COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Meetings Thursday, 20 February 2025

● Council of the EU   20/02/2025 08:33 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 24 February 2025   Based on information from the European Commission and member states, agriculture ministers will discuss the situation of agricultural markets and commodities, a recurring topic on the Council's agenda. The Council will also exchange views on implementing the principle of rural proofing, which involves reviewing policies from a rural perspective to make sure they’re fit for purpose for people living and working in rural areas

● Council of the EU

20/02/2025 08:34 | Media advisory | Press briefings - General Affairs Council of 25 February 2025 and Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 24 February 2025   The press briefing ahead of the General Affairs Council will take place on Friday, 21 February 2025 at 10.30, followed by the press briefing ahead of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. These briefings will be "off the record". The press briefings will take place 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 events remotely, please use this link to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of the General Affairs Council or the Agriculture and Fisheries Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Friday, 21 February 2025, 09.30 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.   Meeting page - General Affairs Council, 25 February 2025 Meeting page - Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 24 February 2025 ● Council of the EU   19/02/2025 20:47 | Press release | Moldova: Council and European Parliament agree to support reforms and economic growth with almost €2 billion   The Council presidency and European Parliament negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on setting up the Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova, a new instrument to support EU-related reforms and economic growth in the country. “We are determined to support Moldova on its path towards EU accession, it’s our duty in these turbulent times. This package will help Moldovans to implement key reforms, strengthen their economy and advance its integration to the EU’s single market. It will also support Moldova’s resilience in response to the impact caused by the Russian’s unjust war of aggression against Ukraine.” — Adam Szlápka, Minister for European Affairs of Poland This Facility is the financial pillar of the Moldova Growth Plan, presented by the Commission in October 2024. It will support Moldova during the period from 2025 to 2027 and is expected to provide up to €385 million in grants and €1.5 billion in loans. These loans will be highly concessional, with long repayment time and advantageous interest rates. Objectives of the Facility The Facility will support Moldova in its EU accession process and in undertaking EU-related reforms, as well as in achieving economic convergence with the EU. It will also be instrumental in delivering the EU’s Comprehensive Strategy for Energy Independence and Resilience of Moldova, which aims to decouple Moldova from the insecurities of Russian supply of energy and fully integrate it in the EU energy market. Payments will be subject to strict conditions in terms of the achievement of reforms set out in the agreed Reform Agenda. The provisional agreement between the co-legislators retains the main thrust of the Commission proposal on establishing the Facility while placing additional focus on helping Moldova manage and mitigate the challenges stemming from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s attempts to destabilise Moldova. In the provisional agreement, the Council and the European Parliament agreed to increase the overall funds by €100 million in grants compared to the initial Commission proposal. The co-legislators also agreed to increase the pre-financing rate from up to 7% to up to 18% of the total amount provided for by the Facility. This will ensure that Moldova will have at its disposal the necessary start-up funding to implement the first reforms and support its energy resilience. Another improvement to the initial proposal is related to the governance of the Facility. The Commission is obliged to inform the Council and the European Parliament before adopting a decision authorising the payments, or when assessing that payment conditions are not met. Next steps The provisional agreement will now need to be endorsed by the member states’ representatives within the Council (Coreper) and by the European Parliament. It will then be formally adopted by both institutions following legal-linguistic revision. Background On 10 October 2024, the European Commission presented a Moldova Growth Plan, which is based on three pillars: supporting Moldova's socio-economic and fundamental reforms, enhancing Moldova’s access to the EU's single market, and increasing financial support 2025-2027 through a dedicated Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova. The envelope of up to €2 billion provided by the Facility is the largest EU financial support package to Moldova since its independence and comes on top of the EU’s other substantial support to Moldova. Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova: Council agrees its negotiating position (press release, 17 December 2024) Commission adopts €1.8 billion support package to underpin Moldova's economic growth plan on its path to the EU (European Commission)   • Council of the EU ­ 19/02/2025 | Media advisory | Presidency event: Informal meeting of research ministers, Warsaw, 10-11 March 2025   On 10-11 March 2025, EU research ministers will meet in Warsaw, Poland, for an informal meeting.   The meeting will be chaired by Marcin Kulasek, Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education.   The first plenary session will focus on the strategic role of the next EU R&I Framework Programme for competitiveness of the Union, and beyond. The aim is to discuss its role in creation of breakthrough science and innovation in EU, strengthening security, strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty of the EU.   Openness and inclusiveness of the Framework Programme, and synergy between all the instruments and funds relevant for R&I policy are at the heart of the Polish Presidency. With these overarching priorities in mind, the Presidency will seek to look for an overview of the guiding principles and expectations from the Member States and the Associated Countries as to the role and significance of the 10th Framework Programme.   Following the discussion, the Warsaw Declaration on the strategic role of the future EU R&I Framework Programme will be announced. It will confirm strong need of a robust, effective, open and adequately financed EU R&I programme that will provide a meaningful support to researchers and innovators, and contribute to tackling the greatest challenges of our times.   The agenda of the Council and the timings for the press conference will be available on the website of the Polish Presidency in due course.   The accreditation for the informal council is open, and the deadline for registration is 25 February 2025.     For more information and to register, click here.      @POLAND25EU