On 30 and 31 August, Prague will host a Gymnich meeting of EU foreign ministers, so named after the place where the first such meeting took place in 1974. European ministers will be discussing two main topics: the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s relations with Africa. During these meetings, always organised by the […]
Extraordinary Energy Council: EU countries agree to reduce gas demand by 15%
At an extraordinary meeting of the Energy Council, EU ministers committed to reducing gas demand by 15% this winter, as a demonstration of solidarity. This reduction is voluntary but could become mandatory if a security of supply alert is triggered. EU energy ministers reached a political agreement on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand […]
Ministers discuss agri-food market situation and agree to boost EU aquaculture
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Ministers discussed the implementation of the new CAP and the approval of strategic plans. They exchanged views on the preparation process at national level and stressed the need to have the strategic plans approved as soon as possible. Ministers also discussed the impact of the Russian war against Ukraine on the ongoing implementation of the new green […]
EU budget for 2023: Council agrees its position
Ambassadors of member states to the EU agreed the Council’s position on the 2023 EU draft budget. In total, the Council’s position for next year’s budget amounts to € 183.95 billion in commitments and € 165.74 billion in payments. Compared to the budget agreed by the Council and the European Parliament for 2022, this is […]
Council adopts conclusions on the 2022 macroeconomic imbalance procedure – Ecofin July 12, 2022
Following the Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting on July 12, the Council adopted conclusions on the 2022 in-depth reviews under the macroeconomic imbalances procedure. The Economic and Financial Affairs Council: Recalls that the EU economy is recovering from the COVID-19 crisis, while uncertainties remain high and rising, in particular due to the surging energy […]
Council agrees on higher targets for renewables and energy efficiency
The Council has adopted its negotiating positions (general approaches) on two legislative proposals that tackle the energy aspects of the EU’s climate transition under the ‘Fit for 55’ package: the renewable energies directive and the energy efficiency directive. The agreements pave the way for the Council to start negotiations with the European Parliament. Energy production […]
Council adopts regulation on gas storage
The Council has definitively adopted a regulation aiming to ensure that gas storage capacities in the EU are filled before the winter season and can be shared between member states in a spirit of solidarity, despite the disruptions in the gas market. This is an important step in strengthening the security of the EU’s energy […]
EU – NATO cooperation: seventh progress report
The Council took note of the seventh 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, based on the two joint declarations on EU-NATO cooperation of 2016 and 2018 and the agreed principles guiding the EU-NATO strategic partnership. The […]
EU fight against terrorism: one group and three individuals added to the EU sanctions list over terrorism
The Council decided to add one group and three individuals linked to Al-Qaeda and operating in the Sahel region to the list of those subject to restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them. The measures target Sidan Ag-Hitta and Salem ould Breihmatt, senior commanders within the UN-listed Al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam […]