COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Meetings Tuesday, 21 May 2024

● Council of the EU   21/05/2024 17:07 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Competitiveness Council (Space, research and innovation), 23 May 2024   On Thursday morning, ministers responsible for space will meet in Brussels and will aim to adopt Council conclusions on strengthening Europe’s competitiveness through space, a subject that will also be discussed in the following Joint EU-ESA Space Council. In the afternoon research ministers will take over and are expected to adopt a a political agreement on EuroHPC and AI, a recommendation on security in research, and Council conclusions on two issues: knowledge valorisation and the ex-post assessment of Horizon 2020.

Meetings Tuesday, 21 May 2024

● Council of the EU   21/05/2024 17:08 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry), 24 May 2024   On Friday, industry and internal market ministers will continue the COMPET Council. After the approval of A points, ministers are invited to adopt Council conclusions on three issues: the future of industrial policy; the internal market and on the report of the Court of Auditors on the EU public procurement.

Meetings 21 May 2024 ­ ­ • Council of the EU ­ 21/05/2024 | MEETING  8th EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council, 21 May 2024 Security and defence partnership between the EU and the Republic of Moldova

Meetings Tuesday, 21 May 2024

● Council of the EU   21/05/2024 16:09 | Meetings | Main results - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), 21 May 2024   Ministers held a policy debate on a collaborative approach to coherent implementation of the recently adopted legislation in the digital field. The Council approved two sets of conclusions on the future of EU digital policy and the future of cybersecurity. Over an informal lunch, ministers exchanged views on how to promote digital skills for an inclusive digital transformation.

Press material Tuesday, 21 May 2024

● Council of the EU   21/05/2024 15:22 | Press release | Cybersecurity: Council approves conclusions for a more cyber secure and resilient Union   The Council has approved conclusions on the future of cybersecurity aiming to provide guidance and setting the principles towards building a more cybersecure and more resilient Union. The importance of cybersecurity can hardly be underestimated. In the last years, cyber security threats have significantly increased in level, complexity, and scale. This has gone along with a significant increase in global geopolitical tensions. Cybersecurity operates on multiple levels, ensuring the safety of our businesses, governments, and our citizens. Everyone deserves a secure internet and the peace of mind that comes with it. Everyone deserves to feel safe, both online and offline. We must build a robust and resilient digital world through proactive measures and international cooperation. Petra de Sutter, Belgian deputy prime and minister of public administration, public enterprises, telecommunication, and postal services Today we set out the principles for the next steps in building a more cyber secure and resilient Union. Focusing on implementation, adoption of harmonised standards, certification, supply chain security, cooperation with the private sector, support for SMEs and adequate funding should be among our main priorities for the future. Mathieu Michel, Belgian Secretary of State for digitisation, administrative simplification, privacy protection, and the building regulation The Council conclusions recall the importance to focus on implementation, strengthen coordination and collaboration, and avoid fragmentation of cybersecurity rules in sectorial legislation. They also call to further clarify roles and responsibilities in the cyber domain, to strengthen the cooperation in the fight against cybercrime, and to work on a revised blueprint of the cyber crisis management framework. The support to micro, small and medium size enterprises, and the need to respond to the challenges presented by the new technologies are also highlighted. A multistakeholder approach, including cooperation with the private sector and academia is encouraged to close the skills gap. Stressing the importance to attract private capital, the Council conclusions emphasise the need for adequate funding. The external dimension is also highlighted, recalling that an active international policy would be needed to strengthen cooperation with third countries, particularly in the transatlantic context, as a contribution to a strong international ecosystem. In light of the changed and rising threat level, the Council finally invites the European Commission and the High Representative to present a revised cybersecurity strategy. Council conclusions on the future of cybersecurity: implement and protect together

Press material Tuesday, 21 May 2024

● Council of the EU   21/05/2024 13:44 | Press release | EU digital policy: Council identifies main priorities for the next legislative cycle   The Council has approved conclusions on the future of EU digital policy. Digital transformation has proven to be a game-changer in the life of EU citizens and businesses. In identifying the main priorities for the EU digital policy that will be developed in the upcoming legislative cycle, the Council conclusions aim to address both the challenges and opportunities of the digital sphere. New technologies have driven innovation, economic growth, and sustainability. However, a successful digital transformation must be grounded on a safe, inclusive, sustainable, and human-centric approach—one that upholds democracy and human rights. Digital rights are fundamental for everyone. We must ensure no one is left behind, providing every European the opportunity to develop essential digital skills and actively participate in our online world. Petra de Sutter, Belgian deputy prime and minister of public administration, public enterprises, telecommunication, and postal services To improve EU’s competitiveness on the global stage, we should foster a common European approach to innovative digital technologies striking the right balance between innovation, regulatory burden, and protection of the Union’s economic security. To achieve these goals, ambitious targets for the future must be set as far as digital skills, digital government, secure and digital infrastructure across Europe are concerned. Mathieu Michel, Belgian Secretary of State for digitisation, administrative simplification, privacy protection and building regulation Main priorities for the upcoming legislative cycle In its conclusions, the Council underlines that an effective, coherent, and efficient implementation of recently adopted laws with the minimum administrative burden for public and private players is the main priority for the next mandate. A common European approach to innovative digital technologies is of key importance for the EU’s competitiveness and to ensure the protection of EU’s economic security, while preserving economic openness and dynamism. Member states acknowledge the importance to ensure a safer, responsible, and trustworthy online environment in line with the Louvain-la-Neuve Declaration adopted during the informal meeting of telecommunications ministers on 12 April 2024. Member states also underline that this digital transformation should also go hand-in-hand with the green transition, accompanied by ambitious sustainability objectives.   The reinforcement of the EU's competitiveness in the digital transformation requires attracting and retaining a digitally skilled workforce, in particular women, and bridging the digital divide. The importance of ensuring secure and resilient digital infrastructure across the EU is underlined in the conclusions. The Council conclusions also emphasise the importance of the international dimension of EU digital policy, welcoming the strengthening of digital partnerships and digital trade agreements and insisting on the need to develop a more proactive and coordinated EU approach to play a key role globally in the digital transformation and digital governance.

Press material Tuesday, 21 May 2024

● Council of the EU   21/05/2024 13:44 | Press release | Extraordinary revenues generated by immobilised Russian assets: Council greenlights the use of net windfall profits to support Ukraine’s self-defence and reconstruction   In the light of Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine, the Council today adopted a set of legal acts ensuring that the net profits stemming from unexpected and extraordinary revenues accruing to central securities depositories (CSDs) in the EU, as a result of the implementation of the EU restrictive measures, will be used for further military support to Ukraine, as well as its defence industry capacities and reconstruction. This means that the CSDs holding Russian sovereign assets and reserves of more than €1 million will make a financial contribution from their corresponding net profits, accumulating since 15 February 2024. The amounts will be paid by the CSDs to the EU on a bi-annual basis, and will be used for further military support to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility, as well as with support to Ukraine’s defence industry capacities and reconstruction needs with EU programmes, according to the following key: European Peace Facility 90% EU programmes financed from the EU budget 10% This allocation will be reviewed yearly, and for the first time before 1 January 2025. CSDs will be allowed to provisionally retain a share of around 10% of the financial contribution to comply with statutory capital and risk management requirements in view of the impact due to the war in Ukraine, with regard to the assets held by CSDs Background On 12 February 2024, the Council decided that CSDs holding more than €1 million of assets and reserves of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) that were immobilised as consequence of EU’s restrictive measures, must set aside extraordinary cash balances accumulating due to EU restrictive measures, and may not dispose of the ensuing net profits. Marking the second year of Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the G7 Leaders in their statement of 24 February 2024 reiterated their countries’ continuing support for Ukraine’s right to self-defence and their commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security, and committed to step-up their security assistance to Ukraine and increase production and delivery capabilities to assist the country. That statement welcomed the adoption of the EU legal acts concerning extraordinary revenues of CSDs gained from Russia’s immobilised sovereign assets and encouraged further steps to enable their use, consistent with applicable contractual obligations and in accordance with applicable laws. Immobilised Russian assets: Council decides to set aside extraordinary revenues (press release, 12 February 2024) G7 Leaders’ Statement, 24 February 2024 G7 Leaders’ Statement, 6 December 2023 EU Sanctions against Russia explained (background information)

Press material Tuesday, 21 May 2024

● International ministerial meetings   21/05/2024 13:03 | Media advisory | Media advisory – The 8th meeting of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council, 21 May 2024   Indicative programme All times are approximate and subject to change Chair: Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy 11.00 Beginning of the EU-Republic of Moldova Association Council At the end of the meeting (+/- 13.30) press conference in live streaming. Arrangements for the press conference The press conference will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Europa building press room. Videos and photos from the event

Press material Tuesday, 21 May 2024

● Council of the EU   21/05/2024 12:25 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 27 May 2024   The press briefing ahead of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place on Wednesday, 22 May 2024 at 09.00. This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Europa building press room. To attend the event remotely, please use this link to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for the previous press events of Agriculture and Fisheries Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Wednesday, 22 May 2024 at 08.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants after the deadline.

Meetings Tuesday, 21 May 2024

● Council of the EU   21/05/2024 16:09 | Meetings | Main results - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), 21 May 2024   Ministers held a policy debate on a collaborative approach to coherent implementation of the recently adopted legislation in the digital field. The Council approved two sets of conclusions on the future of EU digital policy and the future of cybersecurity. Over an informal lunch, ministers exchanged views on how to promote digital skills for an inclusive digital transformation.

Press material Tuesday, 21 May 2024

● Council of the EU   21/05/2024 13:44 | Press release | Extraordinary revenues generated by immobilised Russian assets: Council greenlights the use of net windfall profits to support Ukraine’s self-defence and reconstruction   In the light of Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine, the Council today adopted a set of legal acts ensuring that the net profits stemming from unexpected and extraordinary revenues accruing to central securities depositories (CSDs) in the EU, as a result of the implementation of the EU restrictive measures, will be used for further military support to Ukraine, as well as its defence industry capacities and reconstruction. This means that the CSDs holding Russian sovereign assets and reserves of more than €1 million will make a financial contribution from their corresponding net profits, accumulating since 15 February 2024. The amounts will be paid by the CSDs to the EU on a bi-annual basis, and will be used for further military support to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility, as well as with support to Ukraine’s defence industry capacities and reconstruction needs with EU programmes, according to the following key: European Peace Facility 90% EU programmes financed from the EU budget 10% This allocation will be reviewed yearly, and for the first time before 1 January 2025. CSDs will be allowed to provisionally retain a share of around 10% of the financial contribution to comply with statutory capital and risk management requirements in view of the impact due to the war in Ukraine, with regard to the assets held by CSDs Background On 12 February 2024, the Council decided that CSDs holding more than €1 million of assets and reserves of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) that were immobilised as consequence of EU’s restrictive measures, must set aside extraordinary cash balances accumulating due to EU restrictive measures, and may not dispose of the ensuing net profits. Marking the second year of Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the G7 Leaders in their statement of 24 February 2024 reiterated their countries’ continuing support for Ukraine’s right to self-defence and their commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security, and committed to step-up their security assistance to Ukraine and increase production and delivery capabilities to assist the country. That statement welcomed the adoption of the EU legal acts concerning extraordinary revenues of CSDs gained from Russia’s immobilised sovereign assets and encouraged further steps to enable their use, consistent with applicable contractual obligations and in accordance with applicable laws. Immobilised Russian assets: Council decides to set aside extraordinary revenues (press release, 12 February 2024) G7 Leaders’ Statement, 24 February 2024 G7 Leaders’ Statement, 6 December 2023 EU Sanctions against Russia explained (background information)

Συνεδριάσεις Τρίτη, 21 Μαΐου 2024

● Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης   21/05/2024 17:07 | Συνεδριάσεις | Κύρια σημεία της ημερήσιας διάταξης - Συμβούλιο Ανταγωνιστικότητας (Διάστημα, έρευνα και καινοτομία), 23 Μαΐου 2024   Το πρωί της Πέμπτης, οι υπουργοί με αρμοδιότητα το διάστημα θα συνεδριάσουν στις Βρυξέλλες και θα επιδιώξουν να εγκρίνουν συμπεράσματα του Συμβουλίου σχετικά με την ενίσχυση της ανταγωνιστικότητας της Ευρώπης μέσω του διαστήματος, θέμα που θα συζητηθεί επίσης στο επόμενο Κοινό Συμβούλιο Διαστήματος ΕΕ-ΕΟΔ. Το απόγευμα θα πάρουν τη σκυτάλη οι υπουργοί με αρμοδιότητα την έρευνα και αναμένεται ότι θα εγκρίνουν πολιτική συμφωνία όσον αφορά την κοινή επιχείρηση για την ευρωπαϊκή υπολογιστική υψηλών επιδόσεων (EuroHPC) και την τεχνητή νοημοσύνη, σύσταση για την ασφάλεια της έρευνας, καθώς και συμπεράσματα του Συμβουλίου σχετικά με δύο θέματα: την αξιοποίηση της γνώσης και την εκ των υστέρων αξιολόγηση του προγράμματος «Ορίζων 2020».

Συνεδριάσεις Τρίτη, 21 Μαΐου 2024

● Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης   21/05/2024 17:08 | Συνεδριάσεις | Κύρια σημεία της ημερήσιας διάταξης - Συμβούλιο Ανταγωνιστικότητας (Εσωτερική αγορά και βιομηχανία), 24 Μαΐου 2024   Την Παρασκευή θα συνεχιστεί το Συμβούλιο Ανταγωνιστικότητας (COMPET) με τους υπουργούς βιομηχανίας και εσωτερικής αγοράς. Μετά την έγκριση των σημείων «Α», οι υπουργοί θα κληθούν να εγκρίνουν συμπεράσματα του Συμβουλίου σχετικά με τρία θέματα: το μέλλον της βιομηχανικής πολιτικής, την εσωτερική αγορά και την έκθεση του Ελεγκτικού Συνεδρίου σχετικά με τις δημόσιες συμβάσεις της ΕΕ·