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 […]
Council recommendation on individual learning accounts to boost training of working-age adults
Employment and social affairs ministers, at Council meeting, adopted a recommendation to support people’s training needs and thus increase the number of people engaged in each year. The Council is recommending that member states consider establishing individual learning accounts as a means for enabling and empowering individuals to participate in labour-market relevant training and facilitate […]
Council conclusions at the start of the 12th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference
The European Union is committed to an open and rules-based multilateral trading system, with a modernised WTO at its core. The EU supports an ambitious and realistic package for the 12th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (MC12), and expects all WTO members to make a constructive contribution, according to their needs and capacities. The Council […]
Council adopts conclusions intended to promote further actions to protect Europeans
The Council adopted conclusions on achievements and next steps in protecting Europeans from terrorism. The Council invites member states to continue discussions on the effective sharing of information on foreign terrorist fighters who constitute a serious threat. It calls on authorities to issue entry bans on third-country nationals who constitute a threat to national security […]
The Council notes the need to protect children facing armed conflicts
Against the background of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Council notes the need to protect children facing armed conflicts and their consequences, in particular to protect them from recruitment by armed forces, trafficking in human beings, illegal adoption, sexual exploitation and separation from their families. Fighting child sexual abuse The Council calls on […]