Rådsmøde nr. 3459 (landbrug og fiskeri) den 11. april 2016

Europaudvalget 2015-16
Rådsmøde 3459 - landbrug og fiskeri
Offentligt

Council of the

European Union

7409/16

(OR. en)

PRESSE 18

PR CO 18

OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

3459th Council meeting

Agriculture and Fisheries

Luxembourg, 11 April 2016

President

Martijn van Dam

Minister for Agriculture of The 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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CONTENTS

ITEMS DEBATED

FISHERIES .......................................................................................................................................... 5

Data collection in the fisheries sector .................................................................................................. 5

Conservation of fishery resources and protection of marine ecosystems ............................................ 6

AGRICULTURE ................................................................................................................................. 7

Market situation and support measures ................................................................................................ 7

–

Crisis in the dairy market ........................................................................................................................................ 7

Support scheme for fruits and vegetables to counterbalance the Russian embargo................................................. 8

Extension of the final date for submission of aid applications ................................................................................ 8

Ban of pig meat exports to Russia ........................................................................................................................... 8

European Fund for Strategic Investments ............................................................................................ 8

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ................................................................................................................. 10

–

EU-Mercosur trade negotiations ............................................................................................................................ 10

Conference of EU Paying Agencies ...................................................................................................................... 10

Outcome of the forum "Rethinking the food supply chain" .................................................................................. 10

Food fraud in the EU ............................................................................................................................................. 10

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

AGRICULTURE

–

School scheme for milk, fruit and vegetables ........................................................................................................ 11



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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FISHERIES

–

EU-Mauritius fisheries agreement - Renewal of protocol ..................................................................................... 11

Central Arctic Ocean – Prevention of unregulated fisheries ................................................................................. 11

Central Bering Sea - Conservation and management of pollock ........................................................................... 12

Amendments to fishing opportunities in 2016: sandeel, small-eyed ray and others .............................................. 12

RESEARCH

–

Advisory bodies on joint programming and international cooperation ................................................................. 13

INTERNAL MARKET

–

Chemicals (REACH) - Testing methods on skin and eye irritation and toxicity ................................................... 13

Chemicals - Classification and labelling ............................................................................................................... 14

TRANSPORT

–

Trans-European transport network - indicative maps ............................................................................................ 14

Passenger ship safety rules .................................................................................................................................... 14

HEALTH

–

Regulation on the avoidance of trade diversion of certain key medicines - codification ...................................... 15

ENVIRONMENT

–

Sulphur in liquid fuels: adoption of new directive ................................................................................................ 15

Hazardous substances: exemption for medical devices ......................................................................................... 15

Paris Agreement: decision on the signing ............................................................................................................. 16

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

–

Central African Republic - restrictive measures .................................................................................................... 16

Iran - Extension of restrictive measures due to human rights concerns ................................................................. 16

TRADE

–

Tunisia - Aid measures - Olive oil......................................................................................................................... 17

Customs duties on imports from the United States of America ............................................................................. 17

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade - Agreement with the Eastern Republic of Uruguay ............................ 17

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ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

–

Regulatory technical standards - six delegated acts............................................................................................... 18

BUDGETS

–

Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Sweden .......................................................... 19

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

–

Readmission agreements: Russia - Jordan ............................................................................................................. 19

EU-Jordan visa facilitation agreement ................................................................................................................... 20

TRANSPARENCY

–

Public access to documents ................................................................................................................................... 20

APPOINTMENTS

–

Judges appointed to the EU Civil Service Tribunal ............................................................................................... 20

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ITEMS DEBATED

FISHERIES

Data collection in the fisheries sector

In public session, the Council took note of the progress made on a draft regulation aimed at aligning

the current EU’s data collection framework with the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), as well

as simplifying the current system.

The presidency gave an overview of the key elements of a compromise text that was unanimously

agreed by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) on 23 March, and of the next

steps needed to take the file forward.

The compromise text will serve as a basis for starting negotiations with the European Parliament,

once the Parliament's position is known.

The compromise aims to align data collection provisions in line with the requirements of the

reformed CFP.

These requirements include management by maximum sustainable yield and the move towards

regionalisation.

Another key principle of the compromise is the need to achieve simplification by collecting only

what is needed and avoiding duplication of data collection efforts.

In addition, the proposed compromise aims to achieve the right balance between transparency and

data protection.

The delegations that took the floor indicated general support for the compromise text and its overall

directions.

The Commission invited the Council to continue moving fast on this file, given that the current data

collection programme expires at the end of 2016.

The proposal to update the current regulation concerning the establishment of a Union framework

for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific

advice regarding the CFP was presented by the Commission in June 2015

(10143/15).

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Conservation of fishery resources and protection of marine ecosystems

In public session, the Council took note of a Commission presentation on a draft regulation aimed at

improving the conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through

technical measures.

The Council instructed its preparatory bodies to start the technical examination of the file

(7289/16).

Member states generally considered the Commission proposal a good basis for revising the current

body of rules which contain technical measures.

Several delegations used this opportunity to highlight the priorities they will defend during the

upcoming examination of the proposal.

The Commission explained that the proposal consists of two parts:

–

firstly, the objectives, targets and common standards and rules

secondly, the rules that can be adapted under regionalisation.

The draft regulation aims to update the current, scattered regulations containing technical measures

in the field of fisheries by changing the whole governance structure rather than making changes to

the measures themselves.

This simpler framework seeks to maintain the same level of conservation standards as the current

rules, while creating scope for regional adaptation and empowerment of concerned stakeholders.

This proposal introduces a result-based approach and gives flesh to two concepts that were pillars of

the reform: regionalisation and simplification.

The Commission submitted the proposal on 11 March 2016

(6993/16).

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AGRICULTURE

Market situation and support measures

The Council took note of updated information from the Commission on the latest developments

concerning those agricultural sectors that are currently facing particular difficulties, including the

pig meat, dairy and fruit and vegetables sectors

(7611/16).

The Commission also provided information on the state of play concerning the implementation of

the additional support measures agreed at the Agriculture Council meeting on 14 March, to improve

the situation of European farmers.

On 14 March, the Council and the Commission agreed to take immediate decisive action by

supplementing the existing anti-crisis aid package for European farmers adopted in September

2015, with a set of additional measures. At the end of that meeting, the President of the Council

issued

conclusions on market situation and support measures.

Ministers and the Commission committed to paying close attention to evolutions in these markets.

The Council also agreed to rapidly adopt a regulation doubling quantitative ceilings for buying-in

butter and skimmed milk powder at fixed price in the context of public intervention.

A thorough debate, including on the assessment of the March package of measures, will take place

at the meeting of the Agriculture Council in June.

As a consequence of the difficulties facing various sectors, in particular the dairy and pig meat

sectors during the summer of 2015, and in connection with the continued Russian ban and lagging

demand worldwide, in September 2015 the EU adopted a €500 million

aid package for farmers

and

a series of measures to help overcome difficulties faced by farmers, stabilise markets and address

the functioning of the supply chain.

The following "Any other business" items related to the market situation were also dealt with:

–

Crisis in the dairy market

The Lithuanian delegation drew the Council’s attention to the difficulties facing the dairy sector,

which is further deteriorating as Lithuanian milk producers have been particularly heavily hit by

persisting difficulties in the EU and global dairy markets

(7635/16).

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–

Support scheme for fruits and vegetables to counterbalance the Russian embargo

The Polish delegation requested the Commission to ensure the continuity of the support mechanism

for the fruit and vegetable sectors launched in autumn 2015 to compensate for the Russian embargo

on these products. It also requested a number of modifications to the implementation of the

mechanism

(7606/16).

–

Extension of the final date for submission of aid applications

The Polish delegation requested an extension of the final date for submission of aid applications or

payment claims for 2016 by one month (i.e. until 15 June 2016)

(7605/16).

The request constitutes a derogation from articles 13 and 15 of Commission implementing

regulation 809/2014, which lays down rules for the application of regulation 1306/2013 on member

states’ obligation to protect the financial interests of the EU with regard to the integrated

administration and control system, rural development measures and cross-compliance.

–

Ban of pig meat exports to Russia

The Austrian delegation requested the Commission to provide information on an ongoing dispute

settlement procedure in the WTO concerning the ban of imports into Russia of EU pork products, as

well as on the planned steps towards a partial opening of the Russian market for pork exports

(7646/16).

European Fund for Strategic Investments

The Council heard a presentation by the Commission on the ways in which the European Fund for

Strategic Investments (EFSI) could be used to help address the demand for finance in the

agricultural sector.

The EFSI aims to provide €21 billion of financial guarantees in order to mobilise €315 billion of

public and private investment in the economy, thereby seeking to fill 30% of the overall investment

gap in all sectors.

The EFSI can also help to finance the unfulfilled demand for finance in the agricultural sector,

which is estimated by the Commission to be between €2 and 9 billion.

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Article 9 of EFSI regulation 2015/1017 sets out that financing and investment operations under the

EFSI should be consistent with Union policies and support general objectives, including in the area

of agriculture, such as:

–

research, development and innovation

financial support to SMEs and mid-caps

development and deployment of ICT (broadband networks)

environment and resource efficiency: environmental protection and management, eco-

system services, rural development, climate change actions

education and training

In the context of the EU objective to boost competitiveness, growth and jobs in the agricultural

sector and rural areas through financing projects in areas such as precision farming, the bio- and

circular economy, broadband infrastructure, water and irrigation infrastructure, and access to

finance and innovation, the Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are currently

working on raising awareness amongst stakeholders, including member states' authorities, potential

promoters, investors, financial intermediaries and potential beneficiaries, about the availability of

the funds and to encourage full use of the EFSI.

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ANY OTHER BUSINESS

–

EU-Mercosur trade negotiations

Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,

Poland, Romania and Slovenia, supported by other member states, opposed proposals of quotas on

sensitive products in the European offer that will be passed on to Mercosur by the Commission in

the coming months.

They requested EU ministers for agriculture to examine the subject before any decision is taken

concerning a future exchange of tariff offer

(7629/16).

The Commissioner responsible for agriculture and rural development, Phil Hogan, indicated that

these concerns will be referred to the Commissioner responsible for trade issues.

–

Conference of EU Paying Agencies

The Luxembourg delegation briefed the Council on the conclusions of the conference of directors of

EU Paying Agencies that took place in Luxembourg from 11 to 13 November 2015

(7586/16).

The Netherlands presidency announced that the next conference of directors of EU Paying Agencies

is to take place in Amsterdam on 26 and 27 May.

–

Outcome of the forum "Rethinking the food supply chain"

The Lithuanian delegation briefed the Council on the outcome of the political forum entitled

“Rethinking the food supply chain” that took place in Kaunas, Lithuania, on 31 March 2016

(7654/16).

–

Food fraud in the EU

The German delegation drew the attention of the Council to the problem of food fraud, which

damages EU industry and may endanger consumers' health.

It requested discussions and an intensification of suitable measures in the EU in order to carry out

more pan-European control programmes, to quickly establish an EU reference centre for the

authenticity and integrity of the food chain, and to step up cooperation between the police, customs

and food inspection authorities at European level

(7576/16).

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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

AGRICULTURE

School scheme for milk, fruits and vegetables

The Council adopted a regulation aimed at promoting the consumption of milk, fruits and

vegetables in schools.

By financing the supply of selected agricultural products to children in educational establishments,

the EU seeks to promote healthy eating habits and the consumption of local products.

The new scheme will have an overall yearly budget of €250 million (milk products: €100 million;

fruit and vegetables: €150 million).

The EU contribution is allocated to member states to finance the supply of these products in

educational establishments.

For more information see the

press release.

FISHERIES

EU-Mauritius fisheries agreement - Renewal of protocol

The Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with a view to the renewal of a

protocol to the EU-Republic of Mauritius Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement, setting out

the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution.

The current protocol entered into force on 28 January 2014 and will expire on 27 January 2017.

Central Arctic Ocean – Prevention of unregulated fisheries

The Council adopted a decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations on an

international agreement to prevent unregulated high seas fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean.

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Central Bering Sea - Conservation and management of pollock

The Council adopted a decision

(7278/16)

authorising the opening of negotiations by Poland, in the

interest of the EU, to seek the status of Regional Economic Integration Organisation for the EU, in

order for it to become party to the

Convention on the Conservation and Management of Pollock

Resources in the Central Bering Sea.

Amendments to fishing opportunities in 2016: sandeel, small-eyed ray and others

On 30 March the Council adopted by written procedure amendments to regulation 2016/72 as

regards certain fishing opportunities for 2016

(7273/16).

Regulation 2016/72 fixes for 2016 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks applicable to EU

vessels in Union and certain non-Union waters.

The amendments relate to:

–

the total allowable catch (TAC) for sandeel in EU waters of zones IIa, IIIa and IV on the

basis of the scientific advice issued on 22 February

a reduction in catches of small-eyed ray within ICES divisions VIId and VIIe-k and of

blonde ray within ICES subarea IV, following scientific advice

the total catches for horse mackerel and associated by-catches in Union waters of ICES

divisions IIa, IVa; subarea VI, divisions VIIa-c, VIIe-k, VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId and VIIIe;

Union and international waters of Vb; and international waters of subareas XII and XIV,

which are fixed at 108 868 tonnes, thus allowing for an increased level of catches

corresponding to the scientific advice

a correction on by-catches in Greenland waters to allow for proper reporting of those by-

catches

the transfer to Norway of fishing opportunities for 25 000 blue whiting in exchange for

Arctic cod and haddock, ling and some other species, following an agreement with the

country

the quota allocations for cod in ICES subarea I and division IIb is corrected to respect the

quota distribution set out in decision 87/277/EEC

the inclusion of a reporting code for by-catches of orange roughy in SEAFO Sub-Division

–

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–

the inclusion of the TAC for jack mackerel, in accordance with the outcome of the 2016

meeting of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation

the correction of an error regarding the maximum allowable fishing effort in kilowatt days

for the Netherlands in the North Sea for the regulated gear BT1

the number of fishing authorisations to be granted to Venezuela for vessels fishing for

snappers in French Guiana waters as well as the maximum number of vessels that may be

present at any time

RESEARCH

Advisory bodies on joint programming and international cooperation

The Council updated the mandates of two advisory research bodies:

–

the High Level Group on Joint Programming (GPC), which deals with issues related to

joint programming in the European Research Area (ERA)

(6214/16),

and

the Strategic Forum for International Science and Technological Cooperation (SFIC),

which facilitates the development, implementation and monitoring of the international

dimension of the ERA

(6213/16).

–

Both bodies are dedicated configurations of the

European Research Area and Innovation

Committee.

INTERNAL MARKET

Chemicals (REACH) - Testing methods on skin and eye irritation and toxicity

The Council did not oppose the adoption by the Commission of a regulation amending the REACH

system as regards testing procedures on skin corrosion/irritation, serious eye damage/eye irritation

and acute toxicity.

The new Commission regulation will amend annexes VII and VIII to the

REACH regulation

(regulation 1907/2006 on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals)

(5215/16

ADD 1).

The draft Commission regulation is subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means

that now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt it, unless the European

Parliament objects.

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Chemicals - Classification and labelling

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

regulation 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures for the

purposes of its adaptation to technical and scientific progress (6195/16

ADD 1).

Article 37(5) of

regulation 1272/2008

provides for the possibility to introduce, update or delete a

classification of substances and mixtures, following a thorough risk assessment.

The Commission regulation is subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means that

now that the Council has given its consent the Commission may adopt it, unless the European

Parliament objects.

TRANSPORT

Trans-European transport network - indicative maps

The Council decided not to object to a Commission delegated regulation which will update the

indicative maps of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) as regards certain neighbouring

countries. In particular, the delegated regulation will adapt Annex III of regulation 1315/2013

containing the Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network

(5924/16

ADD 1-8).

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

This means that now that the Council has given its consent, the act can enter into force, unless the

European Parliament objects.

Passenger ship safety rules

The Council decided not to oppose adoption by the Commission of a directive amending directive

2009/45/EC on safety rules and standards for passenger ships (5895/16,

5895/16 ADD 1).

The Commission directive is subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means that now

that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt the directive, unless the

European Parliament objects.

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HEALTH

Regulation on the avoidance of trade diversion of certain key medicines - codification

The Council adopted a codified version of this regulation, which aims at avoiding trade diversion

into the EU of certain key medicines (PE-CONS

5/16).

The new regulation replaces the various acts incorporated into regulation 953/2003 while fully

preserving their content.

ENVIRONMENT

Sulphur in liquid fuels: adoption of new directive

The Council adopted a directive (PE-CONS

24/15)

on the reduction in the sulphur content of liquid

fuels. This directive lays down the maximum permitted sulphur content of heavy fuel oil, gas oil,

marine gas oil and marine diesel oil used in the EU. The aim is to improve air quality and prevent

problems such as acidification.

This directive is the result of a codification process, i.e. bringing together a legislative act and all its

amendments in a single new act for the sake of clarity and rationality.

Hazardous substances: exemption for medical devices

The Council decided not to object to a Commission delegated directive (6184/16

ADD 1)

regarding the use of hazardous substances in medical devices. This delegated act amends directive

2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) to include an exemption for lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). The exemption refers to its use in spare parts recovered

from and used for the repair or refurbishment of medical devices or electron microscopes. By

allowing specific applications of otherwise banned substances, the purpose of the new act is to

adaptat to scientific and technical progress.

This new Commission directive is a delegated act. This implies that now that the Council has

decided not to object, it can be published and enter into force, unless the European Parliament

objects.

Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2), which the delegated act amends, restricts the use of certain

hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. It entered into force in July 2011.

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Paris Agreement: decision on the signing

The Council has adopted a decision (7106/16) on the signing of the Paris Agreement on climate

change. This decision authorises the signature of the agreement on behalf of the EU. The signature

shall take place on 22 April 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter. The President of the Council can

designate and authorised signatory.

The Paris Agreement was adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United

Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which took place in Paris from 30

November to 12 December 2015. The agreement will be open for signature by the parties to the

UNFCCC between 22 April 2016 and 21 April 2017. A high-level signing ceremony will take place

in New York on 22 April 2016.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Central African Republic - restrictive measures

The Council extended until 31 January 2017 the arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze against

the Central African Republic and made changes to the exemptions to the arms embargo as well as to

the designation criteria.

The measures transpose UNSC resolution 2262 (2016) adopted on 27 January 2016.

Iran - Extension of restrictive measures due to human rights concerns

The Council decided to extend until 13 April 2017 its restrictive measures against 82 people and

one entity in view of the human rights situation in Iran.

The decision will be published in the Official Journal of the EU on 12 April 2016.

EU restrictive measures against Iran

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TRADE

Tunisia - Aid measures - Olive oil

The Council approved a regulation on emergency trade measures for Tunisia.

The aim of the regulation is to support the Tunisian economy through exceptional and temporary

trade measures in the wake of the terrorist attack against the country last year (PE-CONS

4/16

and

7155/16 ADD 1 REV 1).

The regulation opens an annual duty free tariff quota of 35 000 tons of untreated Tunisian olive oil

for 2016 and 2017.

Customs duties on imports from the United States of America

The Council approved the Commission's delegated regulation amending Council regulation

673/2005 establishing additional customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the

United States of America.

The delegated act will be published and enter into force in accordance with article 3(3) of regulation

673/2005, as amended, which empowers the Commission to adopt delegated acts in accordance

with article 4 to make adjustments and amendments under this article.

The products on which additional duties are to apply are identified by their eight-digit CN codes.

The description of products classified under these codes can be found in annex I to regulation

2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff as amended

by regulation 1810/2004.

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade - Agreement with the Eastern Republic of Uruguay

The Council adopted a decision authorising the signature of an agreement with the Eastern Republic

of Uruguay pursuant to article XXIV:6 and article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and

Trade 1994 relating to the modification of concessions in the schedule of Croatia in the course of its

accession to the EU.

It also decided to forward the draft decision on the conclusion of the agreement to the European

Parliament for its consent (6870/16).

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ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

Regulatory technical standards - six delegated acts

The Council decided not to object to the following Commission regulations:

–

a regulation supplementing regulation 648/2012 with regard to regulatory technical

standards on the clearing obligation (6700/16)

a regulation supplementing regulation 596/2014 laying down regulatory technical

standards on the criteria, the procedure and the requirements for establishing an accepted

market practice and the requirements for maintaining it, terminating it or modifying the

conditions for its acceptance (6579/16)

a regulation supplementing regulation 596/2014 with regard to regulatory technical

standards for the content of notifications to be submitted to competent authorities and the

compilation, publication and maintenance of the list of notifications (6701/16)

a regulation supplementing regulation 596/2014 with regard to regulatory technical

standards for the conditions applicable to buy-back programmes and stabilisation measures

(6946/16)

a regulation supplementing regulation 596/2014 with regard to regulatory technical

standards for the appropriate arrangements, systems and procedures as well as notification

templates to be used for preventing, detecting and reporting abusive practice or suspicious

orders or transactions (6992/16)

a regulation supplementing regulation 596/2014 with regard to regulatory technical

standards for the technical arrangements for objective presentation of investment

recommendations or other information recommending or suggesting an investment strategy

and for disclosure of particular interests or indications of conflicts of interest (7020/16)

–

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.

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BUDGETS

Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Sweden

The Council adopted a decision mobilising a total amount of €1.79 million under the European

Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to provide support for 647 workers dismissed by five

Swedish enterprises manufacturing motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers. The redundancies are

the result of a continuing structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation.

The Council also adopted a decision mobilising €380 000 under the EGF to cover technical

assistance. This includes monitoring, information exchange, creation of a knowledge base,

administrative and technical support, and conducting an evaluation of the EGF.

The EGF helps workers to find new jobs and develop new skills when they have lost their jobs as a

result of changing global trade patterns, e.g. when a large company shuts down or a factory is

moved outside the EU, or as a result of the global financial and economic crisis. The help of the

EGF consists of co-financing measures such as job-search assistance, careers advice, tailor-made

training and re-training, mentoring and promoting entrepreneurship. It also provides one-off, time-

limited individual support, such as job-search allowances, mobility allowances and allowances for

participating in lifelong learning and training activities.

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

Readmission agreements: Russia - Jordan

The Council adopted a decision on the position to be taken on behalf of the EU within the Joint

Readmission Committee set up under the agreement between the European Community and Russia

on readmission, concerning a recommendation with regard to readmission applications requiring the

arrangement of interviews (7081/16).

The Council also adopted a decision authorising the Commission to negotiate a readmission

agreement with Jordan (6963/16).

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EU-Jordan visa facilitation agreement

The Council adopted a decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations for the conclusion

of an agreement between the EU and Jordan on the facilitation of the issuance of short-stay visas

(7072/16).

TRANSPARENCY

Public access to documents

On 11 April 2016, the Council approved:

- the reply to confirmatory application 05/c/01/16 (6576/16).

APPOINTMENTS

Judges appointed to the EU Civil Service Tribunal

By written procedure ended on 22 March 2016 the Council appointed the following persons as

judges to the EU Civil Service Tribunal:

–

Mr Sean Van Raepenbusch (Belgium)

Mr Joao Sant'ana (Portugal)

Mr Alexander Kornezov (Bulgaria)

Their term of office will end the day before the seven posts for judges of the EU Civil Service

Tribunal are transferred to the General Court, which is scheduled for September 2016.

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