The Council is calling for more robust efforts to help prevent cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death in the European Union. In conclusions approved today, the Council puts forward a series of measures aimed at improving cardiovascular health in the EU, focusing specifically on prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation. “Cardiovascular diseases […]
Council recommends increased protection against second-hand smoke and aerosols
The Council has adopted a recommendation that will help reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosols and achieve a tobacco-free generation in Europe by 2040 as set out in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The recommendation on smoke and aerosol-free environments adopted today encourages EU countries to broaden the scope of their existing protection against second-hand smoke exposure to include key outdoor […]
Cybersecurity package: Council adopts new laws to strengthen cybersecurity capacities in the EU
To strengthen EU’s solidarity and capacities to detect, prepare for and respond to cybersecurity threats and incidents, yesterday the Council adopted two new laws part of the cyber security legislative ‘package’, namely the so-called ‘cyber solidarity act’, and a targeted amendment to the cybersecurity act (CSA). Main elements of the cyber solidarity act The new […]
EU widens restrictive measures in view of Iran support of the Russian war
The Council yesterday decided to widen the scope of the EU framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. This additional measure is targeted to the use of vessels and ports for the […]
Cyberspace: Council approves declaration on a common understanding of application of international law to cyberspace
Today, the Council approved a declaration by the EU and its member states on a common understanding of the application of international law to cyberspace. The declaration signals that international law remains fit for purpose in this digital domain and reiterates that states must abide by certain rules and obligations when conducting activities in cyberspace. […]
Ukraine: Council extends the mandate of the EU Military Assistance Mission for two years
On 8 November, the Council adopted a decision extending the mandate of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) for a further two years, until 15 November 2026, with a budget allocation of nearly €409 million for the period from 14 November 2024 to 15 November 2026. EUMAM Ukraine remains a […]
Fighting cross-border crime: Council adopts EU law about transfer of proceedings
The Council has given the final green light to an EU law that regulates the conditions under which proceedings in a criminal case initiated in one member state may be transferred to another member state. The law will be critical in ensuring that the best-placed country investigates or prosecutes a criminal offence. It also prevents […]
Council publishes 2023 international climate finance figures
In 2023, the European Union and its 27 member states contributed €28.6 billion in climate finance from public sources and mobilised an additional amount of €7.2 billion of private finance to support developing countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Council published the figures today, in […]
New sanctions against human rights abuses
The Council approved additional restrictive measures against four persons and two entities under the European Union’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The listed individuals and entities are responsible for serious human rights abuses worldwide, including torture and systematic and widespread sexual and gender-based violence. This listings include the chief of staff of the Syrian army, Abdel Karim Mohammad Ibrahim, and Ali Mahmoud […]