COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Library blog Wednesday 20 March 2024

● General Secretariat of the Council   Think Tank reports on the invasion of Ukraine   Ukraine’s mobilisation crisis on the threshold of a third year of war; no time to lose regarding support to Ukraine; if the West’s Ukraine policy needs a reality check; Russia's nuclear rhetoric and escalation risks in Ukraine; Europe has a long way to go to replace US aid; Russia’s economy on the eve of the second anniversary of the war; and how European leaders can maintain public support for Ukraine especially in the context elections are some of the topics discussed in the present update.

Press material Wednesday 20 March 2024

● European Council   20/03/2024 18:00 | Press release | Main messages from the Tripartite Social Summit, 20 March 2024   EU leaders and social partners met in Brussels for the tripartite social summit. The main theme of the summit was ‘An economically and socially strong Europe to play its role in the world’. The participants discussed the following issues: an industrial strategy complementing the green deal with quality jobs at its heart a single market that delivers for enterprises and workers tackling skills and labour shortages "We are in a moment of transition. The EU project is based on two pillars: security and competitiveness. We are now building a new paradigm to tackle our double transformation – climate and digital. We need to deepen the internal market on energy, services and capital. We must also address labour and skills shortages that hinder our businesses and the competitiveness of our single market, while taking into account the fundamental role of SMEs. Our social partners play a key role helping us achieve these goals." Charles Michel, President of the European Council "In the current geopolitical context, shaping our future is a real collective effort. And social partners are at the heart of it. We are committed to keeping our competitiveness and to a made in Europe clean economy, with the quality jobs that go with it. Europe is underpinning these joint efforts with unprecedented funding opportunities, with a focus on cutting red tape and on granting even more rights to workers. And we will continue to tackle labour and skills shortages, also thanks to the action plan we have presented today." Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission "The need for skilled workers has never been so high. The need for the right work-life balance and quality jobs has never been so strongly felt in our societies. Social dialogue stands central in the work of the Belgian presidency. This summit gives further impetus for an ambitious and future-proof social agenda." Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium, on behalf of the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU "In 2023, European enterprises continued to seek to drive the EU’s green and digital transitions, and their task was made more difficult by high energy costs, an increasing regulatory burden and continuing geo-political uncertainty. Furthermore, they have felt the effects of reduced consumer demand for private goods and services in a context of increased financing costs linked to higher interest rates and increasing demand for affordable and accessible services of general interest. To make sure that the European Union decarbonises without deindustrialising, a European Industrial Deal needs to be developed with tailored measures to support SMEs in their transition. Creating the conditions to have more growth and a strong industry supported by high-quality services of general interest is essential to foster sufficient investment for the green transition, necessary infrastructures and quality jobs in small, medium-sized and large companies." Fredrik Persson, President of BusinessEurope "The workforce that powers Europe is as essential to the continent’s future success as it has been in the past. To ensure that future is bright, the EU must equip itself with an industrial policy with quality jobs at its centre, built on three essential pillars. Firstly, we need an EU investment instrument that matches the scale of this challenge to ensure investments in all member states and regions. Secondly, strong social conditionality is needed to make sure every cent of public money is geared towards protecting and creating quality jobs. Thirdly, in an increasingly volatile world, the EU needs the capacity to anticipate and manage change through a Directive for Just Transition." Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) The views cited in this text are those of the individual / organisation concerned and do not collectively constitute the point of view of the Council or the European Council.

Press material Wednesday 20 March 2024

● Council of the EU   20/03/2024 16:05 | Press release | International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union   The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination commemorates the victims of the Sharpeville massacre of 21 March 1960, in which peaceful demonstrators against apartheid were senselessly killed. While this tragic event marked a turning point and ultimately ushered in the transition to democracy and equality in South Africa, the fight against racism continues to this day, everywhere. Racial discrimination not only inflicts profound harm on individual victims, but also undermines the very fabric of peaceful and democratic societies. In a year where more than 2 billion voters are set to go to the polls it remains particularly important to address racial discrimination in the context of elections. Comprehensive efforts are required to safeguard voting rights, enhance diversity in political representation and fight hate speech on the campaign trial. Our work needs to start at home. While the European Union unequivocally prohibits discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, recent reports from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights reveal distressing levels of such discrimination within our societies. The EU Anti-Racism Action Plan 2020-2025 calls for enhanced enforcement of European law and concrete measures defined in national action plans. The EU Anti-Racism Coordinator remains essential to this joint work, alongside the full and meaningful participation of civil society. Concerted action is needed from all of us to convert our legal frameworks into lived realities, in particular to ensure full implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). Around the world, our EU Delegations serve as our advocates on the ground and actively contribute to endeavours aimed at realising this obligation. In far too many places, racial discrimination continues to erode the foundations of peace and security, by fuelling conflict, inequality and injustice. Every member of society benefits when racism is eradicated. On this day, let us renew our collective commitment to stand against racial discrimination in all its forms.

Press material Wednesday 20 March 2024

● Council of the EU   20/03/2024 02:22 | Press release | Ukraine: Council and Parliament reach a deal to renew EU’s autonomous trade measures   The Council presidency and the European Parliament’s negotiators have provisionally agreed to renew the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year, until 5 June 2025. This renewal reaffirms the EU’s unwavering political and economic support for Ukraine, after two years of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression. At the same time, the EU has decided to reinforce the protection of sensitive agricultural products by beefing up safeguards already included in the current regulation on temporary trade-liberalisation measures, in order to take into account any adverse impact on the market of one or several member states, rather than just on the EU market as a whole, as is the case now. A new automatic safeguard will also be added for certain sensitive products, such as poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, maize, groats and honey. The autonomous trade measures (ATMs) will allow Ukraine to continue generating its own income from trade flows with the EU, which is important to support its economy under very challenging circumstances. Coupled with the EU’s extensive military, financial and humanitarian support, this will help Ukraine with its long-term recovery as well as its gradual integration into the EU internal market. Main elements of the regulation The renewed regulation will apply from 6 June 2024 until 5 June 2025 and concerns the continued suspension of all outstanding customs duties and quotas under Title IV of the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine establishing a deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA). The regulation will also include two safeguard mechanisms to protect the EU market: a strengthened version of the existing mechanism, which will apply on the basis of regular monitoring, allowing the Commission to impose any safeguard measure if specific conditions are fulfilled a new, automatic safeguard mechanism which will oblige the Commission to reintroduce tariff-rate quotas if imports of poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, maize, groats and honey exceed the arithmetic mean of quantities imported in 2022 and 2023. Key elements of the provisional agreement: extending the scope of the automatic safeguard mechanism to four additional products (oats, maize, groats and honey) shortening of the time period for activation of the automatic safeguard (from 21 to 14 days) the Commission’s commitment to enhanced monitoring of imports of wheat and other cereals and use of the tools at its disposal in the event of market disruptions Next steps The European Parliament and the Council will now need to approve the provisional agreement. The European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade and the EU’s ambassadors (Coreper) will be invited to confirm the outcome of the interinstitutional negotiations later today. The Parliament’s position at first reading is then expected to be adopted at one of the April plenary sessions. The regulation is then to be adopted by the Council, signed by the representatives of the Council and the European Parliament and published in the Official Journal, before entering into force on 6 June 2024. Background On 31 January 2024, the European Commission (Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis) proposed extending the suspension of import duties and quotas on all imports from Ukraine to the EU for another year. On 21 February 2024, the Permanent Representatives Committee approved the text of the Commission proposal without any modifications, with a view to reaching an agreement at first reading with the European Parliament. The European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade voted on the proposal at its meeting on 7 March 2024 and agreed to approve the Commission proposal without any amendments. On 13 March, the EP Plenary adopted amendments. Since the Parliament’s position differed from that of the Council and the Council did not support the amendments, a round of interinstitutional negotiations was needed to reach an agreement at first reading with the European Parliament. Proposal on temporary trade-liberalisation measures for Ukraine Council’s negotiating mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament - Ukraine Proposal for a regulation on temporary trade-liberalisation measures Ukraine: Council adopts renewal of temporary trade liberalisation and other trade concessions (press release, 25 May 2023) EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine (background information) EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, European Commission

Press material Tuesday 19 March 2024

● Council of the EU   19/03/2024 19:38 | Press release | Hong Kong: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the adoption of new national security legislation   The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region adopted the ‘Safeguarding National Security Bill’ on 19 March. The European Union is concerned about this legislation’s potential impact on the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. The ‘Safeguarding National Security Bill’ could exacerbate the erosion of fundamental freedoms and political pluralism in Hong Kong brought about, in particular, by the National Security Law adopted on 30 June 2020. Moreover, the bill has the potential to significantly affect the work of the European Union’s Office, the European Union Member States’ Consulates-General, and could impact European Union citizens, organisations and companies in Hong Kong. This also raises questions about Hong Kong’s long-term attractiveness as an international business hub. The bill’s sweeping provisions and broad definitions, specifically in relation to foreign interference and state secrets, appear as particular concerns. The significantly increased penalties provided for in the Bill, its extraterritorial reach and its - at least partial - retroactive applicability are also deeply worrying. The European Union will continue to assess the implications of Hong Kong’s national security legislation and urges the Hong Kong authorities to protect the ability of the people of Hong Kong to exercise their rights and freedoms. The European Union further calls on the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to strengthen confidence in the Special Administrative Region’s high degree of autonomy under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, in line with the Basic Law and with international commitments by which they are bound.

Meetings Tuesday 19 March 2024

● Council of the EU   19/03/2024 19:21 | MEETING | Main results - General Affairs Council, 19 March 2024   Ministers continued preparations for the March European Council, exchanged views on the future of Europe and addressed the European Semester.

Press material Tuesday 19 March 2024

● European Council   19/03/2024 18:22 | Press release | Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members of the European Council   Dear colleagues, Into the third year of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, we face a pivotal moment. Urgency, intensity and unwavering determination are imperative. Our foremost task is the swift provision of military aid to Ukraine and, building on recent initiatives like that of Czechia, the fast-track procurement and delivery of ammunition to Ukraine. This European Council will be an opportunity to strengthen and accelerate those efforts. Additionally, we must focus on effectively implementing and enforcing our sanctions, as well as advancing our efforts on the use of windfall profits from immobilised assets. This is also a time for a real paradigm shift in relation to our security and defence. For decades, Europe has not invested enough in its security and defence. Now that we are facing the biggest security threat since the Second World War, it is high time we take radical and concrete steps to be defence-ready and put the EU’s economy on a “war footing”. This means spending more, and buying more jointly, thus more efficiently. We must also help the defence industry access private and public funds, and reduce regulatory burdens and barriers. Building this strategic security mindset require strong leadership and an acute understanding of the urgency of the threats we face. I expect our European Council to live up to this. It is imperative that we address the situation in the Middle East. The atrocities of the October 7th attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza have crossed the brink of inhumanity. Too many civilians have perished. Too many innocent lives are at risk because of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and raging famine. International law needs to be fully respected. A sustainable ceasefire is urgently needed to protect civilians, allow the hostages to return safely and ensure that humanitarian assistance can be delivered as needed. Our efforts to prevent regional escalation need to be stepped-up, especially in Lebanon and the Red Sea. Ultimately, the European Union remains committed to a just and comprehensive resolution between Israelis and Palestinians, with the State of Israel and a democratic, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security and mutual recognition. Our attention will also focus on agriculture. Our European farmers have voiced their concerns loud and clear. We need to act decisively on the challenges they face. This means taking stock of the work carried out so far and ensuring that progress is made without delay, particularly with regard to the position of farmers in the food supply chain and to fair competition, both within the internal market and globally. I also suggest we take stock of preparations for enlargement and reforms, bearing in mind that the two strands need to advance in parallel to ensure that both future Member States and the EU are ready by the time of accession. We will also review the state of play of migration and address various external relations matters. At the Euro Summit on Friday, we will be joined by the Presidents of the European Central Bank and of the Eurogroup to discuss the economic and financial situation and the continued close coordination and governance of our macroeconomic policies. It is high time to reassert our strong determination to make decisive progress towards a deeper Capital Markets Union, building on the measures set out by the Eurogroup in inclusive format. I look forward to welcoming you on Thursday. Invitation letter by President Charles Michel