324e Raad Algemene Zaken, Brussel, 21 mei 2013 (en)
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
(OR. en)
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRESSE 204 PR CO 26
PRESS RELEASE
3240th Council meeting
General Affairs
Brussels, 21 May 2013
President Eamon Gilmore
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21.V.2013
Main results of the Council
The Council reviewed draft conclusions for the European Council meeting to be held on 22 May, covering:
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-energy (internal energy market, energy efficiency, interconnections, and diversification of energy sources); and
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-taxation (tax evasion and tax fraud, automatic exchange of information, taxation of savings interest and measures to counter VAT fraud
The Council also discussed developments in the preparation of the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the 2014-20 period
PROVISIONAL VERSION 21.V.2013
CONTTS1
PARTICIPANTS................................................................................................................................5
ITEMS DEBATED
MULTIANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK -public session.....................................................7
EUROPEAN COUNCIL......................................................................................................................9
Preparation of the May meeting...........................................................................................................9
Preparation of the June meeting...........................................................................................................9
Follow-up of European Council conclusions.......................................................................................9
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
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-Relations with Russia............................................................................................................................................10
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-Relations with Turkey...........................................................................................................................................10
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
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-Waste management infrastructure - Court of Auditors' report...............................................................................10
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-Cost-effectiveness of cohesion policy - Court of Auditors' report........................................................................10
TRADE POLICY
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-Anti-dumping - Polyethylene terephthalate - Asian countries...............................................................................11
RESEARCH
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-Atlantic Ocean cooperation with Canada and US.................................................................................................11
FOOD LAW
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-Labelling of foods with added phytosterols...........................................................................................................12
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 21.V.2013
APPOINTMTS
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-Committee of the Regions.....................................................................................................................................12
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21.V.2013
PARTICIPANTS
Belgium:
Mr Didier REYNDERS
Bulgaria:
Mr Ivan NAYDOV
Czech Republic:
Mr Vojtéch BELLING
Denmark:
Mr Nicolai WAMM
Germany:
Mr Michael LINK
Estonia:
Mr Matti MAASIKAS Ireland:
Mr Eamon GILMORE
Ms Helen BLAKE Greece:
Mr Dimitrios KOURKOULAS Spain:
Mr Inigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO Y MONTOJO France:
Mr Thierry REPTIN Italy:
Mr Enzo MOAVERO MILANESI Cyprus:
Mr Ioannis KASOULIDES Latvia:
Mr Edgars RINKËVICS Lithuania:
Mr Vytautas LESKEVICIUS
Luxembourg
Mr JeanASSELBORN
Hungary:
Ms Enikö GYÖRI
Malta:
Mr Louis GRECH
Netherlands:
Mr Frans TIMMERMANS
Austria:
Mr Reinhold LOPATKA Poland:
Mr Marek PRAWDA Portugal:
Mr Miguel MORAIS LEITAO
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, External Trade and European Affairs
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
Secretary of State (Office of the Government)
Minister for European Affairs
Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Permanent Representative
Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Principal Officer, EU Affairs and Coordination Division
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
State Secretary for the European Union
Minister for European Affairs
Minister responsible for European Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs
State Secretary for EU Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto
Minister for Foreign Affairs
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
Permanent Representative
State Secretary attached to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, with responsibility for European Affairs
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21.V.2013
Romania:
Mr Titus CORLATEAN
Slovenia:
Mr Igor SCAR
Slovakia:
Mr Peter JAVORCFK
Finland:
Mr Jan STORE
Sweden
Ms Birgitta OHLSSON
United Kingdom:
Mr David LIDINGTON
Minister for Foreign Affairs
State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Permanent Representative
Minister for EU Affairs
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Commission:
Mr Maros SEFCOVIC
Mr Janusz LEWANDOWSKI
Vice-President Member
The Government of the Acceding State was represented as follows:
Croatia:
Mr Josko KLISOVIC
Deputy Minister for Foreign and European Affairs
PROVISIONAL VERSION 21.V.2013 ITEMS DEBATED
MULTIANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK - public session
The Irish presidency informed ministers on the state of play in the discussions with the European Parliament on the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2014-2020, on the basis of a note set out in . It also asked the Council for guidance on the four issues raised by the Parliament with regard to the next MFF (review, own resources, unity of the budget and flexibility)
The presidency recalled the steps taken so far in discussions with the European Parliament, since the European Council agreement on the MFF in February. The presidency reported that the MFF detailed negotiations with the Parliament started on 13 May with a first formal trilogue
It also reminded ministers of the important step that the Council made towards the Parliament on 14 May with the political agreement on draft amending budget no. 2 for 2013 and the provision of a first tranche of EUR 7.3 billion targeted on boosting economic growth and creating jobs, and the commitment to return to the issue later in the year
The presidency reiterated its commitment to reach an agreement with the European Parliament by the end of June. In the presidency's assessment, this objective is still feasible provided that all parties involved were prepared to engage constructively. The presidency stressed that any further delay would be to the detriment of EU citizens who needed predictability
All member states supported the presidency's efforts for a timely agreement. Many delegations stressed that the Council's political agreement on draft amending budget 2/2013 this early in the year, and for such a significant figure, constituted an important step and asked the European Parliament to show a similar spirit of compromise
With regard to the four specific issues raised by the European Parliament, delegations reiterated their openness to considering them constructively
More concretely, delegations were ready to examine a legally binding obligation on the Commission to present a review in 2017, provided that the unanimity requirement for the Council vote on the MFF regulation was respected and pre-allocated envelopes were preserved. On own resources, delegations showed readiness to consider a declaration setting out a political roadmap for work on the future. As far as the unity of the budget is concerned, delegations expressed some openness to having a Commission document annexed to the annual draft budget setting out all expenditures covered by the EU budget. Concerning flexibility, many delegations could consider further discussing the possibility to the carry-over from one year to another of unused margins under the payments ceilings and a frontloading of certain expenditures, such as for the new youth employment initiative
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21.V.2013
The presidency confirmed that negotiations with the European Parliament are continuing this week and next, with a further political trilogue scheduled for 28 May. In addition to an agreement on the MFF, the Irish presidency wishes also to reach agreement with the Parliament on the around 70 pieces of sectoral legislation underpinning the EU's funding programmes. This would allow the new programmes to start on time in January 2014
On 8 February 2013 the European Council reached agreement on the next MFF, providing a mandate to the Irish presidency for the negotiations with the European Parliament (37/13 + COR 1 REV 1)
On 13 March, the European Parliament adopted a resolution, setting out its position for the negotiations on the next MFF
Further information on the negotiations may be found on the Council's MFF webpages: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/special-reports/mff
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21.V.2013
EUROPEAN COUNCIL Preparation of the May meeting
The Council examined draft conclusions for the European Council meeting to be held on 22 May. The European Council will discuss energy and taxation
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-Energy: this first of a series of thematic debates with a focus on growth, jobs and competiveness will put emphasis on implementing the internal energy market, energy efficiency, interconnections, and diversification of energy sources
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-Taxation: focus will be on effective steps to fight tax evasion and tax fraud. The European Council is expected to call for rapid progress on a number of issues, including automatic exchange of information, taxation of savings interest and measures to counter VAT fraud
The draft conclusions will be reviewed in the light of the Council's discussion. Preparation of the June meeting
The Council examined an annotated draft agenda for the European Council meeting to be held on 27 and 28 June ()
The European Council is due to focus on:
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-Economic policy: European Semester, implementation of the Compact for Growth and Jobs, industrial competitiveness and "smart" regulation
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-Economic and monetary union: banking union and Latvia's application to join the euro area
The Council will hold a further discussion, on the basis of draft European Council conclusions, at its meeting on 25 June
Follow-up of European Council conclusions
The presidency presented a report on the implementation of European Council conclusions covering all ongoing tasks arising from European Council orientations ()
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21.V.2013
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED FOREIGN AFFAIRS Relations with Russia
The Council agreed the position of the EU and its member states within the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council on the establishment, composition, tasks and functioning of regular senior officials meetings on freedom, security and justice
The aim of such meetings would be to ensure continuity of the work between the annual sessions of the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council on freedom, security and justice. The EU sees them as informal gatherings for policy coordination that are not meant to take decisions having legal effects
Relations with Turkey
The Council adopted the EU position for the 51st EU-Turkey Association Council meeting, to be held in Brussels on 27 May
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
Waste management infrastructure - Court of Auditors' report
The Council adopted conclusions on special report no. 20/2012 by the European Court of Auditors entitled "Is structural measures funding for municipal waste management infrastructure projects effective in helping member states achieve EU waste policy objectives?"
The conclusions are set out in
Cost-effectiveness of cohesion policy - Court of Auditors' report
The Council adopted conclusions on special report no. 21/2012 by the European Court of Auditors concerning the cost-effectiveness of cohesion policy investments in energy efficiency
The conclusions are set out in .
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21.V.2013
TRADE POLICY
Anti-dumping - Polyethylene terephthalate - Asian countries
The Council adopted a regulation imposing a definitive countervailing duty on certain imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) originating in India following an expiry review pursuant to regulation ("the EU's basic anti-subsidy regulation") (/13)
It rejected a proposal () to impose a definitive anti dumping duty on certain imports of PET originating in India, Taiwan and Thailand following an expiry review pursuant to regulation ("the EU's basic anti-dumping regulation"), and terminating the expiry review concerning imports of certain PET originating in Indonesia and Malaysia
The anti-dumping duties against these five countries will therefore be lapsed
Currently, anti-dumping duties are in force against imports of PET from China (extended in November 2010) and countervailing measures are in force since September 2010 against imports of PET originating in Iran, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates
RESEARCH
Atlantic Ocean cooperation with Canada and US
The Council approved a draft statement for the launch of an Ocean Research Alliance with Canada and the United States, providing for Atlantic Ocean cooperation
The statement is planned to be signed at the occasion of a high-level event "The Atlantic - a shared resource", to be held in Galway, Ireland, on 23 and 24 May
The cooperation is intended to increase knowledge of the Atlantic Ocean and its dynamic systems, to improve ocean health and stewardship and to promote the sustainable management of its resources. It is intended to result in mutual benefits including better ecosystem assessments and forecasts and deeper understanding of vulnerabilities and risk, including those relating to the global climate system and climate change impacts
PROVISIONAL VERSION
21.V.2013
FOOD LAW
Labelling of foods with added phytosterols
The Council decided not to oppose adoption by the Commission of a regulation aimed at ensuring consistency of the information provided in the labelling of foods and food ingredients with added phytosterols, phytosterol esters, phytostanols and/or phytostanol esters ()
The draft regulation is subject to the so called regulatory procedure with scrutiny; now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt it unless the European Parliament objects
APPOINTMTS Committee of the Regions
The Council appointed Mr Mick ANTONIW, Ms Paula BAKER, Mr Anthony Gerard BUCHANAN and Ms Dee SHARPE (United Kingdom) as a members of the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2015 ()
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