COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION:Forward look: 22 January - 4 February 2024

 

Press material Friday 19 January 2024

● General Secretariat   19/01/2024 16:12 | Press release | Forward look: 22 January - 4 February 2024   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Foreign Affairs Council, 22 January 2024 The January 2024 Foreign Affairs Council will discuss the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, along with other Current Affairs issues. Read more Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 23 January 2024 The Belgian presidency will give a presentation of its work programme in the field of agriculture and fisheries. The Council will also exchange views on trade-related agricultural issues, as well as on the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture in Europe. Additionally, ministers will hold a first discussion on the proposal for a forest monitoring framework. Read more General Affairs Council, 29 January 2024 Ministers will discuss the ‘Defence of European Democracy’ package, hear a presentation on the Belgian presidency priorities and hold a country-specific discussion as part of the Council’s annual rule of law dialogue. Read more Special European Council, 1 February 2024 EU leaders will meet in Brussels to discuss the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, including support for Ukraine. Read more Other meetings Informal meeting of trade ministers, 22-23 January 2024 EU-Egypt Association Council, 23 January 2024 Informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers, 24-26 January 2024 Informal meeting of defence ministers, 30-31 January 2024 EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting, 2 February 2024 Informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers - Gymnich, 2-3 February 2024 Indicative calendar of meetings under the Belgian presidency (1 January - 30 June 2024) Belgian presidency website

Press material Friday 19 January 2024

● Council of the EU   19/01/2024 14:46 | Press release | European Media Freedom Act: EU member states’ representatives confirm provisional agreement   Today, member states’ EU ambassadors endorsed the provisional agreement reached on 15 December 2023 between the Council and the European Parliament’s negotiators on a new law to establish a common framework for media services in the EU internal market and to safeguard media freedom, media pluralism and editorial independence in the EU. The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) will establish a common framework for media services in the EU’s internal market and introduce measures aimed at protecting journalists and media providers from political interference, while also making it easier for them to operate across the EU’s internal borders. The new rules will guarantee the right of citizens to access free and plural information and define the responsibility of Member States to provide the appropriate conditions and framework to protect it. "This is the first endorsement of a provisional agreement on culture and media under the Belgian Presidency, building on the efforts of the Spanish Presidency. Today is a landmark day for media freedom and pluralism in the EU. This new regulation will protect journalists and their sources and will allow citizens to make informed decisions on the basis of plural and independent information." Benjamin Dalle, Flemish Minister for Brussels Affairs, Youth, Media and Poverty Reduction Background and next steps On 16 September 2022 the Commission published its proposal for a regulation establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market. The EMFA proposal set out new rules to protect media pluralism and independence in the EU. Negotiations with the European Parliament on the final shape of the law started on 19 October 2023 and were concluded with the provisional agreement reached on 15 December 2023. The text of the agreement will now be finalised in all the official languages and formally adopted by both institutions by April 2024. Provisional agreement on the European Media Freedom act Council and Parliament strike deal on new rules to safeguard media freedom, media pluralism and editorial independence in the EU (press release, 15 December 2023) Media freedom in the EU (background information)