COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

Jobs Tuesday, 10 June 2025

● Council of the EU   Career opportunities at the General Secretariat, 10/06/2025   Temporary agent (TA AD5) – Political Administrator – Research Policy Reference: CONS/7/2025/TA-AD/COMPET.2 Closing date for applications: 01/07/2025 at 12:00 noon (CEST)

● Council of the EU

10/06/2025 15:48 | Media advisory | (UPDATE) Press briefing ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 12 and 13 June 2025   The press briefing ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs Council will take place tomorrow,  Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 11.00. This "off the record" 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. To attend the event remotely, please use this link to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of the Justice and Home Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 10.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice), 12 June 2025 Justice and Home Affairs Council (Home Affairs), 13 June 2025   ● Council of the EU   10/06/2025 15:28 | Press release | EU-NATO: 10th progress report reaffirms commitment to advancing cooperation amid instability and security challenges   The Council took note of the tenth progress report on the implementation of the 74 common proposals endorsed by the EU and NATO Councils on 6 December 2016 and 5 December 2017. The report confirms that NATO and the EU remain steadfast defenders of international peace and security and the rules-based international order. It stresses that shared security challenges such as Russia’s actions, instability in Europe’s Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods, rising tensions in the Western Balkans, and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, require further strengthening of the transatlantic cooperation. This should be done through an even more robust, coherent and complementary NATO-EU partnership that addresses urgent issues such as enhancing defence readiness, notably by increasing European defence spending, addressing capability shortfalls, expanding defence industrial capacity and ramping up defence production. The report highlights and elaborates on the tangible progress achieved between June 2024 and May 2025 across the entire spectrum of EU-NATO cooperation agenda. Political Dialogue Political dialogue increased substantially, reflecting the determination of the new EU and NATO leadership to bolster mutual understanding, increase interactions and further strengthen cooperation across all areas of the EU-NATO partnership, in particular in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and EU initiatives to boost European defence. Following the publication of the EU White Paper on European Defence – Readiness 2030 and ReArm Europe Plan, the EU High Representative had an exchange - for the first time - with NATO Foreign Ministers on European defence. Since December 2024, High Representative Kaja Kallas also participated in the NATO-Ukraine Council Ministerial meetings. Political Security Committee (PSC)-North Atlantic Council (NAC) meetings have resumed, with a first one focused on Ukraine. Countering hybrid threats and other common challenges EU and NATO staff stepped up cooperation as regards resilience and preparedness in fields such as crisis management, critical infrastructure protection, health preparedness and related strategic communications.Close cooperation on counterterrorism also continued apace. The EU was represented for the first time at the annual NATO Hybrid Symposium. Staff exchanges allowed for the integration of lessons learnt from the NATO baseline requirements into the development of the EU’s Preparedness Union Strategy. Cyber security and defence Joint work was taken forward with the first meeting of the structured dialogue on cyber, which focused on cross-participation in exercises, and ensuring consistency by exploring further synergies.Staffs were in close contact during diplomatic responses to cyber incidents, including under the EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox, and coordinated statements condemning malicious cyber activities.The NATO Cyber Defence Pledge questionnaire was released to the EEAS and European Commission, while the EU Cyber Census questionnaire was shared to NATO staff. Defence capabilities EU and NATO worked at ensuring enhanced coherence between various existing instruments (e.g., CDP, HLGP and CARD on the EU side and NDPP and PARP on the NATO side). Progress was also recorded on EU and NATO initiatives addressing critical capability shortfalls, strengthening national defence capabilities and ensuring coherence between EU and NATO multinational capability development across all domains. Standardisation remained a key area of cooperation to ensure interoperability and complementarity of efforts, avoid unnecessary duplication, and in respect of the leading role of NATO in military standards through Standardisation Agreements (STANAGs). To support this effort, the NATO Secretary General released a set of NATO unclassified STANAGs to the European Commission and the EEAS. EU and NATO continued exchanges on space. As regards military mobility, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of rapid and unhindered movement of military forces, equipment and supplies. The EU and NATO intensified discussions on shared priorities and respective work strands, including on military requirements, transport infrastructure, transport of dangerous goods, simplification of customs procedures and cross-border movement permissions, engagement in exercises, and host-nation support. Defence industry, innovation and research The first Structured Dialogue on Defence Industry was launched, focusing on the White Paper and the ReArm Europe Plan, the NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge and the updated Defence Production Action Plan. Emerging and disruptive technologies were also the object of structured dialogue, with particular attention to dual-use application of artificial intelligence, quantum and biotech. Operational cooperation including maritime security The EU and NATO pursued dialogue between military staffs, and held the annual EU-NATO staff talks on maritime security, focusing on respective naval operations and activities, and potential cooperation between NATO and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), security of critical maritime/undersea infrastructure. Other examples of successful cooperation cover EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI and NATO MARCOM, and NATO’s activity in the Aegean Sea, assisting Greece and Türkiye, and FRONTEX to counter irregular migration. Exercises Cooperation between NATO and the EU staffs contributed to increasing awareness of the resilience, preparedness and crisis management efforts of both organisations and their respective memberships, notably through continued implementation of the Parallel and Coordinated Exercises (PACE) concept, and the preparations and conduct of the EU Integrated Resolve Exercise 2024 (EU IR24) and NATO’s Crisis Management Exercise 2025 (CMX25). Defence and security capacity building Regular staff consultations and cross-briefings continued both in Brussels and on the ground, serving as a valuable platform for exchanging views and sharing information on the political and security situation and assistance measures in eight partner countries - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Jordan, Iraq, Mauritania the Republic of Moldova, Tunisia, and Ukraine. The EU, NATO and their respective members continued to provide substantial support to Ukraine. Staffs continued regular exchanges on the respective assistance provided to Ukraine, including on the EU side through the European Peace Facility (EPF), the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) - the main training provider for the Ukrainian Armed Forces - and the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform to Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine). The EU and NATO remain firmly committed to further strengthen, deepen and expand their mutually reinforcing and beneficial cooperation by exploring avenues for further collaboration across all existing work strands. Tenth progress report on the implementation of the common set of proposals endorsed by EU and NATO Councils EU-NATO cooperation (background Information) EU-NATO: 9th progress report stresses the importance of ever closer cooperation at a key juncture for Euro-Atlantic security, 13 June 2024

● Council of the EU

10/06/2025 14:03 | Press release | Council and Parliament strike a deal to make detergents safer for the population and the environment   The Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional deal on the update the regulation on detergents and surfactants. The new rules simplify the placement and free movement of this products in the internal market, while accompanying market developments in terms of product innovation (such as microbial cleaning products or detergents containing microorganisms) and consumer habits (such as bulk detergent sales and refills). It also enhances the compliance and market safety of imported products by requiring non-EU manufacturers to appoint an authorised representative to support compliance and liaise with local authorities in case of need. The provisional agreement empowers the commission to improve the biodegradability of surfactants in detergents (in particular in films covering capsules). It completes and makes more digitally available the information of labelling (for instance, including fragrance allergens and preservatives), and makes the information from manufacturers available to authorities and medical personnel, and notably to poison centres. It also asks the Commission to analyse the potential impacts of reducing the levels of phosphorus, and forbids animal testing. “Today’s deal on detergents is a win for health, environment, and the single market. By boosting biodegradability, enabling the reduction of harmful substances and improving information on the label, we’re making our everyday products safer and greener, without piling on red tape: smart regulation, clean results.” —  Izabela Leszczyna– Polish Minister for Health  Biodegradability and no GMOs The agreement empowers the Commission to set stricter requirements for the biodegradability of water-soluble polymeric films used to encapsulate detergents. The Commission is also empowered to assess the scientific evidence on the need to introduce biodegradability criteria for other organic substances intentionally added in detergents in concentrations of at least 10 % of the total mass of substances, excluding water. The agreement includes a revision clause that foresees the possibility of further lower the targets in the future. Analysis on impact of reducing phosphorus content Council and Parliament agreed to ask the Commission to investigate the feasibility and the potential impacts of reducing the levels of phosphorus in detergents. In particular, the Commission should find out if the reduction of phosphorus does not compromise the effectiveness of the products to the point that it is necessary to increase their use, which can have a negative impact on the environment (i.e. requiring additional cleaning cycles or hotter water). The Commission may come with new legislative proposal after its assessment to further reduce phosphorus content. No animal testing The compromise agreement reaffirms the ban of the REACH Regulation on detergents and surfactants that have been produced by using animal testing. Only products developed by using non-animal testing methods will be allowed in the internal market. In very exceptional cases, the Commission will be empowered to grant a derogation to that rule, only if the ingredient is essential, irreplaceable, and the need for animal testing is justified. Next steps The provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament now needs to be endorsed and formally adopted by both institutions. Background Even if detergents deliver health and hygiene in our daily life, they are chemicals with intrinsic properties that may pose some risks to human health and the environment. A legislation of 2004, (‘the Detergents Regulation') lays down the rules that detergents need to comply with to be placed on the EU market. The Commission’s proposal of April 2023 tries to address short-comings of the existing legislation and solve the overlaps between the Detergents Regulation and other pieces of EU chemicals legislation that lead to duplications in the labelling requirements and complicate the effective communication of safety and use information to consumers. The detergents industry accounted for 4.2% of the production value of the total chemicals sector in 2018, with a market value of € 41.2 billion (in 2020). The manufacturing of products for the whole market that includes both consumer and professional products involves around 700 separate production sites. Commission’s proposal Council’s general agreement / negotiating mandate Competitiveness and industry (background information) Circular economy (background information)

● European Council

09/06/2025 15:54 | Speech | Déclaration du président António Costa lors de l'événement parallèle du Pacte pour l’Océan de la Conférence des Nations unies sur l’Océan de 2025   Il y a moins de trois mois, le Conseil européen a adopté des conclusions très ambitieuses sur les océans. Pour la première fois, les 27 chefs d’état et de gouvernement ont adopté, à l'égard de ce qui constitue un atout stratégique, une approche qui l'est tout autant. En somme une approche globale. À des fins de protection, de sécurité et de durabilité économique. Et aujourd'hui, l'Union européenne se montre à la hauteur de ses engagements. Tout d'abord, je tiens à remercier Madame la Présidente de la Commission européenne, chère Ursula, et le Commissaire Kostas Kadis d'avoir proposé le pacte européen pour l’ océan. Il permettra d'améliorer la protection de l'environnement, de renforcer notre compétitivité dans les secteurs de l'économie bleue, de donner aux communautés côtières les moyens d'agir et d'accroître la sûreté et la défense maritimes. Le tout simultanément. Montrant par là clairement que, pour l'Union européenne, la santé des océans n'est pas seulement essentielle pour un avenir durable. Elle l'est également pour un avenir sûr et compétitif. Ce qui appelle assurément une approche et une gouvernance globales et stratégiques. Ensuite, l'Union européenne se montre aussi à la hauteur de ses engagements pour ce qui concerne le traité sur la haute mer. Nous avons joué un rôle décisif dans sa conclusion. Et aujourd'hui, grâce à notre contribution essentielle, nous sommes très proches de son entrée en vigueur. D’ici la fin de l’année, on espère. Au cours des deux dernières semaines, sept États membres de l'Union européenne et l'Union européenne elle-même ont progressé sur la voie de la ratification. Rejoignant l'Espagne et la France, ainsi que de nombreux autres partenaires dans le monde. Adressant à tous un signal en faveur d'une action et d'une ambition accrues à l'échelle mondiale. Et ce faisant le fer de lance de la coopération internationale dans le domaine de l'océan. Enfin, pour l'Europe, les océans constituent désormais une mission scientifique. Afin de tirer parti de possibilités qui sont immenses, de favoriser l'innovation, de doper la compétitivité, et de parvenir à la résilience économique. Je me félicite de l'annonce par la Commission européenne de l'initiative sur l'observation des océans. Ainsi que de l’annonce par la France de sa « Mission Neptune ». D’autres ont accordé la priorité à la Lune ou à Mars. Mais, comme vous l’avez dit ce matin, M. Le Président [Macron], nous pouvons en effet faire passer Neptune avant Mars. Et l'Europe fait des océans sa mission avec une approche fondée sur la science. L'Union européenne a la volonté et dispose des conditions nécessaires pour devenir un pôle scientifique mondial en matière de connaissance des océans, d'action pour le climat et de sûreté maritime numérique. C'est pourquoi un moratoire sur l'exploitation minière des grands fonds marins est essentiel. C'est pourquoi nous devons promouvoir une telle approche fondée sur des données scientifiques au niveau mondial, sur la base d'un dialogue multilatéral avec les secteurs public et privé. Pour l'Union européenne, il s'agit d'une évidence - la triple crise planétaire du changement climatique, de la pollution et de la perte de biodiversité exige des décisions rapides et une mobilisation à une échelle encore plus globale. La dégradation de la santé des océans et les risques qui en découlent confèrent un caractère d'urgence à nos engagements et rendent le multilatéralisme plus important que jamais. Nous sommes parfaitement conscients qu'il n'y a pas de temps à perdre. Nous défendrons l'unité. Nous protégerons l'océan en tant que bien commun de l'humanité. Pour une meilleure gouvernance mondiale. Pour l'avenir de notre planète. ● European Council   09/06/2025 13:42 | Speech | Discours du président António Costa lors du débat général de la Conférence des Nations unies sur l’Océan de 2025   L'Océan constitue le cœur bleu de notre planète. Il est essentiel pour lutter contre le changement climatique et rassembler des personnes de différents continents, qui partagent un patrimoine commun de l'humanité. Et c'est la raison pour laquelle nous sommes réunis ici aujourd'hui. On connaît le diagnostic, on a entendu les messages clairs de notre planète et on sait que la triple crise planétaire du changement climatique, de la pollution et de la perte de biodiversité est de plus en plus aiguë. Maintenant, ce n'est plus le temps du diagnostic. C'est le temps d'agir et l'Union européenne est en action. En mars, le Conseil européen a convenu d'une action européenne commune destinée à promouvoir la santé et la gouvernance des océans. Tout d'abord, agir au niveau européen. Par le pacte européen pour l’océan présenté par la Commission qui nous assurera une approche transversale, et basée sur la science: de la protection environnementale à l'économie bleue, de la recherche à la sécurité. Ensuite, agir au niveau international. Par notre soutien résolu au traité sur la haute mer. Que l'Union européenne a déjà ratifié et pour lequel au moins 9 états membres se sont engagés à contribuer pour qu'il puisse entrer en vigueur d'ici à la fin de l'année. Et finalement agir au niveau multilatéral. En soutenant les Nations Unies parce que seulement au niveau multilatéral on peut s’attaquer aux questions globales de l'humanité. Et on est ici pour dire qu'on est en faveur des objectifs de développement durable, de la réalisation du pacte pour l'avenir et de l'initiative de réforme "ONU 80". Ensemble, nous devons faire avancer les causes majeures de l'humanité de notre siècle pour le climat, pour l'océan et pour la planète. C'est à dire pour sauver l'humanité. ● Council of the EU   09/06/2025 18:02 | Media advisory | (CHANGE OF DATE) Press briefing ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 12 and 13 June 2025   The press briefing ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs Council scheduled for Tuesday 10 June at 9.00 is postponed to Wednesday 11 June (the exact time to be confirmed). This "off the record" 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. To attend the event remotely, please use this link to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of the Justice and Home Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: (to be updated).  Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice), 12 June 2025 Justice and Home Affairs Council (Home Affairs), 13 June 2025