The Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement as regards the regime for access of fishing vessels to member states’ territorial waters. The provisional agreement extends the rules of the access to Union waters – which were about to expire at the end of […]
Agriculture Ministers Meeting in Prague – Main results – 16 September 2022
Food security and the role of European agriculture and food in sustainable global food production were the main topics of today’s informal meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Prague. Ministers agreed that the EU must now act in a coordinated way to maximise sustainable increases in agricultural production and accelerate the use of modern techniques […]
Council adopts full suspension of visa facilitation with Russia
The Council adopted a decision that fully suspends the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia. Consequently, the general rules of the visa code will apply to Russian citizens. This will result in an increase in the visa application fee from €35 to €80, the need to present additional documentary evidence, increased visa processing […]
EU foreign ministers meet in Prague on 30-31 August
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 […]