COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Tuesday, 26 November 2024

● Council of the EU   26/11/2024 10:47 | Media advisory | Press briefings - Competitiveness Council of 28-29 November 2024 and the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of 2-3 December 2024   The press briefing ahead of the Competitiveness Council (Internal market, industry, sesearch and space) will take place on Wednesday, 27 November 2024 at 18.00, followed by the press briefing ahead of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment, social policy and health). These briefings will be "off the record" and will be given 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 Competitiveness Council or the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council do not need to do it again: Deadline for registration: Wednesday, 27 November 2024, 17.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Meeting page - Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry), 28 November 2024 Meeting page - Competitiveness Council (Research and Space), 29 November 2024 Meeting page - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment and Social Policy), 2 December 2024 Meeting page - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health), 3 December 2024

● Council of the EU   25/11/2024 20:15 | Meetings | Main results - Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Education and Youth), 25 November 2024   Ministers for youth and education met in Brussels on Monday 25 November, where they adopted a recommendation on attractive and sustainable careers in higher education. Other topics on the agenda included ‘glocal’ opportunities for young people living in rural and remote areas.

● Council of the EU

25/11/2024 17:37 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - General Affairs Council (Cohesion), 28 November 2024   Ministers will discuss how to strengthen the key assets of cohesion policy and improve the shared management of cohesion funds. The Council will also be invited to approve conclusions on cohesion policy and demographic challenges in the EU.   ● Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης   26/11/2024 09:43 | Συνεδριάσεις | Κύρια σημεία της ημερήσιας διάταξης - Συμβούλιο Απασχόλησης, Κοινωνικής Πολιτικής, Υγείας και Καταναλωτών (Υγεία), 3 Δεκεμβρίου 2024   Στις 3 Δεκεμβρίου οι υπουργοί Υγείας θα συναντηθούν στις Βρυξέλλες για να συζητήσουν για το απαλλαγμένο από καπνό και αερολύματα περιβάλλον, τη φαρμακευτική δέσμη, την καρδιαγγειακή υγεία, τη δωρεά και μεταμόσχευση οργάνων και την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση Υγείας. ● Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης   26/11/2024 08:51 | Συνεδριάσεις | Κύρια σημεία της ημερήσιας διάταξης - Συμβούλιο Απασχόλησης, Κοινωνικής Πολιτικής, Υγείας και Καταναλωτών (Απασχόληση και Κοινωνική Πολιτική), 2 Δεκεμβρίου 2024   Οι υπουργοί Απασχόλησης και Κοινωνικών Υποθέσεων θα συνεδριάσουν στις Βρυξέλλες. Στα θέματα της ημερήσιας διάταξης περιλαμβάνονται η δέσμη μέτρων για την πρακτική άσκηση, οι ελλείψεις εργατικού δυναμικού και δεξιοτήτων, οι ολοκληρωμένες λύσεις για τις δημογραφικές προκλήσεις, η κοινωνική ένταξη των ατόμων με αναπηρία και το Ευρωπαϊκό Εξάμηνο 2025.

● Council of the EU   25/11/2024 18:20 | Press release | Syria: Council adds three individuals to sanctions list for continued repression and human rights violations   The Council added three individuals to the list of persons and entities subject to targeted EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria. The new listings are three recently appointed Ministers of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, Louai Emad El-Din al-Munajjid, the recently re-appointed Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Firas Hassan Qaddour, and Minister of State, Ahmed Mohammad Bustaji. As members of the government, they share the responsibility for the Syrian regime’s continued violent repression against the civilian population. Those targeted will be subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban to the European Union. Additionally, the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of them is prohibited. Restrictive measures under the Syria sanctions regime now apply to a total of 318 persons and 86 entities. The Council keeps developments in the Syrian conflict under constant review, and can decide to renew sanctions, and amend the list of targeted entities or persons based on developments on the ground. The European Union reiterates that the only path to sustainable peace for Syria is a political solution in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015). The EU condemns the Syrian regime continued policy of repression and violations of human rights against its own population, and its decade-long obstruction to a political solution. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background Sanctions on Syria were introduced in 2011 in response to the violent repression of the civilian population by the Assad regime. The EU sanctions in place regarding Syria target the Assad regime and its supporters, as well as sectors of the economy from which the regime profits. EU restrictive measures in place regarding Syria are designed in a way that they do not impede the provision of humanitarian assistance to any part of the country. They do not prohibit the export of food, medicines or medical equipment by the EU to Syria, and they do not target Syria’s healthcare system. The sanctions regime includes a wide range of humanitarian exceptions to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to any part of the country. Following the tragic earthquake of 6 February 2023, the already existing humanitarian exceptions were strengthened to further facilitate the speedy delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Syrian population. The EU and its member states have mobilised over €35 billion since 2011, remaining the largest provider of international aid and delivering humanitarian, stabilisation and resilience assistance inside Syria and in neighbouring countries. Since 2017, the EU has hosted yearly the Brussels Conference on 'Supporting the future of Syria and the Region' to keep Syria high on the international political agenda, to raise pledges for assistance to those in need, and to dialogue with Syrian civil society. This year’s edition took place on 27 May, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to the Syrian people and Syria’s neighbours affected by the protracted crisis. Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2024/2933 of 25 November 2024 implementing Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2934 of 25 November 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP of 31 May 2013 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria (consolidated version of 29 May 2024) Syria: EU response to the crisis (background information) Eighth Brussels Conference on ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the region (EEAS)

● Council of the EU   25/11/2024 18:17 | Press release | Jordan: Council adopts an EPF assistance measure in support of country’s Armed Forces   The Council today adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth €13.25 million in support of the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF). On the backdrop of an increasingly volatile regional context, the assistance measure will contribute to strengthening the capacities of JAF, to increase their ability to ensure Jordan’s stability and national security, and protect the civilian population. Concretely, the measure will support the Northern and Eastern JAF Commands with detection and counter measures systems, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, as well as mobility and engineering equipment. Today’s decision is an expression of the increasing EU-Jordan partnership, including in the field of security and defence. Jordan is a key partner for the EU and its member states, in view of its instrumental role for the stability of the region, as a voice of moderation and peace. At the 15th EU-Jordan Association Council held on 15 July 2024 in Brussels, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi agreed to further upgrade bilateral relations by launching preparations for a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership. This will allow to further advance cooperation between the EU and Jordan in key areas of mutual interest, including in the field of security and defence. Today’s adoption marks an important step towards an increasingly growing security and defence cooperation between the EU and Jordan. 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 (background information) EU cooperation on security and defence (background information) 15th EU-Jordan Association Council (EEAS)