COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Tuesday, 04 March 2025

● European Council   04/03/2025 16:30 | Speech | Speech by President António Costa at the Emergency summit of the League of Arab States on Gaza   Let me start by thanking you for inviting the European Union to attend this important meeting as the international community and the Arab States try to give hope to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and abroad. And bring an end to the terrible suffering we have all witnessed this past year and a half. The European Union is fully committed to contributing to peace in the Middle East. Committed to the two-State solution, where Palestine and Israel can live side-by-side in peace and security. And free from the threat of terrorism. Committed to supporting the efforts of the Arab States and the Palestinian Authority, as we have done for so long. The respect for the UN Charter, the rules-based international order and international law have never been so much at stake as in current times. Let me be clear. The European Union firmly rejects any attempt at demographic or territorial changes. In Gaza. In other parts of the world. Anywhere. Consistent with the UN Charter, international law, our fundamental principles and relevant UN resolutions. The European Union calls on all parties to the ceasefire and hostage release deal to fully implement their commitments. We commend all those engaged in the mediation efforts, in particular Egypt and Qatar. We sincerely hope that the talks on phase 2 will be successful. This is very important. Not only to allow for the release of all hostages and detainees, but also to ensure a path to a permanent end to hostilities. A political solution that includes Gaza and the West Bank. A path of respect for international law, humanitarian law, for humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians, and civilians to be protected. The European Union and its member states are supporting these objectives. Through increased humanitarian aid, namely by continuing to support the action of UNRWA. Through also the deployment of the EU mission to Rafah (EUBAM), at the Rafah crossing point. Our support to the Palestinian Authority is also steadfast. The European Union supports the reform agenda of the Palestinian Authority. It will play a crucial role in the governance of Gaza. The European Union is also using all possible tools in this regard, including diplomatic efforts vis-à-vis Israel and Palestine. Also through the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the two-state solution. Together with you and all other international partners, the European Union is fully committed to the reconstruction of Gaza. Any viable reconstruction plan should cover all strands, especially reconstruction, governance and security. Thank you to Egypt and all of you who have worked on the plan presented today. The European Union stands ready to provide concrete support. Together, we should implement this plan. Together, the European Union, its partners in the Arab world and the international community. It is in difficult times that you can count on predictable and reliable partners and friends. The recent developments in the Middle East have made the Arab League and its members ever more relevant for the European Union. We are partners to work on resolving tensions and addressing challenges in the region and the reconstruction of Gaza. May the Holy Month of Ramadan bring the peace that we are all looking for. For the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. Ramadan Kareem!

● Council of the EU

04/03/2025 17:09 | Media advisory | Media advisory - Justice and Home Affairs Council of 5 and 7 March 2025   Indicative programme All times are approximate and subject to change Place: Europa building, Brussels Chairs: Tomasz SIEMONIAK, Polish Minister for the Interior and Administration Adam BODNAR, Polish Minister of Justice Wednesday, 5 March - HOME AFFAIRS +/- 08.00 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 08.00 Tomasz SIEMONIAK, Polish Minister for the Interior and Administration (live streaming) 09.00 Overall state of the Schengen area - exchange of views - Schengen Barometer - Making the return systems more effective Council decision on setting out recommendations on the common areas for improvement identified in the 2024 thematic Schengen evaluation in the field of return - exchange of views and adoption Implementation of interoperability - exchange of views +/- 11.30 Approval of "A" items: - Non-legislative list - Legislative list +/- 11.35 (public session) Regulation on a progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System - general approach +/- 11.40 (public session) Current legislative proposals +/- 13.00 Working lunch with ministers participating in the EU-Latin American Committee on Internal Security (CLASI) +/- 15.15 Home affairs Council resumes EU-Latin American Committee on Internal Security (CLASI) cooperation - state of play EU action plan on cable security - state of play The external dimension of migration - exchange of views The impact of the current geopolitical situations on EU’s internal security - Syria - exchange of views - Ukraine - state of play The fight against drug trafficking and organised crime - state of play Any other business: - Implementation of the migration and asylum - information from the Commission - 42nd session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council - information from Portugal At the end of the meeting (+/- 18.45 in the Justus Lipsius press room) press conference Home Affairs in live streaming. Videos and photos from the event Friday, 7 March - JUSTICE +/- 08.00 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 08.45 Doorstep by Adam BODNAR, Polish Minister of Justice (live streaming) 09.30 Start of the Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice) +/- 09.30 Directive harmonising certain aspects of insolvency law (public session) +/-11.00 (public session) Current legislative proposals Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: fight against impunity - state of play Conclusions on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights - approval and exchange of views Any other business: UN Convention against Cybercrime - information from the Commission EU-US negotiations on an e-evidence agreement - information from the Commission Strengthening judicial cooperation with third countries - information from the presidency +/- 13.00 Working lunch: The rule of law as a pillar of democracy in Europe - exchange of views At the end of the meeting (+/- 15.00 in the Justus Lipsius press room) press conference Justice in live streaming. Videos and photos from the event   Meeting page - Justice and Home Affairs Council (Home Affairs), 5 March 2025 Meeting page - Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice), 7 March 2025

• Council of the EU

­ 04/03/2025 | MEETINGS  Background brief - Justice and Home Affairs Council of 05 and 07 March 2025 Justice and Home Affairs (Home Affairs) Council of 05 March 2025 Justice and Home Affairs (Justice) Council of 07 March 2025

● Council of the EU

04/03/2025 10:08 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Social policy), 10 March 2025   In the context of the European Semester, the Council will hold a policy debate on ways to mitigate the challenges of the ‘silver transformation’ for the EU’s workforce. Other topics on the agenda relating to the European Semester autumn package include the employment and social aspects of the 2025 recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area, the 2025 Joint Employment Report, and the aspects of the medium-term fiscal-structural plans that relate to the EPSCO Council. ● Council of the EU   05/03/2025 11:22 | Press release | Council establishes position for the progressive launch of a new digital border management system   Today the Council established a general approach on a regulation regarding the progressive start of the Entry/Exit digital border management system. “I am very pleased that during the Polish presidency of the EU Council, which focuses on security issues, it was possible to make such significant progress in the control and protection of our external borders. The solution adopted is, on the one hand, flexible and, on the other hand, guarantees the security of migratory movements.” — Tomasz Siemoniak, Polish Minister of the Interior and Administration The EES is an IT system that will digitally record entries and exits, data from the passport, fingerprints, and facial images of non-EU nationals travelling for short stays in an EU member state. Progressive start Under the phased deployment, member states will progressively start operating the EES and work towards a minimum registration of 10% of border crossings after the first month. For the first 60 days, member states may operate the EES without biometric functionalities. After three months, member states should operate the EES – with biometric functionalities – at a minimum of half of their border crossing points. EU countries should reach full registration of all individuals by the end of the period of the progressive start of EES operation. Until the end of this transition period, member states will also continue to manually stamp travel documents. The regulation does not set a date for the start of the progressive deployment of the system. This will require a separate European Commission decision once the law has entered into force. Flexibility for member states The regulation takes the diverse needs of member states into account. It enables those who wish to implement it gradually to do so, while enabling others to start operating the system fully from day one. Main elements of the Council’s decision The Council highlighted the importance of confirming, monitoring and addressing any issues in the performance of the EES central system. It makes explicit references to the role of eu-LISA’s governing bodies in that context. A stable EES Central System is an important prerequisite for member states to fully deploy the Entry/Exit system by the end of the transition period. This is also why, in their position, member states have stressed that the EES roll-out plan, which eu-LISA will have to provide, should confirm performance and availability targets of the Central System as well as a strategy to deal with possible defects. Next steps This general approach is the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament, which is still in the process of agreeing on its position. The two co-legislators need to find a common position in order to formally adopt the law. Background In October 2023, the Justice and Home Affairs Council endorsed plans to launch the EES at the end of 2024. As this deadline could not be met – and because of concerns that a full start of the system could constitute a risk factor for the resilience of the IT system – the Commission proposed a gradual start. Because the EES regulation requires all member states to start using the EES fully and simultaneously, a new regulation was necessary to make a progressive start possible. Once operational, the EES will allow the collection of biometric data, such as facial images and fingerprints, of third country nationals crossing the EU’s external borders. It will grant EU member states real-time access to third-country nationals’ personal data, travel history and information on whether they comply with the authorised period of stay in the Schengen area. As a result, the EES will significantly reduce the likelihood of identity fraud and overstay, strengthening the security of the Schengen area. IT systems to fight crime and secure EU borders (background information) Regulation as regards a progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System (general approach), 28 February 2025) ● Eurogroup   05/03/2025 10:19 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Eurogroup meeting of 10 March 2025   The press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on Friday, 7 March at 11.00. The briefing will be "off the record" and will be given by Tuomas Saarenheimo, President of the Eurogroup Working Group. The press briefing 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. If you haven't registered for one of the previous Eurogroup press events, please use this link to do so and have the possibility to ask questions remotely. Deadline for registration: Friday, 7 March at 10.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.

● Eurogroup

05/03/2025 10:19 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Eurogroup meeting of 10 March 2025   The press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on Friday, 7 March at 11.00. The briefing will be "off the record" and will be given by Tuomas Saarenheimo, President of the Eurogroup Working Group. The press briefing 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. If you haven't registered for one of the previous Eurogroup press events, please use this link to do so and have the possibility to ask questions remotely. Deadline for registration: Friday, 7 March at 10.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.