Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015

Europaudvalget 2015-16
Rådsmøde 3393 - transport, tele og energi
Offentligt

Council of the

European Union

9706/15

(OR. en)

PRESSE 38

PR CO 30

OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

3393rd Council meeting

Transport, Telecommunications and Energy

Energy issues

Luxembourg, 8 June 2015

President

Dana Reizniece-Ozola,

Latvian Minister for the Economy

PRESS

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

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

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

8 June 2015

CONTENTS

ITEMS DEBATED

Energy security .................................................................................................................................... 4

Energy union ........................................................................................................................................ 6

Other business ...................................................................................................................................... 8

–

External energy relations ......................................................................................................................................... 8

European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF) .............................................................................................................. 8

Work programme of the incoming presidency ........................................................................................................ 9

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

ENERGY

–

International Energy Charter ................................................................................................................................. 10

Capacity allocation and congestion management .................................................................................................. 10

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

–

Implementation of UN sanctions against two Yemenis ......................................................................................... 11

2nd EU-CELAC Summit ....................................................................................................................................... 11

7th EU-Mexico Summit ........................................................................................................................................ 11

EU strategy on citizen security in Central America and the Caribbean ................................................................. 11

COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY

–

EUSEC mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo .................................................................................. 12

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

–

Banking - Own funds requirements ....................................................................................................................... 13



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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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

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EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

–

Amendments to the EEA agreement ..................................................................................................................... 13

COHESION POLICY

–

Use of European structural and investment funds for public private partnership agreements ............................... 14

APPOINTMENTS

–

New Director-General in the Council General Secretariat .................................................................................... 14

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

8 June 2015

ITEMS DEBATED

Energy security

Ministers assessed progress in the implementation of the European Energy Security Strategy

(10409/14) and discussed the next steps, addressing in particular the security of supply. The debate

was framed by two questions proposed by the presidency.

The Energy Security Strategy aims to develop EU resilience to shocks and disruptions to energy

supplies in the short term and to reduce dependency on particular fuels, energy suppliers and routes

in the long term.

In this perspective, Commissioner Cañete informed ministers of recent contact with other suppliers

such as Algeria, Morocco and Norway, and expressed the view that it was necessary to step up

engagement with Mediterranean countries and Central Asia. He also welcomed the good progress in

work relating to the Southern Gas Corridor and the Trans Adriatic pipeline.

The Commission confirmed that it intends to present a proposal for the revision of the security of

gas supply regulation by the end of the year and a strategy on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and

storage.

The Commission stressed the need to secure transit routes and reinforce reverse flow capacities. It is

preparing an energy diplomacy action plan, in close collaboration with High Representative

Federica Mogherini.

In general ministers,

–

agreed that regional cooperation, energy market design and infrastructure development

were essential elements of the EU energy policy and the necessary steps towards

integration of the EU internal energy market

called for an increase in energy production in the EU and for progress in diversifying

supply routes and sources

underlined the need for a transparent and flexible model of governance for the Energy

Union

stressed the importance of energy efficiency as a major element in energy security

recommended strengthening emergency and solidarity mechanisms

–

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

8 June 2015

–

recalled the need for effective and consistent implementation of the third energy package

by all member states

called for cost-effective investments in strategic and smart infrastructure, in particular

through projects of common interest (PCIs) and making full use of EU programmes and

funding such as Connecting Europe and the European Fund for Strategic Investments

(EFSI)

–

Several ministers and the Commission also welcomed the signing, in the margins of the Council, of

declarations on regional cooperation on security of electricity supply in the framework of the

Pentalateral Energy Forum and of a memorandum of understanding with the Baltic Energy Market

Interconnection Plan (BEMIP).

The outcome of the debate will provide useful input for the Commission's upcoming market design

initiative as regards electricity and will also contribute to the Commission's ongoing preparatory

work on the expected review of the security of gas supply regulation.

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

8 June 2015

Energy union

The Council

adopted conclusions

on the implementation of the

Energy Union

strategy, focusing on

how to provide consumers - both households and businesses - with secure, sustainable and

affordable energy and to encourage the investment needed in this area.

The conclusions set out guidelines for achieving one of the main goals of the Energy Union

strategy, which is to give consumers secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy.

The Energy Union strategy has five main dimensions, which are closely interrelated and mutually

reinforcing. The implementation of all five dimensions, including the agreed

2030 climate and

energy framework,

will require the development of a reliable and transparent governance system, in

line with the March 2015 and October 2014 European Council conclusions.

Commissioner Šefčovič gave a brief presentation on the governance dimension, which he proposes

to develop along the following lines:

–

a streamlined and more integrated governance system, taking into account different

dimensions (in particular, economic, environmental, climate and transport policy issues)

a factual basis, with improved data collection

simplified and aligned reporting obligations

development of energy and climate national plans based on validated country "fiches"

very close cooperation between member states, the Commission, the Council and the

European Parliament

–

This work will feed into the preparation of the state of the Energy Union report, which will be

presented in the autumn.

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

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In particular, the conclusions:

–

underline the important role of regional cooperation in the implementation of the Energy

Union and as an essential part of the governance system

acknowledge that a reliable and flexible governance system will step up the role and rights

of consumers, increase transparency and predictability for investors and facilitate

coordination of national energy policies

reiterate the need to address the lack of energy interconnections, which may contribute to

higher energy prices

stress the need to protect vulnerable consumers and reinforce solidarity mechanisms

emphasise the importance of energy efficiency in reducing energy costs for consumers,

while reducing greenhouse gas emissions

call for cost-effective investments in strategic and smart infrastructure, in particular

through Projects of Common Interest PCIs and making full use of EU programmes and

funding such as Connecting Europe and the EFSI

call for initiatives to stimulate EU technology and innovation leadership in energy and

climate while promoting growth and jobs

–

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

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Other business

–

External energy relations

Trilateral talks

The Council was briefed by the Commission on the state of play regarding the trilateral talks

between Ukraine, Russia and the EU (9090/15).

The Commission expects that a follow-up to the October 2014 winter package can be swiftly

agreed, which is essential to provide a stable framework for gas supplies to Ukraine, and therefore

to ensure gas transit to Europe, until the underlying dispute on the contracts between Naftogaz and

Gazprom are settled by a decision of the Stockholm Arbitration Court, expected in June 2016 at the

earliest.

Energy Community

The Council was informed by the Commission on the latest developments concerning the

strengthening of the Energy Community in view of the Tirana ministerial meeting in October 2015.

The Energy Community is an international organisation dealing with energy policy, whose mission

is to extend the EU internal energy market to south-east Europe and beyond on the basis of a legally

binding framework.

As of October 2013, the Energy Community has eight contracting parties: Albania, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia

and Ukraine. Georgia, Armenia, Norway and Turkey participate as observers.

–

European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF)

The Council took note of information from the Czech delegation on the outcome of the 10th plenary

meeting of the

ENEF,

which took place in Prague on 26 and 27 May 2015 (9093/15).

The main items on the agenda were the role of nuclear energy in the Energy Union strategy and its

contribution to EU decarbonisation efforts, the role of the EU as a world leader in nuclear safety

and the decommissioning of nuclear power plants in the EU.

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

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–

Work programme of the incoming presidency

The Luxembourg delegation presented its main priorities for the next 6 months to the Council

(9091/15):

–

implementation of a governance system for the Energy Union with a forward-looking

climate policy

review of the energy labelling directive

work on forthcoming market design and retail market communications, LNG and storage,

and heating and cooling strategies

organisation of a Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) conference, which will be

followed by an informal Energy Council

financing issues relating to a sustainable energy transition, in the context of the

implementation of the EFSI

development of international energy relations, in particular with North America and

Mediterranean countries

–

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

ENERGY

International Energy Charter

The Council approved its statement concerning the declaration by the Commission on behalf of the

European Union on the applicability of the part of the International Energy Charter devoted to

dispute settlement mechanisms.

The position of the European Union and Euratom on the adoption and the signature of the

International Energy Charter - which took place in The Hague on 20 and 21 May 2015 - is

established in document (8416/15).

The fundamental aim of the Energy Charter Treaty is to strengthen the rule of law on energy issues,

by creating rules to be observed by all participating governments, thereby limiting risks associated

with energy-related investment and trade.

Capacity allocation and congestion management

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

guideline on capacity allocation and congestion management (7745/15).

The Commission act is subject to what is known as 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.

Council decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise

of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23), as

amended by decision 2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11)

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

8 June 2015

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Implementation of UN sanctions against two Yemenis

The EU imposed an arms embargo and further targeted sanctions against a Houthi leader and the

son of ex-President Saleh. This decision reflects UN Security Council resolution 2216 (2015) of

14 April 2015 and implements it for the EU.

More information

2nd EU-CELAC Summit

The Council approved the state of preparations for the second EU-CELAC Summit, to be held in

Brussels on 10 and 11 June 2015.

7th EU-Mexico Summit

The Council approved the state of preparations for the EU-Mexico Summit, to be held in Brussels

on 12 June 2015.

EU strategy on citizen security in Central America and the Caribbean

The Council adopted the action plan for the EU strategy on citizen security in Central America and

the Caribbean. The strategy, adopted on 30 July 2014, aims to support both regions in their efforts

to address citizen security challenges with a comprehensive approach. The action plan focuses on

building a shared political agenda on citizen security, strengthening the ability of governments to

deliver quality public services in the area of security through capacity building, and fostering

international cooperation on these operational activities.

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

8 June 2015

COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY

EUSEC mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Council extended the EU mission to provide advice and assistance for security sector reform in

the Democratic Republic of the Congo (EUSEC RD Congo) until 30 June 2016. At the same time, it

refocused its activities in this final mandate: EUSEC will focus on strategic advice and support for

the military education system while preparing the transfer of these activities to the armed forces of

the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

EUSEC RD Congo was launched in June 2005 and has its headquarters in Kinshasa. The mission's

aim is to contribute to the evolution and viability of the defence and security sector the Democratic

Republic of the Congo in order to create the conditions for economic and social development.

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

8 June 2015

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

Banking - Own funds requirements

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

delegated regulation 241/2014, which supplemented the so-called capital requirements regulation

(CRR), regulation 575/2013, with regard to regulatory technical standards for own funds

requirements for institutions.

The regulation sets out new rules in respect of the treatment of indirect and synthetic holdings

arising in situations not previously covered.

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

The act can now enter into force, unless the European Parliament objects.

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

Amendments to the EEA agreement

The Council adopted decisions on the position to be taken, on behalf of the EU, in the EEA joint

committee concerning amendments to the EEA agreement:

amendment to annex II on technical regulations, standards, testing and certification

(novel foods)

amendment to protocol 31 in order to continue cooperation concerning free movement of workers,

coordination of social security systems and measures for migrants, including migrants from third

countries

(budget line 04.03.01.03)

amendment to protocol 31 in order to extend the cooperation of the contracting parties concerning

the environment and research and technological development

(Copernicus programme)

amendment to protocol 31 in order to extend social cooperation between the contracting parties

(Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI)

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Rådsmøde nr. 3393 (transport, telekommunikation og energi) den 8. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335978:

8 June 2015

COHESION POLICY

Use of European structural and investment funds for public private partnership agreements

The Council decided not to object to a Commission regulation aimed at facilitating the use of

European structural and investment funds to support operations which are implemented under

public private partnership (PPP) agreements (8447/15).

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 decided not to object to it, the act can enter into force,

unless the European Parliament objects.

APPOINTMENTS

New Director-General in the Council General Secretariat

The Council has appointed Ms Christine Roger as Director-General responsible for Justice and

Home Affairs at the General Secretariat of the Council as from 1 July 2015.

Ms Roger is currently Director in the Council General Secretariat, responsible for Home Affairs.

See her

CV.

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