EUROGROUP,COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

Meetings Monday 4 December 2023

● Eurogroup   04/12/2023 17:17 | MEETING | Agenda highlights - Eurogroup, 7 December 2023   The Eurogroup will review the economic and fiscal situation of the euro area member states, based on the European Commission’s opinions on their draft budgetary plans, and exchange first views on the euro area recommendation published with the autumn package. Ministers will also take stock of the European Stability Mechanism treaty ratification and discuss the future of European capital and financial markets.

Press material Tuesday 5 December 2023

● Council of the EU   05/12/2023 10:48 | Press release | Gigabit infrastructure act: Council adopts position for faster deployment of high-speed networks in the EU   To accelerate the deployment of gigabit network infrastructure across Europe, the Council adopted its common position (general approach) on the Commission proposal to replace the 2014 broadband cost-reducing directive (BCRD) by the gigabit infrastructure act (GIA). GIA is an essential piece of legislation to achieve Europe’s connectivity objectives and targets as set out in the EU’s digital compass for this decade, the so-called ‘Digital decade policy programme’, adopted by the co-legislators last year, and to deploy the next generation electronic communications networks in the EU. "With this decision, we took an important step in accelerating the deployment of high-speed broadband infrastructure across the EU. Once the new rules are adopted and put in force, we will be able to effectively respond to our citizens’ and businesses’ ever-increasing need to access networks with much higher capacity than today." María González Veracruz, Spanish Secretary of state for telecommunications and digital infrastructures Main objectives of the proposal The Commission proposal aims to lower the unnecessarily high costs of the electronic communication infrastructure deployment, partially caused by the permit-granting procedures before deploying or upgrading the networks. These procedures are still complex, sometimes lengthy, and different across member states. The proposal also aims to speed up the deployment of the networks, provide legal certainty and transparency for all economic actors involved, and provide for more efficient planning and deployment processes for operators of public electronic communications networks. This proposal of minimum harmonisation nature also addresses deployment and access to in-building physical infrastructure. It is expected to facilitate cross-border applications and to allow stakeholders, electronic communications operators, equipment manufacturers or civil engineering companies, to achieve better economies of scale. The Council’s amendments The Council’s common positions maintains the general thrust of the Commission proposal. However, based on numerous requests by member states, the Council amended some aspects of the proposal, as follows: the notion of ‘tacit approval’ was deleted an exception for a transitional period for smaller municipalities was included the factors when calculating fair conditions for access were clarified it was also clarified that not only fibre can be used to reach very high capacity a number of carve-outs for critical national infrastructure were included in the text. The text of the Council’s position ensures overall that member states have a wide autonomy in issuing more detailed rules and can go further on several important elements of this new regulation establishing a minimum harmonisation on measures to reduce the cost of gigabit electronic communications networks.

Press material Tuesday 5 December 2023

● Council of the EU   05/12/2023 11:22 | Press release | Victims of terrorism: Council stresses need to improve support and recognition   The Council approved conclusions on improving support and recognition of victims of terrorism. The conclusions highlight that the fight against terrorism must be approached not only from a security perspective but also by focusing on the people directly affected by terrorist acts. "The act of terrorism has a devastating effect on people. Support for the victims of terrorism is essential for their healing process. It is also indispensable for making our societies more resilient." Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez, Spanish minister of the interior In order to advance the support, assistance and protection of victims of terrorism, the conclusions encourage a swift adoption of the targeted revision of the victims’ rights directive – currently on the Council table – and the adoption of measures to ensure recognition and respect for the victims of terrorism, including by promoting training for professionals dealing with them. Remembrance policies The conclusions highlight that the remembrance of the victims of terrorism is critical for their recovery process, to foster social cohesion and for the defence of democratic values. They also point to the fact that victims must have a central role in remembrance policies because their testimonies are a powerful tool to raise awareness of the human consequences of terrorism and to prevent radicalisation. Member states are hence invited to promote victims of terrorism policies so that their physical and psychological suffering is not forgotten and that those policies can also be used as an instrument to prevent violent radicalisation. National contact points In 2018, the Council called on member states to put in place a national contact point responsible for the provision of information for victims of terrorism. These contact points are organised in an EU-wide network, which facilitates the exercise of cross-border victims’ rights. The conclusions recall that preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack should also extend to anticipating support for the victims, in particular by nominating a single point of contact for victims of terrorism. Background In the EU, a directive on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime ensures that persons who have fallen victim to crime are recognised and treated with respect. The law stipulates that they must receive proper protection, support and access to justice. It also obliges EU countries to ensure appropriate training on victims' needs for officials who are likely to come into contact with victims. On 12 July 2023, the Commission proposed to amend the victims’ rights directive. This update is now being discussed within the Council and the European Parliament. For victims of certain crimes, such as terrorism, the EU has put additional measures in place to respond more directly to their specific needs. The counter-terrorism directive provides victims of terrorism with additional rights to support, protection and assistance that respond. The European Commission has also set up an EU centre of expertise for victims of terrorism to offer expertise, guidance and support to national authorities and victim support organisations. It helps to ensure that national structures offer professional assistance and support to victims of terrorism in every EU country. Council Conclusions on improving support and recognition of victims of terrorism, 5 December 2023 EU Centre of expertise for victims of terrorism (European Commission ●  Council of the EU 05/12/2023  | MEETING | Background brief - Competitiveness Council of 7 and 8 December 2023 Background brief - Competitiveness Council of 7 and 8 December 2023 Meeting pages: Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry), 7 December 2023 Competitiveness Council (Research and space), 8 December 2023 Meetings Monday 4 December 2023   ● Council of the EU   04/12/2023 20:11 | MEETING | Main results - Justice and Home Affairs Council, 4-5 December 2023   Justice ministers, meeting in Brussels today, reached a common position on an EU law about the transfer of proceedings in criminal matters. They also debated a proposal to amend and strengthen existing rules on victims' rights. The European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO) and the Council position on the application of the GDPR also featured on the agenda.

Press material Monday 4 December 2023

● Council of the EU   04/12/2023 18:32 | Press release | EU-Chile: Council adopts decisions for a modernised association agreement   The Council today adopted two decisions to sign the Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA) and the interim Trade Agreement (iTA) with Chile, which together constitute an updated version of the EU-Chile Association Agreement currently in place. The new agreement will strengthen EU-Chile political and economic relations and deepen cooperation and trade. It will help to jointly address new global challenges such as the repercussions of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including global inflation, supply chain disruptions and the energy crisis. "The EU-Chile Trade Agreement will reinforce the EU's open strategic autonomy and economic security, strengthening the resilience of supply chains and diversifying imports of key inputs for the green transition as well as export opportunities for European companies." Nadia Calviño, Spanish Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprise "The updated Association Agreement with Chile is another step forward in the strengthening of relations between the EU and Latin America. It addresses the changes that have occurred since the signing of the current Association Agreement and the emergence of new global challenges. It will intensify political cooperation between two like-minded partners and deepen trade and investment relations between the EU and Latin America's fifth largest economy, opening up new opportunities for European and Chilean companies." José Manuel Albares, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation The Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA) consists of political and cooperation and trade and investment components. The interim Trade Agreement (iTA) deals with trade and investment liberalisation, those elements of the trade and investment component of the AFA that fall exclusively within the EU’s competence, while investment protection provisions are covered by the Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA). This means that the iTA will only need be ratified by the EU and not by the individual member states. The iTA will expire when the AFA, subject to ratification by all member states, enters into force. Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA) The agreement is founded on shared universal values such as democracy and human rights. It includes cooperation in areas such as health, the environment, climate change, ocean governance, energy, tax, education and culture, labour, employment and social affairs, science and technology and transport. It also addresses legal cooperation, the rule of law, money laundering and terrorist financing, organised crime and corruption. Finally, the AFA covers the EU’s standard clauses on the International Criminal Court (ICC), Weapons of Mass Destructions (WMD), Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and counter-terrorism. The trade component of the AFA broadens the scope of the current bilateral trade framework and adjusts it to the new political and economic global challenges, to the new reality of the EU-Chile partnership and to the level of ambition of recently concluded trade agreements and negotiations conducted by the EU and Chile. Interim Trade Agreement (iTA) The EU is Chile’s third-largest trade partner. Around 99.9% of EU exports will be tariff free on the entry into force of the agreement, which is expected to increase EU exports to Chile by up to EUR 4.5 billion. The agreement will bring greater access to raw materials and clean fuel such as lithium, copper and hydrogen, which are crucial for the transition to the green economy. It will also make it easier for EU companies to provide their services in Chile, including in delivery, telecommunications, maritime transport and financial services. It will provide the same treatment for EU investors in Chile as for Chilean investors and will give EU companies improved access to Chilean government procurement contracts for goods, services, works and works concessions, and vice versa. The agreement includes a dedicated chapter on small and medium-sized enterprises in order to help ensure that smaller businesses fully benefit from the agreement, including by cutting red tape. Next steps The signing ceremony of the agreements is expected to take place in mid-December. The European Parliament will then be asked to give its consent, so that the Council can adopt the decisions to conclude the agreements. Once both sides have completed their internal procedures, the agreement can enter into force. Background The current Association Agreement between the EU and Chile entered into force on 1 March 2005. At a meeting held alongside the EU-CELAC Summit that took place in Santiago on 26-27 January 2013, leaders from the EU and Chile agreed to explore options to update the agreement in order to further improve political and economic relations and to deepen cooperation and trade. The EU and Chile reached the political conclusion of the negotiations on 9 December 2022 in Brussels. EU-Chile trade relations (background information) EU-Chile - Advanced Framework Agreement | EEAS (background information) EU-Chile: Factsheets and guides (background information) The EU-Chile Agreement explained (background information)

Meetings Monday 4 December 2023

● Council of the EU   04/12/2023 17:58 | MEETING | Main results - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport), 4 December 2023   The Council agreed a general approach on two proposals of the ‘road safety’ package (driving licences and cross-border exchange of information on road safety-related traffic offences), four proposals of the ‘maritime safety’ package (port State control, ship-source pollution, compliance with flag State requirements and accidents investigation in the maritime sector), as well as a revised regulation on drivers’ working time in occasional passenger transport services, and a regulation on the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of the transport services. Ministers also took note of a progress report on a proposal to revise the directive on weights and dimensions for heavy duty vehicles, discussed the state of play of current legislative files, including the revised regulation on the trans-European transport networks (TEN-T) and the single European sky regulations (SESII+ package), and held an informal lunch on the financing of transport infrastructures.

Press material Monday 4 December 2023

● Council of the EU   04/12/2023 16:24 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Competitiveness Council of 7 and 8 December 2023   The press briefing ahead of the Competitiveness Council will take place on Tuesday, 5 December at 14.00. 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 Competitiveness Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Tuesday, 5 December 2023, 13.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry), 7 December 2023 – Meeting page Competitiveness Council (Research and space), 8 December 2023 - Meeting page

Press material Monday 4 December 2023

● Council of the EU   04/12/2023 15:19 | Press release | Green freight package: Council adopts its position on the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of transport services   To support Europe’s shift towards greener transport and achieve the EU’s objectives towards climate neutrality, the Council adopted its common position (general approach) on new rules for the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of transport services. "Today, we accomplished an important step to decarbonise transport services in Europe. Once adopted, the new common standards for counting greenhouse gas emissions will facilitate the transport sector’s shift to greener solutions and empower our citizens to make informed choices towards more sustainable means of transport." Óscar Puente, Spanish minister of transport and sustainable mobility Main objectives of the proposal Submitted as part of the ‘greening freight transport’ legislative package, the draft regulation mainly aims to improve the calculation and information on the greenhouse gas emissions of transport services so that customers can choose the most sustainable transport options. The draft regulation sets out a common regulatory framework, based on an ISO standard, for greenhouse gas emissions accounting of transport services across the entire multimodal transport chain, thus creating a level playing field between modes, segments, and the EU’s national networks. The draft regulation does not make greenhouse gas emissions calculation or reporting mandatory but requires complying with the regulation when disclosing data or if such calculation and disclosure are required by applicable national law. It is designed to support companies that calculate and report greenhouse gas emissions of their transport operations on a voluntary or contractual basis, or when required by other specific measures taken by industry and public authorities. The Council’s main amendments The general thrust of the Commission’s proposal was retained in the Council’s common position. The Council introduced, however, some amendments to the proposal, mainly aiming to: prevent duplication of rules for the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions under several pieces of EU legislation facilitate implementation of the regulation by SMEs establish comprehensive and precise databases of default values for emission intensity and emission factors allow member states to apply stricter rules on domestic transport operations, except those carried out by SMEs. Finally, the Council has also amended certain empowerments of the Commission so that member states will be closely involved in the implementation of the regulation. Next steps Following today’s adoption of the Council’s negotiating mandate (general approach), the incoming presidency will be able to enter talks with the European Parliament (‘trilogues’) once the latter agrees its own position. Background information The draft regulation on the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of the transport services forms part of the ‘greening freight transport’ legislative package, proposed by the Commission in the context of the European climate law to improve the performance of freight transport and contribute to achieve EU’s climate neutrality by 2050. The specific proposal is an important element of the transport sector’s contribution to this objective. It has been structured into seven main policy areas: Methodology: the new ISO standard 14083:2023 was chosen as being the most relevant and proportionate in achieving EU objectives. This standard is recognised worldwide, thus creating the opportunity for global alignment Input data and sources: to ensure comparable and accurate greenhouse gas emissions calculation outputs, the use of primary data should be prioritised. A core EU database of default values should be created, with other relevant databases and datasets run by third parties should be allowed, on the condition that they undergo a specific quality check at EU level Applicability: the draft regulation imposes the requirement to use the common framework only when an entity providing or organising a transport service chooses or is mandated by other means to both calculate and disclose greenhouse gas emissions data for this service Greenhouse gas emissions output data and transparency: setting appropriate harmonised metrics for generating and sharing the greenhouse gas emissions data and laying down common rules on the communication and transparency of emissions accounting results Implementation support: providing for a harmonised implementation of this initiative in different transport segments, notably through general guidelines clarifying and explaining certain parts of the initiative to the different stakeholders Conformity: ensuring a common and reliable verification system for the data on greenhouse gas emissions of transport services and for the underlying calculation processes for large entities, while allowing SMEs to use the verification voluntarily Complementary measures – the use of external calculation tools is allowed, on the condition that these are formally certified On 12 July 2023, the Commission submitted this proposal together with two draft regulations on the weights and dimensions for heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) and on a more efficient use of railway capacity. The legislative package was completed with the presentation of the combined transport directive (CTD) by the Commission on 7 November 2023. Regulation on the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of transport services, Council’s general approach, 4 December 2023 Regulation on the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of transport services, Commission’s proposal, 12 July 2023

Press material Monday 4 December 2023

● Council of the EU   04/12/2023 14:42 | Press release | EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime: restrictive measures prolonged   The Council today prolonged the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime – targeting individuals and entities responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide - for three years, until 8 December 2026. Existing restrictive measures (sanctions) will continue to be reviewed annually. Sanctions currently apply to 67 natural and legal persons and 20 entities. Those targeted by restrictive measures are subject to a travel ban to the EU, as well as an asset freeze. Additionally, persons and entities in the EU are forbidden from making funds available to those listed. Today's decision confirms the EU's commitment to denounce human rights violations and abuses wherever they occur, making use of all instruments while reasserting that human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, established on 7 December 2020, enables the EU to target individuals, entities and bodies – including state and non-state actors – responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. The EU follows the developments in this domain closely and, as a result, ensures that the listings are kept under constant review. Consolidated text: Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 of 7 December 2020 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses, including a list of sanctioned individuals and entities to 8 Sept. 2023 Human rights violations: EU restrictive measures prolonged for a further year, press release 5 December 2022 EU adopts a global human rights sanctions regime, press release 7 December 2020

Press material Monday 4 December 2023

● Council of the EU   04/12/2023 13:23 | Press release | Criminal investigations: Council reaches position on the transfer of proceedings between member states   Today the Council agreed its negotiating position (general approach) on a proposed EU law related to the transfer of proceedings in criminal matters. The proposal aims to prevent unnecessary parallel proceedings and to contribute to the efficient and proper administration of criminal justice in the member states. "The fact that a criminal act impacts several EU countries can make prosecution more demanding. This is why our judicial systems must adapt to the new challenges of cross-border crime. This member state position is an important step to make the EU justice system more effective and to better protect fundamental rights." Félix Bolaños, Spanish minister for justice Improving the administration of justice This regulation, once adopted, will lay down rules on the transfer of criminal proceedings between member states. It will improve the respect of fundamental rights in the process of transferring criminal proceedings and boost efficiency and legal certainty. It will also help prevent impunity when the surrender of a person to another member state under a European Arrest Warrant is refused. Common rules for the transfer of proceedings In the future, the authorities of a country will decide to request the transfer of proceedings (to another country) on the basis of a list of common criteria. These criteria include: the criminal offence has been committed on the territory of the member state to which the proceedings are to be transferred one or more suspects or accused persons are nationals of or residents in that member state one or more suspects or accused persons are present in the member state to which the proceedings are to be transferred most of the evidence relevant to the investigation or the majority of the relevant witnesses are located/reside in that member state The regulation also comes with obligations with respect to the rights for the suspects and accused persons as well as victims when deciding on a transfer. The country that has been asked to transfer the proceedings must inform the other country about its decision – whether to accept or refuse the transfer – no later than 60 days after it has received the request. This time limit may be extended by a maximum of 30 days. Right to an effective legal remedy Suspects, accused persons and victims will have the right to an effective legal remedy against the decision to accept the transfer of criminal proceedings. They will be able to exercise this right in the country to which the criminal proceedings are transferred. There will be a time limit for seeking legal remedy of no longer than 20 days from the date of receipt of the decision to accept the transfer of criminal proceedings. The Council has agreed that the final decision on the legal remedy must be taken without undue delay and, where possible, within 60 days. Next steps Based on the position agreed on today, the Council will be able to start negotiations with the European Parliament – once they have settled on their position – in order to decide on a common legal text. Background With the expansion of cross-border crime, criminal justice in the EU has increasingly been confronted with situations where several member states have jurisdiction to prosecute the same case. This is particularly true for crimes committed by organised criminal groups. Rules on the transfer of criminal proceedings could help clarify which member state would be best placed to conduct a criminal proceeding. However, there are currently no EU level rules which regulate the transfer of criminal proceedings. Instead, member states must rely on the 1959 European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. In 2009, member states negotiated a framework decision on the transfer of criminal proceedings. These negotiations were discontinued when the Lisbon Treaty – which gave more competences to the EU in police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters – entered into force. A proposal for an EU law on this matter was eventually presented by the Commission on 5 April 2023. The EU’s fight against organised crime (background information)

Press material Monday 4 December 2023

● Council of the EU   04/12/2023 13:00 | Press release | Maritime safety: Council adopts positions to support clean and modern shipping in the EU   The Council has adopted a set of positions (general approaches) on four Commission proposals in the ‘maritime safety’ legislative package, namely those amending: the 2009 directive on port state control the 2005 directive on ship-source pollution the 2009 directive on compliance with flag state requirements, and the 2009 directive on the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector "We have worked hard and managed to agree on these proposals in record time in the Council. Today’s decisions set the baselines for safer and cleaner maritime transport in Europe. We hope to make as much progress as possible in our talks with the Parliament on these important laws by the end of the year." Óscar Puente, Spanish minister of transport and sustainable mobility The proposed revised directives have to achieve a careful balance between, on the one hand, the need to ensure a high standard of shipping and, on the other, the need to safeguard the competitiveness of the European shipping sector, while also maintaining reasonable costs for operators and member states' administrations. Directive on port state control The proposal to amend the directive on port state control aims to: update EU legislation and align it with international rules and procedures as set out in the Paris memorandum of understanding (MoU) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions protect fishing vessels, their crews and the environment, including by introducing a voluntary inspections regime for larger fishing vessels (more than 24 metres in length) ensure an efficient and harmonised approach to carrying out port state control inspections The general thrust of the Commission proposal has been retained in the Council’s position. However, the Council proposes a number of changes, most of them aiming to ensure clarity and coherence with international rules and procedures, especially those of the Paris MoU. The provisions regarding landlocked countries are also clarified to avoid imposing a disproportionate administrative burden on member states that do not have seaports. Directive on ship-source pollution The main aims of the revision of the directive on ship-source pollution are to: extend the scope of the directive to cover illegal discharges of harmful substances in packaged form, sewage, garbage and discharged waters and residues establish a strengthened legal framework for penalties and their application, enabling national authorities to take adequate action in the event of illegal discharge and impose administrative penalties separate the administrative sanctions regime from the criminal sanctions regime enshrined in the new draft environmental crimes directive The general thrust of the Commission proposal was welcomed and has been retained in the Council’s position. However, the Council has introduced a number of changes to ensure clarity and coherence with international rules and procedures, in particular those of the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MARPOL). Furthermore, the Council has indicated more clearly that the proposal concerns administrative penalties only, taking into account the differing legal systems in the member states. Finally, more flexibility has been introduced as regards member states’ obligations to verify and report pollution incidents, to avoid imposing an excessive administrative burden and in recognition of member states’ diverse situations in terms of geographical location, resources and capabilities. Directive on compliance with flag state requirements The existing directive aims to ensure that member states have adequate resources to carry out their obligations as flag states correctly, effectively and consistently. The specific objectives of the revision are to: update the directive and align it with international rules, to ensure greater consistency and legal clarity, mainly with regard to the IMO instruments implementation code (‘III code’) ensure adequate inspections of flagged ships and monitoring oversight of recognised organisations working on behalf of the flag state ensure a harmonised approach in the understanding, measuring and reporting of the performance of flag states’ fleets and duties The general thrust of the Commission proposal has been retained in the Council’s position. However, the Council has made a number of changes, most of them to ensure consistency with the III code. The position limits the scope of the directive to ships with international certificates and engaging in international voyages. The Commission is also mandated to set up a ships information database for issuing and verifying electronic certificates. Use of the database will be optional and member states may continue to use their existing databases. Finally, to avoid imposing a disproportionate administrative burden on member states which do not have national registers or ships flying their flag that fall within the scope of the legislation, it has been clarified that they would not be obliged to transpose the revised directive. Directive on investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector The proposal aims to simplify and clarify the existing regime governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector. The extension of its scope to include smaller fishing vessels (together with other changes concerning such vessels in the proposed port state control and flag state requirements directives) will improve the safety of fishing vessels in European waters. The specific objectives of the proposal to amend the current directive are to: improve the protection of fishing vessels, their crews and the environment, with fishing vessels more than 15 metres in length now included within the scope of the directive, meaning that accidents involving fatalities and loss of vessels will be investigated in a systematic and harmonised way clarify the definitions and the legal provisions so that member states’ accident investigation bodies investigate all accidents that need to be investigated in a timely and harmonised manner enhance the capacity of accident investigation bodies to conduct and report on accident investigations in a timely, expert and independent manner update several definitions and references to relevant EU legislation and IMO regulations, to ensure clarity and consistency The general thrust of the Commission’s proposal has been retained by the Council. However, the Council has made a number of changes to this proposal, mainly aiming to enable accident investigation bodies to conduct accident investigations in a harmonised way throughout the EU by making the existing rules clearer and more consistent with international regulations. Other amendments aim to strengthen the provisions regarding the independence of accident investigation bodies and the confidentiality of their findings, and to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens. Next steps Following today’s adoption of the Council’s negotiating mandates (general approaches), the Spanish presidency can begin talks (‘trilogues’) with the European Parliament. It intends to make as much progress on these files as possible by the end of the year. Background information The proposals form part of the maritime safety package submitted by the Commission on 1 June 2023. The five legislative proposals, including one on the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), aim to modernise EU rules on maritime safety and reduce water pollution from ships. With 75% of the EU's external trade being seaborne, maritime transport is not only the artery of a globalised economy, but also a lifeline for the EU's islands and peripheral and remote maritime regions. Although maritime safety in EU waters is currently very high, with few fatalities and no recent major oil spills, more than 2 000 marine accidents and incidents are still reported every year. The proposals will equip the EU with new tools to support clean and modern shipping. They will align EU rules with international regulations, securing a level playing field for the sector while improving implementation and enforcement through digitalisation and more EU cooperation. EMSA will play a prominent role in the implementation of the new requirements through the support it will offer member states’ administrations to enforce the new rules. A separate proposal puts forward changes to EMSA's mandate and incorporates these new tasks. As set out in the EU’s green deal, smart and sustainable mobility strategy and zero-pollution action plan, the Commission has a vision to set shipping on a path towards zero emissions, pollution and accidents. The maritime safety legislative package is one of the concrete outcomes of the Commission's sustainable and smart mobility commitments. Clean technologies and fuels will also support the sustainability and zero-pollution agenda. Directive on accidents investigation in maritime transport, Council’s general approach, 4 December 2023 Directive on port state control, Council’s general approach, 4 December 2023 Directive on compliance with flag state requirements, Council’s general approach, 4 December 2023 Directive on ship-source pollution, Council’s general approach, 4 December 2023 Revised directive on port state control, Commission proposal, 1 June 2023 Revised directive on ship-source pollution, Commission proposal, 1 June 2023 Revised directive on flag state requirements, Commission proposal, 1 June 2023 Revised directive on investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector, Commission proposal, 1 June 2023 European green deal, background information Zero-pollution action plan, background information

Meetings Tuesday 5 December 2023

● Council of the EU   05/12/2023 15:12 | MEETING | Main results - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), 5 December 2023   The Council agreed a general approach on the regulation on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications networks (gigabit infrastructure act) and took note of a progress report on the cyber solidarity act (CSoA) laying down measures to strengthen solidarity and capacities in the EU to detect, prepare for and respond to cybersecurity threats and incidents. Ministers also held a policy debate on technological leadership and competitiveness, and discussed the state of play on a number of current legislative files in the field of telecommunications.

Library blog Tuesday 5 December 2023

● General Secretariat of the Council   'Enjeux et défis de la politique migratoire européenne' par Corinne Balleix   Un nouveau régime d’asile européen commun (RAEC) est en cours de négociation. Selon l'auteur, ce nouveau régime est destiné à remédier aux dysfonctionnements de la politique européenne en matière d’asile et de migrations, qui est source de clivages entre les États membres. Tout en notant que le sujet migratoire est particulièrement sensible en pratique, l’auteur se penche sur d’autres volets de cette politique qui mériteraient, selon elle, d’être explorés.