COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Press releases and statements

Press material Thursday, 04 April 2024

● Council of the EU   04/04/2024 12:34 | Press release | Provisional deal on the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans   The Council presidency and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on setting up a Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans. The Facility is the centrepiece of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans presented by the Commission in November 2023.  The Facility will cover the period from 2024 to 2027 and is expected to provide up to €2 billion in grants and €4 billion in loans to the EU's Western Balkan partners. It will complement the existing Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III), considerably increasing financial assistance to partners in the region. Objectives of the Facility The Facility will support the EU's Western Balkan partners in undertaking EU-related reforms and stimulate their economic convergence with the EU, based on ambitious Reform Agendas. The Facility will also promote partners’ alignment with the EU values, laws, rules, standards, policies and practices with a view to future EU membership. Next steps The provisional agreement will now need to be endorsed by the Council and Parliament with a view to formal adoption by both institutions following legal-linguistic revision. Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans: Council agrees its negotiating mandate (press release, 6 March 2024) New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans (European Commission)

Press material Thursday, 04 April 2024

● Council of the EU   04/04/2024 12:34 | Press release | Provisional deal on the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans   The Council presidency and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on setting up a Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans. The Facility is the centrepiece of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans presented by the Commission in November 2023.  The Facility will cover the period from 2024 to 2027 and is expected to provide up to €2 billion in grants and €4 billion in loans to the EU's Western Balkan partners. It will complement the existing Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III), considerably increasing financial assistance to partners in the region. Objectives of the Facility The Facility will support the EU's Western Balkan partners in undertaking EU-related reforms and stimulate their economic convergence with the EU, based on ambitious Reform Agendas. The Facility will also promote partners’ alignment with the EU values, laws, rules, standards, policies and practices with a view to future EU membership. Next steps The provisional agreement will now need to be endorsed by the Council and Parliament with a view to formal adoption by both institutions following legal-linguistic revision. Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans: Council agrees its negotiating mandate (press release, 6 March 2024) New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans (European Commission)

2 April 202416:10 President Michel's Strategic Agenda consultations

European Council President Charles Michel invited the EU heads of state or government to Strategic Agenda consultation dinners to take place in Vilnius, Bucharest, Warsaw and Vienna.European Council


30 March 202411:30 Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel, 1–7 April 2024European Council


29 March 202416:30 Forward look: 1 - 14 April 2024

Overview of the main subjects to be discussed at meetings of the Council of the EU over the next two weeks and upcoming media events.General Secretariat of the Council


28 March 202420:00 Speech by President Charles Michel at the "Enabel 25 years old" event

European Council President Charles Michel delivered a speech during the event marking the 25th anniversary of Enabel, the development agency of Belgium’s federal government.European Council


27 March 202412:40 EU Court of Justice: three judges and two advocates-general appointed

The representatives of member states’ governments appointed three judges and two advocates-general to the Court of Justice as part of its partial renewal in 2024.Council of the EU


26 March 202418:35 Daisy Chains: Council adopts directive on indirect subscription chains

The Council today adopted a directive that amends the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive or (BRRD) and the Single Resolution Mechanism Regulation or (SRMR) to include targeted proportionality requirements to the treatment of ‘internal MREL’ in bank resolution groups.Council of the EU
14:45 New Heads of Mission appointed for EUMM Georgia, EUPOL COPPS, and EUCAP Somalia

The Council appointed new Heads of Mission for three EU’s civilian missions: EUMM Georgia, EUPOL COPPS and EUCAP Somalia.Council of the EU
11:00 European Media Freedom Act: Council adopts new rules to protect journalists and media providers

The Council has adopted a new law to safeguard media freedom, pluralism and independence in the EU.Council of the EU
10:45 Environmental crime: Council clears new EU law with tougher sanctions and extended list of offences

The Council formally adopted a directive on the protection of the environment through criminal lawCouncil of the EU
10:30 European digital identity (eID): Council adopts legal framework on a secure and trustworthy digital wallet for all Europeans

The Council adopted a new framework for a European digital identity (eID).Council of the EU
10:18 Council adopts law to strengthen protection for geographical indications for foods and drinks

The Council has given its final green light to a set of revised rules meant to better protect high-quality European agricultural products.Council of the EU
09:35 Support for farmers: Council endorses targeted review of the common agricultural policy

Member states' representatives in the Special Committee on Agriculture endorse a targeted review of certain acts of the common agricultural policy.Council of the EU