COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Monday 18 March 2024

● Council of the EU   18/03/2024 13:02 | Press release | Wholesale energy markets: Council adopts law to protect against market manipulation   The wholesale energy market in the European Union is now better protected against market manipulation. The Council today adopted a new regulation that will reinforce market surveillance in the European Union and ensure open and fair competition in the wholesale energy markets. The regulation sets the basis for increased market transparency and integrity, enhancing the public's trust in the functioning of wholesale energy markets. It creates clearer and stricter requirements for market participants in the EU who are resident in a third country. From now on, they will have to designate a representative in a member state in which the market participants are active in the wholesale energy market. The representative must be designated by a written mandate and authorised to act on behalf of the market participant. The new regulation gives the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) the right to investigate cases with a cross-border dimension, where at least two member states are affected. The national regulatory authorities will be able to object to the exercise of ACER’s investigatory powers when these have been formally initiated or an investigation has been conducted based on the same facts. Authorities will have a maximum of 3 months to object. The regulation introduces new tools for ACER to use for conducting investigations: for example, it will be able to conduct on-site inspections and issue requests for information, and it will be authorised to take statements. ACER will be able to take decisions regarding on-site inspections, requests for information and authorisations or withdrawal of authorisations of inside information platforms and registered reporting mechanisms. In addition, ACER will have the power to impose periodic penalty payments in order to ensure compliance with on-site inspection decisions and requests for information. The power to impose fines for infringements or breaches of the prohibitions or substantive obligations included in the regulation will remain in the hands of the member states. Next steps The regulation will now be signed and published in the EU’s Official Journal and will enter into force 20 days later. Background The regulation adopted today is part of a wider reform of the EU’s electricity market design. It amends the regulation on wholesale energy market integrity and transparency (regulation (EU) No 1227/2011, also known as the REMIT regulation) and the regulation on the establishment of ACER (regulation (EU) 2019/942). The draft regulation was presented by the European Commission on 14 March 2023 as a response to the high and volatile energy prices in 2022, adapting the scope of the previous regulation to the current and evolving market circumstances. Regulation amending Regulations (EU) No 1227/2011 and (EU) 2019/942 as regards improving the Union’s protection against market manipulation on the wholesale energy market Voting results Protection against market manipulation in the wholesale energy market: Council and Parliament reach deal (press release, 16 November 2024) Council reaches agreement on parts of electricity market reform (press release, 19 June 2023) Electricity market reform (background information)

Press material Monday 18 March 2024

● Council of the EU   18/03/2024 13:00 | Press release | EU-Chile: Council gives final endorsement to bilateral trade agreement   The Council today adopted the decision on the conclusion of the Interim Agreement on trade (iTA) between the European Union and Chile. This decision marks the end of the internal ratification process within the EU and paves the way for the entry into force of the deal. This agreement focuses on trade and investment liberalisation, exclusively within the EU’s competence, while investment protection provisions are covered by the broader Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA), which is still in the ratification process within the member states. The iTA will expire when the AFA, after ratification by all member states, enters into force. The agreements aim to update the current EU-Chile association agreement and will strengthen EU-Chile political and economic relations and deepen cooperation and trade. 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 €4.5 billion.

Press material Monday 18 March 2024

● Council of the EU   18/03/2024 12:56 | Press release | Strategic autonomy: Council gives its final approval on the critical raw materials act   The Council has today adopted the regulation to establish a framework to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, better known as the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). This is the last step in the decision-making procedure. The CRMA introduces clear deadlines for permit procedures for EU extracting projects, allows the Commission and member states to recognise a project as strategic, requires supply-chain risk assessments, requires member states to have national exploration plans and ensures the EU’s access to critical and strategic raw materials through ambitious benchmarks on extraction, processing, recycling and diversification of import sources. "With the Critical Raw Materials Act we want to turn the weakness of our dependencies into strategic autonomy and an opportunity for our economy. This legislative act will boost our mining sector, enhance our recycling and processing capacities, create local and good quality jobs, and ensure that our industry is up and ready for the digital and green transitions." Jo Brouns, Flemish Minister for Economy, Innovation, Work, Social Economy and Agriculture Ensuring access to critical raw materials The final text adopted today identifies two lists of materials (34 critical and 17 strategic) that are crucial for the green and digital transitions, as well as for the defence and space industries. The CRMA establishes three benchmarks for the EU’s annual consumption of raw materials: 10% from local extraction; 40% to be processed in the EU and 25% to come from recycled materials. To facilitate the development of strategic projects, member states will create single points of contact at the relevant administrative level and at the relevant stage in the critical raw materials value chain. Extraction projects will receive their permits within a maximum period of 27 months, while recycling and processing projects should receive their permits within 15 months, with limited exceptions aimed at ensuring a meaningful engagement with the local communities affected by the projects and a proper environmental impact assessment in complex cases. Large companies manufacturing strategic technologies (i.e. producers of batteries, hydrogen or renewable generators) will carry out a risk assessment of their supply chains to identify vulnerabilities. Next steps Following the Council’s approval today of the European Parliament's position, the legislative act has been adopted. After being signed by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Council, the regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication. Background The Critical Raw Materials Act, together with the Net Zero Industry Act and the Reform of the electricity market design, is one of the flagship legislative initiatives under the Green Deal Industrial Plan that was presented by Commissioner Thierry Breton on 1 February 2023. The Council adopted the negotiation mandate on 30 June, and the two co-legislators reached a provisional agreement on 13 November 2023. Commission Proposal Council’s negotiating mandate Proposal for establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials – finalised text EU industrial policy (background information)

Press material Monday 18 March 2024

● Council of the EU   18/03/2024 12:52 | Press release | Tourism: Council gives its final approval to the regulation for short-term rentals   The Council has today adopted a regulation on data collection and sharing for short-term accommodation rental services. This legislative act will enhance transparency in the field of short-term accommodation rentals and will help public authorities regulate this increasingly important part of the tourism sector. This is the last step in the decision-making procedure. "The short-term rental regulation is an important building block in ensuring greater transparency in the field of short-term rental and in supporting public authorities to promote sustainable tourism. The collection and sharing of data will enable effective and proportionate local policies to be put in place to address the challenges and opportunities associated with the short-term rental sector. The regulation strikes a balance between promoting innovation and protecting communities. It allows fair competition within the sector while guaranteeing quality for consumers. Overall, the regulation will contribute to a more sustainable tourism ecosystem and support its digital transition." Valérie De Bue, Walloon Minister for Tourism Transparency and data collection The new rules introduce harmonised registration requirements for hosts and short-term rental properties, including the granting of a unique registration number to be displayed on property websites and online platforms. Hosts will submit simple information to obtain this registration number, which will be required to provide short-term accommodation rental services. Online platforms will have to provide information regularly to a single digital entry point in the member states on the rental activities of their hosts. This will help the competent authorities to produce reliable statistics and to take well-informed regulatory measures. Next steps Following the Council’s approval today of the European Parliament's position, the legislative act has been adopted. After being signed by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Council, the regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication. It shall apply 24 months after its entry into force. Background The rental of apartments, houses or rooms for short periods of time has become a common form of accommodation for tourists and travellers. Online platforms have boosted the use of these services, which currently amount to nearly one quarter of total tourist accommodation in the EU. This regulation is limited to harmonise the creation of an easy-to-use registration system with common provisions and is not intended to regulate access to the market on these activities. Final text Council’s general approach Commission’s proposal Consumer protection – Travel rights (background information) Υλικό για τον Τύπο Δευτέρα 18 Μαρτίου 2024   ● Συμβούλιο της ΕΕ   18/03/2024 12:52 | Δελτίο τύπου | Τουρισμός: Τελική έγκριση του Συμβουλίου για τον κανονισμό για τις βραχυχρόνιες μισθώσεις   Το Συμβούλιο εξέδωσε σήμερα κανονισμό σχετικά με τη συλλογή και την κοινοχρησία δεδομένων για υπηρεσίες βραχυχρόνιας μίσθωσης ακινήτων. Ο εν λόγω κανονισμός θα ενισχύσει τη διαφάνεια στον τομέα της βραχυχρόνιας μίσθωσης ακινήτων και θα βοηθήσει τις δημόσιες αρχές να ρυθμίσουν αυτό το ολοένα και σημαντικότερο σκέλος του τομέα του τουρισμού. Πρόκειται για το τελευταίο βήμα στη διαδικασία λήψης αποφάσεων. "Ο κανονισμός για τις βραχυχρόνιες μισθώσεις αποτελεί σημαντικό δομικό στοιχείο για τη διασφάλιση μεγαλύτερης διαφάνειας στον τομέα των βραχυχρόνιων μισθώσεων και για την υποστήριξη των δημόσιων αρχών στην προώθηση του βιώσιμου τουρισμού. Η συλλογή και η κοινοχρησία δεδομένων θα καταστήσουν δυνατή την εφαρμογή αποτελεσματικών και αναλογικών τοπικών πολιτικών για την αντιμετώπιση των προκλήσεων και των ευκαιριών που συνδέονται με τον τομέα των βραχυχρόνιων μισθώσεων. Ο κανονισμός επιτυγχάνει μια ισορροπία μεταξύ της προώθησης της καινοτομίας και της προστασίας των κοινοτήτων. Καθιστά δυνατό τον θεμιτό ανταγωνισμό εντός του τομέα, διασφαλίζοντας παράλληλα ποιότητα για τους καταναλωτές. Ο κανονισμός θα συμβάλει εν γένει στην επίτευξη ενός πιο βιώσιμου τουριστικού οικοσυστήματος και θα υποστηρίξει την ψηφιακή του μετάβαση." Valérie De Bue, Υπουργός Τουρισμού της Βαλλονίας Διαφάνεια και προστασία δεδομένων Οι νέοι κανόνες εισάγουν εναρμονισμένες απαιτήσεις καταχώρισης για τους εκμισθωτές και τα ακίνητα βραχυχρόνιας μίσθωσης, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της χορήγησης μοναδικού αριθμού καταχώρισης που θα εμφανίζεται σε δικτυακούς τόπους μίσθωσης ακινήτων και σε διαδικτυακές πλατφόρμες. Οι εκμισθωτές θα υποβάλλουν απλές πληροφορίες για να λάβουν αυτόν τον αριθμό καταχώρισης, ο οποίος θα απαιτείται για την παροχή υπηρεσιών βραχυχρόνιας μίσθωσης ακινήτων. Οι διαδικτυακές πλατφόρμες θα πρέπει να παρέχουν τακτικά πληροφορίες σε ένα ενιαίο ψηφιακό σημείο εισόδου στα κράτη μέλη σχετικά με τις δραστηριότητες ενοικίασης των εκμισθωτών τους. Τούτο θα βοηθήσει τις αρμόδιες αρχές να παράγουν αξιόπιστα στατιστικά στοιχεία και να λαμβάνουν τεκμηριωμένα ρυθμιστικά μέτρα. Επόμενα βήματα Μετά τη σημερινή έγκριση της θέσης του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου από το Συμβούλιο, η νομοθετική πράξη εκδόθηκε. Αφού υπογραφεί από την Πρόεδρο του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου και τον Πρόεδρο του Συμβουλίου, ο κανονισμός θα δημοσιευθεί στην Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και θα αρχίσει να ισχύει την εικοστή ημέρα από τη δημοσίευσή του. Θα τεθεί δε σε εφαρμογή 24 μήνες μετά την έναρξη ισχύος του. Γενικό πλαίσιο Η βραχυχρόνια μίσθωση διαμερισμάτων, σπιτιών ή δωματίων έχει καταστεί συνήθης μορφή κατάλυσης για τουρίστες και ταξιδιώτες. Οι διαδικτυακές πλατφόρμες έχουν ενισχύσει τη χρήση αυτών των υπηρεσιών, οι οποίες ανέρχονται επί του παρόντος στο ένα τέταρτο περίπου του συνόλου των τουριστικών καταλυμάτων στην ΕΕ. Ο παρών κανονισμός περιορίζεται στην εναρμόνιση της δημιουργίας ενός εύχρηστου συστήματος καταχώρισης με κοινές διατάξεις και δεν αποσκοπεί στη ρύθμιση της πρόσβασης στην αγορά για τις εν λόγω δραστηριότητες. Τελικό κείμενο Γενική προσέγγιση του Συμβουλίου Πρόταση της Επιτροπής Προστασία των καταναλωτών — Δικαιώματα των επιβατών (γενικές πληροφορίες)

Press material Monday 18 March 2024

● Council of the EU   18/03/2024 11:47 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Environment Council of 25 March 2024   The press briefing ahead of the Environment Council will take place on Tuesday, 19 March 2024 at 11.00. 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 Europa Building 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 Environment Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Tuesday, 19 March 2024, 10.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants after the deadline.

Meetings Monday 18 March 2024

● European Council   18/03/2024 11:27 | MEETING | Agenda highlights - Tripartite Social Summit, 20 March 2024   EU leaders and social partners will meet in Brussels to discuss ‘An economically and socially strong Europe to play its role in the world’.

Press material Monday 18 March 2024

● European Council   18/03/2024 11:16 | Media advisory | Press briefing - European Council of 21 and 22 March 2024   The press briefing ahead of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024 will take place on Tuesday 19 March 2024 at 15.30. 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 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. Deadline for registration: Tuesday 19 March 2024 at 14.30 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.

Press material Monday 18 March 2024

● Council of the EU   18/03/2024 10:31 | Press release | Russia/Ukraine: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on Russian presidential elections and their non-applicability on Ukrainian territory   The presidential elections held by Russia on 15-17 March took place in a highly restricted environment exacerbated also by Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Russian authorities have continued to increase the systematic internal repression by cracking down on opposition politicians, civil society organisations, independent media and other critical voices with the use of repressive legislation and politically motivated prison sentences. The shocking death of opposition politician Alexei Navalny in the run-up to the elections is yet another sign of the accelerating and systematic repression. The elections took place in an ever-shrinking political space, which has resulted in an alarming increase of violations of civil and political rights, and precluded many candidates from running, including all those opposed to Russia’s illegal war of aggression, deprived Russian voters of a real choice and heavily limited their access to accurate information. The European Union will continue to support the important work of Russian civil society organisations, human rights defenders and independent media. The European Union regrets the decision of Russian authorities not to invite OSCE/ODIHR observers to its elections. This runs contrary to Russia’s OSCE commitments and has denied Russia’s voters and institutions an impartial and independent assessment of these elections. Furthermore, the European Union strongly condemns the illegal holding of so-called “elections” in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied: Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, as well as in parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. The so-called “elections” in these territories represent yet another manifest violation by Russia of international law, including the UN Charter, and of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Referring to the two UNGA Resolutions of 12 October 2022 and 27 March 2014, we urge Russia to respect Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders and sovereignty. The European Union reiterates that it does not and will never recognise either the holding of these so-called “elections” in the territories of Ukraine or their results. They are null and void and cannot produce any legal effect whatsoever. Russia’s political leadership and those involved in organising them will face consequences of these illegal actions. The European Union reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Russia must cease its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its military forces and equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine. Meetings Monday 18 March 2024   ● Council of the EU   18/03/2024 15:31 | MEETING | Agenda highlights - EU-Ukraine Association Council, 20 March 2024   The ninth EU-Ukraine Association Council will discuss the situation following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, global and regional issues and the bilateral agenda.

Press material Monday 18 March 2024

● Council of the EU   18/03/2024 15:48 | Press release | Ukraine Assistance Fund: Council allocates €5 billion under the European Peace Facility to support Ukraine militarily   Today the Council decided to increase the financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility (EPF) by €5 billion in current prices, and ringfence this top-up for Ukraine, by establishing a dedicated Ukraine Assistance Fund (UAF) within the EPF. "The EU is living up to its commitments. The Ukraine Assistance Fund turns our words into action. With the fund, we will continue to support Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s war of aggression with whatever it takes and for as long as we need to." Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The newly established UAF will allow the EU to further support the evolving needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces through the provision of both lethal and non-lethal military equipment and training. The UAF will seek to maximise the EU’s added value in terms of delivering more and better operational support to Ukraine, complementing EU member states’ bilateral efforts, and focusing on increased joint procurement from the European and Norwegian defence industries. In parallel, the Council decided today to improve the governance rules for the facility to make them more sustainable and adapt them to the new international circumstances. The improved governance rules will build on well-functioning national procurement structures as well as existing framework contracts, leveraging both a lead nation approach and the European Defence Agency (EDA), and including the joint procurement of the required defence equipment from the European defence industry and Norway - including small and medium sized enterprises - while allowing for flexibility in supply chains which may include operators established or with production facilities outside the EU or Norway. The reimbursement of member states’ donations (i.e., from stocks, unilateral and joint purchases of equipment available in the market, and unilateral procurement) will be limited after a transition period. Following today’s decision, the EPF financial ceiling will total over €17 billion for the 2021-2027 period. Background On 1 February 2024, the European Council reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering commitment to continue to provide strong political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. In that context, the European Council reviewed work in the Council on military support for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the proposed increase of its overall financial ceiling. It invited the Council to reach agreement on this matter by early March. European Council conclusions, 1 February 2024 European Peace Facility (background information) EU solidarity with Ukraine (backround information)