COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Wednesday, 27 November 2024

● Council of the EU   27/11/2024 16:37 | Press release | Assistance to member states affected by natural disasters: Council agrees its position on the RESTORE proposal   Member states' EU ambassadors today agreed on the Council’s negotiating position on a proposal to facilitate the use of cohesion funds to help member states affected by natural disasters (the RESTORE proposal). The proposal responds to the devastating floods and wildfires that impacted Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe this autumn. Its goal is to ensure that EU cohesion policy funds can be rapidly and flexibly mobilised to assist in post-disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts. The agreement reached today will allow the Council presidency to start fast-track negotiations with the European Parliament to finalise the measures designed to support the affected member states. “The new measures will enable member states to swiftly and efficiently channel EU cohesion funds into post-disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts. They reaffirm our solidarity with the affected communities as they work to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of climate-related disasters.” — Tibor Navracsics, Minister for Public Administration and Regional Development, on behalf of the Hungarian presidency Main elements The Council’s negotiating mandate retains the main elements of the Commission proposal, which amends the regulations governing the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund, and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), for the 2021-2027 programming period. In line with the Commission proposal, the mandate offers additional assistance and further flexibility for member states affected by natural disasters that have occurred as from 1 January 2024, covering measures such as repairing damaged infrastructure and equipment, and providing food and basic material assistance and social and healthcare support. The main changes made to the Commission proposal are as follows: The new measures will apply to natural disasters occurring until 31 December 2025. The maximum co-financing rate for RESTORE priorities has been reduced from 100% to 95%, requiring member states to contribute the remaining 5%. In addition to the ERDF and ESF+, the Cohesion Fund can also support RESTORE measures where appropriate. The overall resources available for reprogramming under RESTORE are capped at 10% of the initial total national allocation for the ERDF and ESF+, excluding the Cohesion Fund from the reference amount. The measures would benefit from an additional pre-financing rate of 25%. Next steps Negotiations with the European Parliament are expected to start in the coming weeks, once the Parliament has voted on its mandate. Background The proposal is part of a package of measures presented by the Commission on 21 October 2024 to help member states recover from recent climate disasters. In parallel with amendments to the cohesion policy programmes, the Commission also proposed amendments to the regulation on the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) as part of the 2014-2022 framework to offer stronger rural development financing possibilities for farmers, forest holders and businesses affected by natural disasters. This separate proposal will also need to be agreed between the Council and the Parliament. Assistance to member states affected by natural disasters: Council gives go-ahead to proposal (press release, 12 November 2024) Commission takes further steps to help member states recover from climate disasters (Commission press release, 21 October 2024)

• Council of the EU

­ 27/11/2024 | MEETINGS  Background briefs - Competitiveness Council and Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council   Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry) of 28 November 2024 Competitiveness Council (Research and space) of 29 November 2024 Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of 2 and 3 December 2024

● European Council   27/11/2024 10:09 | Media advisory | Handover between outgoing President of the European Council Charles Michel and incoming President António Costa   Friday, 29 November 2024 13.45 Arrival of António Costa  Welcome by Charles Michel (handshake in the EB Forum) (Europa forum - photo/TV opportunity - live host coverage) 14.00  Handover speeches with the staff of the General Secretariat of the Council (Justus Lipsius atrium - photo/TV opportunity - live host coverage) Access & registration Journalists holding an EU inter-institutional press card will have access to the Europa forum and the Justus Lipsius atrium. As the number of those present in the Atrium is limited for safety reasons, access will be granted on a first come, first served basis. Justus Lipsius building will close at 13.45 Media are advised to come well in advance.  Coverage Live coverage of arrival and handover speeches on Council website at video.consilium.europa.eu     Video & photos of the event can be downloaded from newsroom.consilium.europa.eu

● Council of the EU

26/11/2024 18:57 | Meetings | Main results - Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Culture and Sport), 26 November 2024   Ministers for culture and sport met in Brussels on Tuesday 26 November, where they approved conclusions on fostering the lasting legacy of major sporting events and discussed the role of libraries in media literacy development. ● Council of the EU   26/11/2024 16:36 | Meetings | General Affairs Council (Cohesion), 28 November 2024   Background brief - General Affairs Council (Cohesion), 28 November 2024