After two days of negotiations, agriculture and fisheries ministers reached a political agreement on fishing opportunities for 2023, taking into account the best available scientific advice, while respecting the aims of the common fisheries policy (CFP), and the EU’s multiannual plans for various sea basins. This agreement sets catch limits for over 200 commercial fish […]
Council and Parliament strike provisional deal to cut down deforestation worldwide
The Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional deal on a proposal to minimise the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with products that are imported into or exported from the European Union. The agreement is provisional pending formal adoption in both institutions. The provisional agreement sets mandatory due diligence rules for all operators and […]
EU leaders and Western Balkans partners reconfirm strategic partnership
This was the first-ever summit between EU and Western Balkans leaders to take place in the Western Balkans region. The summit was an opportunity to reconfirm the key importance of strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans, a region with a clear EU perspective. The main topics of discussion were: tackling together the consequences the Russian aggression against Ukraine […]
European Council agrees 9.5 million euro aid for Spain following the volcano on La Palma
The Council decided to amend its yearly budget to provide €668 million in disaster relief aid to Germany, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Greece and Austria. The money will be used to repair damage inflicted by the major natural disasters that hit these seven member states in 2021. In practice this means that the […]
Environment Council: Climate Summit COP 27
EU environment ministers approved Council conclusions that will serve as the EU’s general negotiating position for the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP 27). All eyes will be on us in Sharm El-Sheikh. The EU has always been at the forefront of climate action and we will continue to lead by example. Protecting our planet for future […]
Main Results: Eurogroup, 3 October 2022
Main results Macroeconomic situation in the euro area Following up on discussions at the Eurogroup meeting in Prague, the Eurogroup discussed the macroeconomic situation in the euro area and in particular the fiscal policy response to high energy prices and inflationary pressures. Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD, joined the discussion. We agreed today, […]
Council and Parliament reach provisional political agreement on access to Union waters, extending the current rules for fishermen for another ten years
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 […]