COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Saturday 9 December 2023

● Council of the EU   09/12/2023 01:35 | Press release | Artificial intelligence act: Council and Parliament strike a deal on the first rules for AI in the world   Following 3-day ‘marathon’ talks, the Council presidency and the European Parliament’s negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on the proposal on harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (AI), the so-called artificial intelligence act. The draft regulation aims to ensure that AI systems placed on the European market and used in the EU are safe and respect fundamental rights and EU values. This landmark proposal also aims to stimulate investment and innovation on AI in Europe. "This is a historical achievement, and a huge milestone towards the future! Today’s agreement effectively addresses a global challenge in a fast-evolving technological environment on a key area for the future of our societies and economies. And in this endeavour, we managed to keep an extremely delicate balance: boosting innovation and uptake of artificial intelligence across Europe whilst fully respecting the fundamental rights of our citizens." Carme Artigas, Spanish secretary of state for digitalisation and artificial intelligence The AI act is a flagship legislative initiative with the potential to foster the development and uptake of safe and trustworthy AI across the EU’s single market by both private and public actors. The main idea is to regulate AI based on the latter’s capacity to cause harm to society following a ‘risk-based’ approach: the higher the risk, the stricter the rules. As the first legislative proposal of its kind in the world, it can set a global standard for AI regulation in other jurisdictions, just as the GDPR has done, thus promoting the European approach to tech regulation in the world stage.

Press material Friday 8 December 2023

● Council of the EU   08/12/2023 21:30 | Press release | Council approves EU-UK fishing deal for 2024   The Council has approved an agreement reached with the United Kingdom which secures the fishing rights of EU fishers in the Atlantic and the North Sea. The timely conclusion of the annual consultations for 2024 will ensure stability and certainty for EU fishers and for the industry. "Our agreement with the United Kingdom secures important fishing opportunities for our fishers and was reached thanks to the good will demonstrated by both parties during the negotiations. We have ensured that our fishing rights in the Atlantic and the North Sea will continue to be protected in the coming year and we are living up to our sustainability commitments." Luis Planas Puchades, Spanish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food The agreement in detail The agreement reached in the EU-UK annual consultations determines fishing rights for 2024 for around 100 shared fish stocks, in particular the total allowable catches (TACs), that is, the maximum quantities of fish from specific stocks that can be caught, and each party's respective fishing rights. This agreement is part of the annual process of setting fishing opportunities in EU and non-EU waters for the coming year and it was endorsed via a written procedure. At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting which will take place on 10 and 11 December, the figures for stocks shared with the UK will become part of the main regulation on fishing opportunities for the Atlantic and the North Sea. That regulation also covers stocks that the EU manages on its own or via agreements reached in the regional fisheries management organisations, in addition to the stocks shared with the UK and other third parties. The EU and the UK based their agreement on the best scientific advice available, provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The deal reached by the two parties is also in line with the objectives of the EU's common fisheries policy and of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement concluded with the UK. For stocks with no ICES advice, the EU and the UK agreed to work together to improve the availability of data to inform future scientific advice. On stocks with zero catch advice, delegations agreed that it would be appropriate to establish specific TACs for by-catches (species that are caught unintentionally, while fishing for other specific species). The level of these TACs has been set to ensure that fishing mortality does not increase and that the stock can be rebuilt. For some stocks a small TAC was set to allow continued monitoring of the stock. In line with scientific advice, below are some of the stocks for which the EU and the UK agreed to decrease the TACs for 2024, compared to 2023: haddock in the Irish Sea (-14.5%) haddock in the Celtic Sea (-30.6%) whiting in the Celtic Sea (-50%) plaice by-catches in the English Channel (-42%) Below are some examples of stocks for which the EU and the UK agreed to increase the TACs for 2024, compared to 2023: whiting in the West of Scotland (+20%) megrims in the North Sea (+9.6%) Background 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 North Sea. Under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, both parties agree to hold annual consultations with a view to determining TACs and quotas for the following year. Consultations are led by the Commission and take into account a number of factors, including: international obligations ensuring the long-term sustainability of fishing, in line with the EU's common fisheries policy the best available scientific advice; when this is not available, a precautionary approach is taken the need to protect the livelihoods of fishers The agreement includes a licensing system for fishing vessels through which mutual access to each other’s waters is granted. The Council receives regular updates on the progress of the negotiations and its role is to: provide guidance to the Commission on the EU's position approve the final agreement on the annual TACs and quotas before the formal conclusion of the consultations with the United Kingdom Next steps During the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting which will take place on 10 and 11 December, ministers will aim to reach a political agreement on the overall fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 2024, and in some cases also for 2025 and 2026. The figures for the EU-UK shared stocks will become part of that political agreement. Subsequently, the text of the political agreement will be finalised by the Council's legal and linguistic experts. After this, the regulation will be formally adopted by the Council and published in the Official Journal. The provisions will apply from 1 January 2024. Bilateral EU-UK consultations on fishing opportunities for 2024 - Signed written record Bilateral EU-UK consultations on fishing opportunities for 2024 - Signed written record (Addendum) EU-UK total allowable catches 2024 – table Management of the EU's fish stocks (background information) Fish stocks shared between the EU and the United Kingdom (background information)

Press material Friday 8 December 2023

● General Secretariat   08/12/2023 18:25 | Press release | Forward look: 11 - 24 December 2023   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 10-11 December 2023 Fisheries ministers will aim to reach 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 will also discuss the market situation and exchange views on the first year of implementation of the CAP strategic plans. Additionally, the Council will address the new genomic techniques regulation, the sustainable use of pesticides regulation, and the proposals for plant reproductive material and for forest reproductive material. Read more Foreign Affairs Council, 11 December 2023 The Foreign Affairs Council, chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, will start at 9.30 with an informal exchange of views with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba. The Council will then hold discussions on the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the situation in Israel and int region, and the Sahel. The Council meeting will be preceded by an informal breakfast with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, and followed by the Eastern Partnership Ministerial meeting. Read more General Affairs Council, 12 December 2023 The Council will focus on preparations for the December European Council, enlargement, annual rule of law dialogue, and managing demographic change in Europe. Ministers will also take stock of negotiations for an association agreement with Andorra and San Marino and discuss Spain’s request to amend regulation no 1/1958. Read more EU-Western Balkans summit, 13 December 2023 27 EU and 6 Western Balkans leaders will meet in Brussels one year after the 2022 summit in Tirana. They will discuss the strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans region, bringing about even closer ties and more integrated cooperation with the EU, based on shared principles and values. Read more European Council, 14-15 December 2023 EU leaders will address Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in all its dimensions, the situation in the Middle East, enlargement, the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, progress in the implementation of previous conclusions on security and defence, as well as specific foreign policy issues. Read more Environment Council, 18 December 2023 EU environment ministers will seek a general approach on a proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste that would replace the existing directive. Ministers will also hold policy debates on a proposed directive on soil monitoring and resilience and a recently adopted regulation proposal for an EU forest monitoring framework, following a presentation on the latter by the Commission. Under other business, the Commission and the presidency will report to the ministers on the main recent international meetings, including COP28. Read more Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 19 December 2023 Ministers will seek political agreement to extend three emergency Council regulations, adopted in December 2022 under Article 122 TFEU. The emergency measures were adopted last year following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in order to enhance solidarity between member states, accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and protect the EU’s citizens from excessively high energy prices. Under other business, the presidency will inform ministers about current legislative proposals. The Commission will provide ministers with information on recent developments in the field of external energy relations, winter preparedness, its assessment of the draft update national energy and climate plans, and the urgency of implementing the renewables directive and the energy efficiency directive. Lithuania will inform ministers about persistent concerns over nuclear safety and transparency upon the start of the commercial operation of the second Belarusian NPP unit. Belgium will present the work programme of the incoming presidency. Read more Other events Eastern Partnership Foreign Affairs Ministerial meeting, 11 December 2023 Indicative calendar of meetings under the Spanish presidency (1 July - 31 December 2023) Spanish presidency website

Press material Friday 8 December 2023

● Council of the EU   08/12/2023 18:13 | Press release | EU takes important step towards digitalisation of justice systems   The Council today paved the way for advancing the digitalisation of EU member states’ justice systems and for making them more accessible and effective. The adoption of a regulation on the digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation and access to justice and of an accompanying directive will facilitate electronic communication in the context of cross-border judicial cooperation procedures in civil, commercial and criminal matters. Today’s adoption comes just days after EU ministers of justice approved an e-Justice Strategy for the years 2024 to 2028. The strategy will give guidance to member states in implementing a broad range of legislative and non-legislative initiatives which, together, aim at speeding up the digitalisation process and the use of digital services in the justice area. "A more digitalised judicial system will be more effective and accessible for citizens. Today’s decision will make it easier for citizens and authorities to communicate with each other and exchange information when legal procedures take place in more than one EU country." Félix Bolaños, Spanish minister of justice Electronic communication in cross-border judicial cooperation Thanks to the two EU legislative acts adopted today, citizens and their legal representatives will be able to communicate with authorities – for instance to file claims, send and receive relevant information – in cross-border procedures in the EU through a European electronic access point. Authorities will also be able to communicate with each other and exchange case-related data through secure, reliable digital channels. The new rules will allow the participation by parties and other relevant persons in oral hearings in civil, commercial and criminal proceedings by means of videoconferencing or other distance communication technologies electronic communication between natural or legal persons or their representatives and competent authorities the recognition of documents with electronic signatures or seals the payment of fees through electronic means e-Justice strategy In addition to the regulation and the directive that the Council adopted today, the EU has adopted, in the past few years, several legislative initiatives in the field of digitalisaton of justice, such as the regulation on a computerised system for the cross-border electronic exchange of data in the area of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters (e-CODEX system), that provided an appropriate framework for exchanging judicial information through secure services; the Service of Documents and Taking of Evidence Regulations establishing the use of the decentralised IT system with interoperable access points based on e-CODEX for relevant communications; or the e-evidence regulation which will make it easier and faster for law enforcement and judicial authorities to obtain electronic evidence from another member state. All these initiatives will require substantial technical and administrative follow-up actions at national level. To support member states with this task, the Council recently approved an e-Justice Strategy 2024-2028. The strategy not only describes the principles and objectives for the development of e-justice for the next 5 years. It also sets out actions that member states and the EU should undertake to achieve these objectives. Next steps The regulation will enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the EU and will apply 15 months after this entry into force. The directive requires the transposition into national law. European e-Justice Strategy 2024-2028, 17 November 2023 A digital future for Europe (background information) Regulation on the digitalisation of judicial cooperation and access to justice, legislative act, 29 November 2023 Directive as regards the digitalisation of judicial cooperation, legislative act, 29 November 2023

Meetings Friday 8 December 2023

● Council of the EU   08/12/2023 17:30 | MEETING | Main results - Competitiveness Council (Research and space), 8 December 2023   Ministers responsible for research and space met in Brussels to adopt conclusions on The impact of research and innovation in policy making, and on Space traffic management. Research ministers reached a political agreement on a recommendation European framework to attract and retain research innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe.

Press material Friday 8 December 2023

● Council of the EU   08/12/2023 14:48 | Press release | Fight against terrorism: Council adds two individuals to the EU terrorist list in response to the 7 October attacks   The Council decided to add two individuals to the EU terrorist list. This decision comes as part of European Union’s response to the threat posed by Hamas and its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks in Israel on 7 October 2023. These sanctions are effective as of today. The two individuals designated today are Mohammed Deif, Commander General of the military wing of Hamas (« Brigades Ezzedin al-Qassam ») since 2002, and Marwan Issa, the deputy Commander of the military wing of Hamas. Following their listing, the two individuals are subject to the freezing of their funds and other financial assets in EU member states. It is also prohibited for EU operators to make funds and economic resources available to them. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background The EU terrorist list, i.e. the sanctions regime set out in Common Position 2001/931/CFSP is separate from the EU regime implementing UN Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) and targeting Al-Qaida and ISIL/Da'esh. The EU may also apply restrictive measures autonomously to ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaida and persons and entities associated with or supporting them. Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2764 of 7 December 2023 amending the list of persons, groups and entities subject to Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism (including the list of sanctioned individuals and entities) Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2765 of 7 December 2023 implementing Article 2(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism EU terrorist list (background information) How and when the EU adopts sanctions (webpage)

Meetings Friday 8 December 2023

● Council of the EU   08/12/2023 14:17 | MEETING | Main results - Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 8 December 2023   The Council discussed the proposed reform of the economic governance framework. Ministers adopted implementing decisions approving modified recovery and resilience plans, submitted by 13 member states. The presidency presented progress reports on own resources and the single currency package. Ministers discussed the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the European Semester.

Press material Friday 8 December 2023

● Council of the EU   08/12/2023 13:51 | Press release | Democratic Republic of the Congo: Council renews EU restrictive measures for one year   The Council today renewed its restrictive measures in view of the gravity of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for an additional year, until 12 December 2024. 24 individuals are currently subject to an asset freeze and travel ban to the EU. Additionally, the provision of funds, other financial assets or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for their benefit is prohibited. These measures shall be renewed, or amended as appropriate, if the Council deems that their objectives have not been met. The Council will continue closely monitoring the situation in the country. It stands ready to list any person obstructing a consensual and peaceful solution towards the upocoming elections in the DRC, including by acts of violence, repression or inciting violence, or by undermining the rule of law or involved in serious human rights violations or abuses, as well as those responsible for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity, or for inciting violence. The Council is also ready to list those exploiting the fragile situation in the DRC, including through the illicit exploitation of or trade in natural resources and wildlife. Background EU autonomous individual restrictive measures in view of the situation in the DRC were adopted by the Council for the first time in 2016 in response, in particular, to human rights violations and obstructing a consensual and peaceful solution towards elections in DRC, including by acts of violence, repression or inciting violence, or by undermining the rule of law. On 5 December 2022, the Council decided to amend the designation criteria in Decision 2010/788/CFSP to allow for the application of individual restrictive measures against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies that sustain, support or benefit from the armed conflict, instability or insecurity in the DRC, as well as those responsible for inciting violence, or exploiting the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC, including through the illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources. On 8 December 2022, the Council renewed restrictive measures for a further year and added 8 new individuals. Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 28 August 2023 Democratic Republic of the Congo: EU renews restrictive measures and adds eight additional individuals (press release, 8 December 2022) EU Delegation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Press material Friday 8 December 2023

● Council of the EU   08/12/2023 10:34 | Press release | Council reaches political agreement on how to keep, attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe   The Council has reached today a political agreement on a recommendation to provide further support to researchers and research careers in the European Union and to contribute to a more attractive, open and sustainable European labour market for researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, also appealing for foreign talents. It is part of an array of EU acts that, for the past two decades, have been putting in place the European Research Area (ERA) and implementing the ERA Policy Agenda. Today’s political agreement updates the R1-R4 profiles for researchers, introduced in 2011, and introduces the European Charter for Researchers, which is a revision of the 2005 European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. "With this act, we are setting up standards that will guide Member States, research organisations, funders and stakeholders in increasing stability and attractiveness of research careers in Europe. To reach this goal we need to better coordinate our national policies on Research and Innovation; and we also need to involve all talented researchers, regardless of gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, socioeconomic origin or any other circumstances by effectively addressing persisting inequalities in research careers." Diana Morant Ripoll, Spanish Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities Recommendation content The recommendation aims at retaining talented researchers in the Union, and at making Europe an attractive destination for research talents from around the world. It revisits the definition of ‘researcher’ and the description of the activities that researchers undertake, ensuring that it encompasses the widest range of career options. It seeks to promote inter-sectorial and interdisciplinary careers, entrepreneurship and innovation by properly acknowledging the relevance of all the different career paths for researchers, including academia, business, public administration, or the non-profit sector. More specifically, the recommendation aims at: improving researchers’ overall working conditions and environment, ensuring a work-life balance, and countering precarity promoting adequate social protection measures, with a particular focus on early-career researchers fostering inter-sectoral mobility and a real flow of talents among sectors by equipping researchers with transversal skills, in addition to strong research skills and contributing to addressing the market demand for highly-skilled talents addressing persisting inequalities in research careers (e.g. based on gender, age, ethnic, national or social origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, language, disability, political opinion, social or economic condition) and market challenges (e.g. lack of intersectoral mobility opportunities) The recommendation also revises the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, dating back to 2005, and encourages all organisations employing or providing funding for researchers to endorse the new “European Charter for Researchers” thereby introduced. Finally, the recommendation frames the profiles of researchers under four profile groups and suggests examples of occupations across these profiles. Additionally, it brings forward the significance of research managers’ and research technicians’ careers and their key role in the performance of high-level research and innovation. Background The Council recommendation 2005/251/EC on the European Charter for Researchers and on a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers provided support for researchers and research careers in the Union over several years. The Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers have been reference points for researchers and employers or funders of researchers, contributing to strengthening the European Research Area. However, outstanding issues that require more targeted and effective measures remain. Across Europe, researchers (especially early-career researchers) often find themselves in a precarious position regarding employment and working conditions. Salaries, social protection and working conditions can vary significantly depending on the sponsoring funding body. Furthermore, there has been a lack of significant progress in supporting the transition of researchers to broader employment sectors outside academia, or towards the creation of own start-ups and innovation. This is largely due to the narrow means of assessing researchers based on exclusively peer-reviewed publications. As a consequence, it is difficult for researchers to engage in activities such as open science, inter-sectoral mobility and entrepreneurship, citizen science and outreach, as these activities will likely not be beneficial for an academic career. Moreover, most PhD candidates are trained in an exclusively academic environment, which is not necessarily conducive to alternative careers in other sectors. Other issues include the asymmetric mobility of researchers from East to West and South to North, as well as persisting gender inequalities. Proposal for a Council recommendation on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe 2005/251/EC recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers European Research Area (background information)

Press material Friday 8 December 2023

● European Council   08/12/2023 11:03 | Media advisory | Press briefing before the EU-Western Balkans summit followed by briefing on the European Council meeting of 13-15 December 2023   The press briefings ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit of 13 December 2023 and ahead of the European Council meeting of 14-15 December 2023 will take place on Monday 11 December 2023 starting at 14.00. These briefings will be "off the record". The press briefings will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either in person at the Justus Lipsius press room or remotely. To attend the event remotely, please use this form to register and have the possibility to ask questions. EU accredited journalists who already registered for previous high level press events in 2022 and 2023 do not need to do it again. • Deadline for registration: Monday 11 December 2023 at 13.00. Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Press material Saturday 9 December 2023   ● Council of the EU   09/12/2023 14:14 | Press release | Human Rights Day: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union   On Human Rights Day, the European Union joins the world in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document laid the foundation for our global human rights system as well as national laws and international treaties protecting and promoting human rights, including the ECHR in Europe. It remains as valid and crucial today as it was 75 years ago. Human rights transcend borders and cultures. They are inherent to every individual human being without distinction. While substantial progress has been achieved over the past 75 years, crises continue to multiply, and too often it is women, children and persons in vulnerable situations bearing the heaviest burden of the consequences of war and conflict. Respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights is essential for fostering justice and accountability, and to end impunity. This is one of the founding values and principles of the EU. Promoting universal respect for human rights is also a key priority of EU external action, on which we are steadfastly committed. The EU will also continue to condemn human rights violations and abuses, breaches of international humanitarian law, discrimination, shrinking civic space and attacks on democracy and media freedom wherever they occur. Together with the 75th year of UDHR, we also mark the 30th year of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and 25th year of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders acknowledging their crucial role as actors of positive change working for the promotion and realisation of human rights. The UDHR remains more relevant than ever standing us in good stead for another 75 years and beyond as we apply its principles to meet the current challenges in our ever more digital world already grappling with the impacts of climate change. It is our collective duty to uphold and advance the human rights of each and every person around the globe. As we celebrate this milestone, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to the UN Charter standing together with the United Nations and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as all multilateral and regional organisations, in advancing the full realisation human rights worldwide. In line with the objective of leaving no one behind, the EU also reaffirms its commitment to promoting a human rights-based approach to development cooperation. Human rights are not mere words on paper; they are universally applicable legal norms. They are the foundation of peace and the avenue toward a more just, equal and inclusive society for today, tomorrow and generations to come.