COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,latest news

 

Meetings Tuesday, 19 November 2024

● Council of the EU   19/11/2024 21:50 | Meetings | Main results - General Affairs Council, 19 November 2024   Ministers focused on preparations for the December European Council, the annual rule of law dialogue and the Article 7 procedure regarding Hungary.

Press material Tuesday, 19 November 2024

● Council of the EU   19/11/2024 16:21 | Press release | Council greenlights EU certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products   Today, the Council gave the final green light to a regulation establishing the first EU-level certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products. This voluntary framework will facilitate and encourage high-quality carbon removal and soil emission reduction activities in the EU, as a complement to sustained emission reductions. Carbon removals and soil emission reductions The regulation will be the first step in introducing a comprehensive certification framework for carbon removals and soil emission reductions into EU legislation. It will help the EU to achieve its goal of climate neutrality by 2050. The regulation covers the following activities across the EU: permanent carbon removals that capture and store atmospheric or biogenic carbon for several centuries (e.g. bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, direct air capture with storage) carbon storage activities that capture and store carbon in long-lasting products for at least 35 years (such as wood-based construction products) carbon farming activities that enhance carbon sequestration and storage in forests and soils,  or that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from soils, carried out over a period of at least five years (e.g. reforestation, restoring peatlands or wetlands, improved fertiliser use) Certification criteria Carbon removal activities will have to meet four overarching criteria in order to be certified: they must bring about a quantified net carbon removal benefit or net soil emission reduction benefit they must be additional, meaning that they go beyond statutory requirements at the level of an individual operator and they need the incentive effect of the certification to become financially viable they must aim to ensure long-term storage of carbon while minimising the risk of carbon release they should do no significant harm to the environment and should be able to result in co-benefits to one or more sustainability goals In addition, activities eligible for certification will need to be independently verified by third-party certification bodies. Certification schemes Certification schemes will be in place for operators to prove compliance with the regulation. These will be subject to robust and transparent monitoring, verification and reporting rules to promote trust in the system and ensure environmental integrity. Liability mechanisms will also be in place for operators in order to address any release of captured carbon back into the atmosphere. EU registry Four years after the entry into force of the regulation, the Commission will establish an electronic EU-wide registry to ensure transparency and full traceability of the so-called certified units, which will be issued to reflect carbon net benefit generated through certified carbon removal and soil emission reduction activities. Next steps The regulation will now be published in the EU’s Official Journal and enter into force 20 days after its publication. It will then become directly applicable in all EU member states. Background On 30 November 2022, in an important first step towards the further integration of carbon removal schemes into EU climate policy, the Commission proposed a regulation creating a voluntary EU-wide framework to certify high-quality carbon removals. The Council adopted its negotiating mandate at Coreper level on 17 November 2023, while the European Parliament reached its position on 21 November 2023. After three rounds of negotiations, the EU co-legislators reached an agreement on the final shape of the regulation on 20 February 2024. Regulation establishing a Union certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products Public session and voting results Climate action: Council and Parliament agree to establish an EU carbon removals certification framework (press release, 20 February 2024) Carbon removals (background information) Climate neutrality (background information)

Press material Tuesday, 19 November 2024

● Council of the EU   19/11/2024 16:20 | Press release | Council calls for the closure of the ODR platform and its replacement with a better tool   The Council has today adopted a regulation to shut down the European Online Dispute Resolution Platform (ODR platform) and remove the associated obligations for administrations and online businesses. In line with the Commission’s proposal, the Council considers that the level of performance of the existing ODR platform does not justify the public and private costs required to maintain it. Next steps After the Council's adoption of its position in first reading, the text must be voted again on the second reading in the Parliamentary plenary. If it passes without amendments, the legislative act will be adopted. After being signed by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Council, the regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force on the 20thday following its publication. Background In any commercial relationship, traders and consumers may have disputes to resolve (for instance if a product is not delivered on time or in good condition, or if the consumer has not paid the full purchase price). With the development of online shopping, the number of disputes has increased substantially. Solving a dispute in court could be lengthy and involves the intervention of lawyers and procedural costs. There are, however, alternative ways to solve problems without going to court. The most recent European legislation to regulate out-of-court consumer redress was adopted in 2013 and has not been amended since. The legislative package included two acts: the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) directive and a regulation for Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), which created an online platform to help consumers and traders resolve their differences. The ODR platform has been in operation since 2016 and it offered different solutions, such as direct negotiations between traders and consumers or the use of a dispute resolution body to handle cases. However, despite a high number of visits, the ODR platform has only enabled an annual average of 200 cases EU wide to be treated by an ADR entity. On 17 October 2023, the Commission proposed a new package of measures to modernise and simplify the rules governing out-of-court disputes and adapt them to digital markets: a directive amending the ADR directive and a regulation, adopted today by the Council, to repeal the regulation that created the ODR platform. On 25 September 2024, the Council adopted its negotiating position on the ADR directive, which proposed, among other things, the replacement of the ODR platform by a new digital tool, that had to be developed three months after the entry into force of the revised ADR directive, at the latest. The negotiating mandate also required the Commission to promote the tool and provide for its technical maintenance. The same day, the Council reached a political agreement on the regulation for the discontinuation of the ODR platform, which has been formally adopted today. Commission proposal for a regulation with regard to the discontinuation of the ODR Platform Consumer protection (background information)

● Council of the EU   19/11/2024 15:06 | Press release | Capital markets union: Council adopts revamped rules for EU clearing services   The Council today adopted new rules on clearing services that revise the European market infrastructure regulation and directive (EMIR). The new rules aim to make the EU clearing landscape more attractive and resilient, to support the EU’s open strategic autonomy and to preserve the EU’s financial stability. The European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) lays down rules on over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, central counterparties (CCPs) and trade repositories. The new rules improve EU clearing services by streamlining and shortening procedures, improving consistency between rules and strengthening CCP supervision. In particular, the new rules will contribute to reducing excessive reliance on systemic CCPs in non-EU countries, by requiring all relevant market participants to hold active accounts at EU CCPs and clear a representative portion of certain systemic derivative contracts within the single market. Next steps The revised EMIR regulation and directive will be published in the EU’s Official Journal before entering into force 20 days later. Background Derivatives play an important role in the economy, but they also bring certain risks. This was demonstrated during the 2008 financial crisis, that brought to light the weaknesses in the OTC derivatives markets. To address the situation, the EU adopted the European market infrastructure regulation (EMIR) in 2012. The aim was to increase transparency in the OTC derivatives markets, mitigate credit risk and reduce operational risk. On 7 December 2022, the Commission presented a proposal to review European market infrastructure regulation and directive in order to deepen the EU’s capital markets union, improve the existing rules and make the EU’s clearing landscape more attractive. Adoption by the Council follows an agreement reached with the European Parliament at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure. Review of the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR Regulation) Review of the European Market Infrastructure Directive (EMIR Directive) Voting results Capital markets union (background information)

Press material Tuesday, 19 November 2024

● Council of the EU   19/11/2024 15:08 | Press release | Products made with forced labour: Council adopts ban   The Council has today adopted a regulation prohibiting products in the Union market that are made using forced labour. The text forbids the placing and making available on the Union market, or the export from the Union market, of any product made using forced labour. This is the last step in the decision-making procedure. Investigating and combating forced labour This regulation creates the necessary framework on which to base legal action targeting products made with forced labour on the internal market. The Commission will create a database of forced labour risk areas or products to support the work of competent authorities in assessing possible violations of this regulation. Based on an assessment of possible risks, the Commission (in the case of the use of forced labour outside the EU) or member state authorities (in the case of the use of forced labour within their territory) may initiate an investigation. Member state authorities should share information with other member states if they suspect that violations of the regulation occur in other parts of the European Union, or share information with the Commission, if they suspect the use of forced labour in a third country. The final decision (i.e. to ban, withdraw and dispose of a product made using forced labour) will be taken by the authority that led the investigation. The decision taken by a national authority will apply in all other member states, based on the principle of mutual recognition. Next steps Following the Council’s approval today, the legislative act has been adopted. After being signed by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Council, the regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force on the day following its publication. It will apply 3 years after the date of entry into force. Background Approximately 27.6 million people work in forced labour conditions around the world, in many industries and in every continent. Most forced labour takes place in the private sector, while some is imposed by public authorities. The Commission proposed the regulation to prohibit products made using forced labour in the EU on 14 September 2022. The Council adopted its negotiating position on 26 January 2024. The two co-legislators (Council and Parliament) reached a provisional agreement on 5 March 2024. Commission’s proposal Council’s general agreement / negotiating mandate Council and Parliament strike a deal to ban products made with forced labour (press release, 5 March 2024) Forced labour products (background information)

19/11/2024 15:08 | Press release | Environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings: Council greenlights new regulation   The Council today adopted a new regulation on environmental, social and governance (ESG) rating activities. The new rules aim at making rating activities in the EU more consistent, transparent and comparable in order to boost investors’ confidence in sustainable financial products. ESG ratings provide an opinion of a company’s or a financial instrument’s sustainability profile, by assessing its impact on society and the environment and its exposure to risks associated with sustainability issues. ESG ratings have an increasingly important impact on the operation of capital markets and on investor trust in sustainable investment products. The new rules aim to strengthen the reliability and comparability of ESG ratings by improving the transparency and integrity of the operations that ESG ratings providers carry out and by preventing potential conflicts of interest. In particular,  ESG rating providers established in the Union will need to be authorised and supervised by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). They will have to comply with transparency requirements, in particular with regard to their methodology and sources of information. ESG rating providers established outside the Union that wish to operate in the Union, will need to obtain an endorsement of their ESG ratings by an EU authorised ESG rating provider, a recognition based on a quantitative criterion, or be included in the EU registry of ESG rating providers on the basis of an equivalence decision. The regulation introduces as a principle a separation of business and activities in order to prevent conflicts of interest. Next steps The regulation will be published in the EU’s Official Journal and enter into force 20 days later. The regulation will start applying 18 months after its entry into force. Background On 13 June 2023, the Commission presented a proposal for a regulation on ESG rating activities. Adoption by the Council follows an agreement reached with the European Parliament at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure. Regulation on environmental, social and governance (ESG) rating activities Voting results Environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings: Council and Parliament reach agreement (press release, 5 February 2024) Capital Markets Union (background information)   ● Council of the EU   19/11/2024 13:31 | Press release | EU defence cooperation: Council approves conclusions on the PESCO Strategic Review   The Council approved conclusions on the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Strategic Review. The review was launched in November 2023 with the aim of strengthening PESCO, making it more strategic and effective, and adapting it to the new geopolitical reality beyond 2025. The conclusions confirm the key role of PESCO as an ambitious framework to deepen defence cooperation among the participating member states, and stress that PESCO’s principles and goals remain valid. At the same time, conclusions also highlight that, for PESCO to remain at the centre of EU defence efforts, it needs to be updated in light of the new EU initiatives and policies, especially those stemming from the EU Strategic Compass. To this end, the current list of 20 binding PESCO commitments should be updated and streamlined. In the future, the revised set of commitments may be structured around key areas such as: defence spending and investment, capability development, armament and industrial cooperation, and operational dimension. These commitments will also need to indicate clear and measurable goals to enhance implementation and transparency, thus ultimately contributing to increased visibility and enhanced political ownership. Efforts will be made to better connect PESCO with relevant EU initiatives and funding instruments for defence like the European Defence Fund and the proposed European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP). The commitments should be updated to further contribute to strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). The Capability Development Plan and resulting EU Capability Development Priorities remain the central reference for EU-wide defence planning and for existing and future defence-related initiatives, policies, and legislation. PESCO projects should focus on addressing key capability gaps, including for high-intensity warfare, and make the best use of collaborative opportunities identified through the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD). The conclusions underline the importance of bringing Ukraine closer to EU defence initiatives, in line with the EU-Ukraine joint security commitments signed on 27 June 2024. Against this background, PESCO should contribute to the wider EU efforts aimed at addressing Ukraine’s military needs. Ukraine’s participation in PESCO projects should be facilitated, within the current legal framework. This would support the strengthening of cooperation, leading to the progressive integration of the Ukrainian defence technological and industrial base into the EDTIB. The PESCO Secretariat is invited to play a stronger and more effective role, across its different tasks. As a follow up,  the Council invites the High Representative to propose relevant amendments to the PESCO legal framework, in particular the Council Decision establishing PESCO, by May 2025. The Council also adopted a recommendation assessing the progress made by the 26 participating member states to fulfil the more binding commitments undertaken in the framework of PESCO. Background Launched in December 2017, PESCO represents a step-change in defence cooperation within the EU. It provides a framework for willing and able member states to jointly develop defence capabilities, coordinate investments, enhance the operational readiness, interoperability and resilience of their armed forces, and collaborate in projects. To date 26 EU member states have undertaken the more binding commitments that form the basis of PESCO, and there are 66 collaborative projects being developed in various areas: training, land, maritime, air, cyber, and strategic enablers & force multipliers. On 5 November 2020, the Council established the general conditions under which non-EU countries could exceptionally be invited to participate in individual PESCO projects, thereby paving the way for stronger and more ambitious defence cooperation with partners in the EU framework. Council conclusions on the PESCO Strategic Review PESCO factsheet, 22 March 2024 PESCO website Defence Cooperation: Council assesses progress in PESCO and launches its strategic review (press release, 14 November 2023) EU cooperation on security and defence (background information)   18/11/2024 10:21 | Press release | European Peace Facility: Council tops up support to the deployment of the Rwanda Defence Force to fight terrorism in Cabo Delgado   The Council adopted today a €20 million top-up to an existing assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to continue supporting the deployment of the Rwanda Defence Force in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique. This support will enable the acquisition of personal equipment, and cover costs related to the strategic airlift needed to sustain the Rwandan deployment in Cabo Delgado. This deployment started in July 2021 at the request of Mozambican authorities, to support the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado. “The presence of the Rwanda Defence Force troops has been instrumental to make progress and remains key, especially given the recent withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM). This top-up measure is a testimony of the EU’s support to ‘African solutions for African problems’ and, as part of the global fight against terrorism, it will also serve EU interests in the region.” — Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The additional support adopted today further complements the parallel assistance measure worth €89 million for the Mozambican Armed Forces previously trained by the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Mozambique. Background The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 to finance EU external actions with military or defence implications, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability. In particular, the EPF allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third states and regional and international organizations as regards military and defence matters. European Peace Facility: Council adopts assistance measures in support of the armed forces of five countries (press release, 1 December 2022) European Peace Facility (background information) EU cooperation on security and defence (background information)  simplifies procedures. “This regulation will ensure a continued high level of plant health protection throughout the EU and protect us from phytosanitary threats. The revision also cuts red tape and streamlines the existing rules, which will benefit national authorities, as well as operators in the sector.” — István Nagy, Hungarian Minister for Agriculture Main elements One of the ways in which the revision improves the existing framework and better protects the health of plants is through the creation of a Union plant health emergency team. The team will be made up of experts specialised in plant health who can provide assistance in the event of new outbreaks of pests in the EU. The team can also provide neighbouring non-EU countries with urgent assistance and expertise in the case of outbreaks, with a view to preventing harmful plant pests from entering the EU. Furthermore, the revised regulation reduces the administrative burden for competent authorities by increasing the duration of their multiannual survey programmes. These will now cover a period of five to ten years, instead of the current five to seven years. To ensure the timely detection of pests, these programmes are reviewed and updated when necessary, in order to respond efficiently to the phytosanitary situation. Increased digitalisation will also cut red tape for operators and national authorities alike. Next steps The formal adoption today marks the final step in the ordinary legislative procedure. The regulation will now be signed and published in the Official Journal of the EU. It will enter into force on the 20th day following its publication. Background The plant health law (regulation 2016/2031) is the basic legal framework for the EU's plant health policy. It aims to prevent the entry and spread of new plant pests (so-called 'Union quarantine pests') and protect against pests already present in the EU ('regulated non-quarantine pests'). It entered into application on 14 December 2019. The Commission submitted its proposal for revising the existing rules on 17 October 2023, taking into account the experience gained by operators in the implementation of the plant health law. The two co‑legislators, the Council and the European Parliament, reached an agreement on the final wording of the revised regulation on 5 March 2024. Plant health law (adopted tex Plant health law: Council and Parliament strike deal to simplify and strengthen current rules (press release, 5 March 2024) Commission proposal

Press material Monday, 18 November 2024

● Council of the EU   18/11/2024 09:55 | Press release | Sahel: EU appoints João Cravinho as new Special Representative for the Sahel region   Today the Council appointed João Cravinho as EU Special Representative (EUSR) for the Sahel region. The new EUSR will actively contribute to regional and international efforts to achieve lasting peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the region, which comprises Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The EUSR will also engage with the countries of the Lake Chad Basin and other countries and regional or international entities in and beyond the region, including the Maghreb and the Gulf of Guinea and neighbouring countries that are affected by the dynamics of the Sahel. In line with the discussions held at the European Council of 26-27 October, the Foreign Affairs Councils, 21 November 2023 (Development), 11 December 2023 and 19 February 2024, and on the basis of the policy objectives of the EU Integrated Strategy in the Sahel, the EUSR will assist the High Representative in defining a renewed approach to the region. Mr. Cravinho will take up his duties on 1 December 2024, with an initial mandate of 21 months, succeeding Emanuela Claudia Del Re, whose mandate started in June 2021. Mr. Cravinho served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal from 2022 to 2024. He previously held the positions of Minister of National Defence, EU Ambassador to Brazil, EU Ambassador to India, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Lecturer of International Relations at Coimbra University and President of the Portuguese Cooperation Institute. EU Special Representatives are proposed by the High Representative to promote the EU's policies and interests in certain regions and countries, as well as issues of particular concern or interest for the EU. They play an active role in efforts to consolidate peace, stability and the rule of law. Currently, eleven EUSRs support the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. João Cravinho CV EU Special Representatives (EEAS website) Council Conclusions: The European Union’s Integrated Strategy in the Sahel (16 April 2021) Sahel: Council approves conclusions on the EU’s integrated strategy in the region (press release, 19 April 2021)

● Council of the EU   15/11/2024 10:29 | Meetings | Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 18 November 2024   Background brief - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 18 November 2024

● Council of the EU   19/11/2024 17:40 | Meetings | Main results - Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 19 November 2024   The Foreign Affairs Council in its defence configuration discussed EU support to Ukraine and defence readiness and preparedness.