COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Library blog Thursday, 19 June 2025

● General Secretariat of the Council   A journey through the history of EU Diplomatic relations   How did EU countries forge diplomatic ties? An exhibition at the Council traces the complex, often overlooked history how diplomatic relations were established between EU countries.    ● Council of the EU   19/06/2025 09:06 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Foreign Affairs Council, 23 June 2025   The Council will exchange views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after a short intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha. They will then hold discussions on China and European security, and the situation in the Middle East -including Israel and Iran- and Libya. They will also be informed about current affairs.

● Council of the EU

18/06/2025 22:48 | Media advisory | Media advisory - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of 19 and 20 June 2025   Indicative programme All times are approximate and subject to change Place: ECC Luxembourg Chairs:  Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, Polish Minister of Family Katarzyna Kotula, Polish Minister for Equality Izabela Leszczyna, Polish Minister for Health Thursday 19 June - SOCIAL POLICY +/- 07.30 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 08.45 Doorstep by Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk and Katarzyna Kotula (live streaming) 09.30 Beginning of the Social policy Council Approval of "A" items: - Non-legislative list - Legislative list (public session)  +/- 09.40 Directive on traineeships (public session) +/- 10.10 European Semester 2025 (public session) +/- 12.45 Opinion on the dimensions of job quality (public session) +/- 13.00 Conclusions on supporting older people in reaching their full potential in the labour market and in society (public session) +/- 13.05 Ministerial lunch +/- 14.30 Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment (public session)  +/- 15.30 Conclusions on advancing gender equality in the AI-driven digital age (public session)  +/- 15.40 Presidency events (public session)  +/- 15.50 A Roadmap for Women’s Rights (public session) +/- 16.00 Exit doorstep - short briefing to the press about Equality items (live streaming)  +/- 16.05 Work programme of the incoming Presidency +/- 16.20 Current legislative proposals (public session) +/- 16.35 Council Recommendation on a reinforced Quality Framework for Traineeships (public session)  +/- 16.40 Presidency events (public session)  +/- 16.45 Ensuring rapid pension protection for persons who have exercised their freedom of movement within the EU (public session)  +/- 17.00 Evaluation report of the European Labour Authority (public session)  At the end of the meeting (+/- 17.30) press conference on Social policy in live streaming.   Friday 20 June – HEALTH +/- 08.30 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 09.15 Doorstep by Izabela Leszczyna (live streaming) 10.00 Beginning of the Health Council Approval of "A" items: Legislative deliberations (public session) +/- 10.05 Critical Medicines Act (public session) +/- 11.35 Pharmaceutical package (public session) a) Directive on the Union code relating to medicinal product for human use b) Regulation laying down Union procedures for the autorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human use and establishing rules governing the European Medicines Agency +/- 12.05 Council conclusions on promoting and protecting the mental health of children and adolescents in the digital era (public session) Any other business: - International limits on the number of children per sperm or egg donor (+/- 12.15 public session) - The fight against disinformation on health issues (+/- 12.25 public session) - A continued and urgent call for action at EU level to protect young people from harm caused by novel tobacco and nicotine products, in particular e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches (+/- 12.35 public session) - Impact of the extended producer responsibility under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive on the supply of medicinal products (+/- 12.45 public session) +/- 13.05 Informal lunch +/- 14.50 EU measures on prevention, including reduction of tobacco and alcohol consumption (public session)  +/- 16.20 Report on Presidency event (public session) +/- 16.25 Negotiations for an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, as well as complementary amendments to the International Health Regulations (public session) +/- 16.35 Work programme of the incoming Presidency (public session) At the end of the meeting (+/- 16.50) press conference on Health in live streaming. Arrangements for the press conference The press conference 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 ECCL Luxembourg 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: Thursday, 19 June 2025, 16.30 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Videos and photos from the event ● Council of the EU   19/06/2025 11:33 | Press release | Council agrees position on a set of updated measures for a competitive and future-proof EU wine sector   Today member states' representatives in the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) approved the Council's negotiating mandate on a package of measures aimed at boosting the competitiveness and resilience of the EU wine sector. The measures will support the wine sector by curbing excess supply, enhancing climate resilience, simplifying labelling, extending planting flexibility, and boosting rural economies through wine tourism. The new measures will help the sector adapt to changing consumption patterns, manage production potential and harness new market opportunities. Moreover, the updated rules will ensure the EU wine sector continues to support rural areas by creating job opportunities and supporting rural economies. “The EU wine sector is an important part of European cultural heritage and it also plays a vital role in supporting rural communities and economies. The measures will empower the sector to navigate current challenges, meet the evolving needs of consumers, and seize new global opportunities.” — Czesław Siekierski, Polish Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Main elements of the Commission proposal In order to better align wine production with demand, the proposal includes: measures for surplus prevention: member states will be able to support action, such as grubbing up (removing unwanted or excess vines) and green harvesting (removing unripe grapes before harvest), to prevent excess supply and help stabilise the market; this will help protect producers from financial strain planting flexibility: producers will have additional flexibility under the replanting authorisations scheme, which would be extended to eight years stronger climate support: for investments aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation, member states will be able to increase the maximum EU financial support to 80% of the eligible costs harmonised labelling: operators will benefit from a more harmonised approach to wine labelling, which will reduce costs and simplify trade across EU borders while providing consumers with easy access to information; this includes the use of pictograms and electronic labelling promotion of wine tourism: producer groups managing wine protected under geographical indications will receive assistance to develop wine-related tourism, helping to boost economic development in rural areas Main changes agreed within the Council The Council agrees with the overarching goals of the Commission's proposal, which takes into account the recommendations of the high-level group on wine. However, the Council proposes a number of changes to improve the text. Low or no alcohol The Commission proposed a set of harmonised rules for the marketing of innovative products, such as wines with a reduced alcohol content or without alcohol. The Council agrees with the Commission's proposal to use the term 'alcohol-free' if the alcoholic strength of the product does not exceed 0.5 %. This would be accompanied by '0.0%', if the alcoholic strength does not exceed 0.05%. For products with a reduced alcohol content (above 0.5% but at least 30% lower than the minimum strength for the category before de-alcoholisation), the Commission proposed using the term 'alcohol-light'. However, the Council considers that this term would not be appropriate in certain EU languages and that users might be misled. The Council proposes the term 'low-alcohol' for this category instead. Enhanced promotion measures The Council agrees with the Commission's proposal to extend the duration of EU-funded promotional campaigns in non-EU countries from three to five years to ensure better promotion of European wines abroad and unlock market opportunities. The Council suggests further improving the text by allowing EU support for promotion and information measures to cover a maximum of 60% of the costs. Member states would be able to grant national payments to cover up to 30%, and national and EU payments combined would not exceed 80% of the relevant expenditure. Exports Member states also consider that wine intended for export should be exempted from the obligation to include on its label the list of ingredients and the nutrition declaration required for the EU internal market. The Council proposes this exemption in order to reduce the administrative burden for producers who export and also have to comply with the legislation in place in non-EU countries. Support to combat plant diseases Flavescence dorée is a plant disease which poses a major threat to wine production. Only prevention and management can help contain it, as there is no cure once a vine becomes infected. To prevent its spread, the Council introduces support actions to combat it, including monitoring, diagnostics, training, communication and research. Aromatised wine products The Council also clarifies that the use of rosé wine is allowed in the case of additional regional aromatised wine products compared to the Commission's proposal, to meet new consumer demand and in line with the need for product innovation. Next steps With this agreement, the Council presidency is ready to start negotiations with the European Parliament, once the latter has agreed its position. Background The EU wine sector is a cornerstone of Europe's cultural and economic fabric. It represents 60% of global wine production and is the third-largest EU agrifood sector in terms of exports. The wine sector also helps counter rural depopulation by creating stable jobs and sustaining local economies. Furthermore, it contributes to the conservation of European cultural heritage, with 88% of EU vineyards dedicated to geographical indications. The sector is currently facing a number of challenges, including ongoing demographic shifts, changing consumption patterns, climate challenges and market uncertainties. To address these challenges, the high-level group on wine policy (HLG) was established to discuss the sector's needs and propose solutions. The European Commission's proposal, published on 28 March 2025, takes into account a number of key recommendations made by the HLG. Commission proposal EU wine sector (Commission website) High-level group on wine policy (Commission website) ● Council of the EU   19/06/2025 11:30 | Press release | Combatting ‘false’ traineeships: Council agrees its position   The Council has agreed its position (‘general approach’) on a new law that aims to improve and enforce working conditions for trainees and combat ‘false’ traineeships, while also reflecting the diverse systems in place in different EU countries. “Traineeships are a unique opportunity for young people to gain practical work experience and learn new skills, helping them bridge the gap between education and the labour market. The text agreed by the Council today maintains the ambition of the Commission’s proposal to ensure fair working conditions for trainees and combat false traineeships, while also respecting the diversity of national systems.” — Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, Polish Minister for Family, Labour and Social Policy Traineeships provide opportunities for young people to gain relevant professional experience, learn new skills, and ensure a smooth transition from education to the labour market. Nevertheless, some trainees are subjected to unfair working conditions and unequal treatment on the part of employers. Moreover, in some cases employers have disguised employment relationships in the form of 'false' traineeships, meaning that the individuals concerned may not enjoy the rights and protection that they would normally be entitled to. Scope of the directive The Council’s general approach clarifies that the proposed directive has a dual scope to reflect its two objectives. It applies to trainees in an employment relationship for the purpose of improving their working conditions, and it also applies to any person engaged in a 'false' traineeship for the purpose of fighting abusive practices. Due to their specific regulatory frameworks, traineeships within education or active labour market policies are not covered by the scope of the directive. Terms and definitions The Council’s position ensures greater consistency and clarity of terms and definitions, including by replacing 'regular employee' with 'comparable employee' and by introducing a new definition of ‘false’ traineeships. Diversity of national systems The Council’s general approach respects the diversity of national systems by clarifying that the directive does not impose any obligation on member states to introduce a specific employment relationship for trainees into their national law. Greater flexibility for member states In its general approach, the Council clarifies that the proposed directive aims to combat 'false' traineeships, while giving member states the flexibility to choose which measures they will take to achieve this aim. Enforcement Under the Council’s general approach, measures taken by member states to enforce the new rules should be based on national law or practice. Workers’ representatives will also have the option, if allowed in national law, to act on behalf of trainees in judicial or administrative procedures to enforce their rights and obligations. Next steps The Council is now ready to enter negotiations ('trilogues') with the European Parliament as soon as the latter has a mandate, with a view to reaching an agreement on the text of the proposed directive. Once an agreement has been reached, the text will undergo legal checks and will be translated into all EU languages. It will then be adopted by both the Parliament and the Council, before entering into force upon publication in the EU’s official journal. At present, the Council’s mandate gives member states two years to comply with the provisions of the directive (to be confirmed upon agreement with the Parliament). Background There are currently over three million trainees in the EU, and this number is expected to rise by 16% by 2030. On 20 March 2024, the Commission adopted a proposal for a directive on improving and enforcing working conditions of trainees and combatting regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships (the 'traineeships directive'). The proposed directive seeks to: improve the working conditions of trainees, by ensuring that trainees are treated equally in terms of working conditions, including pay, compared to regular employees, unless different treatment is justified on objective grounds combat cases where traineeships are used to disguise regular employment relationships, through controls and inspections enforce the working conditions of trainees, by allowing workers' representatives to engage on behalf of trainees and by providing channels to report malpractice The proposal was published as a package together with a proposal for a Council recommendation on a reinforced Quality Framework for Traineeships and replacing the Council recommendation of 10 March 2014 on a Quality Framework for Traineeships. Trainees' rights in the EU (background information)