COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

The Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU concludes with significant achievements 28/06/2024 | Press release The Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU concludes with significant achievements The Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union has successfully concluded its six-month term, marking substantial progress across multiple fronts. With a focus on protecting EU citizens, strengthening Europe's competitiveness, and preparing the EU for future challenges, Belgium has demonstrated its commitment to driving forward an ambitious legislative agenda while effectively responding to ongoing crises and preparing the debate on Europe’s future.

Press material Friday, 28 June 2024

● European Council   28/06/2024 01:31 | CONCLUSIONS | European Council conclusions, 27 June 2024   On 27 June, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, security and defence, competitiveness, other items, the next institutional cycle and a roadmap for future work on internal reforms. European Council conclusions, 27 June 2024

Press material Thursday, 27 June 2024

● European Council   27/06/2024 17:09 | Press release | Joint security commitments between the European Union and Ukraine   The European Union and Ukraine share common values, namely democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, as well as shared interests in peace, security, stability and prosperity.  Committed to these common values and interests, and in line with European Council Conclusions of June, October and December 2023 and the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine of 12 July 2023, the European Union and its Member States will contribute, for the long term and together with partners, to security commitments to Ukraine, which will help Ukraine to defend itself, resist destabilisation efforts and deter acts of aggression in the future.  Read the full text

Press material Thursday, 27 June 2024

● Council of the EU   27/06/2024 15:42 | Press release | Energy Charter Treaty: EU notifies its withdrawal   Today the European Union took the final and formal step of exiting the Energy Charter Treaty.  The President of the Council, as represented by the Belgian presidency and acting on behalf of the Union, gave written notification to the depositary of the Energy Charter Treaty of the withdrawal of the Union from the Energy Charter Treaty. The withdrawal will take effect one year after the depositary has received the notification. “ Thanks to the political compromise found between member states, known as the Belgian roadmap, the European Union and Euratom will be leaving the Energy Charter Treaty in one year’s time, while remaining member states will be able to  support the modernised Treaty. This reflects the quintessence of work within the Council; being able to achieve balanced solutions through constructive negotiation and compromise. ” —  Tinne Van der Straeten, Belgian Minister for Energy With the two decisions adopted on 30 May 2024, the Council of the European Union gave the final green light for the European Union and Euratom to leave the Energy Charter Treaty; at the same time, remaining member states will be able to support its modernisation when voted during the next Energy Charter Conference. These decisions are linked as they form the two pillars of a political compromise known as the Belgian roadmap for the Energy Charter Treaty. Background  The Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is a multilateral agreement that entered into force in 1998 and which contains, amongst other things, provisions on investment protection, dispute settlement, transit and trade in the energy sector. On 7 July 2023, the Commission submitted a proposal for a Council decision on the withdrawal of the Union from the Energy Charter Treaty, together with a similar proposal for Euratom, as it considered it to no longer be compatible with the EU's climate goals under the European Green Deal and the Paris Agreement, predominantly due to concerns over continued fossil fuel investments. On 1 March 2024, the Commission proposed two draft Council decisions on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union and Euratom respectively in the relevant meeting of the Energy Charter Conference, and for the remaining member states to approve or not to oppose the modernised Energy Charter Treaty. The four decisions were formally adopted on 30 May 2024 as the two pillars of a compromise reached within the Council. Council decision on the approval of the withdrawal of the Union from the Energy Charter Treaty Council decision on the approval of the withdrawal of Euratom from the Energy Charter Treaty