Uitkomsten Raad Buitenlandse Zaken 23 april (en)
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRESSE 153 PR CO 22
PRESS RELEASE
3160th Council meeting General Affairs
Luxembourg, 24 April 2012
President Mr Nicolai WAMM,
Minister for European Affairs of Denmark
PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
Main results of the Council
The Council agreed on a partial general approach, pending the European Parliament's position in first reading, on the EU's cohesion policy for 2014-2020
The Council discussed, for the first time on the basis of the negotiating box, the following areas of the multiannual financial framework for the 2014-2020 period:
cohesion policy
the "Connecting Europe" facility
heading 2 (sustainable growth: natural resources) and
the provisions relating to the five funds belonging to these policy fields
PROVISIONAL VERSION 24.IV.2012
CONTTS1
PARTICIPANTS................................................................................................................................5
ITEMS DEBATED
Multiannual financial framework.........................................................................................................7
Cohesion policy....................................................................................................................................9
ANY OTHER BUSINESS.................................................................................................................11
European Council...............................................................................................................................11
Informal GAC meeting......................................................................................................................11
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
BUDGETS
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-Timetable and practical arrangements for adoption of EU budget for 2013..........................................................12
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
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-International rubber study group...........................................................................................................................12
STATISTICS
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-Trade and business cycle.......................................................................................................................................12
FISHERIES
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-Partnership agreement with Madagascar - Renewal of protocol...........................................................................13
EMPLOYMT
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-G20 labour and employment ministers meeting....................................................................................................13
1 • Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks
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•Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's Internet site (http://www.consilium.europa.eu)
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•Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's Internet site or may be obtained from the Press Office
PROVISIONAL VERSION 24.IV.2012 ERGY
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-Ecodesign requirements for water pumps..............................................................................................................13
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-Energy labelling of household tumble driers.........................................................................................................14
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-Greenhouse gas emissions.....................................................................................................................................14
INTERNAL MARKET
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-State aid control by the Commission - Council conclusions.................................................................................15
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-Protection of animals for scientific purposes - REACH........................................................................................15
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-Switzerland - Euratom programme........................................................................................................................15
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA
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-Iceland : trade in agricultural products..................................................................................................................16
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-Spirits....................................................................................................................................................................16
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-Cooperation on civil protection - Identification of critical infrastructure..............................................................16
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-Residue limits of pharmacologically active substances.........................................................................................16
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-Classification, labelling and packaging of certain substances...............................................................................17
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-Environmental economic accounts........................................................................................................................17
TRANSPARCY
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-Annual report on public access to documents.......................................................................................................17
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-Transparency - public access to documents...........................................................................................................18
APPOINTMTS
Committee of the Regions.....................................................................................................................................18
PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
PARTICIPANTS
Belgium:
Mr Didier REYNDERS Bulgaria:
Mr Ivan NAYDOV Czech Republic:
Mr Karei SCHWARZBERG
Denmark:
Mr Nicolai WAMM
Mr Michael ZILMER-JOHNS
Germany:
Mr Michael LINK
Estonia:
Mr Jürgen LIGI
Ireland:
Ms Lucinda CREIGHTON
Greece:
Mr Dimitris DOLLIS Spain:
Mr Inigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO Y MONTOJO France:
Mr Jean LEONETTI
Italy:
Mr Enzo MOAVERO MILANESI Cyprus:
Mr Andreas MAVROYIANNIS
Latvia:
Mr Edgars RINKËVICS Lithuania:
Mr Audronius AZUBALIS
Luxembourg
Mr Christian BRAUN
Hungary:
Ms Enikö GYÖRY
Malta:
Mr Tonio BORG
Netherlands:
Mr Ben KNAP
Austria:
Mr Wolfgang WALDNER
Poland:
Mr Mikolaj DOWGIELEWICZ Portugal:
Mr Miguel MORAIS LEITAO
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign, External Trade and European Affairs
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for European Affairs State Secretary for Foreign Policy
State Minister of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Minister for Finance
Minister of State for European Affairs (Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs)
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
State Secretary for the European Union
Minister with responsibility for European Affairs, attached to the Ministre d'Etat, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs
Minister responsible for European Affairs
Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus for European Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Permanent Representative
State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation
State Secretary, Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs
State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
State Secretary attached to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, with responsibility for European Affairs
PROVISIONAL VERSION
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Romania:
Mr Leonard ORBAN
Slovenia:
Mr Igor SCAR
Slovakia:
Mr Peter JAVORCIK Finland:
Mr Alexander STUBB Sweden:
Mr Oscar WAGLUND SODERSTROM
United Kingdom:
Mr David LIDINGTON
Minister for European Affairs
State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade
State Secretary to the Minister for EU Affairs
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Commission:
Maros SEFCOVIC Vice President
Mr Janusz LEWANDOWSKI Member
Mr Johannes HAHN Member
The Government of the Acceding State was represented as follows: Croatia:
Mr Vladimir DROBNJAK Permanent Representative
PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
ITEMS DEBATED
Multiannual financial framework
The Council discussed, in public session, for the first time on the basis of the negotiating box1, the following areas of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the 2014-2020 period ( + ADD 1):
- cohesion policy
- the "Connecting Europe" facility2
- heading 2 (sustainable growth: natural resources) and
- the provisions relating to the five funds belonging to these policy fields3
In the light of the discussion, the presidency confirmed its timetable for further work on the new MFF, so as to enable the negotiations to be concluded by the end of this year
During the debate, a number of delegations voiced concerns about the proposed overall level of expenditure in times of fiscal consolidation and asked for cuts to be made in all headings
Some member states considered the proposed amount for cohesion policy as a minimum, whereas others viewed the amount proposed for the Common Agriculture Policy as a minimum
As regards cohesion policy some member states expressed concerns on the new category of transition regions, either as such or its scope. A number of delegations opposed the proposed level of capping, limiting the level of transfer to each member state to a certain percentage of its gross domestic product. Some member states objected to the so-called reversed safety net, limiting the scope of support to a certain percentage compared to its level during the 2007-2013 period
The negotiating box is a paper drafted by the presidency which outlines the main elements and options for the MFF negotiations. It is updated as negotiations move forward, and forms the basis for an agreement of the European Council. Once an agreement is reached, its content feeds into the legislative work on the different acts
The "Connecting Europe" facility is a new instrument proposed by the Commission aimed at accelerating infrastructure development in transport, energy and information and communication technologies across the EU
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), Cohesion Fund (CF), European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
Some member states argued for co-financing rates of 85% for less developed regions whereas others pleaded for reducing the rates
Many delegations welcomed the concept of the "Connecting Europe" facility, but some had difficulties with the proposed transfer to the facility of EUR 10 billion from the cohesion fund
Concerning the Common Agriculture Policy, some delegations considered the proposed convergence of direct aids per hectare in terms of scope and timeframe as insufficiently ambitious. Others, however, found it too drastic
Delegations welcomed the objective to improve the environmental performance of the Common Agriculture Policy but questioned the "greening" proposed by the Commission. Member states considered the use of 30% of direct payments for this as too high and asked for more flexibility
Opinions were divided on the proposed capping of support to large farms
Many delegations insisted on the importance of rural development and the criteria for the allocation of support to this policy area
Concerning the rules governing the five funds under the common strategic framework, some member states stressed the importance of macro-economic conditionality. Others were sceptical about it, unless it was extended to other types of expenditure
In the coming weeks, the presidency intends to supplement those parts of the negotiating box that have already been presented with language on own resources, the remaining element belonging to the MFF negotiating package
The General Affairs Council of 29 May will hold a first discussion on a comprehensive version of the negotiating box covering all elements of the MFF negotiating package
Ministers for European Affairs will continue their work on the MFF at an informal meeting in Horsens (Denmark) on 10 and 11 June
The European Council will have a first discussion on the MFF on 28 and 29 June
PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
Cohesion policy
The Council reached agreement on a partial general approach1 concerning the EU cohesion policy for the 2014-2020 period (REV 2 + ADD 7REV1).
The purpose of cohesion policy is to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the EU's various regions
The Council's partial general approach is aimed at strengthening results orientation and improving the quality of cohesion spending. It also seeks to contribute to the integration of cohesion policy in the economic governance of the EU
Care has been taken to ensure that the partial general approach does not prejudge the outcome of negotiations on other elements of cohesion policy or on the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2014-2020 or financial regulation
The partial general approach may however be subject to change as a result of these other negotiations
The Council's compromise text covers some of the more technical features of the future cohesion policy. Work on the more political elements will continue. Some of these are dealt with in the negotiations on the MFF
A general approach is a political agreement of the Council pending the adoption of a first-reading position by the European Parliament. The general approach on the cohesion policy legislative package is partial since some elements are excluded, in particular the sums to be devoted to cohesion policy and the eligibility of different regions which will be decided under the EU's new multiannual financial framework
PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
More concretely, the partial general approach includes the following elements:
- programming, as set out in ADD 1 REV 2. Common programming rules are envisaged for the five funds covered by a common strategic framework, namely the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF), the Cohesion Fund (CF), the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Each programme has to specify how it contributes to the EU's 2020 strategy for jobs and growth. The question whether the link between the EU strategy for jobs and growth on one hand and cohesion policy on the other should be assured through country-specific recommendations or national reform programmes has been left open. The Council will come back to it in June
- ex ante conditionality, as set out in ADD 2 REV 2. Ex ante conditionality means that certain conditions must be met before funding may start. It is aimed at improving cohesion policy performance
- management and control, as set out in ADD 3 REV 2. The partial general approach provides for specific rules for the management and control of funds disbursed
- monitoring and evaluation, as set out in ADD 4 REV 2. This part of the partial general approach makes sure that the implementation of the cohesion policy programmes is duly monitored and evaluated
- eligibility, as set out in ADD 5 REV 2. The financing of already completed projects, which is possible under the current rules, would be excluded under the partial general approach
- major projects, as set out in ADD 6 REV 2. The Council's compromise text would facilitate the deployment of "upstream" quality reviews by independent experts of major projects. This is considered to be more effective than the existing approvals "downstream" by the Commission
Further discussions will be held at Council level in the coming months. The new cohesion policy rules are closely linked to the MFF negotiations; they are only expected to be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council once an agreement on the MFF has been reached
PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
European Council
The Council took stock of the follow-up to the European Council's meetings held on 1-2 March 2012
The last meeting of the European Council focused on economic policy, international summits and foreign policy
Informal GAC meeting
The presidency informed ministers about the informal meeting of the General Affairs Council to be held in Horsens on 10 and 11 June 2012
PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED BUDGETS
Timetable and practical arrangements for adoption of EU budget for 2013
The Council approved the timetable for this year's budgetary procedure and modalities for the functioning of the Conciliation Committee, as agreed during a trilogue between the presidency, the European Parliament and the Commission held on 26 March ().
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
International rubber study group
The Council approved the conclusion of an amended constitution and rules of procedure of the international rubber study group
The group, based in Singapore, is a forum of consumer and producer countries for the discussion of matters affecting the supply and demand for natural and synthetic rubbers
The changes to its constitution and rules of procedure have been applied since 13 September 2011
STATISTICS
Trade and business cycle
The Council decided not to oppose the update by the Commission of regulations concerning:
- data requirements and definitions relating to statistics on the balance of payments, international trade in services and foreign direct investment, bringing them into line with international rules ( and ADD 1): and
- the removal of industrial new orders variables from short-term statistics on the business cycle ().
The updates are subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. Now that the Council has given its consent the Commission may adopt them, unless the European Parliament objects
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
FISHERIES
Partnership agreement with Madagascar - Renewal of protocol
The Council adopted a decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations on behalf of the EU for the renewal of a protocol to the EU's fisheries partnership agreement with Madagascar
The existing protocol with Madagascar has been applied with effect from 1 January 2007 and will expire on 31 December 2012
The objective of the negotiations is the renewal of the existing protocol in line with Council conclusions of 19 March 2012 on a communication from the Commission on the external dimension of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy
EMPLOYMT
G20 labour and employment ministers meeting
The Council endorsed guidelines on the priorities for the EU and participating member states at a G20 labour and employment ministers' meeting to be held in Guadalajara (Mexico) on 17-18 May
ERGY
Ecodesign requirements for water pumps
The Council decided not to oppose adoption by the Commission of a regulation implementing directive /EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for water pumps ().
The draft regulation is subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. Now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt it, unless the Parliament objects
PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
Energy labelling of household tumble driers
The Council decided not to object to the entry into force of a Commission delegated regulation supplementing directive /EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of household tumble driers ().
The draft regulation sets out new mandatory information requirements for placing household electric and gas tumble driers on the market and displaying labels at the point of sale to inform end-users of their energy consumption during use and in low power modes. New energy efficiency classes A+, A++ and A+++ are introduced on the label above class A together with requirements concerning the advertising of such appliances
The regulation is a delegated act pursuant to article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. Now that the Council has given its consent, it can enter into force, unless the Parliament objects
VIRONMT Greenhouse gas emissions
The Council decided not to oppose adoption by the Commission, pursuant to directive /EC1 of:
- a regulation laying down detailed rules regarding the verification of greenhouse gas emission reports and tonne-kilometre reports and the accreditation of verifiers ()
- a regulation laying down detailed rules regarding the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions ()
The draft regulations are subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. Now that the Council
i
OJL 275, 25.10.2003
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INTERNAL MARKET
State aid control by the Commission - Council conclusions
The Council adopted conclusions on special report no. 15/2011 of the European Court of Auditors on the management of state aid control ().
The Court's audit contains assessments and recommendations to the Commission for the effective management of state aid control (). It examines in particular whether the system of notifications, complaints and ex-officio enquiries ensures that the Commission can handle all relevant state aid cases; whether the Commission has adequate structures and procedures in place for the effective handling of cases within the deadlines set, and can improve the monitoring of the impact of the state aid control
Protection of animals for scientific purposes - REACH
The Council decided not to oppose the adoption by the Commission of a regulation amending regulation on test methods pursuant to regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals ("REACH" regulation) ( and ADD 1).
The draft regulation introduces new OECD-approved test methods aimed at reducing the numbers of animals used for experimental purposes
The draft is subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. Now that the Council has given its consent the Commission may adopt it, unless the European Parliament objects
has given its consent, the Commission may adopt them, unless the European Parliament objects. Switzerland - Euratom programme
The Council agreed to authorise the Commission to open negotiations on an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation with Switzerland, with a view to associating it with the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) framework programme for nuclear research and training activities (2012-2013)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
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EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA Iceland : trade in agricultural products
The Council adopted a decision authorising the Commission to start negotiations with Iceland with a view to achieving greater liberalisation of bilateral trade in agricultural products within the framework of the European Economic Area
Spirits
The Council approved the position to be taken by the EU within the European Economic Area (EEA) joint committee concerning an amendment to annex II (technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) to the EEA agreement
The amendment is aimed at incorporating new EU acquis regarding spirit drinks into the EEA agreement ().
Cooperation on civil protection - Identification of critical infrastructure
The Council approved the position to be taken by the EU within the European Economic Area (EEA) joint committee concerning an amendment to protocol 31 to the EEA agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms
The decision is aimed at strengthening cooperation amongst EEA members in the area of civil protection by including directive /EC on the identification and designation of critical energy and transport infrastructures into Protocol 31
Residue limits of pharmacologically active substances
The Council approved the position to be taken by the EU within the European Economic Area (EEA) joint committee concerning an amendment to annex II (technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) to the EEA agreement
By this amendment, EU acquis on the establishment of residue limits of pharmacologically active substances will be incorporated into the EEA agreement ().
PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
Classification, labelling and packaging of certain substances
The Council approved the position to be taken by the EU within the European Economic Area (EEA) joint committee concerning an amendment to annex II (technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) and annex XX (environment) to the EEA agreement, in order to incorporate into the agreement EU legal acts related to the classification, labelling and packaging of certain substances and mixtures ().
Environmental economic accounts
The Council approved the position to be taken by the EU within the European Economic Area (EEA) joint committee concerning an amendment to annex XXI (statistics) to the EEA agreement
By this amendment, EU regulation on environmental economic accounts will be be incorporated into the EEA agreement ().
TRANSPARCY
Annual report on public access to documents
The Council approved its annual report on implementation of regulation on public access to documents, relating to the year 2011 ().
The report indicates, inter alia, that
- Almost 75 % of Council documents produced in 2011 - i.e. 137 141 of the 184 634 new documents listed in the Council's register - were made directly accessible to the public via the register upon circulation
- As of 31 December 2011, the Council's register listed 1 729 944 documents (all languages), of which 77,3 % were public documents, i.e. either available in a downloadable format or on request
- In 2011, 557 391 unique visitors logged on to the Council's public document register. The total number of visits in 2011 was 1 371 324, while consultations (in terms of number of screens viewed) totalled 23 274 962
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
24.IV.2012
- The Council received 2 166 initial requests for access from the public concerning a total of 9 641 individual documents (up by 6 % compared to 2010) and gave access (total and partial access taken together) to 88,6 % of the requested documents
The report provides information on the Council's public register of documents and contains statistics on public access to documents. In addition, it highlights key developments in the tenth year of implementation of the regulation and reviews complaints submitted to the European Ombudsman, as well as rulings given by the EU courts in 2011 in the field of regulation
Transparency - public access to documents
The Council approved the reply to confirmatory application No 07/c/01/12. APPOINTMTS
Committee of the Regions
The Council appointed:
- Ms Gun-Mari LINDHOLM (Finland) ():
- Mr Francois DECOSTER, Mr Jean-Paul DANOT, Mr Claude GEWERC, Ms Annabelle JAEGER, Mr Pascal MANGIN, Mr Didier ROBERT and Mr Stéphan ROSSIGNOL (France) (), and
- Mr Ali KAES (Luxembourg) (),
as members of the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2015