EUROGROUP,COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Υλικό για τον Τύπο Παρασκευή, 12 Απριλίου 2024

● Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης   12/04/2024 13:03 | Δελτίο τύπου | Euro 7: Έκδοση νέων κανόνων από το Συμβούλιο σχετικά με τα όρια εκπομπών για τα αυτοκίνητα, τα ημιφορτηγά και τα φορτηγά   Το Συμβούλιο εξέδωσε σήμερα τον κανονισμό Euro 7, με τον οποίο θεσπίζονται κανόνες σχετικά με τα όρια εκπομπών για τα οδικά οχήματα και τη μακροβιότητα της μπαταρίας. Πρόκειται για το τελευταίο βήμα στη διαδικασία λήψης αποφάσεων. Το κείμενο που εκδόθηκε σήμερα καλύπτει τα αυτοκίνητα, τα ημιφορτηγά και τα βαρέα επαγγελματικά οχήματα σε μία ενιαία νομική πράξη και αποσκοπεί στην περαιτέρω μείωση των εκπομπών ατμοσφαιρικών ρύπων από τις εξατμίσεις και τα φρένα. Με τον νέο κανονισμό θεσπίζονται επίσης αυστηρότερες απαιτήσεις όσον αφορά τη διάρκεια ζωής. Καλύτερα και καθαρότερα οχήματα Ο κανονισμός Euro 7 θεσπίζει κανόνες για τις εκπομπές καυσαερίων των οδικών οχημάτων αλλά και για άλλους τύπους εκπομπών, όπως εκείνες που προέρχονται από τη φθορά των ελαστικών και οι εκπομπές σωματιδίων πέδησης. Επίσης εισάγει απαιτήσεις για τη μακροβιότητα της μπαταρίας. Όσον αφορά τα αυτοκίνητα και τα ημιφορτηγά, ο κανονισμός διατηρεί τα υφιστάμενα όρια εκπομπών καυσαερίων του προτύπου Euro 6, αλλά εισάγει αυστηρότερες απαιτήσεις για τα στερεά σωματίδια. Όσον δε αφορά τα βαρέα επαγγελματικά λεωφορεία και φορτηγά, ο κανονισμός επιβάλλει αυστηρότερα όρια για διάφορους ρύπους, συμπεριλαμβανομένων ορισμένων που δεν έχουν ρυθμιστεί μέχρι σήμερα, όπως το υποξείδιο του αζώτου (N2O). Επιπλέον, με το πρότυπο Euro 7 καθιερώνονται αυστηρότερα όρια για τις εκπομπές σωματιδίων που παράγονται κατά την πέδηση, με συγκεκριμένα όρια για τα ηλεκτρικά οχήματα. Οι νέοι κανόνες περιλαμβάνουν επίσης αυστηρότερες απαιτήσεις όσον αφορά τη διάρκεια ζωής όλων των οχημάτων, τόσο από άποψη διανυόμενων χιλιομέτρων όσο και από εκείνη της διάρκειας ζωής τους. 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/την 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. Οι ημερομηνίες εφαρμογής του κανονισμού θα εξαρτώνται από το είδος του οχήματος: 30 μήνες για τους νέους τύπους αυτοκινήτων και ημιφορτηγών και 42 μήνες για τα καινούργια οχήματα και ημιφορτηγά 48 μήνες για τους νέους τύπους λεωφορείων, φορτηγών και ρυμουλκουμένων και 60 μήνες για τα καινούργια λεωφορεία, φορτηγά και ρυμουλκούμενα 30 μήνες για νέα συστήματα, κατασκευαστικά στοιχεία ή χωριστές τεχνικές μονάδες που πρόκειται να τοποθετηθούν σε αυτοκίνητα και ημιφορτηγά και 48 μήνες για εκείνα που πρόκειται να τοποθετηθούν σε λεωφορεία, φορτηγά και ρυμουλκούμενα Ιστορικό Ο κανονισμός Euro 7, ο οποίος αποτελεί μέρος της στρατηγικής της Επιτροπής, του 2020, για βιώσιμη και έξυπνη κινητικότητα και του σχεδίου δράσης, του 2021, για μηδενική ρύπανση, παρουσιάστηκε από την Επιτροπή στις 10 Νοεμβρίου 2022. Το Συμβούλιο καθόρισε τη θέση του (γενική προσέγγιση) στις 25 Σεπτεμβρίου 2023. Το Συμβούλιο και το Κοινοβούλιο κατέληξαν σε προσωρινή πολιτική συμφωνία στις 18 Δεκεμβρίου 2023. Στις 19 Απριλίου 2023 το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο και το Συμβούλιο εξέδωσαν τον κανονισμό (ΕΕ) 2023/851 για την ενίσχυση των προτύπων επιδόσεων για τις εκπομπές CO2 από τα καινούργια επιβατικά αυτοκίνητα και τα καινούργια ελαφρά επαγγελματικά οχήματα, ο οποίος θέτει στόχο μείωσης κατά 100 % τόσο για τα αυτοκίνητα όσο και για τα ημιφορτηγά από το 2035 και μετά. Ενώ η βιομηχανία προετοιμάζεται για αυτή την αλλαγή, η οποία συνεπάγεται την απαγόρευση εισόδου στην εσωτερική αγορά καινούργιων αυτοκινήτων και ημιφορτηγών με κινητήρα εσωτερικής καύσης από το 2035, τα οχήματα αυτά θα παραμείνουν διαθέσιμα. Ορισμένα άλλα οχήματα με κινητήρα εσωτερικής καύσης (φορτηγά, λεωφορεία και άλλα βαρέα επαγγελματικά οχήματα) θα εξακολουθήσουν να παράγονται και μετά την ημερομηνία αυτή. Οι κανόνες του προτύπου Euro 7 θα πρέπει να καλύπτουν τις εκπομπές αυτοκινήτων και ημιφορτηγών μέχρι την ημερομηνία αυτή, ενώ άλλοι κανόνες που περιέχονται στον κανονισμό (π.χ. σχετικά με τα φρένα, τα ελαστικά και τη διάρκεια ζωής της μπαταρίας) θα εξακολουθήσουν να ισχύουν για τα καινούργια καθαρότερα αυτοκίνητα και ημιφορτηγά και μετά το 2035. Πρόταση της Επιτροπής Γενική προσέγγιση του Συμβουλίου Αποτελέσματα του τελικού τριμερούς διαλόγου Καθαρή και βιώσιμη κινητικότητα (γενικές πληροφορίες)

For a more sovereign and secure digital Europe 12/04/2024 | Press release For a more sovereign and secure digital Europe The Informal Telecommunications Council focused on two major goals around Europe's digital revolution. Firstly, to improve cyber security and infrastructure security. Secondly, to have a single European market that is harmonised, competitive and sustainable. In the Louvain-la-Neuve Declaration, for the first time, the 27 also joined forces around a common intention to equip themselves with tools that protect citizens online while guaranteeing their freedom of expression. Press material Friday, 12 April 2024   ● Council of the EU   12/04/2024 14:21 | Press release | Tourist bus drivers: Council adopts new law to improve their working conditions   To improve road safety and working conditions for drivers providing occasional bus and coach services in Europe, today the Council adopted a revision of the 2006 rules on driving times and rest periods in the occasional passenger transport sector. We are proud to have achieved such a swift agreement with the Parliament on this important file. The new rules on minimum breaks and rests will ensure better working conditions for bus drivers and guarantee better services for tourist trips across Europe. Georges Gilkinet, Belgian minister for mobility The revised legislation consists of targeted amendments to the 2006 regulation aiming to introduce a certain well-defined flexibility, by way of derogation and at the driver’s discretion, into the provisions on breaks and rest periods for professional drivers engaged in occasional passenger transport, such as tour buses. The revised law therefore aims to better adapt this sector to its specific rhythm of work and to ensure a better service for passengers. However, it does not change in any way the maximum driving times or minimum rest periods for the professional drivers in question. Meetings Friday, 12 April 2024   ● Council of the EU   12/04/2024 14:43 | Meetings | Main results - Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 12 April 2024   The Council approved conclusions on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Ministers discussed the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The Council approved the EU’s mandate for the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting of 17-18 April 2024, and an EU statement for the International Monetary and Financial Committee.

PRESS MATERIAL Thursday, 11 April 2024

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• Council of the EU

­ 11/04/2024 | Media advisory | Presidency event: Informal meeting of energy ministers, Brussels, 15-16 April 2024 On 15 and 16 April 2024, an informal meeting of energy ministers will take place in Brussels, Belgium. It will be chaired by Tinne Van der Straeten, Belgian Minister for Energy.   Ministers will discuss one of the priorities of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union: advancing sustainable energy infrastructure and current challenges.   A press conference will take place on 16 April at 12.00.   For more information and to register, click here.

Press material Thursday, 11 April 2024

● Eurogroup   11/04/2024 21:35 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by Paschal Donohoe following the Eurogroup meeting of 11 April 2024   We have just completed our Eurogroup meeting, and I'll give you a quick summary of the key points that were discussed. We opened with a discussion on inflation and exchange rates. The key point is that inflation is coming down relatively fast. This is due to a number of different factors - energy prices coming down, supply bottlenecks easing, and the impact of monetary policy. While these are all very encouraging developments that will lead to a range of benefits being felt, we also know that we need to continue to monitor the expected reduction of inflation. If we continue on this path, we will put the most difficult phase of this economic challenge behind us. This will make life easier for companies and households, and reduce some of the complexity and trade-offs that we face as policymakers.  We then turned to our third discussion on the broad topic of competitiveness of the euro area. We discussed the drivers of trade performance in the euro area, the impact of geo-economic tensions on trade developments, and different policy avenues to address trade fragmentation. We welcomed Richard Baldwin, professor of international economics at the IMD Business School in Switzerland, who gave a superb presentation and offered his views on trade fragmentation and the appropriate policies needed to navigate the interaction between economic security and efficiency. We all shared the analysis that disturbances in global trade come from economic developments, but also from the impact of government interventions around the world. Global economic fragmentation can produce mounting economic costs, in particular for the euro area, given our openness and integration with global value chains. We recognised that a key policy priority is to continue to support an open, multilateral, rules-based trade system. We also recognised the challenges at the moment and therefore the importance of strengthening our resilience through supply chains and increasing international partnerships. We all agreed on the need to increase intra-EU trade to strengthen the single market. We agreed again on the importance of the Capital Markets Union, and discussed how we can complete the initiatives that are in front of us, and how we can continue to turn the Eurogroup’s statement on Capital Markets issued a few weeks ago into reality in the time ahead.  On the miscellaneous, we gave a mandate to our deputies to agree on a short statement on Luxembourg's updated draft budgetary plan after the Commission publishes its opinion next week.  We then engaged in a discussion on the digital euro together with our EU colleagues from outside the euro area. In this discussion, we took stock of recent progress. Since our last discussion, the ECB entered in November into a preparation phase. This phase will take two years. It will focus on a common rulebook and all the necessary technical preparations to be ready for roll-out if and when the decision comes to introduce a digital euro. In parallel, deliberations between co-legislators are advancing on the legal framework. The Eurogroup will continue its political engagement on this topic to provide complementary, political and strategic direction on this important common European project. We continue to take stock of this work, and will be returning back to this in the Eurogroup shortly.

Meetings Thursday, 11 April 2024

● Eurogroup   11/04/2024 22:23 | Meetings | Main results - Eurogroup, 11 April 2024   The Eurogroup, in regular format, prepared for the upcoming spring meetings in Washington DC. Ministers discussed the external competitiveness of the euro area, with a particular focus on its trade performance and risks of trade fragmentation. In inclusive format, the Eurogroup took stock of the advancement of the digital euro project and shared views on the key political issues underlying the project within the global context. Press material Friday, 12 April 2024   ● Council of the EU   12/04/2024 18:45 | Press release | Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union one year into the conflict   The EU is appalled by the unprecedented man-made calamity created by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their respective affiliated militias since 15 April 2023. One year into the conflict, the EU recalls its strong appeal on the warring parties for an immediate and durable ceasefire, as well as for the establishment of monitoring mechanisms. The magnitude of the conflict shows that silencing the guns is vital to put a halt to the destruction inflicted on the Sudanese people and the country. The EU continues to support regional and international mediation efforts, stressing the importance of coordination and coherence to bring peace to Sudan. Sudan is now the epicentre of the largest displacement crisis in the world, within Sudan and the neighbouring countries, especially affecting women and children. Millions are fleeing because of the horrific onslaught caused by the warring parties, including ethnic cleansing, indiscriminate bombardment, sexual and gender-based violence, human trafficking, arbitrary detention, forced recruitment and looting. Furthermore, the country is currently facing the worst hunger level ever recorded, affecting half of its total population, with a real risk of pushing millions into starvation during the upcoming lean season. The EU reminds the warring parties of their obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians. Denying access to food, healthcare and relief items is a clear violation of international law, which may constitute war crimes. The warring parties should honour their mutually agreed commitments in Jeddah to provide immediate, full, safe and unhindered access for life-saving humanitarian assistance, especially across frontlines and across borders. Life-saving deliveries and operations should be devoid from bureaucratic and administrative impediments. The EU applauds the bravery and commitment of local and international humanitarian workers, particularly local NGOs and Emergency Response Rooms. Substantial contributions from the EU and its Member States represented a third of the total humanitarian response in 2023. In order to respond to the increasing needs of the Sudanese people and to give Sudan the attention it deserves, France, Germany and the EU will co-chair an International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and the neighbouring countries in Paris on 15 April. The EU will do its utmost, in working with international mechanisms, so that all responsible actors are identified and held accountable for the atrocities they have committed and continue to commit. The EU adopted a first set of restrictive measures and is ready to continue to use its tools in order to contribute to end the armed conflict, discourage obstruction of humanitarian assistance and halt the culture of impunity. The EU calls again on all states that are supplying arms and funds to the belligerents to cease their support immediately. The people of Sudan deserve freedom, peace and justice, which they have been aspiring to since their Revolution began in 2019. The EU reaffirms its steadfast support and solidarity with the Sudanese people in view of a better future.

Press material Friday, 12 April 2024

● European Council   12/04/2024 18:25 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Special European Council of 17 and 18 April 2024   The press briefing ahead of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 April 2024 will take place on Tuesday 16 April 2024 at 16.00.  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 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 16 April 2024 at 15.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Press material Friday, 12 April 2024   ● Council of the EU   12/04/2024 15:28 | Press release | 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel: Council sanctions three entities over widespread sexual and gender-based violence   The Council decided today to list three entities under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime in view of their responsibilities in the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks that occurred across Israel on 7 October 2023. The listed entities are the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the EU-designated terrorist organisation Palestinian Islamic Jihad; Nukhba Force, a special forces unit of the EU-designated terrorist organisation Hamas; and the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. With today’s listings, restrictive measures under the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime now apply to 104 natural and legal persons and 26 entities from multiple countries. 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. In its conclusions of 21-22 March 2024, the European Council recalled its previous conclusions condemning Hamas in the strongest possible terms for its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks across Israel on 7 October 2023, recognising Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international law and international humanitarian law, and calling for the immediate release of all hostages without any precondition. The European Council stressed that hostages’ safety and well-being was of grave concern, and that Hamas and other armed groups must immediately grant humanitarian access to all remaining hostages. The European Council also called on the Council to accelerate work on the adoption of further relevant restrictive measures against Hamas. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background On 7 December 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 establishing a Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime which applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses (e.g. torture, slavery, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests or detentions). The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime underscores the Union’s determination to enhance its role in addressing serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Achieving the effective enjoyment of human rights by everyone is a strategic goal of the Union. Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights is a fundamental value of the Union and its common foreign and security policy. On 4 December 2023, the Council prolonged restrictive measures under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime until 8 December 2026. Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1074 of 12 April 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1073 of 12 April 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 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, 29 January 2024 European Council conclusions 21-22 March 2024 Press material Friday, 12 April 2024   ● Council of the EU   12/04/2024 14:19 | Press release | EU-Central America: Council greenlights association agreement   The Council adopted today a decision to conclude the agreement establishing an association between the European Union and its member states, on the one hand, and Central America on the other.  This is the final step of the ratification process of the agreement, through which the EU and Central America commit to a close, long-term relationship in all main policy areas. It will allow the full implementation of the agreement on the first day of the month following the notification by the EU to the Central American counterparts. The full entry into force will give an important impetus to the bi-regional relations.  The agreement aims to strengthen and consolidate the relations between the parties through an association based on three mutually reinforcing and fundamental parts: political dialogue, cooperation and trade. Furthermore, it will: develop a privileged political partnership based on values, principles and common objectives, in particular the respect for and the promotion of democracy and human rights, sustainable development, good governance and the rule of law enhance bi-regional cooperation between the EU and Central America in all areas of common interest expand and diversify the parties’ bi-regional trade relation in conformity with the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement and this agreement strengthen and deepen regional integration in areas of common interest reinforce good neighbourly relations and the principle of peaceful resolution of disputes maintain and develop the level of good governance, social, labour and environmental standards foster increased trade and investment among the parties.  Meanwhile, the trade pillar of the association agreement has played an important role in promoting trade and investment between Europe and Central America. It has been provisionally applied since 1 August 2013 with Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, since 1 October 2013 with Costa Rica and El Salvador, and since 1 December 2013 with Guatemala.  This has made it easier and cheaper to commercialize products to and from Central America , as a result bilateral trade has significantly increased eliminated most import tariffs and improved access to government procurement and investment markets. It creates a more predictable environment for trade in Central America, with a mediation mechanism for non-tariff barriers and a bilateral dispute settlement mechanism. Furthermore, interaction with civil society under the trade and sustainable development chapter have proven fruitful to highlight broader benefits of the agreement. In addition, the agreement will also provide a strengthened enabling framework for the implementation of the EU's Global Gateway investment strategy, supporting infrastructure and improving global and regional connectivity in the digital, climate, transport, health, energy and education sectors. On 29 June 2012 the EU and the Central American states (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama), signed the agreement in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The European Parliament gave its consent on 11 December 2012, and on 17 January 2024, the ratification procedures of the association agreement by member states were finalised. Association agreement EU trade relations with Central America. Facts, figures and latest developments (European Commission)

Press material Friday, 12 April 2024

● Council of the EU   12/04/2024 13:12 | Press release | Council adopts €1 billion macro-financial assistance to Egypt   The EU will provide €1 billion of urgent short-term macro-financial assistance to Egypt to help stabilise its economy.  The aid is meant to address the deteriorating macro-fiscal situation and financing needs of the country over the recent months, notably after the outbreak of the Gaza war, the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the repercussions of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.  The €1 billion of short term assistance is part of a package of two proposals to provide macro-financial assistance to Egypt. The second part of the operation, still to be adopted, would provide € 4 billion over the period 2024-2027.  The overall macro-financial assistance accompanies a revamped support programme concluded with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), of up to € 8 billion, which will be made available provided several conditions are met.  The macro-financial assistance will be provided in the form of loans made available in one instalment. A precondition for granting the assistance is that Egypt continues to make concrete and credible steps towards respecting effective democratic mechanisms (including a multi-party parliamentary system) and the rule of law and guaranteeing respect for human rights. Next steps The decision will enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Background On 15 March 2024, the Commission proposed a macro-financial assistance operation to Egypt for an overall amount of € 5 billion in loans, following the request of Egypt on 12 March 2024. The proposed macro-financial assistance would provide € 1 billion in the short-term and € 4 billion over the period 2024-2027. The differentiated approach aims to make it possible to disburse the first part of the aid before the end of 2024, to respond to Egypt’s urgent financing needs.  In accordance with the Financial Regulation, the loans would be provisioned in the EU budget at a rate of 9 % (€ 90 million)  under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI – Global Europe). The European Union and Egypt (EEAS)

Press material Friday, 12 April 2024

● Council of the EU   12/04/2024 14:15 | Press release | Recovery fund: Council approves conclusions on the mid-term evaluation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility   The Council today approved conclusions on the mid-term evaluation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).  In its conclusions the Council recognises the positive contribution of the RRF to the green and digital transitions and other EU priorities, and notes the incentive to implement the country-specific recommendations (CSRs), notably through an acceleration of structural reforms. The Council welcomes that the RRF aims at strengthening national ownership and that the focus of the instrument is on delivery and implementation. The Council agrees that the report comes too early to be able to deliver a fully-fledged impact evaluation of the RRF and looks forward to the final evaluation of the RRF, scheduled in 2028, to assess its full impact.  The Council invites the Commission and the member states to identify concrete ways to streamline and improve the implementation of the facility and the recovery and resilience plans, while ensuring the adequate protection of the financial interests of the Union. The Council invites the Commission to continue to draw lessons from the implementation of the performance-based nature of this instrument. It underlines that the swift completion of investments and reforms by August 2026 remains key for achieving the full implementation of the facility.  Background The Commission presented a mid-term evaluation of the RRF on 21 February 2024, taking stock of progress achieved in implementing the facility. The mid-term evaluation is a requirement under the RRF Regulation and will be followed by an 'ex post evaluation' in 2028, with a global assessment of the facility and its impact, once the measures included in the recovery plans are fully implemented. The recovery and resilience facility (RRF) is the EU’s programme of large-scale financial support in response to the challenges the pandemic has posed to the European economy. It is the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU, a temporary recovery instrument that allows the Commission to raise funds to help repair the immediate economic and social damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To benefit from the facility, member states have submitted recovery and resilience plans (RRPs) to the Commission, setting out the reforms and investments they intend to implement by the end of 2026. So far, €648 billion have been committed to this end. Council conclusions on the midterm evaluation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) Commission mid-term evaluation of the RRF A recovery plan for Europe (background information)