Uitkomst van Landbouw- en Visserijraad van 25 september 2013 (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Raad van de Europese Unie (Raad) i, gepubliceerd op maandag 23 september 2013.

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

(OR. en)

PROVISIONAL VERSION

PRESSE 378 PR CO 43

PRESS RELEASE

3257th Council meeting

Agriculture and Fisheries

Brussels, 23 September 2013

President Vigilijus JUKNA

Minister for Agriculture of Lithuania

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

Main results of the Council

As regards agriculture, the Council held a public debate on the state of play regarding the common agricultural policy (CAP) reform package after a political agreement was reached in June with the other EU institutions. The Presidency reported to the ministers that on direct payments and rural development, the European Parliament considers that some issues linked to the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 i are not part of the political agreement on the CAP reform package. The Presidency underlined the need to find an agreement with the European Parliament which will not to put in danger the whole political agreement on CAP reform reached in June and long awaited by farmers and other stakeholders in the whole food chain in the EU. On this basis, ministers made a final adjustment to the Council mandate on the outstanding points and prepared the next steps towards finalisation and adoption of the CAP reform package in the coming days.

Finally, ministers were briefed on a number of items including the new EU Forest Strategy proposed by the Commission and international agricultural trade issues.

PROVISIONAL VERSION 23 September 2013

CONTTS1

PARTICIPANTS................................................................................................................................6

ITEMS DEBATED

AGRICULTURE.................................................................................................................................8

Reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP)..............................................................................8

Any other business...............................................................................................................................9

  • - 
    African swine fever in the EU.................................................................................................................................9

Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES).......................................................................................................10

  • - 
    New EU Forest Strategy........................................................................................................................................10
  • - 
    International agricultural trade issues....................................................................................................................11
  • - 
    33rd Conference of Directors of EU Paying Agencies..........................................................................................11
  • - 
    Congress on organic farming.................................................................................................................................12
  • - 
    Conference on the production of protein crops.....................................................................................................12

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

AGRICULTURE

  • - 
    Partnership agreement against illegal logging between EU and Indonesia...........................................................14

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

  • - 
    Relations with Tajikistan.......................................................................................................................................14

International Cotton Advisory Committee............................................................................................................14

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

  • - 
    Macro-financial assistance to Kyrgyzstan.............................................................................................................15

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

  • • 
    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 23 September 2013

TRADE POLICY

  • - 
    Anti-subsidies - Polyethylene terephthalate - Pakistan..........................................................................................15
  • - 
    Decision-making procedures: Omnibus I & II......................................................................................................15

BUDGETS

  • - 
    Daily allowances and travel expenses - European Economic and Social Committee *........................................16

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

  • - 
    UN High-Level Dialogue on Migration and Development...................................................................................16
  • - 
    Memorandum of understanding between Eurojust and Frontex............................................................................16

C.SIS installation expenditure...............................................................................................................................17

DEVELOPMT COOPERA TION

  • - 
    Discharge - Financial management of the 8th. 9th and 10th European development funds..................................17

COMMON SECURITY AND DEFCE POIICY

  • - 
    CSDP missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo....................................................................................17

VIRONMT

  • - 
    Scrutiny of Commission implementing powers....................................................................................................18
  • - 
    Minamata Convention on Mercury........................................................................................................................19

FOODIAW

  • - 
    Health claims and food additives...........................................................................................................................19

ERGY

  • - 
    Ecodesign requirements for electric motors and for domestic ovens....................................................................20
  • - 
    Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean-Negotiation directives.............................20

TRANSPORT

  • - 
    Technical specifications for interoperability of European railways......................................................................21
  • - 
    Galileo - cooperation with Switzerland.................................................................................................................21
  • - 
    EU-US civil aviation safety regulation - EU position within the bilateral oversight board...................................21

CUSTOMS UNION

  • - 
    Convention on common transit procedure - Croatia's accession to the EU...........................................................22
  • - 
    EU-Switzerland agreement on simplification of inspections and formalities........................................................22

PROVISIONAL VERSION 23 September 2013

SPORT

  • - 
    Manipulation of sports results...............................................................................................................................22

EMPLOYMT

  • - 
    Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Italy...............................................................23

CULTURE

  • - 
    Committee on cultural cooperation EU-Korea......................................................................................................23

APPOINTMTS

  • - 
    Committee of the Regions.....................................................................................................................................24
  • - 
    Economic and Social Committee..........................................................................................................................24

WRITT PROCED URES

  • - 
    Cyprus - macroeconomic adjustment programme.................................................................................................24
  • - 
    EU civil service tribunal - appointment of a judge................................................................................................25

Public access to Council documents......................................................................................................................25

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

PARTICIPANTS

Belgium:

Ms Sabine LARUELLE

Bulgaria:

MrDimitarGREKOV Czech Republic:

Mr Miroslav TOMAN Minister for Agriculture

Denmark:

Ms Karen FLEKKERUP

Germany:

Mr Robert KLOOS

Estonia:

Mr Helir-Valdor SEEDER Ireland:

Mr Simon COVEY Greece:

Mr Athanassios TSAFTARIS Spain:

Mr Miguel ARIAS CANETE i France:

Mr Stéphan LE FOLL

Croatia:

Mr Tihomir JAKOVINA Italy:

Ms Nunzia DE GIROLAMO Cyprus:

MrNicosKOUYIALIS

Latvia:

Ms Laimdota STRAUJUMA

Lithuania:

Mr Vigilijus JUKNA

Mr Mindaugas KUKLIERIUS

Luxembourg:

Mr Romain SCHNEIDER

Hungary:

Mr Zsolt FELDMAN Malta:

Mr Roderick GALDES

Netherlands:

Ms Sharon DIJKSMA i

Minister for the Middle Classes, SMEs, the Self-Employed and Agriculture

Minister for Agriculture and Food

Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection

Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minister for Rural Development and Food

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Environment

Minister for Agriculture, the Food Processing Industry and Forestry

Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy

Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment

Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Agriculture Deputy Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development, Minister for Sport, Minister with responsibility for Economic Solidarity

Deputy State Secretary

Parliamentary Secretary foe Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights

Minister for Agriculture

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

Austria:

Mr Harald GÜNTHER Poland:

Mr Kazimierz PLOCKE Portugal:

Mr José DIOGO ALBUQUERQUE Romania:

Mr Daniel CONSTANT

Slovenia:

MrDejanZIDAN

Slovakia:

Mr Eubomir JAHNATEK Finland:

Mr Jari KOSKTN Sweden:

Mr Eskil ERLANDSSON

United Kingdom:

Mr Owen PATERSON

Mr Richard LOCHHEAD Mr Alun DA VIES

Deputy Permanent Representative

State Secretary

State Secretary for Agriculture

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development

Minister of Agriculture and the Environment

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry

Minister for Rural Affairs

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Minister for Natural Resources and Food

Commission:

Mr Dacian CIOLOS Member

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

ITEMS DEBATED AGRICULTURE

Reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP)

The Council held a public debate on the state of play of the CAP reform after a political agreement was reached in June with the European Parliament and the Commission on the whole CAP reform package

For the European Parliament some outstanding issues linked to the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 such as degressivity and capping of the direct payments, flexibility between pillars and the rural development co-financing rates are not part of the political agreement on the CAP reform package

The Presidency reported to the Council on its participation in a trilogue meeting on 17 September where the Parliament explained its position. The Presidency pointed out also the need to find an agreement with the Parliament which will not to put in danger the whole political agreement on CAP reform reached in June because the CAP reform was long-awaited by the farmers and the whole food chain in the EU. Ministers decided to made final adjustments to the Presidency mandate with a view to finalising the political agreement with the European Parliament at the informal trilogue meeting scheduled on 24 September

For further information, please see the press release published on this subject (). The CAP reform package consists of four main texts :

  • - 
    the proposal for a regulation establishing rules for direct payments to farmers (direct payments regulation) (). The direct payment regulation seeks to better target support for specific actions, areas or beneficiaries, as well as to pave the way for convergence of the support level within and across member states;
  • - 
    the proposal for a regulation establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products (). The single common market organisation (CMO) regulation aims to streamline, expand and simplify the current provisions on public intervention, private storage, exceptional or emergency measures and aid to specific sectors, as well as to facilitate cooperation through producer and interbranch organisations;

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

  • - 
    the proposal for a regulation on support for rural development (rural development regulation) (). The rural development regulation covers voluntary measures for rural development, adapted to national and regional specificities, whereby member states draw up and co-finance multiannual programmes under a common framework in cooperation with the EU;
  • - 
    the proposal for a regulation on the financing, management and monitoring of the CAP (horizontal regulation) (). The horizontal regulation lays down rules concerning expenditure, the farm advisory system, the management and control systems to be put in place by member states, the cross-compliance system and the clearance of accounts

The Presidency clarified with the Parliament that the discussion between the EU institutions will cover some specific issues on direct payments and rural development while the discussion on the proposals for regulations on single CMO and the horizontal regulation is now closed

Any other business

  • - 
    African swine fever in the EU

The Council was briefed by the Polish delegation on the risk of African swine fever possibly spreading into the EU and the on need for coordinated actions ().

As outbreaks of African swine fever were recently observed near the EU borders in Belarus and the Russian Federation, several member states supported the Polish request to the Commission to coordinate preventive actions to avoid the spread of this very contagious disease into EU territory. In addition, financial resources to cover potential direct and indirect losses linked to this disease should be guaranteed

The Commission pointed out that an envelope of € 2,5 millions has been attributed to Poland, Latvia and Lithuania to put in place preventive veterinary measures to avoid the emerging of the african swine fever into the EU. In addition a specific agriculture fund exists already to compensate any disruption of market, should the disease come into the EU

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

  • - 
    Trade Control and Expert System (TRA CES)

The Netherlands delegation requested the Commission to share its views on the transparency and availability to the public of the information on the trade in live animals through the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) ().

The Commission recalled that TRACES provided in real time information about movements of live animals and can cover 1 million of batches. Any member states has access to the data it has introduced in the system, and general statistical information but some rules of confidentiality apply to certain data

TRACES is an information system managed by the Commission for the notification, certification and monitoring of consignments of live animals and certain animal products that are imported, exported and transported in intra-community trade flows. Member states are obliged to register all necessary information in the system

  • - 
    New EU Forest Strategy

The Council was briefed on a communication entitled "Supporting forests and the forest sector : a new approach for a new EU Forest Strategy" which was adopted by the Commission on 20 September this year ().

Many member states supported the framework proposed by the Commission for renewing the forest strategy envisaged to better coordinate action at EU level while this policy is still a national responsibility. A Council working group will work on this communication and conclusions could be prepared on this basis

The Council Resolution of 15 December 1998 on a Forestry Strategy for the EU established already a framework for forest-related actions in support of sustainable forest management (SFM), based on the co-ordination of the forestry policies of the member states and EU policies and initiatives relevant to forests and forestry

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

The Strategy emphasises the importance of the multifunctional role of forests and SFM for the development of society, and identified a series of key elements for its implementation. It stated that while forest policy is a competence of the member states, the EU can contribute to the implementation of SFM through common policies, based on the principle of subsidiarity and the concept of shared responsibility. It also emphasised the implementation of international commitments, principles and recommendations

In 2006, following a suggestion by the Council, the EU Forest Action plan 2007-2011 was set up, with four objectives: competitiveness, maintaining and enhancing biodiversity, contributing to quality of life and improving coordination. An ex-post evaluation of the Forest Action Plan, in 2011-2012, underlined the need for a new Forest Strategy, through a new approach to forests that ensures policy consistency across all sectors including agriculture. This Communication aims at meeting this objective through strategic orientations

  • - 
    International agricultural trade issues

The Council was briefed by the Commission on the state of play of international agricultural trade issues

Many member states pointed out the need for balanced international agreements with regard to agriculture. They noted that the achievement of current negotiations with Canada will make a precedent for other bilateral negotiations. In addition they consider that issues such as the protection of geographical indications, food safety and animal welfare standards constitute decisive elements characterizing the specificity of the EU agriculture

The Commission explained that the EU is involved in many ongoing international trade and agriculture negotiations where the Commission participates on behalf of the EU. The most prominent of those negotiations, in particular, the WTO Doha Development Round, the negotiations with Canada and with the USA on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership could have strong implications for EU agriculture

  • - 
    33 rd Conference of Directors ofEU Paying Agencies

The Irish delegation presented the conclusions from the 33rd Conference of Directors of EU Paying Agencies which took place in Dublin (Ireland) on 25-26 April 2013 ().

The key theme of the conference was the implications of the proposals for reform of the common agricultural policy for paying agencies and three separate workshops were held

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

As regards new legality and regularity requirements, the directors thought that the full package of regulations and guidelines would not be finalized for up to a year, which will entail modifying the strategy developed, in particular for certification audit. On greening, the group concluded that it is necessary not only for paying agencies but also for farmers to fully understand the new system in order to avoid uncertainty and to change their practices so as to comply with greening obligations. Regarding the high error rate for rural development measures, the group considered that the simpler the measure, the easier it is to control and the lower the risk of errors. In devising rural development schemes in the new programme period, all actors should work together in close cooperation from the beginning of the programming exercise

The 34th Conference of Directors of EU Paying Agencies will be held in Vilnius on 23-25 October 2013

  • - 
    Congress on organic farming

The Presidency briefed the Council on the main issues discussed at the 7th International congress "Shaping Europe's Organic Future Together - Making an impact on the EU organic legal framework within the future CAP", which took place in Vilnius (Lithuania) from 2 to 4 July 2013 (13 ).

This event took place in the context of the review of the EU legal and political context for organic food and farming. A legal proposal to amend the current regulation on organic farming may be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council at the end of 2013. The EU organic action plan dating from 2004 may also be updated. Considering the ongoing process for reforming the CAP, this congress gave an opportunity to debate the new political framework for organic food and farming in the EU

  • - 
    Conference on the production of protein crops

The Slovenian delegation presented to the Council the main conclusions of an international conference on furthering the production of protein crops in the Danube and South European Region which took place in Moravske Toplice (Slovenia) on 23 August 2013 ().

A number of member states supported the initiative from Slovenia to strengthen the culture of protein crop to limit the EU dependency for imported feed. Some of them agreed with the idea to promote the labelling of "non-genetically modified" protein crops for feed

The Commission recalled the measures proposed in the reformed CAP to enhance the production of protein crops in the EU, including the introduction of specific coupled payments and the taking into account in greening measures

12

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

At this conference, it appeared that increasing self-sufficiency in protein crops is important for the EU, which is currently almost entirely dependent on protein crop imports, in particular soya from the USA, Brazil and Argentina. The great majority of soya imported for animal feed is genetically modified at a time when the public requests more GMO-free products

In this light, an initiative for furthering the GMO-free soya in the Danube region was launched in January 2013 by 13 countries, including Slovenia. The conference provided the opportunity for an exchange of information on the implementation of the initiative. At the end a joint declaration was adopted by the participating countries

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED AGRICULTURE

Partnership agreement against illegal logging between EU and Indonesia

The Council adopted a decision on the signing, on behalf of the EU, of the voluntary partnership agreement between the EU and the Republic of Indonesia on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the EU (FLEGT) (/13; /13).

The negotiations with Indonesia have been completed and this agreement between the EU and Indonesia on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the EU was initialled on 4 May 2011. The agreement should be signed on 30 September 2013

In October 20031 the Council adopted conclusions on an EU action plan for FLEGT presented by the Commission which called for measures to address illegal logging through the development of voluntary partnership agreements with timber producing countries. The EU has already signed FLEGT partnership agreements with Ghana, Congo, Cameroon, Liberia and Central Africa

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Relations with Tajikistan

The Council established the EU position for the third meeting of the EU-Tajikistan Cooperation Council, to take place in Brussels on 1 October 2013

International Cotton Advisory Committee

The Council authorised the Commission to negotiate, on behalf of the EU, the accession of the EU to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). The Committee's mission is to provide transparency to the world cotton market by serving as a forum for discussion of cotton issues of international significance

OJC268, 7.11.2003, p. 1.

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS Macro-financial assistance to Kyrgyzstan

The Council approved its position on a draft decision on the provision of macro-financial assistance to Kyrgyzstan, incorporating all amendments agreed with the European Parliament in June

( + ).

A maximum of EUR 30 million is envisaged to support economic stabilisation and cover Kyrgyzstan's balance of payments needs as identified in its current IMF programme:

Now that the Council has adopted its position at first reading, the Parliament is expected to accept it without further amendment

The Council also approved a statement of its reasons (ADD 1 REV 1) TRADE POLICY

Anti-subsidies - Polyethylene terephthalate - Pakistan

The Council amended regulation imposing a definitive countervailing duty and collecting definitely the provisional duty imposed on imports of certain polyethylene terephthalate originating in Iran, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates ().

Decision-making procedures: Omnibus I & II

The Council confirmed a political agreement reached on 5 June with the European Parliament on the "Omnibus I & II" proposals on the procedures used for decision-making under the EUs common commercial policy

The two draft regulations are aimed at modifying a number of regulations adopted between 1972 and 2009, adapting them to decision-making procedures provided for by the Treaty of Lisbon, which entered into force in December 2009

The proposal will be adopted at first reading after finalisation by the legal-linguistic experts

15

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

BUDGETS

Daily allowances and travel expenses - European Economic and Social Committee *

The Council adopted a decision reforming the system of granting daily allowances and reimbursing travel expenses to members of the European Economic and Social Committee. ( + ).

The decision provides in particular for the reimbursement of transport tickets on the basis of real costs only, repealing herewith the current flat-rate payments. The daily allowances which are granted to members in order to compensate them for the time spent in the performance of their duties and of related administrative costs are aligned to the ones granted to members of the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

UN High-Level Dialogue on Migration and Development

The Council adopted conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of Governments of the member states meeting within the Council on the 2013 UN high-level dialogue on migration and development and on broadening the development-migration nexus ().

The conclusions define the approach of the EU and its member states for the 2013 UN high-level dialogue on migration and development that will take place on 3-4 October during the sixty-eighth session of the UN general assembly

Memorandum of understanding between Eurojust and Frontex

The Council approved the memorandum of understanding () between Eurojust and Frontex (the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the member states of the EU), with the aim of fostering and improving cooperation between Eurojust and Frontex in order to support the fight against serious cross-border crime, such as smuggling and trafficking in human beings

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

C.SIS installation expenditure

The member states, meeting within the Council, approved the multiannual tables of C.SIS (Schengen Information System) authorised installation expenditure concerning the quarterly reports of 2012 ( + COR 1 + COR 2) and the first quarter of 2013 ().

The member states, meeting within the Council, also adopted formally the multiannual table relating to the C.SIS expenditure as at 31 December 2012 ().

DEVELOPMT COOPERA TION

Discharge - Financial management of the 8th, 9th and 10th European development funds

The Council adopted its recommendations on the discharge to be given by the European Parliament to the Commission for implementation of operations under the 8th, 9th and 10th European development funds for 2011 (, , ). In addition, the Council approved a statement concerning the statement of assurance of the European Court of Auditors relating to the activities of the 8th, 9th and 10th European development funds for the financial year 2011 ().

COMMON SECURITY AND DEFCE POLICY CSDP missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Council extended the EU police mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (EUPOL RD Congo) for a final transition phase until 30 September 2014. It also allocated a budget of EUR 6.32 million for the period from 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2014

At the same time, the Council prolonged the EU mission to provide advice and assistance for security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (EUSC RD Congo) for a final transition phase until 30 September 2014. The budget is provided for the period from 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2014 amounts to EUR 8.45 million

For more information, see press release .

17

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

VIRONMT

Scrutiny of Commission implementing powers

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of the following Commission's legislative acts in the field of environment policy:

a decision amending decision /EC in order to prolong the validity of the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel to electrically driven, gas driven or gas absorption heat pumps ():

  • - 
    a decision establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for flushing toilets and urinals ():
  • - 
    a regulation amending regulation (EC) No with regard to applications for import and export licences of products and equipment containing or relying on halons for critical uses in aircraft ():
  • - 
    regulation amending regulation (EC) No with regard to reporting on methyl bromide ():
  • - 
    a regulation amending regulation (EU) No on the timing, administration and other aspects of auctioning of greenhouse gas emission allowances pursuant to directive /EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowances trading within the Community in particular to list an auction platform to be appointed by Germany ():
  • - 
    a regulation on determining international credit entitlements pursuant to directive /EC ():
  • - 
    a decision amending decisions /EU and /EU as regards the sectors and subsectors which are deemed to be exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage ():

The Commission's legislative acts are subject to the so called regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means that now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt them, unless the European Parliament objects

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

Minamata Convention on Mercury

The Council adopted a decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Minamata Convention on Mercury (, ADD 1). This global legally binding instrument on mercury will be opened for signature at a Diplomatic Conference taking place in Kumamoto (Japan) from 7 to 11 October 2013

The objective of this Convention is to protect the human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds

For more information see Minamata Convention website. FOOD LAW

Health claims and food additives

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of the following six Commission regulations:

  • - 
    two regulations refusing to authorise certain health claims made on foods other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and health

( + );

  • - 
    a regulation amending regulation establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and health ();
  • - 
    a regulation amending annex II to regulation extending the authorisation to use the sweeteners acesulfame K (E 950), cyclamic acid and its Na and Ca salts (E 952), saccharin and its Na, K and Ca salts (E 954), sucralose (E 955), neohesperidine DC (E 959) and steviol glycosides (E 960) to all energy-reduced fruit or vegetable spreads; currently, their use is allowed only in energy-reduced jams, jellies and marmalades ();
  • - 
    a regulation amending annex II to regulation authorising the use of the food additives diphosphates (E 450), triphosphates (E 451) and polyphosphates (E 452) for the preservation of wet salted fish ();

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

  • - 
    a regulation amending annex II to regulation allowing the use of sodium phosphates (E 339) as an acidity regulator to improve the mechanical properties of casings for sausages ().

The Commission regulations are subject to the so called regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means that now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt them, unless the European Parliament objects

ERGY

Ecodesign requirements for electric motors and for domestic ovens

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of the two following Commission's regulations:

  • - 
    a regulation amending regulation (EC) No implementing directive /EC with regard to ecodesign requirements for electric motors ():
  • - 
    a regulation implementing directive /EC with regard to ecodesign requirements for domestic ovens, hobs and range hoods ().

The Commission's regulations are subject to the so called regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means that now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt them, unless the European Parliament objects

Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean-Negotiation directives

The Council adopted a recommendation for a decision issuing directives to the Commission for the negotiation of the proposed amendments to Protocols 1 and 2 to the Agreement between the United Kingdom, the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the Application of Safeguards in connection with the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean

http://www. euratom. org/

http://www. iaea. org/

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PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

TRANSPORT

Technical specifications for interoperability of European railways

The Council decided not to oppose adoption by the Commission of two regulations and one decision updating technical specifications for the interoperability of the European rail system

The regulations relate to telematics applications for passenger services () and rolling stock freight wagons (): and the decision concerns operation and traffic management ().

These draft acts 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

Galileo - cooperation with Switzerland

The Council approved a decision on the signing and the provisional application of a cooperation agreement between the European Union and the Switzerland on the European Satellite Navigation Programmes (). The agreement allows for the participation of Switzerland in the European satellite navigation programmes and establishes its financial contribution to those programmes

EU-US civil aviation safety regulation - EU position within the bilateral oversight board

The Council established the position to be taken by the EU within the Bilateral Oversight Board under the Agreement between the United States of America and the European Community on cooperation in the regulation of civil aviation safety concerning the amendment of Annex 1 to the Agreement ().

Once adopted by the bilateral oversight board and signed by the parties, the amendment will introduce a reduction factor applicable to the fees charged by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in the context of the validation of US aviation products

21

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

CUSTOMS UNION

Convention on common transit procedure - Croatia's accession to the EU

The Council approved the position to be adopted within the EU-EFTA joint committee concerning a draft amendment to the Convention on a common transit procedure, in order to take into account Croatia's accession to the EU {).

The customs transit procedure enables goods to move more freely and simplifies customs formalities. It takes the form of a temporary suspension of the duties and taxes normally due on goods imported into the customs territory. This procedure is based on a convention between the EU and the countries of the European Free Trade Area (EFTA)

EU-Switzerland agreement on simplification of inspections and formalities

The Council adopted the EU's position within the EU-Switzerland joint committee, on the definition of the grounds for exemption from transmitting data pursuant to the EU-Switzerland agreement on the simplification of inspections and formalities in respect of the carriage of goods and on customs security measures

In accordance with the agreement, the EU-Switzerland joint committee may determine cases in which the transmission of certain information in respect of the passage of goods is not necessary as long as the level of security assured by the agreement is not affected

SPORT

Manipulation of sports results

The Council adopted a decision authorising the European Commission to participate, on behalf of the EU, in the negotiations for an international convention of the Council of Europe to combat the manipulation of sports results, as regards matters related to cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation ().1 The Council also approved the entry in the minutes of its meeting of statements from the Commission and the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom and Ireland have notified that they do not wish to take part in the adoption of the decision

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

Following the opinion of the Council Legal Service that the decision concerned areas falling within both Title V of the TFEU and other titles of the Treaties and had legal bases taken from those titles, the original single decision proposed by the Commission () was split in two, one pursuant to Title V and the other pursuant to the Union's other competences

The Council (TTE) of 10 June 2013 adopted the first of these decisions (). EMPLOYMT

Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Italy

The Council adopted two decisions mobilising a total amount of EUR 3.76 million under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), providing support for workers made redundant in Italy

An amount of EUR 2.60 million is allocated to dismissed workers of the company De Tomaso Automobili S.p.A. which suffered from a constant decrease of the EU market share in the world production of motor vehicles during recent years, due to a strong competition from the major world car producers. An amount of EUR 1.16 million is mobilised for former workers of two Italian enterprises operating in the ICT and electronic components sector which due to strong competition of low-cost countries and despite reorganisation efforts were forced to close

CULTURE

Committee on cultural cooperation EU-Korea

The Council adopted a decision on the position to be taken by the EU within the committee on cultural cooperation, set up by the free trade agreement between the European Union and its member states, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part, as regards the adoption of the rules of procedure of the committee ().

The establishment of a committee on cultural cooperation is provided for in article 3 of the protocol on cultural cooperation which forms part of the free trade agreement signed on 6 October 2010. In order to enable the committee to exercise its tasks, which includes, inter alia, monitoring the implementation of the protocol, the committee needs to adopt its rules of procedures at its first meeting, which is provisionally scheduled for December 2013

1 OJL 127, 14.5.2011

PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

APPOINTMTS Committee of the Regions

The Council appointed Ms Jana VANHOVA, Mr Martin PÜTA and Mr Miroslav NOVAK, (Czech Republic) as members of the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2015 ().

Economic and Social Committee

On 16 September the Council appointed by written procedure Mr Jonas BERGGR (Sweden), as a member of the European Economic and Social Committee for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 20 September 2015 ().

WRITT PROCEDURES

Cyprus - macroeconomic adjustment programme

The Council adopted, on 13 September, a decision reviewing the macroeconomic adjustment programme of Cyprus in the light of the entry into force of provisions for the strengthening of the economic and budgetary surveillance of euro area member states under financial assistance from the EFSM[1], the EFSF, the ESM or the IMF (under regulation of the "two pack")

The decision contains no changes to the macroeconomic adjustment programme approved by decision /EU, but incorporates the results of the first review by the troika (Commission, ECB and JJVIF) of the implementation of the agreed measures. As a result, the memorandum of understanding has been updated in the areas of financial sector reform, fiscal policy and structural reforms, including with regard to the gradual relaxation of capital controls, an anti-money laundering action plan, and a compensation scheme for provident funds and retirement funds which held deposits at the Cyprus Popular Bank

European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM), European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), European Stability Mechanism (ESM)

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PROVISIONAL VERSION

23 September 2013

EU civil service tribunal - appointment of a judge

By written ending on 16 September the Council adopted a decision appointing Mr Jesper SVNINGS (Denmark) as judge to the EU civil service tribunal for the period from 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2019 ().

Public access to Council documents

On 18 September 2013, the Council adopted by written procedure the reply to confirmatory application nr. 16/c/01/13 with the Danish, Estonian, Dutch, Slovenian, Finnish and Swedish delegations voting against and the German delegation abstaining, as reflected in document . Moreover, the Bulgarian and the Hungarian delegations voted against the draft reply