COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Meetings Monday 29 January 2024

● Council of the EU   29/01/2024 18:03 | MEETING | Main results - General Affairs Council, 29 January 2024   Ministers heard a presentation on the Belgian presidency priorities, discussed the ‘Defence of Democracy’ package and held a country-specific discussion as part of the Council’s annual rule of law dialogue.

Library blog Monday 29 January 2024

● General Secretariat of the Council   "Le monde, modes d'emploi: comprendre, prévoir, agir, protéger" par Jacques Attali   Dans son opus, Jacques Attali détaille les mécanismes du monde et tout ce que chacun devrait savoir sur la marche du monde depuis au moins mille ans jusqu'à nos jours, son but étant de prédire ce qui va se passer dans les 30 ans à venir. Il essaie de répondre à différentes questions, notamment "qui gouverne vraiment le monde", "la démocratie est-elle moribonde", et "l'argent est-il définitivement le maître du monde".

Press material Monday 29 January 2024

● Council of the EU   29/01/2024 17:00 | Press release | Cyber: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union, expressing solidarity with Australia on the impact of cyber-attacks against its health sector   The European Union and its Member States express solidarity with Australia on the impact of malicious cyber activities against their healthcare sector, notably against a major health service provider, Medibank. Millions of records, containing personal information, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers and sensitive medical information, were stolen and some published on the dark web. Australia assesses that the network compromise in 2022 has been conducted by a Russian cybercriminal and has, for the first time, used its autonomous cyber sanctions framework to respond to this significant incident. The European Union and its Member States strongly condemn continued malicious cyber activities targeting essential operators, including those in the European Union, notably through ransomware attacks. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare sector has been increasingly targeted by malicious cyber activities, leading to thefts and leaks of personal and sensitive data, as well as the disruption of healthcare services. We collectively continue to monitor the threat landscape. We remain committed to tackle cybercriminals by strengthening cross-border law enforcement cooperation against ransomware, and continue to support operators of essential services to increase their resilience and strengthen our efforts to deter and respond to malicious cyber activities through joint diplomatic action. We recall the UN norms of responsible State behaviour in cyberspace, including the obligations not to damage or impair the use and operation of critical infrastructure providing services to the public. We also call upon States not to allow their territory to be used for malicious cyber activities and to take appropriate action against actors conducting such activities. The European Union and its Member States will continue to promote a global, free, open, secure and stable cyberspace, notably the work on the establishment of the UN Programme of Action to this end.

Press material Monday 29 January 2024

● Council of the EU   29/01/2024 16:47 | Press release | Urban wastewater: Council and Parliament reach a deal on new rules for more efficient treatment and monitoring   The Council and the European Parliament’s negotiators today reached a provisional political agreement on a proposal to review the urban wastewater treatment directive. The revised directive is one of the key deliverables under the EU's zero-pollution action plan. "Today’s agreement with the Parliament puts us on the right track to reach our zero-pollution objective for Europe. It paves the way for the highest standards to be set for treating urban wastewater and monitoring it so that it does not release harmful substances, like microplastics or PFAS, into the environment." Alain Maron, minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for climate change, environment, energy and participatory democracy While the current directive has proven highly effective in reducing water pollution and improving the treatment of wastewater discharges over the last three decades, this revision aims to update the directive by extending its scope and aligning it with the European Green Deal’s objectives. By recognising the wastewater treatment sector’s potential to contribute to significantly reducing EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the new rules introduce a deadline to reach energy neutrality in the sector, as well as an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme to ensure fair contribution of the most polluting sectors to wastewater treatment for micropollutants. The deal is provisional pending formal adoption by both institutions. Scope of the directive To address pollution from small agglomerations, the co-legislators extended the scope of the directive to include all agglomerations of 1 000 population equivalent (p.e.) and above, as opposed to the 2 000 p.e. in the current directive. For the purpose of this directive, population equivalent is a parameter used to define quantities of wastewater in terms of the potential water pollution load caused by one person per day, 'one population equivalent' being the daily organic biodegradable load having a five-day biochemical oxygen demand of 60 g of oxygen per day. Wastewater collecting systems and management plans The co-legislators agreed that the obligation to set up urban wastewater collecting systems should be extended to all agglomerations of 1 000 p.e. or more. They also postponed the deadline for compliance with this obligation from 2030 to 2035 to allow for sufficient time to adjust to the new requirements. They introduced a number of derogations, including for smaller agglomerations discharging into coastal waters, discharges in less sensitive areas, and for those member states that most recently joined the EU, such as Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia. If the establishment of a collecting system is not justified, feasible or cost-effective, member states can use individual systems to collect and treat urban wastewater. The text sets deadlines for member states to establish an integrated urban wastewater management plan covering agglomerations of over 100 000 p.e. by 2033, and at-risk agglomerations between 10 000 and 100 000 p.e. by 2039. Such integrated management plans will be reviewed at least every six years, in line with the Water Framework Directive. Wastewater treatments The Council and Parliament extended the obligation to apply secondary treatment (i.e. the removal of biodegradable organic matter) to urban wastewater before it is discharged into the environment to all agglomerations of 1 000 p.e. or more by 2035. Derogations apply to smaller agglomerations and member states that have recently joined the EU and have therefore already had to make more recent significant investments to implement the current directive (i.e. Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia). The co-legislators also aligned the thresholds and timelines for tertiary treatment (i.e. the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus) and quaternary treatment (that is, the removal of a broad spectrum of micropollutants). By 2039 and 2045 respectively, Member states will have to ensure the application of tertiary and quaternary treatment in larger plants of 150 000 p.e. and above, with intermediate targets in 2033 and 2036 for tertiary treatment and in 2033 and 2039 for quaternary treatment. The co-legislators agreed to extend tertiary and quaternary treatment obligations by 2045 for smaller agglomerations of 10 000 p.e. and above that discharge in areas meeting certain risk-based criteria. They introduced a derogation from the tertiary treatment’s requirement when treated urban wastewater is reused for agricultural irrigation, provided that there are no environmental and sanitary risks. Extended producer responsibility To cover the additional costs entailed by quaternary treatment and in line with the ‘polluter pays principle’, producers of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics leading to urban wastewater pollution by micropollutants would need to contribute a minimum of 80% of the costs of this additional treatment, through an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme. The co-legislators agreed to leave member states some flexibility on how to allocate the remaining costs. The costs for gathering and verifying data on products placed on the market will need to be borne by the producers, too. The co-legislators tasked the Commission with assessing the potential impact of this provision on the accessibility and affordability of medicines. Energy neutrality and renewables The co-legislators agreed that the urban wastewater treatment sector could play a significant role in significantly reducing GHG emissions and helping the EU achieve its climate neutrality objective. They introduced an energy neutrality target, meaning that by 2045 urban wastewater treatment plants will have to produce energy from renewable sources, based on regular energy audits, with progressive intermediate targets. This energy can be produced on or off-site, and up to 35% of non-fossil energy can be purchased from external sources. This percentage only applies to the final target. Next steps The provisional agreement will now be submitted to the member states’ representatives within the Council (Coreper) and to the Parliament’s environment committee for endorsement. If approved, the text will then need to be formally adopted by both institutions, following revision by lawyer-linguists, before it can be published in the EU’s Official Journal and enter into force. Background The urban wastewater treatment directive was adopted in 1991. The objective of this directive is to ‘protect the environment from adverse effects of wastewater discharges from urban sources and specific industries’. Under the current directive, member states are required to ensure that wastewater from all agglomerations above 2 000 inhabitants is collected and treated according to EU minimum standards. Member states also have to designate sensitive areas, according to criteria included in the Directive, for which stricter standards and deadlines apply. The Commission conducted an evaluation of the directive in 2019. This evaluation confirmed that the implementation of the directive has led to a significant reduction in pollutant releases. One of the key reasons for the directive’s effectiveness lies in the simplicity of its requirements, which allows for straightforward enforcement. Today 98% of EU wastewaters are adequately collected and 92% adequately treated. However, the evaluation showed that there are still sources of pollution that are not yet adequately addressed by the current rules. These include pollution from smaller agglomerations, storm water overflows and micropollutants that damage the environment. Additionally, the evaluation highlighted the urban wastewater sector as one of the largest consumers of energy in the public sector. The new rules, proposed by the Commission in October 2022, aim to address these remaining issues and improve the sector’s contribution to achieving the EU's climate goals. The European Parliament and Council adopted their positions on the proposed revision on 5 and 16 October 2023, respectively. Council general approach Council adopts position on new rules for more efficient treatment of urban wastewater (press release, 16 October 2023) Commission proposal to revise the urban wastewater treatment directive Wastewater treatment (background information)

Press material Monday 29 January 2024

● Council of the EU   29/01/2024 12:38 | Press release | Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: Council renews economic sanctions for a further 6 months   The Council today renewed for a further 6 months its restrictive measures in view of the Russian Federation's continuing actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, until 31 July 2024. These sanctions, first introduced in 2014 in response to Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, were significantly expanded since February 2022 in response to Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal military aggression against Ukraine. They currently consist of a broad spectrum of sectoral measures, including restrictions on trade, finance, technology and dual-use goods, industry, transport and luxury goods. They also cover: a ban on the import or transfer of seaborne crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU, a de-SWIFTing of several Russian banks and the suspension of the broadcasting activities and licenses of several Kremlin-backed disinformation outlets. Additionally, specific measures were introduced to strengthen the ability of the EU to counter sanctions circumvention. As long as the illegal actions by the Russian Federation continue to violate the prohibition on the use of force, which is a serious breach of obligations under international law, it is appropriate to maintain in force all the measures imposed by the EU and to take additional measures, if necessary. Background On 31 July 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine. In addition to the economic sanctions on the Russian Federation, the EU has in place different types of measures in response to Russia’s destabilising actions against Ukraine. These include: restrictions on economic relations with the illegally annexed Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as well as the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine in the oblasts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia; individual restrictive measures (asset freezes and travel restrictions) on a broad range of individuals and entities, and diplomatic measures. Since 24 February 2022, the EU has adopted 12 unprecedented and hard-hitting packages of sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In its conclusions, adopted on 14-15 December 2023, the European Council reiterated its condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and recalled the Union’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and its inherent right to self-defence against the Russian aggression. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts 12th package of economic and individual sanctions (press release, 18 December 2023) EU sanctions against Russia explained (background) Timeline - EU restrictive measures against Russia over Ukraine

Press material Monday 29 January 2024

● Council of the EU   29/01/2024 12:33 | Press release | Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime: Council adds four persons and one entity to EU sanctions list   The Council today approved additional restrictive measures against four persons and one entity under the European Union's Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, in view of the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Russia. The new listings include three persons employed in the Russian judicial system responsible for serious human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, notably in connection with the case of the opposition politician, democracy activist and outspoken Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza. The listings also include the Russian para-governmental Safe Internet League which aids the Russian government in enforcing censorship practices, along with Ekaterina Mizulina, the Chairwoman of the Safe Internet League, responsible for serious and systematic abuses of freedom of opinion and expression. Those listed under the sanctions regime are subject to an asset freeze, and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit, is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed. The EU strongly condemns the severe expansion of restrictive legislation and systematic repression against civil society and human rights defenders in Russia, as well as the unabated crackdown on independent media, individual journalists, political opposition members and other critical voices. The EU calls on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all those imprisoned on politically motivated charges. The EU strongly condemns the politically motivated ruling by a Moscow court to sentence Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison. The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individual and entity, have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background On 7 December 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses. On 4 December 2023, the Council prolonged restrictive measures under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/418 of 29 January 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses 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 6 Dec. 2023 EU adopts a global human rights sanctions regime (press release, 7 December 2020) EU Global Human Rights Regime: restrictive measures prolonged (press release, 4 December 2023) How and when the EU adopts sanctions (background information)

Press material Monday 29 January 2024

● Council of the EU   29/01/2024 11:33 | Press release | EU Global Health Strategy: Council approves conclusions   The Council today approved conclusions on the 'EU Global Health Strategy: Better health for all in a changing world', in which it reaffirms the leading role of the EU and its member states in advancing global health. The Council acknowledges that physical and mental health is a human right and that health is a prerequisite for sustainable development. The Council welcomes the communication of the European Commission on the EU Global Health Strategy and further emphasises that the EU and its member states must play a leading role in ensuring that global health remains at the top of the international agenda. Global health requires effective multilateralism and inclusive multistakeholder partnerships, and is an essential pillar of EU external policy. Recognising that efforts should be guided by the EU Action Plan on Human rights and Democracy 2020-2024, the Council conclusions on the Youth Action Plan in EU external action and the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Council calls for increased ambition, a comprehensive approach to health including the promotion of health and well-being, mental health, fighting discrimination and stigma and tackling inequalities. The three complementary priorities of the EU Global Health Strategy, as pillar of Global Gateway and the European Health Union, should guide these efforts: deliver better health and well-being for people across their life course strengthen health systems and advance universal health coverage prevent and combat health threats, including pandemics, applying a One Health approach The Council calls on the European Commission, the High Representative and the member states to apply these guiding principles and implement as appropriate the lines of action and initiatives proposed, in a Team Europe approach. This includes taking concrete action to promote global health across relevant sectors, strengthening capacity and enhancing coordination, taking a proactive and constructive role to strengthen multilateral cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) at its core, and by filling existing gaps in global governance and ensuring complementarity and coherence of action, expanding equitable and mutually-beneficial bilateral, regional, trans-regional and global partnerships. It also includes promoting equitable access to health services and products, including through local manufacturing, collectively enhancing financing for global health at global, regional and national level, supporting domestic resource mobilisation in partner countries, developing a coherent EU global health diplomacy with augmented capacity in EU Delegations and regularly taking stock of progress and the impact of the strategy. Background On 30 November 2022, the Commission adopted a communication on a new ‘EU Global Health Strategy: Better health for all in a changing world’, designed to improve global health security and deliver better health for all. The strategy will guide EU action in the field of global health until 2030 and sets out clear policy priorities, guiding principles and operational lines of action. It also creates a new monitoring framework to assess the effectiveness and impact of EU policies and funding. Council conclusions EU Global Health Strategy to improve global health security and deliver better health for all (European Commission, 30 November 2022) EU health policy (background information)

Press material Monday 29 January 2024

● Council of the EU   29/01/2024 09:51 | Press release | Fluorinated gases and ozone-depleting substances: Council greenlights new rules to reduce harmful emissions   The Council today has adopted two regulations to phase down fluorinated gases (F-gases) and other substances that cause global warming and deplete the ozone layer. While existing EU legislation has already limited the use of these gases and substances significantly, the new rules will further reduce their emissions into the atmosphere and contribute to limiting global temperature rise, in line with the Paris Agreement. "Many products we use in everyday life, such as refrigerators and air conditioning, rely on extremely detrimental substances that undermine our environment. The new rules we have put in place impose clear bans and restrictions on such damaging substances, while encouraging the development of sustainable alternatives to protect people’s health. Credit goes to our Czech, Swedish, and Spanish predecessors for the invaluable work they carried out on this crucial legislation, in order to bring the EU closer to reaching its ambitious climate targets." Alain Maron, minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for climate change, environment, energy and participatory democracy Fluorinated gases Under the new rules, the consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) will be completely phased out by 2050. On the other hand, the production of HFC, in terms of production rights allocated by the Commission to produce HFCs, will be phased down to a minimum (15%) as of 2036. Both production and consumption will be phased down on the basis of a tight schedule with a degressive quota allocation (Annexes V and VII). The text introduces a full ban on placing products and equipment containing HFCs on the market for several categories for which it is technologically and economically feasible to switch to F-gas alternatives, including certain domestic refrigerators, chillers, foams and aerosols. It also sets specific dates for the complete phase-out of the use of F-gases in air conditioning, heat pumps and switchgears: 2032 for small monoblock heat pumps and air conditioning (<12kW) 2035 for split air conditioning and heat pumps, with earlier deadlines for certain types of split systems with higher global warming potential 2030 for medium-voltage switchgears (up to and including 52 kV) relying on F-gases 2032 for high-voltage switchgears (>52kV) The impacts and effects of the regulation, including an assessment of the existence of cost-effective, technically feasible and sufficiently available alternatives to replace F-gases, will be reviewed by the Commission no later than 1 January 2030. By 2040 the Commission will also have to evaluate the feasibility of the 2050 phase-out date for the consumption of HFCs and the need for HFCs in sectors where they are still used, taking into account technological developments and the availability of alternatives to HFCs for the applications in question. Ozone depleting substances The regulation bans ODSs for almost all uses, with strictly limited exemptions. The text includes an exemption for the use of ODSs as feedstock to produce other substances. The Commission will be tasked with regularly updating a list of ODSs whose use as feedstock is banned. The text also permits the use of ODSs under strict conditions as process agents, in laboratories and for fire protection in special applications such as military equipment and airplanes. The regulation extends the requirement to recover ODSs for destruction, recycling or reclamation to cover sectors such as building materials (insulation foams), refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment, equipment containing solvents or fire protection systems and fire extinguishers and other equipment, if technically and economically feasible. Next steps Today’s vote by the Council closes the adoption procedure. The two regulations will now be signed by the Council and the European Parliament. They will then be published in the EU’s Official Journal and enter into force 20 days later. Background Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) are contained in a wide range of products used in everyday life, including fridges, air conditioning and medicines. They are also used in heat pumps and switchgear devices in electric power systems. The effects of F-gases on global warming are up to several hundred thousand times stronger than that of CO2. Today F-gas emissions represent 2.5% of the EU’s total GHG emissions, but in contrast to other GHG emissions they have doubled between 1990 and 2014. Ozone depleting substances (ODSs), on the other hand, are human-made chemicals that create a hole in the protective ozone layer, which absorbs cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and reduces the overall amount of UV rays reaching the Earth’s surface. Both categories are already regulated at EU level through the 2014 F-gas regulation and the 2009 Ozone regulation respectively, in order to fulfil the obligations under the Montreal protocol (1987) and the related Kigali amendment (2019). In order to better align with the goals set out by the European Green Deal and further cut emissions of these detrimental substances, on 5 April 2022 the Commission adopted its proposals for a regulation on F-gases and for a regulation on ODSs. The Parliament adopted its stance on the proposals on 30 March 2023, and the Council reached a general approach on 5 April 2023. Following interinstitutional negotiations, the co-legislators reached a provisional agreement on both regulations on 5 October 2023, which was approved by Coreper and the ENVI committee in the same month. The Parliament formally adopted its position on 16 January 2024. Regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases Member states’ statements on the F-gases regulation Regulation on ozone-depleting substances Voting results Fluorinated gases and ozone-depleting substances: Council and Parliament reach agreement (press release, 5 October 2023) European Green Deal (background information) Climate neutrality (background information)