European Council

On 27 May 2016, the Council adopted Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/849[1] concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The Council Decision adopted additional restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) by prohibiting the supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK of further items, materials and equipment relating to dual-use goods and technology. In addition, it prohibits transfers of funds to and from DPRK unless specifically authorised in advance.

Furthermore, the Council Decision prohibits any aircraft operated by DPRK carriers or originating from DPRK from landing in, taking off from or overflying Member States' territory as well as any vessel that is owned, operated or crewed by DPRK from entering into Member States' ports. It introduces a prohibition on the import of luxury goods from DPRK, as well as prohibitions on all investment by the DPRK in the EU and the provision of financial support for trade with DPRK.

The Candidate Countries the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Montenegro* and Serbia*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova and Armenia align themselves with this Council Decision.

They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

[1] Published on 28.5.2016 in the Official Journal of the European Union no. L 141, p. 79.

* - The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

   

Good afternoon, I am delighted to be here in Helsinki. Let me start by thanking Prime Minister Juha Sipilä for his great hospitality.

We have just ended a good and fruitful meeting, the first part of our meeting, during which we discussed some of the most pressing issues for both Finland and Europe as a whole.

These are truly testing times for the European Union with many existential threats and challenges confronting us: the massive influx of refugees and migrants, terrorism, an aggressive Russian foreign policy, the continuing global economic challenges, and last but not least, the risk of “brexit”. The European Union is not and cannot be a fair-weather project. It is also made for rainy days, like here today, which we are demonstrating through our concerted efforts to tackle our common problems, one by one, together.

On the migration and refugee crisis we have managed to close the Western Balkan route, by starting to re-apply our common Schengen rules and by cooperating with Turkey. We have moved from almost 7.000 daily arrivals from Turkey to the Greek islands in October last year, to less than 50 per day in the last month. It shows that our strategy delivers. The June European Council will focus on how to return the economic migrants coming from Africa to Europe via the Central Mediterranean. Let me in this context recognise Finland as a front-runner in terms of relocating people. You have already fulfilled around a third of your national commitment and deserve credit for that. Likewise, other Member States need to step up and honour their commitments and follow Finland's example.

On Russia's violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, we have stayed the course, keeping our unity despite systematic attempts to undermine it. Our principle political message has been heard throughout the neighbourhood and beyond. Sanctions on Russia continue to be linked to the complete implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

We are also working to broaden and deepen our security agenda with NATO. In the run-up to the NATO Warsaw summit, we are working to take our EU-NATO cooperation to a new level of ambition, in very practical ways. EU Member States and NATO Allies face the same challenges, and our responses need to be synchronised. I would like to thank Finland for being so forthcoming, even enthusiastic, in these discussions, including on stepped up action to tackle hybrid and cyber threats.

On the economic and financial crisis Europe has responded over the last years by supporting the efforts of the most affected countries to reform their economies. At the same time, institutional changes such as the banking union have made us more resilient. However we need to work harder to strengthen Europe's competitiveness and growth prospects and thank you for your support in this context . The Single Market, in particular the Digital Single Market, offer huge, still unexploited sources of durable growth. We need swift and determined progress on these issues. Therefore a strong message to this effect should be coming out of the June European Council. I know I have Juha's full support in this endeavour. I hope it will be effective.

And lastly on the question of the UK referendum. History has taught us that we were always defeated when divided. And that we always won when we stood united. Europe without the United Kingdom will be distinctly weaker. This is obvious. Equally obvious is that the UK outside the EU will be distinctly weaker too. Instead of seven years of political limbo and uncertainty in our relations, which will be the inevitable and direct result of “brexit”, we can have a fast and lasting less than one year implementation of the new settlement for the UK in the EU, negotiated by David Cameron. The UK has achieved a position of a key state in the EU, whose voice is respected. Today more than ever before. Many of the British ideas about the EU are gaining support all over Europe. There are so many things we can do together. Leaving now doesn't make any sense. Thank you.

The EU has agreed on a framework to stop the financing of armed groups through trade in conflict minerals, after negotiations between the Commission, Council and Parliament. It aims for EU companies to source tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold responsibly. These minerals are typically used in everyday products such as mobile phones, cars and jewellery.

"The EU is committed to preventing international trade in minerals from financing warlords, criminals and the human rights abusers", said Lilianne Ploumen, the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands, on behalf of the Council of the European Union. Along with the Chairman of the European Parliament's INTA Committee, Bernd Lange, INTA Rapporteur Iuliu Winkler, and the EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, a political understanding was reached on a framework for an EU Regulation to stop profits from trading minerals being used to fund armed conflicts.

"This political understanding on conflict minerals will help trade to work for peace and prosperity, in communities and areas around the globe affected by armed conflict," said EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. Chairman Lange agrees "we need to step up to our responsibilities and finally break the vicious cycle between the trade in minerals and the financing of conflict". The EU approach will build upon the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for responsible mineral sourcing.

"This framework paves the way for an effective and workable EU Regulation that will make a real impact on the ground", said Rapporteur Iuliu Winkler. The agreed framework carries clear obligations for the critical 'upstream' part of the conflict minerals supply chain, including smelters and refiners, to source responsibly. The vast majority of metals and minerals imported to the EU will be covered, while exempting small volume importers from these obligations.

In addition, the Commission will carry out a number of other measures - including the development of reporting tools - to further boost supply chain due diligence by large and smaller EU 'downstream' companies, i.e. those companies that use these metals and minerals as components in goods.

Today's political understanding sets the Regulation on track for technical work and final adoption in the coming months.

On 17 June 2016, the Council extended the restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia until 23 June 2017.

The measures apply to EU persons and EU based companies. They are limited to the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol. The sanctions include prohibitions on:

• imports of products originating in Crimea or Sevastopol into the EU;
• investment in Crimea or Sevastopol, meaning that no Europeans nor EU-based companies can buy real estate or entities in Crimea, finance Crimean companies or supply related services; 
• tourism services in Crimea or Sevastopol, in particular, European cruise ships cannot call at ports in the Crimean peninsula, except in case of emergency;  
• exports of certain goods and technologies to Crimean companies or for use in Crimea in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors and related to the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources. Technical assistance, brokering, construction or engineering services related to infrastructure in these sectors must not be provided either.

As stated in the declaration by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs And Security Policy on behalf of the EU on 13 March 2016, the EU continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and remains committed to fully implement its non-recognition policy.

Thursday 23 June
Justus Lipsius building - Brussels

12.45 Arrival of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
Welcome by the President of the European Council Donald Tusk
(VIP entrance, level 02 - photo/TV opportunity)

+/- 13.15  Press statements
(VIP entrance, level 02 - photo/TV opportunity)

Access to the VIP entrance (level 02) for the photo opportunity and the press statements will be granted to all journalists holding a 6-month badge.

Journalists without the above badge must send a written request by mail - deadline Friday 17 June 2016, 17.00 - to press.centre@consilium.europa.eu, with a copy of their ID, press card (if available), or a signed letter from their media confirming their professional status and that they are assigned to cover this event.

Important: If you have never attended a summit organised by the Council, you must provide a signed letter from your media even if you hold a press card.

Original documents need to be produced when collecting the badge.

Photos and video coverage of the event will be available for preview and download on http://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu
Livestream on http://video.consilium.europa.eu

On 15 June 2016, the Council's Permanent Representatives Committee endorsed the agreement reached with the European Parliament on 25 May on the new medical devices regulations. The Commission stated that it can also support the agreement reached between the two co-legislators. 

If the agreement is confirmed by the Parliament's ENVI committee the Council will approve the agreement at ministers' level. This is planned for September, once the draft regulations have been translated into all official languages. Following their legal-linguistic review the two draft regulations will be adopted by the Council and the Parliament, probably at the end of the year. The new rules will apply three years after publication as regards medical devices and five years after publication as regards in vitro diagnostic medical devices. 

"The new EU rules have a twofold aim: making sure that medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices are safe, while allowing patients to benefit from innovative health care solutions in a timely manner. They also contribute to promote growth and create jobs in the EU by offering manufacturers the right legal framework to produce the devices that patients ask for", said Edith Schippers, Minister of Health of the Netherlands and President of the Council.

Medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices cover a wide range of products, from sticking plasters to hip replacements, and from pregnancy tests to HIV tests. 

The new EU regulations: 

• strengthen the rules on placing devices on the market and reinforce surveillance once they are available; this will help toensure that medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices are safe
• establish explicit provisions on manufacturers' responsibilities for the follow-up of the quality, performance and safety of devices placed on the market; this will allow manufacturers to act swiftly when concerns arise and help them to improve their devices continuously on the basis of actual data
• improve the traceability of medical devices throughout the supply chain to the end-user or patient through a unique identification number; this will allow fast and effective measures in case of safety problems
• set up a central database to provide patients, healthcare professionals and the public with comprehensive information on products available in the EU; this will enable them to make better informed decisions

 

 On Sunday morning we learned with deep sadness of the horrifying tragedy in Orlando, Florida that has claimed some 50 lives and has left indelible scars on so many more.  This was an attack on all Americans who share the values of equality and freedom; this was an attack on the very way of life which we treasure on both sides of the Atlantic. 

We express our deepest condolences to the families, friends and community of the victims as well as to the population of Orlando and all those further afield affected by this terrible event.

The United States and Europe have during the last months repeatedly been attacked. But each time we have stood up again and reached out to each other in solidarity, as true allies. In these challenging times we would like to assure you, Mr President, of the European Union's continued support, assistance and cooperation in combatting those who seek to challenge the common values we hold dear.

On 14 June 2016, the Council extended the mandate of the EU rule of law mission (EULEX) in Kosovo until 14 June 2018. The Council also approved a combined budget for the mission of EUR 63.6 million providing for the period 15 June 2016 - 14 December 2016 for its operations in Kosovo and until 14 June 2017 for the specialist chambers and the specialist prosecutor office. 

The budget approved will cover the expenditure of EULEX KOSOVO for the implementation of its mandate in Kosovo at a level of EUR 34.5 million. EUR 29.1 million will support the specialist chambers and the specialist prosecutor office. 

The central aim of the civilian mission EULEX Kosovo is to assist and support the Kosovo authorities in the rule of law area, specifically in the police, judiciary and customs areas. 

EULEX Kosovo was launched in 2008. The headquarters of the mission are located in Prishtinë/Priština, Kosovo.

Tuesday 21 June 2016
Justus Lipsius building - Brussels

10.00 
Arrival of the President of Israel Reuven Rivlin
Welcome by the President of the European Council Donald Tusk
(VIP entrance, level 02 - photo/TV opportunity)

+/-11.00 
Press Statements
(VIP entrance, level 02)

Access to the VIP entrance (level 02) for the photo opportunity and the press statement will be granted to all journalists holding a 6-month badge.

Journalists without the above badge must send a written request by mail - deadline Wednesday 15 June 2016, 17.00 - to press.centre@consilium.europa.eu, with an advance copy of their ID, press card (if available), or a signed letter from their media confirming their professional status and that they are assigned to cover this event.

Important: If you have never attended a summit organized by the Council, you must provide a signed letter from your media even if you hold a press card.

Original documents need to be produced when collecting the badge. 

Tuesday 14 June 2016
11.00 Meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (photo opportunity)
13.00 Meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (Berlaymont)
17.00 Meeting with President of Central African Republic Faustin Touadera (photo opportunity)

Wednesday 15 June 2016
10.30 Meeting with Prime Minister of Timor Leste Rui Maria de Araújo (photo opportunity)
13.30 Meeting with President of Burkina Faso Roch Marc Kabore (photo opportunity)
14.15 Meeting with Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn (photo opportunity)
16.45 Meeting with President of the World Bank Group Jim Yong Kim

Thursday 16 June 2016
Helsinki
12.00 Meeting with Prime Minister Juha Sipilä
13.00 Press conference
13.30 Working lunch
15.00 Meeting with President Sauli Niinistö

On 10 June 2016, the Council agreed its negotiating position on the proposal for a directive on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons, which reviews and completes existing directive 91/477/EEC. On the basis of this mandate, the presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament as soon as the latter has adopted its position. 

Ard van Der Steur, Minister for Security and Justice of the Netherlands and President of the Council said: “After the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers asked for a swift adoption of the directive. With this new directive the Netherlands Presidency has achieved a just and fair balance between an internal market for allowed firearms on the one hand and enhancing the security of EU citizens on the other.” 

The revised directive aims at addressing certain weaknesses in the existing legislation that have been identified especially in the aftermath  of the  series of terrorists attacks that took place in Europe. The amendments which address risks for public safety and security focus on: 

• improved control of the traffic in firearms; 
• enhanced traceability of firearms; 
• measures on deactivation and reactivation or conversion of firearms; 
• stricter rules for the acquisition and possession of the most dangerous firearms; 
• banning civilian use of the most dangerous firearms; 
• improving the exchange of relevant information  between member states. 

The directive sets out minimum rules and does not prevent member states from adopting and applying stricter rules. 

 

Background  

Council directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons was originally designed as a measure to balance internal market objectives and security imperatives regarding "civil" firearms.  

The amending proposal was submitted by the European Commission on 18 November 2015 against the backdrop of a series of terrorist acts that took place in Europe and which brought to light  gaps in the implementation of the directive.  The current review is a continuation of the 2008 revision and also alignes EU legislation with the provisions on the UN Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms. 

On 9 June, EU Justice ministers discussed further improvements to criminal justice in cyberspace. They adopted two sets of conclusions which set out practical measures to improve cooperation, as well as a timeline for further action. 

Minister van der Steur, from the Netherlands presidency, said : "Making progress in these areas will contribute to securing and obtaining e-evidence more effectively, which is of utmost importance to step up the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities in or through the use of cyberspace." 

Council conclusions on improving criminal justice in cyberspace

The conclusions on improving criminal justice in cyberspace set out concrete measures for future follow-up and action in three main areas of work: 

• streamlining mutual legal assistance (MLA) proceedings and, where applicable, mutual recognition related to cyberspace, through the use of standardised electronic forms and tools.

• improving cooperation with service providers, through the development of a common framework (e.g. use of aligned forms and tools) with them to request specific categories of data; and

• launching a reflection process on possible connecting factors for enforcement jurisdiction in cyberspace. 

While some of the measures identified in the conclusions could be implemented right away, others need further reflection and political guidance. For this reason, Ministers held a policy debate on two specific issues, namely: 

• the possible grounds for enforcement jurisdiction that could be applied in cyberspace, e.g. grounds on which the relevant authorities can undertake an investigative measure in cyberspace,  when existing frameworks are not enough, such as cases where relevant e-evidence is hidden or moves quickly between jurisdictions; and

• a differentiated treatment of specific categories of data in criminal proceedings - i.e. how a differentiated approach - between non-content (subscriber or traffic) and content data or between real time and stored data - would affect their national legal framework, what elements would be relevant for a common EU approach and what measures could be considered in this respect.

The Council requested the Commission to present deliverables on the three work streams by June 2017. 

Council conclusions on the European Judicial Cybercrime Network

The conclusions formalise and enhance the network of judicial authorities and experts in the field of cybercrime, supported by Eurojust. 

The objective of the network is to facilitate the exchange of expertise, best practices and other relevant knowledge and experience on the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime. 

 Background

Ministers expressed political support in December 2015, and at the informal meeting of the Ministers of 26 January 2016 in Amsterdam, to develop solutions enabling effective investigations in cyberspace. Following the terrorist attacks in Brussels on 22 March 2016, the Ministers of Justice and Home affairs jointly emphasised the need to address these issues as a matter of priority.

On 9 June 2016, 18 member states reached a general approach on two regulations aimed at determining the rules applicable to property regimes for married couples or registered partners in cross-border situations (i.e. couples of different EU nationalities and/or who own properties in a another EU member state).

The regulations aim to determine which court will have jurisdiction and which law will be applicable in matters of matrimonial property regimes and the property consequences of registered partnerships. They will also facilitate the recognition and enforcement of decisions in cross-border situations on these matters. They will establish clear rules on applicable law in case of divorce or death, bringing greater legal certainty and putting an end to parallel and possibly conflicting proceedings in various member states.

The eighteen member states participating in the enhanced cooperation are Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden. Other member states are free to join at any time after its adoption. In this respect, Estonia announced its intention to take part in the cooperation after its adoption. 

Dutch minister Van der Steur, on behalf of the Netherlands presidency, said : "The Netherlands Presidency is very pleased that the Council has made a lot of progress, very swiftly,  to overcome the deadlock in this file, by means of enhanced cooperation. Already 18 member states are on board. The Commission, European Parliament and Council have been working hard on this file during this semester and we hope that, after the adoption of the proposals, other member states will join the enhanced cooperation as well."

The regulations leave untouched the underlying institutions of marriages and partnerships, which remain matters that are defined by the national laws of the member states. They also include a series of safeguards in order to respect national legal systems. For example, nothing obliges participating member states whose law does not recognise the institution of registered partnership to provide for it, nor to assume jurisdiction for such partnerships.

The Council also adopted today, without discussion, the decision authorising the enhanced cooperation itself. In accordance with the rules on enhanced cooperation, all Member States took part in that vote.

The enhanced cooperation was proposed after the Council concluded, at its meeting of 3 December 2015, that it would not be possible, within a reasonable period of time, to reach an EU-wide unanimous agreement on the original Commission proposals on these matters presented in 2011.

Next steps

Following the adoption of this general approach, the European Parliament will give its opinion on the texts in the course of the month. Consequently, the regulations will be formally adopted by the 18 participating member states. This formal adoption is expected at the end of June 2016.

Background

In 2011, the European Commission estimated that there are about 16 million couples in the European Union who live in a cross border situation.

It gives me great pleasure to again welcome the President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, here in Brussels. 

Overall we are seeing good progress in our bilateral relations. And the strong pro-European stance of the Georgian people is a solid base for Georgia's continued progress in implementing reforms and strengthening democracy and the rule of law.

I am pleased to note that the EU-Georgia Association Agreement will fully enter into force on the 1st of July, and I look forward to working together to reap maximum benefits from it.

We spoke about Georgia's parliamentary elections, due to take place in October. Recent reports about violence against opposition politicians and members of the parliament are of real concern to me. I welcome the fact that the perpetrators have now been charged. Obviously, all steps must now be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. Thank you Mister President for your very clear and tough assessment of these events. What I have heard is really promising.

These elections will be an important test to the strength and resilience of Georgia's democracy. It is our expectation that the Georgian authorities will make every effort to guarantee a respectful, inclusive, and orderly election environment. Free and pluralistic media is an essential precondition for that. I noted with satisfaction the planned involvement of election observers.

I also reiterated to the President the EU's support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. I underlined our firm commitment to conflict resolution and the policy of non-recognition and engagement. The EU Special Representative and the EU Monitoring Mission underscore this commitment.

Finally, we touched upon Georgia's visa-free aspirations. As you know, last December the European Commission confirmed that Georgia had achieved all the required benchmarks for a positive final decision, which I trust will be forthcoming soon. The Commission's proposal to grant Georgian citizens visa-free travel to the Schengen area is currently being discussed by the Council and the European Parliament.

Place:           European Convention Centre Luxembourg (ECCL)
Chair(s):       Ard van der Steur, Minister for Security and Justice
                      Klaas Dijkhoff, Minister for Migration

All times are approximate and subject to change

 Justice (9 June 2016)

+/- 08.30
Arrivals (live streaming)
+/- 09.25
Doorstep by Minister Van der Steur 

+/- 10.00
Beginning of the meeting (roundtable)
Adoption of agenda
(poss) Adoption of legislative A items (public session)
+/- 10.10
Digital agenda (public session)
+/- 10.40
Matrimonial property regimes and Registered partnerships (public session)
+/- 10.50
European public prosecutor's office - EPPO (public session)
+/- 11.50
Fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law - PIF (public session)
+/- 12.20
European criminal records information system - ECRIS (public session)
+/- 12.55
Adoption of non-legislative A items

Ministerial lunch
"Enhancing cooperation between compensation funds for victims" 

+/- 15.00
Criminal justice in cyberspace 

+/- 17.00 
Press conference (live streaming) 

Home Affairs (10 June 2016) 

+/- 08.30
Arrivals (live streaming)
+/- 09.25
Doorstep by Minister Minister Van der Steur 

+/- 10.00
Beginning of the Mixed Committee meeting (roundtable)
Adoption of agenda
+/- 10.10
Weapons

+/- 11.15
Beginning of Home Affairs meeting
Roadmap to enhance information exchange and information management including interoperability solutions in the Justice and Home Affairs area
+/- 12.00
Fight against terrorism
+/- 12.30
Internal Security: Implementation report on the Renewed EU Internal Security Strategy (2015-2020)

+/- 12.45
Doorstep by Minister Klaas Dijkhoff 

+/- 13.05
Weapons (public session) 

+/- 13.15
Press conference (live streaming) 

Ministerial lunch
"External aspects of migration and challenges of the Central Mediterranean"

 +/- 15.00
Mixed Committee resumes
Migration
Visa liberalisation
European border guard 

+/- 17.35
Home Affairs Council resumes
Visa liberalisation (public session)
European border guard (public session)
+/- 18.10
Migration

+/- 18.45
Press conference (live streaming)

Brigadier General Eric Harvent, a Belgian national, has been appointed as mission commander for the EU training mission in Mali (EUTM Mali). He will take up his duties on 3 July 2016. He will take over from Brigadier General Werner Albl, who has held the post since December 2015.

EUTM Mali assists in the reconstruction of effective and accountable Malian armed forces capable of ensuring the long-term security of Mali and, under civilian authority, restoring the country's territorial integrity. To this effect, EUTM Mali delivers training to units of the Malian armed forces and develops autonomous training capability. The mission also provides advice to the Malian authorities on reforming the army. The mission was launched on 18 February 2013. Its mandate was recently extended to 18 May 2018. The headquarters of the mission are located in Bamako, Mali.

The mission is part of the EU's comprehensive approach to security and development in the Sahel. Two other CSDP missions are in place in the region: EUCAP Sahel Mali, which supports the Malian state to ensure constitutional and democratic order and the conditions for lasting peace as well as to maintain its authority throughout the entire territory; and EUCAP Sahel Niger, which supports the fight against organised crime and terrorism in Niger.

On 8 June 2016, the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) agreed, on behalf of the Council, a negotiating stance on new rules on prospectuses for the issuing and offering of securities. 

The draft regulation is aimed at reducing one of the main regulatory hurdles that companies face when issuing equity and debt securities. It sets out to simplify and alleviate administrative obligations related to the publication of prospectuses in a manner that still ensures that investors are well informed. 

"This is an important reform that will help companies in need of finance to gain access to European capital markets", said Jeroen Dijsselbloem, minister for finance of the Netherlands and president of the Council. “The prospectus is an essential instrument for investors, but legal requirements must not create unnecessary barriers to raising capital."

The Council will confirm Coreper's agreement at a meeting on 17 June 2016, and will ask the presidency to start talks with the European Parliament. The aim is to adopt the regulation at first reading.

A reform of prospectus rules is amongst measures announced by the Commission under its 2014 “investment plan for Europe” with the aim of improving the business environment. 

And it is a second major building block of the EU's 2015 plan to develop a capital markets union. In December 2015, the Council reached a similar agreement on proposals to facilitate the development of a securitisation market in Europe. The capital markets union is due to be fully functioning by the end of 2019. The aim is to strengthen the role of market-based finance, alongside bank finance, in the EU economy. 

Prospectuses present information about a company that enables investors to decide whether to purchase securities issued or offered by that company. The law requires their publication when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading. However SMEs in particular can be deterred from issuing or offering securities because of the paperwork and costs involved. The draft regulation therefore sets out to provide all types of issuers with disclosure rules that are tailored to their specific needs, whilst making the prospectus a more relevant tool for informing potential investors. 

Transforming an existing directive into a regulation, the text will moreover reduce divergences that have emerged in implementation by the member states. It will enhance the coherence of prospectus rules throughout EU single market, in keeping with the goals of the capital markets union. 

The proposal establishes specific rules for companies already listed on a regulated market that wish to raise additional capital buy means of a secondary issuance, as well as for SMEs. 

It also sets out to achieve greater convergence between prospectus rules and other disclosure rules.

The regulation requires a qualified majority for adoption by the Council, in agreement with the European Parliament. (Legal basis: article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.)

Wednesday 8 June 2016
Justus Lipsius building - Brussels

from 11.30
Arrival of the President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili
Welcome by the President of the European Council Donald Tusk
(VIP entrance, level 02 - photo/TV opportunity)

+/-12.00
Press Statements
(VIP entrance, level 02)

Access to the VIP entrance (level 02) for the photo opportunity will be granted to all journalists holding an EU Council 6-month badge. 
Journalists without the above badge must send a request by e-mail to press.centre@consilium.europa.eu - deadline Tuesday 7 June at 14.00.

On 7 June 2016 the Council adopted a general approach on a draft directive on the recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation. The proposal aims to provide new career prospects and promote the mobility of people working in the sector. It sets up a common system of certificates for the entire crew, from apprentices to boatmasters. Holders of such a certificate will be able to practice their profession on inland waterways across Europe.

Melanie Schultz van Haegen-Maas Geesteranus, the Netherlands Minister for Infrastructure and the Environment and chair of the meeting, said: "Through this new EU certificate crewmembers of inland waterway vessels can work without restriction throughout Europe. Newcomers can earn this certificate by demonstrating that they have broad knowledge and skills agreed at the European level. This increases the mobility of workers in the sector and helps to reduce the shortages of qualified personnel."

A single competence-based system for all crew members

The current EU legislation on mutual recognition in the sector only covers boatmasters - and only when they operate on rivers and canals other than the Rhine. The rest of the deck crew is covered by the horizontal directive on the recognition of professional qualifications.

The draft directive will establish a single system that will apply to all deck crew working on any EU inland waterway falling within the scope of the directive, including the Rhine.

The new system will, following calls from the sector and member states, introduce a  competence-based framework similar to those used in other modes of transport.

Better careers in inland navigation

The new system is expected to lower barriers to entry into professions in inland navigation. It will improve career prospects in the sector, making the whole profession more attractive. Automatic mutual recognition will make it easier for people to take jobs wherever they are available. It will also help companies to recruit staff from across Europe. As many companies that are active in the sector are fairly small, increased interest in the profession could help them to expand their businesses, giving a boost to the whole sector. Competence-based qualifications should also improve safety and reduce accident costs.

Strengthening the role of CESNI

The draft directive is, as is the case with the directive on technical requirements for inland waterway vessels, closely linked with the European committee for drawing up standards in inland navigation (CESNI), an international body set up under the auspices of the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine (CCNR). CESNI will develop various standards in the field of professional qualifications for the Union and the CCNR. As soon as a standard becomes available, a reference to it will be included in the directive.

Taking into account member states' differing circumstances

The general approach introduces a degree of proportionality into the directive, to take account of the situation of member states with little or no inland navigation activity. In such cases, where objective criteria are met, member states will not be required to transpose the directive or certain parts of it.

How will it become law?

The general approach adopted today is the Council's position for talks with the European Parliament. The Parliament has not adopted its position yet. Both institutions must agree on the text before it can enter into force.

Bolstering the use of inland waterways

Inland navigation is a particularly cost-effective and environmentally friendly mode of transport. The draft directive is one of the measures which aim to improve its quality and promote its use, particularly for freight shipping (NAIADES II package).

On 7 June 2016 the Council adopted mandates that allow the Commission to start negotiations on comprehensive EU-level air transport agreements with four key partners: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

The agreement with ASEAN is set to become the first EU bloc-to-bloc aviation agreement. The UAE, Qatar and Turkey are among the most dynamic and fastest growing aviation markets. All agreements are directed at allowing market development and growth based on common rules and transparency.

Melanie Schultz van Haegen, the Netherlands Minister for Infrastructure and the Environment and chair of the Council meeting, said: "Europe is showing leadership in its external aviation policy with a balanced approach consisting of market opening based on fair and transparent market conditions."

The goal of comprehensive EU-level aviation agreements is to create new business opportunities, improve market access and ensure fair competition under transparent market conditions. They also aim to increase Europe's international connectivity and ensure a high quality of service for passengers. Airlines, airports and passengers will benefit from enhanced regulatory cooperation and convergence in areas such as aviation safety, aviation security and economic regulation.

The Commission will carry out the negotiations on behalf of the EU and its member states.