EUROGROUP,COUNCIL OF THE EU,update

Meetings Monday, 13 May 2024

● Council of the EU   13/05/2024 18:59 | Meetings | Main results - Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 13-14 May 2024   Ministers for education and youth met in Brussels to discuss learning mobility opportunities, the impact of AI on education and training, and inclusive societies for young people, including the outcome of the recent EU Youth Conference.

Meetings Monday, 13 May 2024

● Eurogroup   13/05/2024 23:47 | Meetings | Main results - Eurogroup, 13 May 2024   The Eurogroup assessed macroeconomic and budgetary developments and provided a briefing on international meetings. It reviewed the state of play and challenges of the euro area banking system, including strategies for enhancing its resilience. Additionally, ministers discussed innovation gaps and concrete ways to improve competitiveness and productivity in the euro area. They also discussed ways to deepen the capital markets union.

 

Press material Monday, 13 May 2024

● Eurogroup   13/05/2024 21:13 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by Paschal Donohoe following the Eurogroup meeting of 13 May 2024   Good evening, everybody. We have just paused our Eurogroup meeting, because we are going to have an informal discussion over dinner on work with regard to the development of capital markets. But before we get to that I just wanted to give you a debrief on the discussion that has taken place in the Eurogroup so far today. We began with our normal discussion on macroeconomic and budgetary developments in the euro area. The discussion reflected the urgency that many ministers feel regarding what future efforts we can take to further improve the ability of the euro area to grow. We all acknowledged the success in reducing inflation and many ministers commented on what further policy decisions need to be taken to grow even faster in the future. That set the scene for the discussion on the Banking Union, where we received a very good update from the Chairs of the Single Resolution Mechanism and the Single Supervisory Mechanism. They informed us that the efforts taken to protect the stability of our financial and banking sector have worked. However, the challenges of tomorrow are not always the same as the challenges of today or yesterday. In that light, the Chairs reminded us of the importance of cybersecurity and of the impact that climate change can have on the stability of the financial sector. We looked at the work underway on the crisis management framework - the Belgian presidency gave us a very good update on where that file stands - and we came back to the steps that need to be taken to increase the scale of the Single Resolution Fund and the huge importance of the relationship between that and the ESM. We emphasised again the importance of the ratification of the ESM Treaty. From this we went on to a discussion on competitiveness. This was a very broad ranging discussion, informed by a fantastic note from the Commission, which laid out where we stand on many indicators of competitiveness today. It noted things that are going well for the future and a number of things that are not going so well. Michiel Scheffer, the President of the Board of the European Innovation Council, gave us his perspective, in particular on the relationship between SMEs here in Europe and innovation. He focussed on what further steps can be taken to support the innovation of small and medium-sized companies in the EU, which he said we should see as a source of competitive advantage. Ministers then came in. The topics they covered included the need to strengthen private sector investment in R&D, which is relevant to the discussion that we're about to have on capital markets union. They mentioned the importance of education, and where we stand with regard to PISA tests that are conducted by the OECD. Finally ministers touched upon the steps that can be taken with regard to taxation, reducing levels of administrative burden and how we regulate the single market, all of which may, over time, make the EU an even better place to innovate. After this, we are going to be having a discussion over dinner on the Capital Markets Union (CMU). We are going to look at the political agreement that we made on the CMU a few weeks ago. The discussion is now all about how we can move to action at national level and how we can provide guidance to the next Commission regarding actions that they can take at EU level. We are all aware of the endorsement that this work received at the Euro Summit and the subsequent discussion in the European Council.  Now we all want to maintain the momentum and build the urgency to make progress. We will receive an update from Christian Noyer on the work that is underway in France. We will welcome Commissioner Mairead McGuinness to this discussion. Finally, I will be looking to have an agreement from all ministers on a work programme, which is about implementation, action and turning our statement into reality. Thank you.

Press material Tuesday, 14 May 2024

● Council of the EU   14/05/2024 10:41 | Press release | Influencers in the EU: Council calls for increased support to encourage positive impact   The Council has approved conclusions on ways to support influencers as online content creators in the EU. 'Influencers' – online creators who post content on social media and video-sharing platforms – are having an increasing impact on the online content and information that people consume on a daily basis in the EU. While this impact is often positive, thanks to the diversity of online communities and the sense of belonging that they generate, it can potentially be harmful, both to individuals’ mental health and at a societal level in areas such as democracy. Europeans are spending more time online, meaning that influencers who create content for social media have a greater impact than ever before on the way we perceive and understand the world. In order to ensure that this impact is positive, the EU must provide support to influencers, enabling them to build their media literacy and increase their awareness and appreciation of the rules that govern their actions online. Benjamin Dalle, Flemish Minister for Brussels, Youth, Media and Poverty Reduction Potential impact of influencers The Council’s conclusions note that while influencers already make use of their technical and creative skills to produce and edit content, they also need media literacy skills to understand the potential negative impact of sharing mis- and disinformation, online hate speech, cyberbullying and other illegal or harmful content. In particular, the Council points to the rise of ‘kidfluencers’ – influencers who are under the age of eighteen – and the need for parents, guardians and caregivers to protect kidfluencers and ensure that they are aware of their relevant legal obligations. Key recommendations   In its conclusions, the Council: encourages member states to engage with influencers and their emerging representative organisations to ensure that they are aware of their role in the media ecosystem and the legislation that applies to them invites the Commission to explore ways to support influencers at EU level, including via a coherent policy approach focusing on media literacy and responsible online behaviour, as well as making use of existing EU funds and programmes on media education calls on both the Commission and member states to develop policies and instruments to foster responsible behaviour on the part of influencers and to support the development of self-regulatory bodies or mechanisms, including a possible ethical code or similar initiatives for influencers  ensuring that influencers are involved in the development of those aspects of media policy that may impact them, including the increased use of AI Support for influencers as online content creators (Council conclusions)

Press material Tuesday, 14 May 2024

● Council of the EU   14/05/2024 12:16 | Press release | EUAM Ukraine: Council extends the mandate of the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform until 2027   The Council today adopted a decision extending the mandate of the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine), until 31 May 2027. Since 2014 EUAM Ukraine has been working closely with its local counterparts to support Ukraine in developing sustainable, accountable and efficient civilian security services that strengthen the rule of law. The mission provides strategic advice and practical support for specific reform measures in accordance with EU standards and international principles of good governance and human rights, including in support of Ukraine’s accession-related commitments. In doing that, EUAM advises, trains, and supports relevant Ukrainian partners such as the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Police of Ukraine. EUAM Ukraine has field offices in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and a mobile unit. Field offices in Kharkiv and Mariupol are currently not operational. The mandate of EUAM Ukraine was substantially adjusted in 2022 to take into account Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Since then, EUAM Ukraine provides support to Ukrainian authorities to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of international crimes committed in the context of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, integrated border management, and support in liberated territories. In its conclusions of 21 March 2024, the European Council stated that the European Union remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s repair, recovery and reconstruction, in coordination with international partners. The European Council welcomed the recent strengthening of EUAM Ukraine which will allow the scaling up of support for Ukrainian law enforcement agencies in Ukraine’s liberated and adjacent territories, and for reforms in the context of its EU accession process. EUAM Ukraine is a non-executive civilian mission established on 22 July 2014, and currently headed by Rolf Holmboe. EUAM Ukraine (EEAS) Council Conclusions 21 and 22 March 2024 EU response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine

Press material Tuesday, 14 May 2024

● Council of the EU   14/05/2024 12:19 | Press release | The Council adopts the EU's pact on migration and asylum   Today the Council adopted a landmark reform of the European asylum and migration system. This establishes a set of rules that will help to manage arrivals in an orderly way, create efficient and uniform procedures and ensure fair burden sharing between member states. The asylum and migration pact will ensure a fairer and stronger migration system that makes a concrete difference on the ground. These new rules will make the European asylum system more effective and increase solidarity between member states. The European Union will also continue its close cooperation with third countries to tackle the root causes of irregular migration. Only jointly can we find responses to the global migration challenge. Nicole de Moor, Belgian State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Complete overhaul of EU asylum and migration system The Council today adopted in total 10 legislative acts which reform the entire European framework for asylum and migration management. The screening regulation will allow national authorities to refer irregular migrants and asylum applicants at an external border to the relevant procedure and will make sure that identification, security and vulnerability checks and health evaluation are carried out in a uniform way. The new rules regarding the updated Eurodac database will allow to gather more accurate and complete data (also biometric data) on various categories of migrants, including applicants for international protection and people arriving irregularly in the EU. This will help inform policy making and enhance the control of irregular migration and unauthorised movements. The asylum procedure regulation streamlines the European asylum procedure and introduces a mandatory border procedure in well-defined cases. The return border procedure regulation deals with the returns of people whose application in this border procedure is rejected. The asylum and migration management regulation determines which member state is responsible for the examination of applications for international protection and for the first time introduces a fair sharing of responsibility among the member states. Thanks to the crisis regulation the EU will be better equipped to deal with asylum applications in exceptional circumstances.     The qualification regulation and reception conditions directive lay down uniform rules for the criteria for granting international protection and the standards for the reception of asylum seekers. This should also help to reduce secondary movements between member states. Finally, the resettlement regulation deals with legal and safe pathways to the EU by establishing common rules for resettlement and humanitarian admission.  Border procedure A major new feature of the reform is the mandatory border procedure. This procedure will apply to certain categories of asylum seekers (for instance those coming from countries with low asylum recognition rates). The aim of the procedure is to make a quick assessment at the EU's external borders of whether applications are unfounded or inadmissible. People in the asylum border procedure are not authorised to enter the territory of the EU. Responsibility and solidarity The new rules clarify which member state will be responsible for an asylum application (for instance in cases where a person has a family member in an EU country or when the asylum request is not made in the country where the asylum seeker first arrives in the EU). Another important aspect of the migration system reform is the introduction of a solidarity mechanism to ensure a fairer sharing of responsibility. The new rules combine mandatory solidarity to support member states dealing with a strong influx of migrants with flexibility as regards the type of contributions. Member states' contributions can consist of relocations, financial contributions or, where agreed with the benefiting member state, alternative solidarity measures (e.g. providing border guards or helping with the deployment of reception centres). Management of crisis situations In order to better deal with situations of crisis (mass arrivals and instrumentalisation) and force majeure, member states can derogate from certain rules and request enhanced solidarity from other EU countries. Possible derogations apply for instance to deadlines for registering asylum applicants and the duration of the border procedure. The crisis mechanism is used only in exceptional circumstances and for the time strictly necessary to address situations of crisis or force majeure. It is subject to authorisation from the Council. Next steps Member states will now have two years to put the laws that were adopted today into practice. The European Commission will soon present a common implementation plan to provide assistance to member states in this process. Background The asylum procedure regulation, asylum and migration management regulation, Eurodac regulation, screening regulation and crisis regulation are components of the new pact on migration and asylum, which the Commission (Commissioner Ylva Johansson) proposed on 23 September 2020. The reception conditions directive, qualification regulation and EU resettlement framework were initially proposed in 2016. Overall agreement between the Council presidency and the European Parliament was reached on 20 December 2023. The details of the texts were further fine-tuned in January and at the beginning of February 2024. The European Parliament adopted the pact on 10 April 2024. The Council and the European Parliament reach breakthrough in reform of EU asylum and migration system (press release, 20 December 2023) EU migration and asylum policy (background information) EU asylum rules (background information) Eurodac regulation, 26 April 2024 Asylum procedure regulation, 26 April 2024 Regulation establishing a return border procedure, 26 April 2024 Regulation establishing a resettlement and humanitarian admission framework, 26 April 2024 Regulation addressing situations of crisis and force majeure, 26 April 2024 Screening regulation, 26 April 2024 Asylum and migration management regulation, 26 April 2024 Regulation on consistency amendments related to screening, 26 April 2024 Reception conditions directive, 26 April 2024 Qualification regulation, 26 April 2024

Press material Tuesday, 14 May 2024

● Council of the EU   14/05/2024 12:17 | Press release | Mozambique: Council extends the mandate of the EU training mission until 2026 and paves the way for its evolution into a EU Military Assistance Mission   The Council today prolonged the mandate of the EU Training Mission in Mozambique, until 30 June 2026, with a budget allocation of over €14 million for this period. Furthermore, the Council decided to adapt the strategic objectives of the mission to new circumstances, thereby favouring its transition from a training to an assistance model, combining advising, mentoring and specialised training in support of the units of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) of the Mozambican armed forces. As a consequence of this change, the mission will be renamed EU Military Assistance Mission Mozambique (EUMAM Mozambique), as of 1 September 2024. As part of the EU’s integrated approach encompassing humanitarian, peacebuilding, security and development actions, EUTM Mozambique was set up in July 2021 with the aim of training and supporting the Mozambican armed forces in protecting the civilian population, and restoring safety and security in the Cabo Delgado province, where the security and humanitarian situation had been continuously deteriorating since 2017. The mission has supported the capacity building of the units of the Mozambican armed forces that have then become part of the QRF. In particular, the mission has provided military training including operational preparation, specialised training on counter-terrorism, and training and education on the protection of civilians and compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law. Mozambique: EU sets up a military training mission to help address the crisis in Cabo Delgado (press release, 12 July 2021) EU Military Training Mission in Mozambique set to start its operations (press release, 15 October 2021) EUTM Mozambique (EEAS website)

Press material Tuesday, 14 May 2024

● Council of the EU   14/05/2024 12:16 | Press release | Ukraine Plan: Council greenlights regular payments under the Ukraine Facility   The Council today adopted an implementing decision giving a positive assessment to the ‘Ukraine Plan’, which sets out the intentions of the government of Ukraine regarding the recovery, reconstruction and modernisation of the country, and the reforms it plans to undertake as part of its EU accession process in the next four years. The Council considered in particular that thanks to this plan, Ukraine fulfils the precondition for support under the Ukraine Facility (up to €50 billion), and that now regular payments can start to flow. An important step has been made to deliver much-needed, regular and predictable financial support to Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation over the next four years. The EU has once more confirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s stability and growth. Vincent van Peteghem, Belgian Minister of Finance and President of the Council Payments to Ukraine will be disbursed by the EU subject to the implementation of the agreed reform and investments in the form of the qualitative and quantitative steps set out in the annex of the Council implementing decision. The reforms and investments foreseen have a significant potential to enhance growth, sustain macroeconomic stability, improve the fiscal situation and to support Ukraine's further integration with EU. Today’s decision provides further details on the arrangements and timetable for its implementation, including the envisaged timetable for disbursement of the support and its payment schedule. The final qualitative and quantitative steps are to be completed by the end of 2027. In addition, financial support under the ‘Ukraine Plan’ will be made available under the precondition that Ukraine continues to uphold and respect effective democratic mechanisms, including a multi-party parliamentary system and the rule of law, and to guarantee respect for human rights. Financial support is also dependent on strengthening of the rule of law, upholding the independence of the judiciary, strengthening the public administration reform, and fighting corruption - in particular high-level corruption – and money laundering. Today’s decision will enable the Commission to disburse up to €1.89 billion in pre-financing until regular disbursements tied to the implementation of reform and investment indicators under the Ukraine Plan will start. Background The Ukraine Facility, which entered into force on 1 March 2024, foresees up to €50 billion of stable financing, in grants and loans, to support Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation for the period 2024 to 2027. Of this, up to €32 billion of the Ukraine Facility is indicatively earmarked to support reforms and investments set out in the ‘Ukraine Plan’, whereby disbursements will be conditioned to the delivery of identified indicators. Since its entry into force, the Ukraine Facility already disbursed €6 billion by way of bridge financing, after fulfilment of agreed policy conditions. In the ‘Ukraine Plan’ submitted on 20 March 2024, Ukraine outlined its vision for reconstruction, modernisation and the reforms it intends to undertake as part of its EU accession process. The plan emphasizes structural reforms and investments in the sectors with the largest growth potential. It addresses improvements in public administration, emphasising good governance, adherence to the rule of law and the fight against corruption and fraud. In its assessment dated 15 April 2024, the Commission confirmed that the ‘Ukraine Plan’ meets the criteria established by the Ukraine Facility Regulation. According to the Commission, the ‘Ukraine Plan’ constitutes a targeted and well-balanced response to the objectives of the Ukraine Facility, addresses the challenges of Ukraine's accession path, and responds to reconstruction and modernisation needs. In its positive assessment of the plan, the Commission presented an in-depth and extensive analysis covering the impact of the war of aggression of Russia on Ukraine, the macroeconomic outlook for the country, and challenges linked to Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernisation, including the need for external funding, increased labour force, government’s capacity to implement reforms as well as transparency and accountability at all stages. If all proposed reforms and investments are fully implemented, the estimate is that Ukraine's GDP could increase by 6.2% by 2027 and by 14.2% by 2040 and could also lead to a reduction of the debt by about 10 percentage points of GDP by 2033. Ukraine Facility: Council and Parliament agree on new support mechanism for Ukraine (press release, 6 February 2024) Commission endorses Ukraine Plan, paving the way for regular payments under the Ukraine Facility (European Commission website) EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information)

Press material Tuesday, 14 May 2024

● Council of the EU   14/05/2024 12:15 | Press release | Iran: Council broadens EU restrictive measures in view of Iran military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region   The Council today decided to broaden the scope of the EU framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This framework, adopted in July 2023, currently prohibits the export of components used in the construction and production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from the EU to Iran, and provides for travel restrictions and asset freeze measures against persons responsible for, supporting or involved in Iran’s UAV’s programme. In view of Iran’s continuing military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as well as of non-state armed groups in the Middle East and the Red Sea region, and following the Iranian drone and missiles attacks against Israel on 13 April 2024, the Council decided that the EU’s ability to impose restrictive measures will now cover not only UAVs, but missiles too. The EU will now be able to target persons and entities supplying, selling or otherwise being involved in transferring Iran’s missiles and UAVs: in support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine used by armed groups and entities to undermine peace and security in the Middle-East and the Red Sea region, or in breach of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015) Those targeted will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban to the European Union. Additionally, the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of natural or legal persons, entities or bodies listed is prohibited. Furthermore, it will be prohibited to export further components used in the development and production of UAVs from the EU to Iran. Background On 14 April 2024, the EU condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian drone and missile attacks against Israel on 13 April 2024, as an unprecedented escalation and a threat to regional security. In its conclusions of 21-22 March 2024, the European Council called on third parties, including Iran, to immediately cease providing material support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In its conclusions of 17 April 2024, the European Council strongly and unequivocally condemned the Iranian attack on Israel and reiterated its full solidarity with the people of Israel and commitment to Israel’s security and to regional stability. The European Council called on Iran and its proxies to cease all attacks and urged all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any action that may increase tensions in the region. Furthermore, the European Council stated that the EU would take further restrictive measures against Iran, notably in relation to UAVs and missiles. Finally, the European Council reiterated that the EU remained fully committed to contributing to de-escalation and security in the region. Iran: EU adopts new restrictive measures for military support to Syria and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine (press release, 20 July 2023) Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU (press release, 14 April 2024) European Council Conclusions (17 and 18 April 2024) EU sanctions against Iran (Background Information)

Press material Tuesday, 14 May 2024

● Council of the EU   14/05/2024 12:04 | Media advisory | Press briefing - General Affairs Council of 21 May 2024   The press briefing ahead of the General Affairs Council will take place on Thursday, 16 May 2024 at 15.00. 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 previous press events of the General Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Thursday, 16 May 2024 at 14.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.​

Meetings Tuesday, 14 May 2024

● Council of the EU   14/05/2024 11:13 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), 21 May 2024   Ministers for telecommunications will hold a policy debate on the need for a collaborative approach for consistent implementation of the recently adopted legislation in the digital field. The Council will also approve conclusions on the future of EU’s digital policy and on the future of cybersecurity. Over an informal lunch, ministers will discuss the subject of promoting digital skills for an inclusive digital transformation and inclusion. Finally, as an item without discussion, the Council is expected to adopt the artificial intelligence act.

Press material Tuesday, 14 May 2024

● Council of the EU   14/05/2024 11:05 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications) of 21 May 2024   The press briefing ahead of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications) will take place on Wednesday, 15 May at 16.30. 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 Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications) do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Wednesday, 15 May 2024, 15.30 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.