Rådsmøde nr. 3442 (økonomi og finans) den 15. januar 2016

Europaudvalget 2015-16
Rådsmøde 3442 - økofin
Offentligt

Council of the

European Union

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(OR. en)

PRESSE 1

PR CO 1

OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

3442nd Council meeting

Economic and Financial Affairs

Brussels, 15 January 2016

President

Jeroen Dijsselbloem

Minister for Finance of Netherlands

PRESS

Rue de la Loi 175 B – 1048 BRUSSELS Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 6319 / 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026

[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press

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Rådsmøde nr. 3442 (økonomi og finans) den 15. januar 2016 - Bilag 1336842:

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CONTENTS

ITEMS DEBATED

Presidency work programme ............................................................................................................... 4

Implementation of banking union ........................................................................................................ 5

Economic governance - 2016 European Semester ............................................................................... 6

VAT fraud ............................................................................................................................................ 8

Other business ...................................................................................................................................... 9

–

Ongoing work on legislative dossiers ...................................................................................................................... 9

Terrorist financing ................................................................................................................................................... 9

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

–

Prospectuses .......................................................................................................................................................... 11

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

–

EU-Armenia Cooperation Council ........................................................................................................................ 11

Morocco: Security of information ......................................................................................................................... 11

TRADE POLICY

–

Protection against injurious pricing of vessels ...................................................................................................... 11

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

–

EU Agency for Fundamental Rights - FYROM .................................................................................................... 12

Schengen evaluation - Austria ............................................................................................................................... 12

Europol: International agreements ......................................................................................................................... 12

Corruption convention - Croatia ............................................................................................................................ 12



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.

 

Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's Internet site

(http://www.consilium.europa.eu).

 

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.

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AGRICULTURE

–

Spirit drinks - Definition of the category "liqueur" ............................................................................................... 13

FISHERIES

–

Northeast Atlantic fisheries ................................................................................................................................... 14

Implementation of international obligations .......................................................................................................... 14

TRANSPORT

–

Rail transport ......................................................................................................................................................... 15

ENERGY

–

Energy infrastructure: Projects of common interest .............................................................................................. 15

Emergency situations: Radioactive contamination of food and feed ..................................................................... 16

FOOD LAW

–

Food additives - Health claims .............................................................................................................................. 16

TRANSPARENCY

–

Public access to documents ................................................................................................................................... 16

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ITEMS DEBATED

Presidency work programme

The Netherlands presidency presented a work programme on economic and financial affairs for the

duration of its term, which runs from January to June 2016.

The Council held an exchange of views.

The presidency's priorities include:

–

strengthening the EU's banking union;

developing an EU capital markets union;

strengthening and streamlining the European Semester policy coordination process;

promoting action against tax evasion and tax avoidance.

Amongst other objectives, the Council will continue work to further strengthen the EU's economic

and monetary union.

2016 Netherlands presidency work programme for economic and financial affairs

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Implementation of banking union

The Council briefly reviewed implementation of Europe's banking union, following the entry into

force of measures to ensure the orderly resolution of failing banks.

On 1 January 2016, the EU's single resolution mechanism (SRM) became operational and one of its

key components – the single resolution fund (SRF) – entered into force. For banking union member

states, the national resolution funds that were previously set up under common rules for all

28 member states will gradually merge part of their funds into the SRF.

Some member states have however run up delays in implementing those common rules. The delays

concern directives on bank recovery and resolution and on deposit guarantee schemes.

The Commission provided an update on this, including (as concerns the banking union member

states) on the SRF and bridge financing for the SRF.

The banking union currently comprises the 19 countries of the euro area, whilst 7 other member

states have also indicated their intention to join. The two directives apply to all 28 member states.

The bank recovery and resolution directive identifies the powers and instruments at the disposal of

national authorities for the resolution of failing banks. It sets out to preserve essential bank

operations and minimise taxpayers' exposure to losses in the event of a bank being resolved.

The directive on deposit guarantee schemes (DGSs) establishes harmonised EU rules. It requires all

banks to join a DGS in order that deposits of up to €100 000 should be protected. It introduces

requirements for the supervision of DGSs and regular stress tests, and includes provisions to better

accommodate retail depositors' needs.

Press release on the adoption of the regulation establishing the SRM

Press release on the signature of the intergovernmental agreement on the SRF

Press release on the adoption of the bank recovery and resolution directive

Press release on the Council’s approval of the directive on deposit guarantee schemes

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Economic governance - 2016 European Semester

The Council considered growth prospects and macroeconomic imbalances under the "European

Semester", the EU's annual policy coordination process.

It adopted conclusions concerning two documents from the Commission:

–

the annual growth survey, with the Commission's main conclusions for 2015;

an "alert mechanism report", the starting point for the EU's annual macroeconomic

imbalances procedure.

It also approved a draft recommendation on the economic policies of the euro area.

The 2016 European Semester will conclude in July, with the adoption of country-specific

recommendations on the member states' economic, employment and fiscal policies.

In its annual growth survey, the Commission proposes that efforts be focused on the three following

priorities:

–

relaunching investment;

pursuing structural reforms to modernise member states’ economies;

responsible fiscal policies.

Council conclusions on 2016 annual growth survey

The alert mechanism report identifies 18 member states for which further assessment is needed to

determine whether macroeconomic imbalances exist. These are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,

Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania,

Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The Commission is due to publish its in-depth reviews for these member states at the end of

February 2016.

Council conclusions on 2016 alert mechanism report

The draft recommendation will be referred to the European Council in February, with a view to

adoption on 8 March 2016.

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The draft essentially recommends:

–

pursuing sound economic policies;

implementing labour, product and services market reforms;

pursuing fiscal policies in full respect of the EU's Stability and Growth Pact, with the

objective of a broadly neutral aggregate fiscal stance in 2016 and with a view to reducing

public debt in 2017;

facilitating the gradual reduction of banks' non-performing loans and improving insolvency

proceedings for businesses and households

working towards completion of the EU's economic and monetary union.

–

Draft 2016 Council recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area

Explanatory note on 2016 recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area

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VAT fraud

The Council discussed the prevention of VAT fraud through wider use of a reversal of liability for

VAT payments ("reverse charge mechanism").

This item was added to the agenda at the request of the Czech Republic. The reverse charge

mechanism is currently applied in accordance with articles 194-199a of directive 2006/112/EC on

VAT. It involves shifting VAT liability from the supplier (as normally required by EU rules) to the

customer.

The Council asked the Commission to pay due attention to anti-fraud measures in preparing a

communication on the future of the EU's VAT system. It asked it to look at the pros and cons, as

well as the legal aspects of giving specific member states the opportunity to test the wider

application of the reverse charge mechanism for domestic supplies.

The Commission is expected to issue its communication in March 2016.

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Other business

–

Ongoing work on legislative dossiers

The Council took note of ongoing work on legislative proposals on financial services.

–

Terrorist financing

The Commission updated the Council on the preparation of an action plan for strengthened

measures to prevent the financing of terrorism. The Council will revisit this subject in February

2016.

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Meetings in the margin of the Council

–

Informal meeting with the European Parliament

The presidency troika (the current and two next presidencies) and the Commission held an informal

meeting with representatives of the European Parliament.

The discussion focused on shadow banking, banking union, capital markets union and bank

structures.

–

Eurogroup

The Eurogroup met on 14 January 2015. It discussed the economic adjustment programmes for

Greece and Cyprus, economic policy recommendations for the euro area and the interim results of

an IMF consultation with the euro area. It also held a thematic discussion on national insolvency

frameworks.

Eurogroup main results

–

Ministerial breakfast

Ministers held a breakfast meeting to discuss the economic situation. They also discussed a

proposed refugee facility for Turkey.

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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

Prospectuses

The Council decided not to object to the adoption by the Commission of a regulation supplementing

the so-called prospectus directive (2003/71/EC) with regard to regulatory technical standards for the

approval and publication of prospectuses and the dissemination of advertisements.

The regulation is a delegated acts pursuant to article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the

EU. It can now enter into force, unless the European Parliament objects.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

EU-Armenia Cooperation Council

The Council approved the EU's position for the 16th meeting of the EU-Armenia Cooperation

Council.

The meeting will be held in Brussels on 18 January 2016.

Morocco: Security of information

The Council adopted a decision authorising the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and

Security Policy to open negotiations with Morocco on a security of information agreement.

TRADE POLICY

Protection against injurious pricing of vessels

The Council approved a compromise agreed with the European Parliament on a draft regulation on

protection against the injurious pricing of vessels (11396/15 +

PE-CONS 25/15).

The regulation codifies regulation 385/96 on protection against injurious pricing of vessels and will

supersede the various acts incorporated in it. It preserves the content of the acts being codified.

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JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

EU Agency for Fundamental Rights - FYROM

The Council adopted a decision on the position to be taken by the EU-FYROM (former Yugoslav

Republic of Macedonia) Stabilisation and Association Council on FYROM's participation as an

observer in the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (11416/1/14

REV 1).

Schengen evaluation - Austria

The Council adopted a recommendation on addressing the deficiencies identified in the 2015

evaluation of Austria's application of the Schengen acquis in the field of police cooperation

(5356/16).

Europol: International agreements

The Council adopted a decision approving the conclusion by the European Police Office (Europol)

of a Europol agreement with the United Arab Emirates on strategic cooperation in the fight against

serious crime and terrorism (10510/1/15

REV 1).

It also adopted a decision approving the conclusion by Europol of an agreement on operational and

strategic cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina (10509/1/15

REV 1).

Corruption convention - Croatia

The Council adopted a decision on the accession of Croatia to a convention on the fight against

corruption involving EU officials and officials of EU member states (15245/15).

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AGRICULTURE

Spirit drinks - Definition of the category "liqueur"

The Council decided not to oppose adoption by the Commission of an amendment to annex II to

regulation 110/2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of

geographical indications of spirit drinks (14767/15 +

ADD 1)

The regulation adjusts and details the definition of spirit drinks of the category "liqueur" which can

be made either by flavouring ethyl alcohol or a distillate of agricultural origin or one or more spirit

drinks or a mixture thereof, or by adding products of agricultural origin or foodstuffs.

The regulation is subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. The Commission may adopt it,

unless the European Parliament objects.

Food hygiene - Requirements for gelatine and collagen

The Council decided not to oppose adoption by the Commission of a regulation amending annex III

to regulation 853/2004

as regards requirements for gelatine, collagen and highly refined products

of animal origin intended for human consumption (14050/15).

Regulation 853/2004 lays down specific rules for food business operators on hygiene for food of

animal origin. It provides in particular that food business operators are to ensure that raw materials

for the production of gelatine and collagen for human consumption come from sources that meet the

public and animal health requirements laid down in EU legislation.

The delegated act introduces several adjustments to those requirements such as:

–

allowing specific treatments to exclude public and animal health risks linked to imported

raw materials prior to placing on the market in the EU;

adapting the requirements for the production process for collagen to allow practical

changes in cases where a change does not result in a different level of public health

protection;

–

OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 55.

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–

adapting the analytical methods for verifying residue limits in gelatine and collagen;

harmonising conditions for EU member states and foreign countries and laying down

specific requirements for the production of certain highly refined products of animal origin

intended for human consumption.

The regulation is subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. The Commission may adopt it,

unless the European Parliament objects.

FISHERIES

Northeast Atlantic fisheries

The Council adopted a regulation amending regulation 1236/2010 on a scheme for control and

enforcement applicable in the area covered by a convention on multilateral fisheries cooperation in

the Northeast Atlantic (PE-CONS

61/15).

Regulation 1236/2010 transposes into EU law the scheme of control and enforcement adopted by

the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC). It lays down certain specific control

measures to monitor fishing activities in the area covered by the convention. The convention, to

which the EU is a contracting party, is aimed at ensuring the long-term conservation and optimal

use of fishery resources in the Northeast Atlantic, providing sustainable, environmental and social

benefits.

At its annual meetings in 2012 and 2013, the NEAFC adopted recommendations amending the

control and enforcement scheme. The amendment introduces those recommendations into EU

legislation.

Implementation of international obligations

The Council decided not to oppose an amendment to delegated regulation 2015/98 on the

implementation of the EU's international obligations under the international convention for the

conservation of Atlantic tunas (ICCAT) and the convention on multilateral fisheries cooperation in

the Northwest Atlantic (14467/15).

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The Commission adopted delegated regulation 2015/98 in November 2014. The regulation clarifies

in which cases the landing obligation set out in regulation 1380/2013

on the Common Fisheries

Policy (CFP) does not apply (with respect to the recommendations and rules of certain regional

fisheries management organisations).

Following the entry into force of that regulation, certain elements were discovered to be missing

from its scope and it was therefore necessary to amend the delegated regulation accordingly.

TRANSPORT

Rail transport

The Council decided not to oppose adoption by the Commission of a regulation updating regulation

454/2011 on the technical specification for interoperability relating to the "telematics applications

for passenger services" subsystem of the trans-European rail system.

The update takes account of the fact that the European Railway Agency has implemented a change

to the management process for technical documents.

The regulation is subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. The Commission may now

adopt it, unless the European Parliament objects.

ENERGY

Energy infrastructure: Projects of common interest

The Council decided not to object to a Commission delegated regulation (14341/15

+ COR1 +

ADD1 +ADD2)

concerning the EU's list of energy projects of common interest.

Regulation 347/2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (TEN-E) requires the

Commission to adopt a delegated act establishing a list of projects of common interest every two

years.

OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22.

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Projects of common interest are specific energy infrastructure projects that are necessary to

implement the 12 priority corridors and thematic areas laid down in the TEN-E regulation. They are

considered critical for completing the European internal energy market and for achieving the EU's

energy policy objective of affordable, secure and sustainable energy.

The new regulation is a delegated act pursuant to article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the

EU. It can now be published and enter into force, unless the European Parliament objects.

Emergency situations: Radioactive contamination of food and feed

The Council adopted a regulation (5226/15 +COR1

REV1 de)

laying down maximum permitted

levels of radioactive contamination of food and feed following a nuclear accident or any other

radiological emergency.

FOOD LAW

Food additives - Health claims

The Council decided not to object to a Commission regulation amending annex II to regulation

1333/2008 as regards the title of the food additives category "Vinegars" (15273/15).

The Council also decided not to object to a Commission regulation refusing to authorise certain

health claims made on foods (14805/15 +

14869/15).

The regulations are delegated acts pursuant to article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the

EU. They can now enter into force, unless the European Parliament objects.

TRANSPARENCY

Public access to documents

On 15 January 2016, the Council approved:

- the reply to confirmatory application No 23/c/01/15 (14178/15 +

14178/15 COR 1).

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