιχείων θα είναι επίσης επιφορτισμένα με τον εντοπισμό και τον εντοπισμό χρημάτων εγκληματικών πράξεων, προς υποστήριξη των ερευνών εντοπισμού περιουσιακών στοιχείων που διεξάγονται από τις εθνικές αρχές και την Ευρωπαϊκή Εισαγγελία. Θα εκτελούν επίσης καθήκοντα εντοπισμού και δήμευσης για προϊόντα που αποτελούν αντικείμενο διαταγής δέσμευσης ή δήμευσης που εκδίδεται από φορέα σε άλλο κράτος μέλος. Για να μπορέσουν τα γραφεία ανάκτησης περιουσιακών στοιχείων να εκτελούν τα καθήκοντά τους, οι κυβερνήσεις των κρατών μελών θα πρέπει να φροντίσουν να τους παρέχουν πρόσβαση στις σχετικές εθνικές βάσεις δεδομένων και μητρώα. Σε ορισμένες περιπτώσεις, η πρόσβαση πρέπει να είναι άμεση και άμεση. Κατάψυξη και κατάσχεση Σύμφωνα με το κείμενο που συμφωνήθηκε σήμερα, τα κράτη μέλη πρέπει να λάβουν μέτρα για να καταστεί δυνατή η δέσμευση περιουσίας προκειμένου να διασφαλιστεί η ενδεχόμενη δήμευση και να διασφαλιστεί, σε περίπτωση οριστικής καταδίκης, η δήμευση οργάνων και προϊόντων που προέρχονται από ποινικό αδίκημα . Ωστόσο, τα κράτη μέλη δεν θα υποχρεωθούν μόνο να διασφαλίσουν τη δήμευση των χρημάτων του εγκλήματος. Θα πρέπει επίσης να υιοθετήσουν κανόνες που τους επιτρέπουν να κατάσχουν περιουσιακά στοιχεία αξίας που αντιστοιχεί στην εγκληματική απόδοση. Όταν εγκληματικά περιουσιακά στοιχεία ή περιουσιακά στοιχεία ίσης αξίας μεταβιβάζονται σε τρίτο, πρέπει επίσης να είναι δυνατή η κατάσχεσή τους, αλλά μόνο εάν ο τρίτος γνώριζε ή όφειλε να γνωρίζει ότι σκοπός της μεταβίβασης ή της απόκτησης ήταν η αποφυγή της δήμευσης. Σε ορισμένες περιπτώσεις, η δήμευση εγκληματικών κερδών θα καταστεί επίσης δυνατή όταν έχει κινηθεί ποινική διαδικασία αλλά δεν μπορεί να συνεχιστεί. Δήμευση ανεξήγητου πλούτου Σε πρώτη φάση για πολλά κράτη μέλη, ένας νέος κανόνας για τη δήμευση ανεξήγητου πλούτου θα επιτρέπει, υπό ορισμένες προϋποθέσεις, τη δήμευση περιουσιακών στοιχείων που προσδιορίζονται στο πλαίσιο έρευνας σε σχέση με ποινικά αδικήματα, υπό τον όρο ότι το εθνικό δικαστήριο βεβαιωθεί ότι Η ταυτοποιημένη περιουσία προέρχεται από εγκληματικές δραστηριότητες που διαπράττονται στο πλαίσιο εγκληματικής οργάνωσης και ότι οι δραστηριότητες αυτές αποφέρουν ουσιαστικό οικονομικό όφελος. Η συμφωνία δίνει ιδιαίτερη προσοχή στις διαδικαστικές διασφαλίσεις. Διαχείριση περιουσιακών στοιχείων Τα κράτη μέλη θα πρέπει να ορίσουν αρχές (γραφεία διαχείρισης περιουσιακών στοιχείων) για τη διαχείριση της δεσμευμένης ή κατασχεθείσας περιουσίας, είτε μέσω άμεσης διαχείρισης είτε μέσω της παροχής υποστήριξης και εμπειρογνωμοσύνης σε άλλους φορείς που είναι υπεύθυνοι για τη διαχείριση παγωμένων και κατασχεμένων περιουσιακών στοιχείων. Τα κράτη μέλη θα κληθούν επίσης να επιτρέψουν την πώληση παγωμένων περιουσιακών στοιχείων, ακόμη και πριν από την τελική δήμευση, υπό ορισμένες προϋποθέσεις – για παράδειγμα, εάν η περιουσία είναι ευπαθής. Επόμενα βήματα Η σημερινή συμφωνία θα πρέπει να εγκριθεί από τους εκπροσώπους των κρατών μελών στο Συμβούλιο (Coreper). Εάν εγκριθεί, το κείμενο θα πρέπει να περάσει από την επίσημη διαδικασία έγκρισης τόσο στο Συμβούλιο όσο και στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο. Ιστορικό Σύμφωνα με στοιχεία της Europol, εγκληματικές οργανώσεις συγκεντρώνουν έσοδα τα οποία εκτιμάται ότι ανέρχονται σε τουλάχιστον 139 δισεκατομμύρια ευρώ κάθε χρόνο. Παρά την ύπαρξη ορισμένων νόμων της ΕΕ για τον εντοπισμό και τη δήμευση παράνομων περιουσιακών στοιχείων, το 2020, το Συμβούλιο κάλεσε την Επιτροπή να ενισχύσει το νομικό πλαίσιο. Το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο ζήτησε επίσης αυστηρότερους κανόνες ανάκτησης περιουσιακών στοιχείων. Το σχέδιο οδηγίας προτάθηκε στις 25 Μαΐου 2022.

Meetings Tuesday 12 December 2023

● Council of the EU   12/12/2023 10:52 | MEETING | Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 19 December 2023   Background brief - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) of 19 December 2023

Meetings Monday 11 December 2023

● Council of the EU   11/12/2023 21:35 | MEETING | Main results - Eastern Partnership Foreign Affairs Ministerial meeting, 11 December 2023   The Eastern Partnership ministerial meeting met in Brussels to exchange views on the Partnership, took stock of its achievements and identified concrete recommendations for the future of the policy. Meetings Monday 11 December 2023   ● Council of the EU   11/12/2023 21:30 | MEETING | Main results - Foreign Affairs Council, 11 December 2023   The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation in Gaza and Israel, and the Sahel.

Press material Tuesday 12 December 2023

● Council of the EU   12/12/2023 12:16 | Press release | EU-Kenya: Council adopts decision on the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement   The Council today adopted a decision on the signing of the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement, which will boost trade in goods and create new economic opportunities, with targeted cooperation to enhance Kenya's economic development. The Council and the Commission made a joint statement on the occasion of the adoption of the Council Decision. "This agreement brings us closer to Kenya, and it brings Kenya closer to us. Kenya is considered the economic hub of East Africa and the opening of new areas of cooperation will translate into mutual benefits for our workers, businesses and traders. The agreement includes a shared commitment to sustainable development, including labour rights, the environment and climate action." José Manuel Albares, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation This agreement will provide duty-free, quota-free EU market access to all exports from Kenya as soon as it enters into force, as well as partial and gradual opening of the Kenyan market to imports from the EU. The agreement includes binding provisions on trade and sustainable development, such as climate and environmental protection and labour rights, and a transparent dispute resolution mechanism. This is the most ambitious economic partnership agreement the EU will have with a developing country when it comes to sustainability provisions. The EU is Kenya's first export destination and second largest trading partner, totalling €3.3 billion of trade in 2022 - an increase of 27% compared to 2018. Next steps Once the agreement is signed, and EP gives its consent, the agreement can enter into force. Background Negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreement between the East African Community and the EU (EAC-EU EPA) were concluded in 2014. Kenya signed and ratified the Agreement in September 2016. The EU and its Member States also signed it in June 2016. However, implementation of the EPA has not been possible because not all EAC partner countries signed and ratified it. The EAC Summit of 27 February 2021, under the chairmanship of Kenya, reached a decision allowing individual EAC states to implement the EPA. Subsequently, in May 2021, Kenya formally requested to engage with the EU to move forward with the implementation of the Agreement on a bilateral basis. On 17 February 2022, the EU and Kenya signed a Joint Statement at the margins of the EU-AU Summit agreeing to advance negotiations on the EU-Kenya EPA, which will remain open for other EAC Partners States. Negotiations were concluded on 24 May 2023 at technical level, and on 19 June 2023 at political level. On 28 September 2023, the Commission submitted its proposals for Council Decisions on the signing and the conclusion of the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement, together with the text of the Agreement. Council decision on the signing of the EPA Council decision on the conclusion of the EPA EU-Kenya EPA EU-Kenya EPA (addendum 2) Council and Commission joint statement EU and Kenya conclude negotiations for an ambitious Economic Partnership Agreement with strong sustainability provisions (European Commission)