COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Friday, 24 May 2024

● Council of the EU   24/05/2024 10:22 | Press release | Corporate sustainability due diligence: Council gives its final approval   The Council has today formally adopted the corporate sustainability due diligence directive. This is the last step in the decision-making procedure.  The directive adopted today introduces obligations for large companies regarding adverse impacts of their activities on human rights and environmental protection. It also lays down the liabilities linked to these obligations. The rules concern not only the companies’ operations, but also the activities of their subsidiaries, and those of their business partners along the companies’ chain of activities. Large companies must take their responsibilities in the transition towards a greener economy and more social justice. The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence directive will give us the possibility to sanction those actors that violate their obligations. It is a concrete and significant step towards a better place to live for everyone. Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy and Employment  Scope, activities, and civil liability The directive will affect companies of more than 1 000 employees with a turnover of more than €450 million, and their activities ranging from the upstream production of goods or the provision of services, to the downstream distribution, transport, or storage of products. Companies affected by the legislation adopted today will have to take and implement a risk-based system to monitor, prevent or remedy human rights or environmental damages identified by the directive.  The directive requires companies to ensure that human rights and environmental obligations are respected along their chain of activities. If a violation of these obligations is identified, companies will have to take the appropriate measures to prevent, mitigate, bring to an end or minimise the adverse impacts arising for their own operations, those of their subsidiaries and those of their business partners in their chain of activities. Companies can be held liable for the damage caused and will have to provide full compensation. Companies affected by the directive will also have to adopt and put into effect a climate transition plan in line with the Paris agreement on climate change.  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 directive will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication. Member states will have two years to implement the regulations and administrative procedures to comply with this legal text. The directive will apply depending on the size of the companies following this timeline:  3 years from the entry into force of the directive for companies with more than 5 000 employees and €1 500 million turnover 4 years from the entry into force for companies with more than 3 000 employees and €900 million turnover 5 years from the entry into force of the directive for companies with more than 1 000 employees and €450 million turnover Background On 23 February 2022, the Commission submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council a proposal for a directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. The Council adopted its general approach on 1 December 2022. Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on 14 December 2023.  Council negotiating mandate Commission’s original proposal Corporate sustainability (background information)

Press material Friday, 24 May 2024

● Council of the EU   24/05/2024 11:43 | Press release | Schengen area: Council adopts update of Schengen Borders Code   The Council has today given its final approval to a new Schengen Borders Code, the EU’s rulebook that deals with the management of internal and external borders as well as the rules governing border control of persons crossing the external EU borders. The reform is instrumental in making the Schengen area more resilient to present and future crises at its external borders. It makes also sure that people living and travelling in the EU can fully enjoy the benefits of borderless travel.  The regulation introduces the possibility to adopt EU-wide measures that restrict the access of third-country nationals to the EU in the event of a large-scale public health emergency. It also puts in place a transfer procedure that will help tackle the secondary movement of migrants (from one member state to another) and offers solutions to situations of instrumentalisation of migration. Clarifications to the rules about the reintroduction of border controls will ensure they remain a measure of last resort. Travelling in the Schengen zone without border checks is one of the main accomplishments of the EU. With today’s vote we have given member states tools at hand to maintain borderless travel within the Schengen area, while securing external borders, addressing irregular migration and public health risks. Annelies Verlinden, Belgian Minister of the Interior, Institutional Reform and Democratic Renewal Main elements In the event of a large-scale public health emergency the new rules grant the possibility – following a Council decision – to put in place harmonised temporary travel restrictions at the EU’s external border. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU was only able to issue non-binding recommendations as regards travel restrictions to member states. In addition to travel restrictions, the Council can also impose testing, quarantine and self-isolation and other health related measures for non-EU citizens entering the EU. In order to fight the instrumentalisation of migration the amended Schengen Borders Code will offer member states the possibility to limit the number of border crossing points or reduce their opening hours and allows for enhanced border surveillance measures. The revised Schengen Borders Code clarifies the existing framework for the reintroduction and prolongation of internal border controls, which is possible when there is a serious threat to public policy or internal security. Member states will need to assess the necessity and proportionality of this decision and assess whether the objectives pursued cannot be attained by other means.  Moreover, the revised regulation sets out the maximum duration during which these controls at the internal borders may be maintained. Internal border controls which have been notified to the Commission, member states and the European Parliament before being reintroduced may remain in place for a maximum duration of two years. In major exceptional situations, internal border controls may be prolonged by 6 additional months, renewable once for a total duration of one year. The possibility to use alternative measures, typically consisting of police checks and cross-border cooperation, should encourage member states to substantially limit the reintroduction of temporary border controls. These measures must be clearly distinct from systemic checks on persons at external borders.  Additionally, a new transfer procedure will allow a member state to transfer third-country nationals apprehended in the border area and staying illegally in its territory to the member state from which they arrived directly. The apprehension should take place in the context of a bilateral cooperation framework. Next steps This regulation enters into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It is directly applicable in the EU countries. Background The proposal was presented on 14 December 2021 by the European Commission. The Council presidency and European Parliament (rapporteur Sylvia Guillaume) reached a provisional agreement on the final law on 6 February 2024. Strengthening the EU’s external border (background information) The Schengen area explained (background information) Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2016/399 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders, 13 May 2024 Schengen: Council and European Parliament agree to update EU’s borders code (press release, 6 February 2024)

Press material Friday, 24 May 2024

● Council of the EU   24/05/2024 16:23 | Press release | Council adopts conclusions on the future of industrial policy   The Council, on the initiative of the Belgian presidency, has adopted conclusions on 'A competitive European industry driving our green, digital and resilient future'. Boosting the competitiveness of European industry should be high on the political agenda of the next European Commission and these conclusions provide the way forward towards a new European competitiveness deal. The conclusions analyse the situation of the EU's industrial sector, explore ways to improve innovation, access to finance and the business environment for manufacturers, and propose the main principles underlying a future EU industrial policy. The Union's ambitious goals for digital leadership and climate neutrality offer important opportunities for building industrial leadership and creating high-quality jobs. With the start of the next mandate of the European Commission ahead of us, now is the time to lay the building blocks for a European industrial policy and to provide guidance on the way forward towards a new European competitiveness deal. Jo Brouns, Flemish Minister for Economy, Innovation, Work, Social Economy and Agriculture The EU: home to a competitive industry The Council conclusions adopted today provide a framework for future industrial policy. Amid significant technological, economic and geopolitical shifts, Europe needs a competitive industry with a strong manufacturing base in order to boost innovation, productivity, quality jobs, sustainability and growth. However, EU industry has been confronted with many challenges, including rising global competition and consecutive crises (e.g., COVID-19, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, tensions in the Red Sea, etc.), which have strained supply chains and driven up energy prices. The document adopted today underlines the importance of the green and digital transition, which has created both opportunities and challenges for companies and citizens. The conclusions recommend giving priority to areas of technology that are critical for the EU's economic security. Innovation and competitiveness The Council conclusions consider innovation to be the driving force of European competitiveness. In that connection, the conclusions call for the identification of a limited number of strategic priorities in the EU's industrial research and innovation policy. A key task for the next Commission will be to try to bridge the 'innovation paradox' (i.e. the fact that knowledge does not always translate to marketable products and services). Financing and industrial policy Finance is also considered, and is an essential building block of the EU's industrial policy. Therefore, the conclusions explore how to boost private and public finance instruments, while preserving the competition and state aid policies. In order to improve financing, among other things, the conclusions call for the advancement of the Capital Market Union and the use of existing instruments such as the European Investment Bank, the cohesion policy, important projects of common interest (IPCEIs) and the InvestEU programme. In addition, existing European funding mechanisms should be evaluated and, if necessary, improved, structural ways to increase private investment should be explored, and, finally, the Commission is called upon by the Council to assess whether the financing toolbox for industry is effective in reaching the Union’s common goals in a timely manner. Improving the business environment The Council conclusions underline the need to establish the right framework conditions for industry to succeed. This includes a well-functioning single market; a clear regulatory framework that facilitates investment while protecting competition; an energy market that provides sustainable, secure and affordable energy; a well-trained and highly skilled workforce; an open and ambitious trade policy; quality standards; and the protection of intellectual property and the valorisation of knowledge.  Joint future action Finally, the conclusions call for a comprehensive European industrial policy which is in line with the green and digital priorities of the Union. Europe's future industrial policy framework should be based on evidence-based tools, metrics, market-based principles and core economic forecasts and findings. It should also integrate the latest economic results in an industrial policy analysis, and incorporate environmental, sustainability, resilience and social factors into its baseline models, which identify potential strategic future growth markets. The EU's future industrial policy should build on the existing 2020 EU industrial strategy and its update, the 2021 green deal industrial plan and the digital decade, and should also take into consideration recent legislation such as the chips act, the critical raw materials act and the net-zero industry act.   Background The European Council, in its conclusions of 17 and 18 April 2024, underlined the European Union's commitment to ensuring its long-term competitiveness, prosperity and leadership on the global stage and to strengthening its strategic sovereignty. An important part of that objective should be achieved with the development of an effective industrial policy.  Council calls for a comprehensive long-term industrial policy strategy with a vision for 2030 (press release, 27 May 2019) EU industrial policy (background information)

Press material Friday, 24 May 2024

● Council of the EU   24/05/2024 16:26 | Press release | Council adopts conclusions on the future of the single market   The Council has today adopted conclusions on the situation and the future of the single market. The conclusions, entitled ‘A single market for the benefit of all’, call for a holistic new strategy for the single market with a focus on improving its regulatory framework towards enhancing its potential benefits. The internal market is one of the main achievement of the European Union. It has provided benefits to our and social welfare and reinforced our economic global position. But we should not be complacent: the single market is still fragmented, all people don't benefit equally from it and big players are imposing their own rules. The conclusions adopted today draw a roadmap to strengthen our single market and prepare it for the incoming global challenges. Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy and Employment A single market for the 21st century The Council conclusions acknowledge the achievements of the single market in the 30 years of its existence, but also recognise the need for a new strategy to harness its untapped potential. The Council therefore calls on the Commission to prepare a strategy for a modernised single market before June 2025.  Better regulation The conclusions identify the need for a more efficient regulatory framework, adapted to the green and digital transitions and fast-changing global realities. To meet that need, the Council calls for the removal of unnecessary administrative burdens and compliance obligations (i.e. excessive reporting). The conclusions also call for the identification and withdrawal of obstacles for the growth of companies, including SMEs, and the application of digital solutions in future regulation (principles like ‘think small first’, ‘once only’, ‘digital by default’ or the SME passport). Ministers call for better use to be made of existing tools like SOLVIT centres (a support service to help companies and citizens facing problems in another member state). The conclusions call for the prevention of over-regulation, the permanent monitoring of the market situation and for coherent and strong enforcement of existing legislation. It also calls for addressing unfair commercial practices to strengthen consumer protection.  Ministers also underline the importance of better regulation, with timely, useful, and dynamic impact assessments, broad consultations (including citizens’ panels) and the use of regulatory sandboxes – temporary legal frameworks which allow the testing of innovative technologies, products, services or regulatory approaches.   Boosting the four freedoms The conclusions also call for several measures to enhance the potential of the single market, such as the better use of private and public investment, joint public and private strategic investments and the use of public procurement. The conclusions also propose removing barriers to the provision of cross-border services by applying simplified procedures. Ministers underline the importance of improving the capacities of the EU’s workforce (with good education, training, and long-life learning) and making the single market attractive for highly skilled workers from non-EU countries. Ministers also underline the strength of the single market at global level and emphasise the importance of making the most of its core role in the World Trade Organization and the EU’s strength as a global standardisation power.  Background 2023 marked the 30th anniversary of the Treaty of Maastricht and the creation of the European single market. Since then, a comprehensive process of reflection on the opportunities and challenges it presents has been under way. The European Council of March 2023 called for ambitious action to complete the single market, and in June, EU leaders requested an independent High-Level Report on the future of the single market. The Spanish and the Belgian presidencies commissioned the former Italian Prime Minister and president of the Jacques Delors Institute, Enrico Letta, to draw up the report. The final version, entitled ‘More than a Market’ was presented at the Special European Council of 17 and 18 April 2024.  Enrico Letta report “More than a market” European Council Conclusions (April 2024) Single market (background information)

Press material Friday, 24 May 2024

● Council of the EU   24/05/2024 16:28 | Press release | Council adopts conclusions on the Court of Auditors' report on public procurement   Ministers have today adopted Council conclusions on the European Court of Auditors' (ECA) special report on public procurement in the EU. The conclusions, entitled 'Improving fair and effective competition for EU public procurement contracts awarded for works, goods and services', reflect the response of competitiveness ministers to that report and propose the launch of an EU-wide strategic action plan for public procurement as one of the priorities for the Commission's next mandate. Public procurement is one of the main drivers of economic growth and employment and can be a powerful tool for achieving our strategic objectives. However, we need to be certain we obtain the maximum value for every euro spent on public purchases, ensuring that the rules are clear, that information is easily available and that there is real competition among all participants.  Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Economy and Employment Content of conclusions The conclusions welcome the ECA's report and its recommendations. Ministers are calling for the streamlining and improvement of the rules on public procurement and the launch of an in-depth analysis of the existing legal framework. The conclusions underline the importance of high-quality data availability and advanced tools to provide information on public procurement in the EU. Finally, the conclusions recommend consulting stakeholders, promoting best practices, ensuring professionalisation and launching an EU-wide strategic action plan for public procurement in the EU.  Background The public purchase of works, goods and services from suppliers through public procurement amounts to some €2 trillion per year, around 14% of the EU's gross domestic product (GDP).  On 4 December 2023 the European Court of Auditors published a special report entitled 'Public procurement in the EU: less competition for contracts awarded for works, goods, and services in the 10 years up to 2021'. The report criticised the decreasing competition in public procurement over the last decade, particularly in view of the large proportion of direct awards in some member states and single bidder procedures. The Court also underlined the low proportion of contracts awarded to SMEs, and an insufficient use of strategic public procurement. Other shortcomings identified in that text were the low level of direct cross-border procurement and the lack of monitoring of the public procurement market by the Commission and the member states.  Special report 28/2023: Public procurement in the EU (European Court of Auditors)

Meetings Friday, 24 May 2024

● Council of the EU   24/05/2024 18:12 | Meetings | Main results - Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry), 24 May 2024   Ministers responsible for industry and the internal market adopted Council conclusions on the future of EU industrial policy, the future of the internal market and public procurement in the EU.

Meetings Friday, 24 May 2024

● Council of the EU   24/05/2024 18:04 | Meetings | Foreign Affairs Council, 27 May 2024   Background brief - Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs (Defence) Council meetings of 27 and 28 May 2024

Press material Friday, 24 May 2024

● Council of the EU   24/05/2024 18:20 | Media advisory | Media advisory - Foreign Affairs Council of 27 May and Foreign Affairs (Defence) Council of 28 May 2024   Indicative programme All times are approximate and subject to change Monday 27 May - Foreign Affairs Council Chair: Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy From 07.15 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 07.45 Doorstep by Josep Borrell (live streaming) 08.15 Beginning of the Foreign Affairs Council (roundtable) Adoption of the agenda Approval of "A" items (non-legislative list) Russian aggression against Ukraine Current affairs: - Venezuela - Georgia Situation in the Middle East Any other business At the end of the meeting (+/- 14.45) - Press conference in live streaming. In the margins of the Council meeting Supporting the future of Syria and the region - Brussels VIII Conference 15.15 Start of the conference - Opening and plenary sessions + concluding remarks in live streaming Tuesday 28 May - Foreign Affairs (Defence) Council Chair: Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy from 08.00 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 08.30 Doorstep by High Representative Josep Borrell (live streaming) 08.45 European Defence Agency Steering Board 10.30 Beginning of the Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) EU support to Ukraine Current affairs Defence readiness Any other business At the end of the meeting (+/- 15.30) - Press conference in live streaming. Videos and photos from the Foreign Affairs Council Videos and photos from the Foreign Affairs (Defence) Council

Press material Friday, 24 May 2024

● Council of the EU   24/05/2024 17:02 | Media advisory | Media advisory - Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 27 May 2024   Indicative programme All times are approximate and subject to change Chairs: David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Self-Employed, SMEs and Agriculture, Institutional Reforms and Democratic Renewal Willy Borsus, Vice-President of the Walloon government and Minister of Economy, Foreign Trade, Research and Innovation, New Technologies, Agriculture and Urban and Spatial Planning  From 08.30 Arrivals and doorsteps (live streaming) 09.00 Doorstep by Minister Clarinval (live streaming) 10.00 Beginning of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting Adoption of the agenda Approval of 'A' items Legislative activities (+/- 10.10 public session) +/- 10.15 Crisis situation in the agricultural sector Any other business: Large carnivores +/- 12.00 Market situation Any other business: Difficult situation of fruit producers Any other business: - Drought (+/- 14.45 public session) - Origin labelling (+/- 15.20 public session) - Biotechnologies (+/- 15.50 public session) - Animal welfare (+/- 16.20 public session) - Dual quality of foodstuffs (+/- 16.50 public session) - Neonicotinoids as seed treatment (+/- 17.20 public session) At the end of the meeting (+/- 18.00) - press conference in live streaming. Videos and photos from the event

Meetings Thursday, 23 May 2024

● Council of the EU   23/05/2024 18:36 | Meetings | Main results - Competitiveness Council (Space, research and innovation), 23 May 2024   Ministers responsible for the space sector met in Brussels to adopt Council conclusions on the contribution of space to Europe’s competitiveness. They also held an exchange of views on the forthcoming space law. In the afternoon, ministers in charge of research reached a political agreement on covering artificial intelligence under the Euro High Performing Computers Joint Undertaking. Ministers also approved a recommendation on research security and two council conclusions: one on knowledge valorisation and another one on the ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020 framework programme.

Press material Thursday, 23 May 2024

● Council of the EU   23/05/2024 16:28 | Press release | Council approves conclusions on the evaluation of Horizon 2020   The Council has approved conclusions on 'the ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020 and future outlook'. Horizon 2020 was the EU's 8th funding framework programme for research and innovation and was in place between 2014 and 2020 with an overall budget of €75.6 billion. The conclusions are member states’ reaction to the ex-post assessment report that the Commission issued earlier this year. They are intended to provide political guidance in view of the preparation of the future framework programme (FP10). The conclusions confirm the central role of the framework programme in supporting research and innovation at EU level, driven by the pursuit of excellence, and highlight its scientific, societal and economic impact. It addresses synergies with other European programmes and with national and regional funds and calls to improve feedback to policymaking and to better align the framework programme with the European Research Area. The conclusions also note considerable disparities in participation and success rates between countries and invites exploring a more effective approach that supports a wider participation. Finally, the conclusions address implementation issues of the framework programme, and the need to further optimise monitoring, including assessing its long-term effects. As such, these conclusions are a crucial step in the development of the next framework programme for research and innovation. Although Horizon 2020 is a success story, we cannot be complacent. Research and innovation will be critical for our competitiveness and sovereignty in the years to come. We need to make the most of the lessons learnt in Horizon 2020 to ensure that the next framework programme for research and development is even more ambitious, efficient and successful. Willy Borsus, Vice-President of Wallonia, Minister for Economy, Research and Innovation, Digital, Agriculture, Urban Planning and Spatial Planning Background The conclusions approved today are the Council's response to the ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020, issued by the Commission on 29 January 2024. The programme funded almost 35 000 projects involving 40 000 organisations. The evaluation concludes that Horizon 2020 has been a successful programme in many different areas (having a notably high scientific, social and economic impact), although it signals some areas for improvement, such as broadening participation, further reducing the administrative burden and better disseminating research results.  The draft conclusions will help to prepare for the following 10th framework programme for research and innovation 2028-2034. Council conclusions on the ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020 and future outlook, Ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020 (Commission report) Horizon Europe (background information)

Press material Thursday, 23 May 2024

● Council of the EU   23/05/2024 15:45 | Press release | Council adopts a recommendation to enhance research security   The Council has adopted a Council recommendation on enhancing research security. The main objective of the recommendation is to support the Commission and member states to address research security risks deriving from international cooperation. The recommendation identifies risks relating mainly to the areas of undesirable transfer of knowledge, foreign interference, and ethical or integrity violations. The recommendation does not contain binding provisions but offers guidance for measures that could be taken by the Commission, the member states and the research community. This recommendation has been a priority for the Belgian Presidency in the field of research and innovation. While we are open to knowledge exchange and international cooperation in the field of research, we should not be naïve. The changing geopolitical context urgently requires our joint response to avoid a use of our own research against our security or our values. The scientific community needs guidance without delay. Willy Borsus, Vice-President of Wallonia and Minister for Economic Affairs, Foreign Trade, Research and Innovation, the Digital Economy, Spatial Planning, Agriculture, IFAPME (Walloon institute for ongoing and freelance training and SMEs) and competence centres Main elements of the recommendation The text adopted today by the Council includes a general call for awareness raising and offers guidance to assess risks and enhance research security when engaging in research cooperation with international partners. The text is divided in three blocs: recommendations addressed to both Commission and member states, recommendations to member states and recommendations to the Commission.  Recommendation to both member states and the Commission:  The Council recommends that the Commission and member states take into consideration key principles for responsible internationalisation when designing and implementing policy actions to enhance research security, such as academic freedom and institutional autonomy. When it comes to international research and innovation (R&I) cooperation with partners in non-EU countries, this should be done in a way that is both open and secure, in line with the principle ‘as open as possible, as closed as necessary’, and with consideration to applicable restrictions. Other principles to be considered are proportionality of safeguard measures, non-discrimination, and respect of fundamental rights. Measures to safeguard research security should avoid protectionism and unjustified political instrumentalisation.  Recommendations to member states The text adopted today includes fourteen recommendations to member states to enhance research security, including: the development of a national approaches which may include the formulation of national guidelines or a list of relevant measures and initiatives; the creation or reinforcement of support services to help actors in the R&I sector to deal with risks related to international cooperation in research; the reinforcement of cross-sectoral cooperation within the government; or the development of the evidence base for research security policymaking.  The recommendation also includes a dedicated set of proposed measures on member states’ engagement with research funding organisations and research performing organisations. Recommendations to the Commission Finally, the document includes eleven recommendations for the Commission to explore and assess options for more structural support, including the option to establish a European Centre of Expertise on Research Security. Monitoring  The monitoring of the implementation will be done by the Commission, in cooperation with the member states. The Commission will report to the Council every two years, relying on the already existing biennial reporting on the global approach to R&I. The next report is foreseen for mid-2025. The Commission can make use of the existing European Research Area (ERA) governance structures. Background On 24 January 2024, the Commission issued a proposal for a Council recommendation on enhancing research security, as part of a package of proposals on economic security. The proposal for recommendation was preceded by a “call for evidence” launched by the Commission for the period 6 December 2023 – 3 January 2024.  Council recommendation on research security

Press material Thursday, 23 May 2024

● Council of the EU   23/05/2024 15:22 | Press release | AI: Council reaches political agreement on the use of super-computing for AI development   The Council has reached a political agreement on a regulation to expand the objectives of the European High Performing Computer Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC), aimed at boosting Europe’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). The regulation adds an additional objective for the Joint Undertaking: to develop and operate AI Factories in support of an artificial intelligence ecosystem in the Union. AI Factories will be entities that provide AI super-computing service infrastructure. The regulation will also make the Union’s supercomputing capacity further available to innovative AI European startups to train their models. Unity is the strength of Europe, and together we have achieved great goals. We have seen this with the development of our world-class super-computers, and now we want to boost the outcomes of these powerful machines through a trustworthy AI. The main objectives of our political agreement are to launch our artificial intelligence start-ups into the first division of this crucial technology’, support a highly competitive and innovative AI ecosystem and strengthen the EU’s technological autonomy. Willy Borsus, Vice-President of Wallonia, Minister for Economy, Research and Innovation, Digital, Agriculture, Urban Planning and Spatial Planning Commission proposal  The amendment proposed by the Commission broadens the scope of the regulation that set the objectives of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, a structure created in 2018 to lead the way in European super-computing. Currently, the EuroHPC JU has procured nine super-computers, located across Europe.  The Commission proposal builds on the work of the existing joint undertaking by including AI Factories. These entities should provide AI super-computing services with an infrastructure consisting, among other things, of an AI-super-computer, an associated data centre, and AI-oriented super-computing services, which will be made available to innovative AI European startups to train their models. Council political agreement The Council supports the main objectives of the proposal but introduces several amendments.  In particular, the Council agreement ensures that the activities covered by the AI Factories provide fair access opportunities to the AI-optimised supercomputers, opening them up to a larger number of public and private users. The regulation explicitly mentions start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises as possible beneficiaries of the AI-super-computers. They will be able to use the one-stop-shop that each hosting entity creates to facilitate access to its support services. The Council position calls on the EuroHPC Governing Board to define special access conditions for the AI-super-computers, including dedicated access to start-ups and SMEs. Following the political agreement reached today, hosting entities can receive a Union financial contribution that covers up to 50% of the acquisition costs of AI-super-computers and up to 50% of their operating costs (including AI-oriented super-computing service costs). The ownership of the AI-optimised supercomputers can be transferred to the hosting entities five years after the machine has passed an acceptance test.  Finally, the regulation states that the AI-super-computers should primarily be used to develop, test, evaluate and validate large-scale, general-purpose AI training models and emerging AI applications, and to further develop AI solutions in the Union. Next steps This is a Council regulation. It will be published in the Official Journal after legal review. This regulation will enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.  Background The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking coordinates the efforts of its members to make Europe a world leader in super-computing. The main objectives of EuroHPC Joint Undertaking are to develop, deploy, extend and maintain the EU super-computing, quantum computing and data infrastructure ecosystem; support the development of super-computing systems components, technologies and knowledge; widen the use of that super-computing infrastructure; and support the development of key HPC skills for European science and industry.  On 24 January 2024, the Commission proposed a regulation to amend the current legal framework (the 2018 Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173) to introduce a further objective for the Joint Undertaking: supporting the development of an AI ecosystem in the Union by developing and operating AI Factories.  The proposed amendment is part of the AI initiative of the Union, announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her 2023 State of the Union address. Council Regulation amending Regulation (EU)2021/1173 as regards an EuroHPC initiative for start-ups to boost European leadership in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Commission’s proposal for a council regulation as regards an EuroHPC initiative for start-ups to boost European leadership in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 of 13 July 2021 on esta

Press material Thursday, 23 May 2024

● Council of the EU   23/05/2024 10:46 | Press release | Council adopts conclusions on the contribution of space to Europe’s competitiveness   The Council has today adopted conclusions on ‘strengthening Europe’s competitiveness through space’. The text reflects on how a more competitive European space sector can contribute to the economic and social challenges of the Union and reinforce its role at global level. The space sector will play an increasingly important role in the strategic autonomy of Europe. An ambitious space policy will create business opportunities and quality jobs in this fast-growing sector, and will also help our economy, both industry and services, to accelerate the green and digital transitions and be better prepared to compete at global level. Thomas Dermine, Belgian State Secretary for Strategic Recovery and Investments, in charge of Scientific Policy, Deputy to the Minister for the Economy and Employment The contribution of space to Europe’s competitiveness The Council conclusions highlight the growing importance of space in many areas of EU socio-economic challenges and policies, from the green deal (with data collection to better understand and prepare for climate change), the digital transition (communication and information space-based services) or the overall competitiveness of the EU. Furthermore, space contributes to economic growth by generating innovative solutions, systems applications and services that can benefit many other sectors via more integrated cooperation between the space and non-space sectors.  Boosting the space sector In the text adopted today, member states underline the need to enhance the use of space data, and call for the stronger development of the space sector by securing and increasing both public and private investment. Public procurement, a good risk management framework or the promotion of public and private funding models could have a positive impact on all actors in the space ecosystem, including small and medium enterprises. The conclusions also underline the importance of profiting from the multiplying effect of investment in space research and development, promoting a stable and predictable business framework and developing the necessary skills within the sector’s workforce. The conclusions underline the important role of public authorities in ensuring cost-effective data access for companies, while preserving the security and protection of space data. Space and global action Based on the conclusions adopted today, the European Union and the European Space Agency should contribute to the development of global rules that ensure a sustainable space environment. The conclusions state that a strong European space sector is fundamental for European strategic autonomy, and call for the expansion of the European space sector and global collaborative partnerships. The conclusions also emphasise that space is vital for the protection of critical infrastructure (such as energy or network infrastructure), which makes it imperative to secure critical technologies. Background The Belgian presidency of the EU Council has organised a joint ESA-EU Space Council to mark the 20th anniversary of the ESA-EU Framework Agreement. The ESA-EU Framework Agreement, which is the institutional foundation for the cooperation between both organisations, foresees the organisation of such meetings. The theme proposed for this occasion was ‘Reinforcing Europe’s competitiveness through space’. The main challenges the European space sector is currently facing include navigating through international competition, developing cutting-edge innovation, and increasing the global attractiveness of Europe’s space market. Council conclusions on strengthening Europe’s competitiveness through space EU space policy (background information)

Meetings Thursday, 23 May 2024

● Council of the EU   23/05/2024 15:09 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 30 May 2024   The Foreign Affairs Council, in its Trade configuration, will discuss trade and competitiveness and the future of EU trade policy, the state of play of trade and investment relations between the EU and Africa, and the follow up to the 13th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference (MC13).

Press material Thursday, 23 May 2024

● Council of the EU   23/05/2024 16:06 | Press release | Council adopts conclusions on strengthening knowledge valorisation   The Council has adopted conclusions on 'strengthening knowledge valorisation as a tool for a resilient and competitive industry and for strategic autonomy in an open economy in Europe'. The main aim of the conclusions is to reinforce the various ways of supporting knowledge valorisation, taking stock of recent initiatives and the guidelines for strengthening knowledge valorisation and makes proposals to fill in the gaps in the European innovation landscape. Knowledge valorisation is a powerful tool to boost the competitiveness of our industry and to improve the life of our citizens. We cannot afford to allow the wealth of our knowledge to remain in the laboratory and not becoming concrete projects for our society. Only by getting the most out of our research and innovation will we be able to compete on the global stage and take the lead in the future knowledge-based industrial revolution. Willy Borsus, Vice-President of Wallonia, Minister for Economy, Research and Innovation, Digital, Agriculture, Urban Planning and Spatial Planning  Content of conclusions Knowledge valorisation is the process of creating social and economic value from knowledge obtained from research and innovation. This is achieved by transforming data, know-how and research results into products, services, solutions and knowledge-based policies that benefit society. The Council conclusions approved today focus on strengthening knowledge valorisation capacities through funding tools, policies and frameworks and through reinforcing the network of intermediaries and facilitators in the innovation landscape. They also address to the need to develop a culture of knowledge valorisation by fostering collaboration between research and industry and by improving training programmes for entrepreneurship and innovation in all disciplines. Background Knowledge valorisation has been a recurrent topic for discussion by the Council at its research meetings. In December 2022, the Council adopted a Council recommendation on the guiding principles for knowledge valorisation, and in December 2023 ministers held a policy debate on 'Research valorisation as a tool for economic and industrial recovery and resilience'.  Council conclusions

Meetings Thursday, 23 May 2024

● Council of the EU   23/05/2024 16:06 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 30 May 2024   EU energy ministers will approve conclusions on advancing sustainable electricity grids. They will discuss the future of RePowerEU and the way forward of the European Green Deal.