COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Υλικό για τον Τύπο Δευτέρα, 30 Μαρτίου 2026

● Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης   30/03/2026 11:11 | Δελτίο τύπου | Προστασία των καταναλωτών: Το Συμβούλιο δίνει το τελικό πράσινο φως σε πρόσθετες διασφαλίσεις για τους χρήστες οργανωμένων ταξιδιών   Σήμερα, το Συμβούλιο εξέδωσε οδηγία για την αναθεώρηση των κανόνων για τα οργανωμένα ταξίδια. Οι νέοι κανόνες ενισχύουν την προστασία των ταξιδιωτών που αγοράζουν διάφορες τουριστικές υπηρεσίες — όπως πτήσεις, μεταφορές, διαμονή ή εκδρομές- σε ένα ενιαίο πακέτο. Η αναθεωρημένη οδηγία για τα οργανωμένα ταξίδια (ΟΟΤ) προσαρμόζει τον ορισμό του «πακέτου», ενισχύει τις πληροφορίες που πρέπει να παρέχονται στους ταξιδιώτες και αποσαφηνίζει τα δικαιώματα των ταξιδιωτών σε περίπτωση ακύρωσης οργανωμένου ταξιδιού ή αφερεγγυότητας του παρόχου υπηρεσιών. “Η επιτυχία του ταξιδιωτικού μας κλάδου εξαρτάται από την εμπιστοσύνη των ταξιδιωτών. Θέλουμε να διασφαλίσουμε ότι, προστατεύοντας τα δικαιώματα των ταξιδιωτών, τα πακέτα θα συνεχίσουν να αποτελούν ελκυστική επιλογή για τα ταξίδια των πολιτών μας, καθώς και ευπώλητο προϊόν για τα πρακτορεία ταξιδίων, τους ταξιδιωτικούς ιστοτόπους και τους ταξιδιωτικούς πράκτορες. ” — Μιχάλης Δαμιανός, Υπουργός Ενέργειας, Εμπορίου και Βιομηχανίας της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας Καλύτερη προστασία των αγοραστών ταξιδιωτικών πακέτων Η επικαιροποιημένη οδηγία για τα οργανωμένα ταξίδια απλουστεύει τον ορισμό του «πακέτου», μεταξύ άλλων εξαιρώντας τους συνδεδεμένους ταξιδιωτικούς διακανονισμούς από το πεδίο εφαρμογής της νομοθεσίας. Εισάγει επίσης σαφέστερες απαιτήσεις ενημέρωσης για τους καταναλωτές, με λεπτομερή περιγραφή των πληροφοριών που πρέπει να λαμβάνουν οι ταξιδιώτες πριν, κατά τη διάρκεια και μετά το ταξίδι τους, περιλαμβανομένων λεπτομερειών σχετικά με τις μεθόδους πληρωμής, τις απαιτήσεις διαβατηρίου/θεώρησης, την προσβασιμότητα και τα τέλη ακύρωσης. Το νέο κείμενο ενισχύει επίσης τους κανόνες διαφάνειας σε περίπτωση αφερεγγυότητας των διοργανωτών και υποχρεώνει τους διοργανωτές να θεσπίσουν συστήματα διεκπεραίωσης καταγγελιών. Η νέα οδηγία αποσαφηνίζει τα δικαιώματα των ταξιδιωτών όταν ακυρώνουν το ταξίδι τους λόγω «ανωτέρας βίας». Στις περιπτώσεις αυτές, οι ταξιδιώτες δεν θα πρέπει να επιβαρύνονται με χρεώσεις καταγγελίας και οι διοργανωτές πρέπει να τους αποζημιώνουν εντός 14 ημερών. Η οδηγία θεσπίζει επίσης κανόνες σχετικά με τα κουπόνια που μπορούν να προσφέρονται ως εναλλακτική λύση αντί των επιστροφών χρημάτων, υπό την προϋπόθεση να είναι ίσης ή μεγαλύτερης αξίας από το αρχικό ταξίδι, να ισχύουν για 12 μήνες και να μπορούν να μεταβιβαστούν μία φορά. Σε περίπτωση αφερεγγυότητας του διοργανωτή, οι ταξιδιώτες πρέπει να αποζημιώνονται εντός έξι μηνών (περίοδος που μπορεί να παραταθεί υπό ορισμένες προϋποθέσεις). Η οδηγία διασφαλίζει επίσης καλύτερη προστασία και ενημέρωση σχετικά με την κάλυψη αφερεγγυότητας. Επόμενα βήματα Μετά από την έγκρισή της από το Συμβούλιο, η νομοθετική πράξη εκδόθηκε και θα τεθεί σε ισχύ 20 ημέρες μετά τη δημοσίευσή της στην Επίσημη Εφημερίδα. Τα κράτη μέλη θα έχουν μετά στη διάθεσή τους 28 μήνες για να μεταφέρουν τους νέους κανόνες στην εθνική νομοθεσία. Γενικές πληροφορίες Τα ταξιδιωτικά πακέτα, στα οποία οι διοργανωτές ταξιδίων συνδυάζουν ταξιδιωτικές υπηρεσίες, όπως πτήσεις, διαμονή και εκδρομές, είναι δημοφιλή στους ταξιδιώτες. Ωστόσο, η πολυπλοκότητά τους μπορεί να δυσχεράνει την ανάκτηση των εξόδων σε περίπτωση ακύρωσής τους. Η αφερεγγυότητα μεγάλων εταιρειών, όπως η Thomas Cook, καθώς και ο αντίκτυπος της κρίσης COVID-19 ανέδειξαν την ανάγκη ενίσχυσης των υφιστάμενων κανόνων με σκοπό την παροχή καλύτερης προστασίας. Ανταποκρινόμενη η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή πρότεινε, τον Οκτώβριο του 2023 αναθεώρηση της οδηγίας του 2015 για τα οργανωμένα ταξίδια, με στόχο την απλούστευση των κανόνων για τα οργανωμένα ταξίδια και την ενίσχυση της προστασίας των ταξιδιωτών. Προστασία των καταναλωτών: Συμφωνία Συμβουλίου και Κοινοβουλίου σχετικά με την αναθεώρηση της οδηγίας για τα οργανωμένα ταξίδια Πρόταση της Επιτροπής   Επισκεφτείτε τον ιστοχώρο ● Council of the EU   30/03/2026 11:26 | Press release | EU-UK relations: Council greenlights talks on electricity and cohesion deals, as well as UK’s participation in Erasmus+ for 2027   Today, the Council formally authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the UK on two agreements regarding the latter’s participation in the EU’s internal electricity market and on an appropriate UK financial contribution to the EU’s cohesion policy. The Council also agreed to allow UK’s participation in the EU’s Erasmus+ programme for the year 2027. “Strengthening the Union’s relations with the United Kingdom is a key priority of the Cyprus presidency. Today’s decisions mark tangible progress in delivering on the outcomes of the first EU–UK Summit held in May last year, where we opened a new chapter in our partnership. By promoting learning mobility via Erasmus+, we are advancing shared interests and reinforcing people-to-people ties, especially for our youth. At the same time, by deepening cooperation in electricity, we are enhancing energy security and creating new opportunities for businesses. These decisions undoubtedly mark a significant step in forging a strong, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking EU-UK partnership.” — Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European affairs of the Republic of Cyprus The aim of the electricity agreement is to allow the UK’s participation in the EU’s internal electricity market by aligning respective rules, thus significantly contributing to energy security for both parties, especially amid the current geopolitical turmoil. The agreement on the UK’s financial contribution towards reducing disparities between the EU regions by increasing the bloc’s economic, social and territorial cohesion is part of a consistent EU policy that couples the granting of market access to a third country with a fair financial contribution reflecting the benefits derived from such access. Electricity agreement The electricity agreement would allow the UK’s participation in the EU’s internal electricity market, both the wholesale and retail market, and envisages dynamic alignment of UK laws to EU rules, to create a level playing field between the parties. Allowing the UK to participate in the EU’s internal electricity market would improve the efficiency of the electricity trading between the parties, and facilitate investments in electricity infrastructure, including renewable electricity generation that is necessary to achieve both sides’ net zero ambitions while safeguarding the level playing field between the EU and the UK. Agreement on the UK’s financial contribution to cohesion The agreement would establish a permanent mechanism for an appropriate financial contribution of the UK towards reducing economic, social and territorial disparities between the regions of the EU, applicable to the electricity agreement and any further agreement affording the UK access to the Union’s internal market. The financial contribution of the UK should appropriately reflect the relative size of the UK’s economy and the proportion of the internal market in which the UK aims to participate in line with consistent EU policy. It is important for the EU that both agreements should follow parallel paths and enter into force and apply simultaneously. Participation in Erasmus+ The Council decision will allow the UK’s association to the EU’s Erasmus+ programme on education, training, youth and sport for the year 2027. The decision sets out the specific terms and conditions, including financial ones, of the UK’s participation. A review is foreseen after ten months from the start of the UK’s participation, to inform future decision making as regards the possible UK participation going forward, without prejudging the necessary legislative procedures, including as regards the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034. Next steps Following today’s adoption, the Commission is authorised to open negotiations with the UK on the two agreements in question. Once negotiations are finalised, the agreements will have to be endorsed by the Council before they can enter into force. For UK’s participation in the Erasmus+ programme, the EU-UK Specialised Committee on Union Programmes is now expected to adopt the relevant joint decision shortly, thus enabling the UK’s participation in the programme on 1 January 2027. Background On 19 May 2025, the EU-UK summit adopted a joint Statement, reaffirming the commitment to the full, timely and faithful implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). They welcomed a renewed agenda for EU-UK cooperation – Common Understanding, which committed the Commission and the UK to explore in detail the necessary parameters for the UK's possible participation in the EU's internal electricity market. The EU’s Erasmus+ programme for education, training, youth and sport was established in May 2021. Following the EU-UK summit of 19 May 2025, the Commission and the UK reached a Common Understanding to work towards the association of the United Kingdom to the Erasmus+ programme. EU-UK Summit, 19 May 2025 General Affairs Council, 18 March 2025, main results Relations with the UK (background information) Post-Brexit agreements (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   30/03/2026 11:07 | Press release | Heavy-duty vehicles: Council adopts targeted flexibility for manufacturers to comply with CO2 targets   Today, the Council formally adopted a targeted amendment to the regulation on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles. The new rules introduce a temporary flexibility for manufacturers to comply with their 2030 CO2 emissions reduction targets. The amendment does not alter the the long-term reduction targets. This amendment recognises the structural challenges currently faced by the sector, particularly the slow deployment of public charging infrastructure along motorways. It supports a smooth and steady transition towards zero-emission mobility without altering the EU’s ambitious long-term climate targets. Revised calculation for emission credits The existing EU law sets the first-ever CO2 emissions reduction targets for new heavy-duty vehicles, comprising trucks, buses and coaches (set at 15% reduction from 2025, 43% from 2030, and rising to 90% in 2040). In order to prove compliance, heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers can earn emission credits if their fleet performs better than a defined ‘reduction trajectory’, which is a linear trajectory connecting targets between five-year periods. Between 2025 and 2029, manufacturers can now accumulate credits if their emissions fall below their own specific annual CO2 emissions targets rather than the stricter linear reduction trajectory. This temporary and targeted flexibility would allow them to generate more emission credits in the years leading up to 2030 and therefore facilitate their compliance from 2030 onwards. The flexibility is intended to incentivise earlier deployment of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles. The updated credit calculation mechanism applies specifically to heavy lorries (over 16t) and certain bus categories (over 7.5t). It does not apply to urban buses, as the deployment of zero-emission buses is already well-advanced and less dependent on long-distance motorway infrastructure. “Clean mobility is the future of the EU but the path towards it is not always linear. With this timely and pragmatic amendment, we give heavy-duty vehicles manufacturers and investors the flexibility and predictability they need to navigate this transition, while electric charging stations are being deployed across Europe.” — Maria Panayiotou, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus Next steps The regulation will now be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force 20 days later. The new rules on calculating emission credits for heavy-duty vehicles will then become directly applicable in all EU countries.  The substantial rules on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles are due for revision in 2027. Background This targeted amendment is a key component of the automotive package presented by the Commission on 16 December 2025, to help the car sector in its transition to clean mobility. The Council and the European Parliament swiftly agreed to adopt the Commission proposal without further changes, ensuring regulatory certainty for the transport sector. While trucks, buses, and coaches only represent about 2% of vehicles on EU roads, they are responsible for more than 25% of road transport greenhouse gas emissions Targeted amendment of the regulation on CO2 emission performance standards for heavy-duty vehicles Voting results Statements Road transport (background information) Heavy-duty vehicles: Council signs off on stricter CO2 emission standards (press release, 13 May 2024)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   30/03/2026 11:02 | Press release | External Action Guarantee: Council greenlights targeted amendments to enhance efficiency and flexibility   The Council today formally adopted targeted amendments to the regulation establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-Global Europe), aimed at increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the External Action Guarantee (EAG). The EAG is one of the EU’s key instruments for supporting investments outside the Union by reducing financial risks and mobilising public and private financing. “With today’s adoption, we send a clear message: the EU is – and will remain – a reliable and predictable partner, ready to mobilise investment at scale and to act decisively where it matters most. This is about delivering more with the tools already at our disposal. These targeted improvements make our external investment instruments faster, more flexible and more effective, while keeping full respect for our values and objectives.” — Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus The regulation will enable the EU to use existing resources more effectively and strategically in support of its external action priorities, including the mobilisation of sustainable investment through the European fund for sustainable development plus (EFSD+). It preserves the objectives and principles of the NDICI-Global Europe framework, while introducing practical improvements that will allow the EU to respond more rapidly and coherently to global challenges. By simplifying certain procedures and allowing a more flexible use of guarantee resources, the amendments strengthen the EU’s ability to deliver development cooperation and external action, manage risks responsibly, and act as a credible and strategic partner in an increasingly competitive global environment. Next steps Following today’s adoption, the amending regulation will be signed and published in the official journal. It will enter into force 20 days after publication. Background The EAG is a central component of the NDICI-Global Europe instrument, underpinning the EFSD+, supporting the Global Gateway strategy and enabling the EU to scale up investments in partner countries through budgetary guarantees. Backed by substantial EU funds (up to €53.4 billion), it acts as a financial cushion, leveraging private funds for investments in areas such as climate, infrastructure and reconstruction, with the EIB playing a key role in operations. Through the EAG, the EU supports a wide range of initiatives, including green hydrogen projects in Namibia, submarine cable links connecting Europe with Africa and Asia, vaccine production in Africa and efforts to enhance carbon absorption in Amazonian forests. In light of strong demand for EFSD+ operations and evolving geopolitical priorities, in May 2025 the Commission proposed targeted amendments to the regulation establishing the NDICI-Global Europe instrument to improve the efficiency and flexibility of the EAG within the existing budgetary framework. Regulation on increased efficiency of the External Action Guarantee I/A item note NDICI-Global Europe: Council and Parliament strike a deal to strengthen the External Action Guarantee (press release, 26 January 2026) NDICI - Global Europe (European Commission) European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (European Commission) Global Gateway (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   30/03/2026 10:58 | Press release | Council gives final go ahead to EU talent platform for non-EU jobseekers   Today, the Council gave the final greenlight to a regulation establishing an EU talent pool, a new platform that will connect non-EU jobseekers with employers in the EU. This EU digital platform will facilitate international recruitment in sectors where EU member states face labour shortages by matching job vacancies with the profiles of non-EU jobseekers living outside of the EU. “The EU talent pool will help address labour shortages across Europe. It will boost EU competitiveness by giving employers easier access to non-EU jobseekers who have the skills they need.” — Nicholas Ioannides, Cyprus Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection Open to non-EU jobseekers with relevant skills, the platform will provide clear information on the recruitment process and inform candidates of their rights, in particular with regard to fair recruitment and decent working conditions. It also includes safeguards to prevent labour exploitation. Non-EU jobseekers who receive a job offer through the EU talent pool will have to go through national immigration procedures to obtain residence and work permits. The platform will provide information on these procedures, including the conditions that must be met. Participation in the EU talent pool will be voluntary for member states. Next steps  The Commission will now develop the platform, which is expected to be fully operational by 2027. EU Law Tracker Council and EP agree to establish a platform for non-EU jobseekers How the EU manages migration flows (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   30/03/2026 10:54 | Press release | Council greenlights common EU rules for insolvency proceedings   Today, the Council gave the final stamp to a new EU law harmonising key aspects of insolvency rules across the EU. The law will make the EU business environment more attractive to cross-border investors by reducing the complexity of different national insolvency rules. The new EU-wide rules will maximise the value which creditors can recover from insolvent companies and will increase the efficiency of the insolvency proceedings. This is an important step towards more efficient and integrated European capital markets that are crucial to the EU’s competitiveness. The EU common rules for insolvency proceedings include measures for: Avoidance action: challenge transactions made by the debtor before the start of the bankruptcy procedure, thus protecting the insolvency estate against the illegitimate removal of assets. Tracing assets: allow authorities, at the request of insolvency practitioners, to search bank account registers across the EU to identify assets of insolvent companies. Pre-pack proceedings: enable the sale of a company in financial difficulty to be negotiated before the opening of formal proceedings and executed shortly after, while maintaining contracts which are essential for the continuation of the business. Directors’ duties: require directors to file for insolvency within three months of financial distress, helping maximise recovery for creditors while allowing flexibility if alternative measures protect creditors equally. Creditors’ committees: strengthen the involvement of individual creditors in the proceedings. Transparency: require each country to publish clear factsheets on its insolvency laws, which will be made available on the EU’s e-Justice portal. Next steps  Member states will have two years and nine months to transpose the directive into national law. Directive harmonising certain aspects of insolvency law, 5 December 2025, final compromise text Capital markets (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   30/03/2026 10:48 | Press release | Council appoints François-Louis Michaud chair of the European Banking Authority   The Council today formally appointed François-Louis Michaud as chairperson of the European banking authority (EBA). Mr Michaud will take up the role on 16 April 2026. His term of office will run for a five-year period and may be extended once. To appoint a new chair, the EBA’s board of supervisors provided the Council with a shortlist of two candidates. Following interviews with the candidates in January 2026, EU ambassadors provisionally agreed on the appointment of Mr Michaud following a secret ballot procedure. On 26 February 2026, the European Parliament’s committee on economic and monetary affairs gave its confirmation for Mr Michaud’s appointment.   Background The EBA is a Paris-based, independent EU financial authority which works to ensure effective and consistent prudential regulation and supervision across the European banking sector. Among other tasks, the EBA assesses risks and vulnerabilities in the EU banking sector through regular risk assessment reports and EU-wide stress tests. It is also lead overseer for critical third-party ICT service providers to financial entities in the EU. Curriculum vitae of François-Louis Michaud European banking authority Regulation establishing the EBA   Visit the website