Indicative programme – Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 4 December 2018

Roaming charges ended in the European Union on 15 June 2017. Europeans travelling within EU countries will ‘Roam Like at Home’ and pay domestic prices for roaming calls, SMS and data.  …

On 23 June 2016 citizens of the United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU). On 29 March 2017 the UK formally notified the European Council of its intention to leave the EU by…

Over the past 20 years, the European Union has put in place some of the highest common asylum standards in the world. And in the past two years, European migration policy has advanced in leaps and…

‘Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan.It will be built through concrete achievementswhich first create a de facto solidarity.’Robert Schuman9 May 1950On 25 March 2017,…

In response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and deliberate destabilisation of a neighbouring sovereign country, the EU has imposed restrictive measures against the Russian Federation.  …

Enlargement is the process whereby countries join the EU. Since it was founded in 1957, the EU has grown from 6 member countries to 28.Any European country that respects the principles of liberty,…



Main topics and media events 3 – 16 December 2018

Overview of the main subjects to be discussed at meetings of the Council of the EU over the next two weeks.

Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport), Monday 3 December 2018

The Council will aim for a general approach on a number of proposals including key rules for the road transport sector, and for a partial general approach on the proposal on the Connected Europe Facility (CEF). The proposals to stop seasonal time changes and update rail passenger rights will be the subject of a progress report.

Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), Tuesday 4 December 2018

The Council will aim to agree a partial general approach on the proposed Digital Europe programme. It will assess progress and exchange views on a draft regulation on ePrivacy. It will also take stock of progress on a proposal to establish a European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and a Network of National Coordination Centres.

Economic and Financial Affairs Council, Tuesday 4 December 2018

The Council will discuss the digital services tax, take stock of progress on completing the banking union, and adopt an action plan on tackling anti-money laundering.

Justice and Home Affairs Council (Home), Thursday 6 December 2018

Home Affairs ministers are expected to discuss the European Border and Coast Guard, the prevention of dissemination of terrorist content online and the Justice and Home Affairs priorities for the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice), Friday 7 December 2018

Justice ministers are expected to reach agreement on a number of files, including the e-evidence regulation, the sales of goods directive and the so-called Brussels IIa regulation on parental responsibility in cross border cases.

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, Thursday 6 December 2018

Ministers will aim at reaching a general approach on a proposal for a regulation establishing a European Labour Authority and a proposal for a Directive on carcinogens or mutagens at work (third batch) with the aim of reaching a general approach on both proposals. They will also hold a policy debate on the European semester 2019.

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, Friday 7 December 2018

Ministers will focus on ways to strengthen the cooperation against vaccine preventable diseases and will hold an exchange of views on tackling vaccine hesitancy at national and EU level.

Foreign Affairs Council, Monday 10 December 2018

Foreign ministers will discuss Venezuela, the Western Balkans and EU- African Union cooperation.

General Affairs Council, Tuesday 11 December 2018

The Council will discuss the next multiannual financial framework, prepare the December European Council and approve its 18-month programme. Under Article 7(1) TEU, it will hold a hearing on the rule of law in Poland and exchange views on the respect for EU values in Hungary.

European Council and Euro Summit, Thursday 13 & Friday 14 December 2018

The European Council on 13-14 December 2018 will focus on the EU’s long-term budget, single market, migration, disinformation and external relations. The Euro summit is expected to take decisions on the reform of the economic and monetary union.



Indicative programme – Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport) of 3 December 2018

Place:
Europa building, Brussels

Chair:
Norbert Hofer, Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology of Austria

All times are approximate and subject to change

from 07:45
Arrivals

+/- 08:00
Doorstep by Minister Hofer

09.30
Beginning of Council meeting (Roundtable)
Adoption of the agenda
Approval of non-legislative legislative A items

Land

+/- 9:40
Mobility package I (public session)
Access to the profession and access to the haulage market
Rest time periods and tachographs
Enforcement and lex specialis for posting of drivers

+/- 11:40
Mobility package II – Combined transport (public session)

+/- 12:00
Mobility package III – Road infrastructure safety management (public session)

+/- 12:30
Lunch debate on Airspace capacity in Europe

+/- 15:00
Discontinuing seasonal changes of time (public session)

+/- 15:20
Rail passengers’ rights and obligations (public session)

Shipping

+/- 15:30
Inland waterway transport

+/- 15:45
Minimum training of seafarers (public session)

+/- 16:05
Mobility package III – European Maritime Single Window environment (public session)

Horizontal

+/- 16:45
Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) (public session)
Mobility package III – Trans-European transport network (TEN-T) (public session)
Mobility package II – Clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles (public session)
Mobility package III – Electronic freight transport information (eFTI) (public session)

Other business:

+/- 18:15
Electronic road tolling and exchange of information (EETS) (public session)

+/- 18:20
Safeguarding competition in air transport (public session)

+/- 18:25
Wet-Lease (public session)

+/- 18:30
ASEAN Negotiations

+/- 18:35
Social Agenda in Aviation

+/- 18:55
Sustainable Transport Infrastructure Charging and Internalisation of Transport Externalities

+/- 19:10
Space programme of the Union (public session)

+/- 19:20
Informal Meeting of Transport and Environment Ministers in Graz

+/- 19:30
Work programme of the incoming Presidency

+/- 19.45
Press conference (live streaming)

In the margins of the Council

+/- 14:15
Signing ceremony of “Danube Declaration” (TV/Photo opportunity)



ESAs publish statement clarifying securitisation disclosure requirements and consolidated application of securitisation rules for credit institutions

​The European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs – European Banking Authority, European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority) have published a statement in response to industry concerns relating to severe operational challenges both in meeting the transitional provisions of the Securitisation Regulation disclosure requirements, as well as in complying with the EU requirements on risk retention, transparency, re-securitisation and criteria for credit-granting obligations on a consolidated basis by EU credit institutions engaged in local securitisation activities in third countries. 



Remarks by President Donald Tusk before the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Preben Aamann
European Council President Spokesperson
+32 2 281 51 50
+32 476 85 05 43

Let me just add a few words to what President Juncker has said. As this is a difficult moment for international cooperation, I would like to appeal to the leaders to use this summit, including their bilateral and informal exchanges, to seriously discuss real issues such as trade wars, the tragic situation in Syria and Yemen and the Russian aggression in Ukraine. I see no reason why the G20 leaders shouldn’t have a meaningful discussion about solving these problems. Especially because all the instruments lie in their hands. The only condition is good will.

We also cannot underestimate other issues which remain difficult for some leaders, such as human rights, freedom of press and basic safety of journalists. It is our obligation, as the EU, to take this opportunity and press our partners to respect these basic principles.

Many leaders will certainly have questions about Brexit. Therefore, let me say this. The European Union has just agreed an orderly divorce with the United Kingdom. A few days before the vote in the House of Commons, it is becoming more and more clear that this deal is the best possible, in fact, the only possible one. If this deal is rejected in the Commons, we are left with, as was already stressed a few weeks ago by  Prime Minister May an alternative: “no deal; or no Brexit at all.”  I want to reassure you that the EU is prepared for every scenario.

Question: The European Union announced that it will react appropriately to the use of force by Russia in the sea of Azov. What does it mean an appropriate reaction? Is it possible to have an appropriate reaction without EU sanctions if there is no de-escalation in the next weeks?

Answer: The escalation in the Sea of Azov is a cause of grave concern to us and of course Russia’s use of force against Ukrainian ships is totally unacceptable. I would like to underline that Europe is united in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is why I am sure that the EU will roll over the sanctions against Russia in December.