COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Saturday, 18 January 2025

● Council of the EU   18/01/2025 11:22 | Statements and remarks | Israel/Palestine: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU welcoming the ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza   The EU warmly welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which will allow the phased release of the hostages - ending their terrible ordeal that has lasted for more than 15 months – end hostilities and ease the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. We are relieved that the hostages, including several EU nationals, will finally be reunited with their loved ones and that much needed humanitarian aid will reach civilians in Gaza. It is vital that the deal is fully implemented to allow all the hostages to be released, and to ensure a permanent end to hostilities. We extend our gratitude to the US, Egypt and Qatar for their efforts in negotiating the ceasefire, which we had consistently called for. This is a significant achievement, which should have positive repercussions across the Middle East. Since the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October, 2023, hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians have been caught up in violence which has spread across the region. The EU deeply deplores the unacceptable number of civilians, especially children, who have lost their lives. We call for full and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza strip and that aid can be effectively distributed to those in need, including by UN agencies and notably UNRWA. Displaced Gazans should be ensured a safe and dignified return to their homes. The EU is committed to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. We will contribute to this objective through support to the Palestinian Authority to help it address its most pressing needs and support the reform agenda, and engagement with Israel and international partners in order to revive the political process.

● Council of the EU

17/01/2025 18:32 | Press release | Forward look: 20 January - 2 February 2025   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 21 January 2025 The Polish Presidency will present its work programme. Ministers will hold a policy debate on competitiveness. Ministers will take note of the state of play of the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The Council is expected to adopt recommendations regarding medium-term fiscal-structural plans and member states that are currently under an excessive deficit procedure. The Council is also expected to adopt implementing decisions approving modified recovery and resilience plans, submitted by some member states. Read more Foreign Affairs Council, 27 January 2025 Foreign ministers will exchange views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after a short intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha via videoconference. They will then hold discussions on EU-US relations and the situation in the Middle East, including Syria. They will also be informed about current affairs, notably developments in Moldova and Georgia. Read more Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 27 January 2025 The Agriculture and Fisheries Council will discuss unfair trading practices, the position of farmers in the food supply chain, trade-related agricultural issues, and the revision of performance clearance rules. The Polish presidency will present its work programme, outlining its main priorities in the field of agriculture and fisheries. Read more General Affairs Council, 28 January 2025 Ministers will hear a presentation of the Polish presidency priorities and hold a country-specific discussion in the framework of the annual rule of law dialogue. Read more Other meetings Eurogroup, 20 January 2025 Informal meeting of education ministers, 21-22 January 2025 Informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers, 30-31 January 2025 Indicative calendar of meetings under the Polish presidency (1 January - 30 June 2025) Polish presidency ● Council of the EU   17/01/2025 16:42 | Media advisory | Media advisory – Eurogroup meeting of 20 January and Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 21 January 2025   Indicative programme All times are approximate and subject to change Monday 20 January - Eurogroup meeting Chaired by Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup 14.00 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 14.45 Doorstep by Paschal Donohoe (live streaming) 15.00 Eurogroup meeting in regular format (roundtable): Priorities and challenges for the euro area in the new European policy cycle Euro Area Recommendation 2025 – presentation by the Commission Innovation in wholesale payments Digital euro: state of play Miscellaneous At the end of the meeting (+/- 18.45) - Press conference with Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe, Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and ESM Managing Director Pierre Gramegna (live streaming). Videos and photos from the event Tuesday 21 January - Economic and Financial Affairs Council Chaired by Andrzej Domanski, Polish minister for finance 08.00 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 08.15 Doorstep by Andrzej Domanski (live streaming) 09.00 Ecofin breakfast (roundtable) 10.30 Beginning of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council Adoption of the agenda Approval of "A" items: - non-legislative list - legislative list (public session) +/- 10.50 Presidency work programme (public session) +/- 11.05 Any other business: - Current legislative proposals in the field of financial services (public session) +/- 11.15 Ensuring a globally competitive business environment in Europe - simplification, decluttering and regulatory burden reduction +/- 12.45 Economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine +/- 12.50 Implementation of the economic governance framework Council recommendations on medium-term fiscal-structural plans Council recommendations under the Excessive Deficit Procedure +/- 13.20 European Semester 2025 +/- 13.40 Economic recovery in Europe Council Implementing Decisions under the Recovery and Resilience Facility At the end of the meeting (+/- 14.00) - Press conference with Minister Domanski and Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis (live streaming). Videos and photos from the event Meeting page – Eurogroup meeting of 20 January 2025 Meeting page – Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 21 January 2025