COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Tuesday, 13 May 2025

● European Council   13/05/2025 19:19 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the joint press conference with Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina   I would like to thank the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina for their kind welcome in Sarajevo. The European Union remains committed to the European future of Bosnia and Herzegovina. And this year, on the 30th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide and the Dayton/Paris agreement, I believe that it is an important message to remember. I came to Sarajevo to bring this message of continued engagement but also of concern with the recent developments in República Srpska. Secessionist rhetoric and actions against the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and constitutional order run counter to the European Union path of Bosnia and Herzegovina. What is important now is to ease the tensions and for political leaders to work together to maintain stability and security for everyone here. As I made clear to the three Presidents, they have a crucial role to play in maintaining stability and security for the benefit of the population, and a crucial responsibility as well. We need the approval of two judiciary laws, the appointment of a chief negotiator, and the adoption of the reform agenda to move towards on the Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European path. There is a great cost for your country, for the citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina, if the opportunities offered by the European Union are not seized. First, opportunities to make progress in your European Union accession benefiting from the new momentum in the enlargement process. And second, opportunities to benefit from the Growth Plan, just like all the other Western Balkan partners. The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are the only ones in the region who do not benefit from the Growth Plan yet. I would like to see Bosnia and Herzegovina joining the other Western Balkans partners in profiting from all that the European Union has to offer. And one last point: today, I started my visit by meeting the troops of EUFOR Althea. Operation EUFOR Althea shows concretely the European Union's readiness to help ensure peace and stability in the region. They continue to play a key role in supporting the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all citizens.  And allow me to stress that I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina to move forward in the Bosnia-Herzegovina-European Union accession process. Thank you very much for your welcome. And we will continue working together.

● Council of the EU

13/05/2025 18:31 | Meetings | Main results - Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council, 12-13 May 2025   Ministers for culture and sport met in Brussels to discuss the audiovisual media services directive, and an integrated approach to sport and physical activity in education ● Council of the EU   13/05/2025 18:53 | Meetings | Main results - Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 13 May 2025   Ministers of economic and financial affairs agreed on the position of member states on a directive simplifying tax collection for imports. They also held a policy debate on the proposed Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument and exchanged views on the savings and investments union (SIU).   ● Council of the EU   13/05/2025 15:07 | Press release | Recovery and resilience fund: Council gives green light to amended plans of the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain   The Council today approved the Commission’s positive assessment of the amended recovery and resilience plans submitted by the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain. According to the analysis of the Commission, the targeted modifications do not affect the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and coherence of their recovery and resilience plans. The Netherlands The Netherlands has submitted a request to change 17 measures. The request for amendment was done because of measures being unachievable, the implementation of better alternatives and reduction of administrative burden. The plan is now worth €5.4 billion. Portugal The revisions which Portugal requested on 3 February 2025 regard 108 measures. They relate to implementing better alternatives, reducing administrative burden and replacing unachievable measures. The plan is still worth around €22 billion in grants and loans. Slovakia The Slovakian amendments concern 57 measures. Amendments have for instance been made as better alternatives for the implementation exist. The estimated total cost of the plan remains at €6.4 billion. Spain On 21 March 2025, Spain made a request to amend its recovery and resilience plan. The amendment concerns 12 measures. They concern, among other things, reducing administrative burden and removing unnecessary procedural elements. For one target Spain requested an extension due to the floods of October 2024, which made the target unachievable. The value of the plan remains unchanged at €163 billion in grants and loans. Background The RRF is the EU’s large-scale financial support programme in response to the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has posed to the European economy. It is the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU, a temporary recovery instrument that allows the Commission to raise funds to help repair the immediate economic and social damage caused by the pandemic. To benefit from the facility, member states must submit recovery and resilience plans (RRPs) to the Commission, setting out the reforms and investments they intend to implement by the end of August 2026. To date, all RRPs have been approved, 86 payment requests have been received and more than €311 billion have been disbursed. Council implementing decision approving the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for the Netherlands Council implementing decision approving the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Portugal Council implementing decision approving the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Slovakia Council implementing decision approving the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Spain A recovery plan for Europe (background information) ● Council of the EU   13/05/2025 11:19 | Press release | VAT rules: Council agrees position on directive simplifying tax collection for imports   The Council reached agreement on the position of member states (the so-called ‘general approach’) on the directive on value added tax (VAT) rules for distance sales of imported goods and import VAT. The directive seeks to improve the collection of VAT on imported goods by making suppliers liable for the VAT paid on imports, which is likely to encourage them to use the VAT import one-stop-shop (IOSS). “VAT collection on imports through the import one-stop-shop is beneficial to the member states’ public purse and will clear the path for the ongoing negotiations on the Union Customs Code reform, which is a key priority for our presidency.” — Andrzej Domanski, Polish minister for finance Import one-stop-shop (IOSS) Foreign traders or platforms will be made liable for import VAT and VAT on the distance sales of imported goods in the member state of the final destination of the goods. This will encourage use of the IOSS, as foreign traders or platforms that do not use it will need to be registered in each member state. The IOSS serves as a point of contact for importers of goods from third countries into the European Union. It aims to simplify the declaration and payment of VAT when importing goods into the EU, since it is only necessary to register in one member state even when making sales throughout the EU. As the IOSS enables VAT payments up front (when the consumer purchases the item) rather than at the border, it protects member states’ tax revenues and increases VAT compliance for imports. It also shifts the burden for VAT collection from customers to platforms, something which the Council hopes to achieve for customs duties in its Union Customs Code reform. Next steps The directive is subject to a special legislative procedure and agreement on the draft law requires unanimity within the Council. The European Parliament will be consulted on the agreed text and asked to deliver its opinion. The text will then need to be formally adopted by the Council before being published in the EU’s Official Journal and entering into force. Background On 17 May 2023, the European Commission published a customs reform package consisting of three legislative proposals, one of which was the Council directive on VAT rules for distance sales of imported goods and import VAT. Among other things, the original proposal contained provisions on removing the customs exemption for goods worth up to a threshold of €150. However, the Council decided to set these original provisions aside and to discuss them in the context of the ongoing customs reform negotiations. The text of the directive on which member states today reached a general approach focuses on measures to encourage use of the IOSS. Directive as regards VAT rules for imported goods rules for distance sales of imported goods and import VAT (general approach), 8 May 2025 Taxation (background information) Digital taxation (background information)

● European Council

13/05/2025 11:05 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the joint press conference with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić   Thank you for your welcome, hospitality and for a good meeting. In December, when I started my mandate as the President of the European Council, I sent a clear signal of my personal commitment and the priority I attach to the enlargement of the European Union to the Western Balkans. And today, I start here, in Serbia, the visit to all the six Western Balkans partners. This is the fourth time we meet since I took office last December. The accession process is a trust-building process. We are living a very positive momentum in the European Union for enlargement. And this is a clear opportunity for Serbia to build upon it. The EU remains strongly committed to the accession of Serbia as a stable, peaceful and prosperous country, having dealt with the legacy of the past and having chosen to embrace its democratic and European future. I was glad to hear that EU integration remains a top priority for you and the new government. What is important now is that this swiftly translates into concrete actions and acceleration of reforms. As you know, accession is a merit-based process. What needs to be done as a next step in order to open Cluster 3 is very clear and is what we previously agreed to do: enhance media freedom, fight corruption and reform the electoral law. It is good to hear from you, dear Aleksandar, what you are doing to move forward. This is not an exercise of ticking boxes – these reforms will bring tangible benefits to Serbian citizens. The full alignment with the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy and the resolution of bilateral issues are also essential elements for your accession. The Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is a crucial point. And of course, we cannot ignore in this regard that, as you know, a key element of our Common Foreign and Security Policy is a clear condemnation of the Russian brutal invasion of Ukraine and the support to Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace. Dear Aleksandar, enlargement is based on building trust. I know that a lot of people, not only in Serbia, but in the whole region, lost their faith in this process. And I came here today to assure you of my personal engagement and the European Union’s full commitment to deliver on enlargement. I believe Serbia’s future is in the European Union. The ball is in your camp, now. And, please, we cannot waste time, the future does not wait – to open Cluster 3 and to continue achieving a successful accession of Serbia to the European Union.

● Council of the EU

13/05/2025 10:46 | Media advisory | Media advisory - European Union Military Committee at Chiefs of Defence Level of 15 May 2025   Indicative programme  All times are approximate and subject to change Place: Justus Lipsius building, Brussels Chair: General Robert Brieger, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) 08.30 Beginning of the EUMC at Chiefs of Defence level Key topics: Overview of the points discussed at the CHOD's meeting Comprehensive strategic-military perspective on adapting to strategic and institutional changes under the European Preparedness Union Strategy and the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 Overview of European defence and its full-spectrum military capability requirements EU military support to Ukraine and next steps Current EU military CSDP operations, missions and initiatives At the end of the meeting (+/- 17.00), press conference in live streaming. Arrangements for the press conference The press conference will take place at 17.00 on Thursday, 15 May 2025: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions only in person at the Justus Lipsius press room.  The conference will also be broadcasted live on the EbS website.

● Council of the EU

13/05/2025 10:09 | Press release | Council sets out its priorities for the audiovisual media sector   EU-wide rules governing television and on-demand services need to reflect the rapidly changing landscape for audiovisual media, including the rise of influencers, the spread of disinformation and the growing use of artificial intelligence. This is the Council’s message in conclusions approved today, ahead of the upcoming review of the audiovisual media services directive (AVMSD) in 2026. “In an ever-changing media landscape, we need rules that are both robust and adaptable. Today’s conclusions highlight the most pressing challenges facing the EU’s audiovisual media sector and call for an approach that will ensure all our citizens are protected from harmful content for years to come. The development of technology is inevitable - our task is not to deny these changes but to prepare for their effective use.” — Hanna Wróblewska, Polish Minister for Culture and National Heritage The AVMSD coordinates the regulation of television and on-demand broadcasting services at EU level. Since the last revision of this directive in 2018, the landscape for audiovisual media services has undergone rapid change as a result of new developments such as the rise of social media and video-sharing platforms, as well as the adoption of EU legislation including the European Media Freedom Act and the Digital Services Act. In its conclusions, the Council highlights the crucial role of the AVMSD in providing a legal framework to safeguard and promote a diverse, fair, safe, trustworthy and competitive market for audiovisual media in the EU, as well as ensuring independent, trustworthy and culturally diverse audiovisual content. In particular, the Council stresses that: the scope of the AVMSD should be wide, clear and adaptable enough to cover all relevant kinds of audiovisual media content, including those produced by influencers or professional content creators the rules should ensure a high level of protection of children and young people, bearing in mind the international nature of the most widely used on-demand services the provisions governing video-sharing platforms, such as Netflix, YouTube and Tiktok, should be robust enough to protect the general public from harm and other societal risks use of reliable, pluralistic media should be promoted and reinforced to combat disinformation and foreign manipulation or interference wide access to events of cultural importance, such as major sporting events, should be safeguarded Background The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) is the key piece of legislation in the field of EU audiovisual policy. Since its last revision in 2018, the audiovisual and media landscape has changed considerably, due to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the increase of disinformation, misinformation, fake news, hate speech and hybrid threats, and the emergence of artificial intelligence. In December 2020, the Commission launched an action plan entitled ‘Europe’s Media in the Digital Decade: An Action Plan to Support Recovery and Transformation’. The action plan focuses on three areas of activity: (1) help the sector recover from the crisis; (2) support the green and digital transformations of the sector; and (3) enable and empower individuals and companies in Europe. On 26 November 2024, the Commission informed the Council of its intention to table a proposal to review the AVMSD in 2026. The conclusions approved today set out the Council’s preliminary position on this review, providing the Commission with guidance on the priority areas to examine when carrying out its evaluation of the AVMSD. Council conclusions on the assessment of the legal framework for audiovisual media services and video-sharing platform services (text of the conclusions) Audiovisual Media Services Directive Meeting of EU Energy Ministers in Warsaw 13/05/2025 | Article Meeting of EU Energy Ministers in Warsaw Strengthening energy security and improving access to key clean tech, as well as the situation in Ukraine and Moldova, were the main topics of the informal meeting of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE), held in Warsaw on 12–13 May. The meeting was chaired by Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska. ● European Council   14/05/2025 12:38 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the joint press conference with President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović   It is my pleasure to be in Podgorica. Thank you dear Jakov for having us here. Enlargement is the most important geopolitical investment in the stability, peace and prosperity in the Western Balkans and the whole of Europe. It is inspiring to see how Montenegro has advanced on its European path. It is the result of your ambition, hard work and focus to become an EU member state. You are delivering not only on reforms but also maintaining full alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security policy, namely supporting a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Montenegro is one of the finest examples of the EU’s positive enlargement momentum. Your actions have been instrumental in building it up. Just yesterday, the European Parliament, by an overwhelming majority recognised it and the important progress you have made. Now it is vital to maintain this approach - keep the focus on the objective and not slow down this impressive course. To be the 28th EU member state by 2028 is a very good slogan, but it could be a better achievement to get there before 2028. Political consensus and institutional stability are vital to complete accession. It is also important to maintain good neighbourly relations, especially with those countries, who are already members of the European Union. This is part of the accession criteria and a pre-requisite to EU membership. Dear President, dear Jakov, I am looking forward to continuing our work with you - already tomorrow in our meeting with Ursula von der Leyen and all the other leaders of the Western Balkans, to contribute altogether to the great success of this enlargement. Especially and first of all, with Montenegro's accession.