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The Council started preparations for theEuropean Council meeting on 29-30 June 2023 by discussing an annotated draft agenda.
At their meeting in June, EU leaders will focus on:
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
economic issues
cooperation in the field of security and defence
China and the upcoming EU-CELAC summit
Leaders will also receive information on progress in the implementation of the recent European Council conclusions on migration and on the process towards the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029.
As part of the Article 7(1) TEU procedure, the Council held two hearings, concerning rule of law in Poland and respect for the EU values in Hungary.
This was the sixth hearing for both member states, covering all the issues raised in the respective reasoned proposals, which triggered the procedure.
The aim of the hearings was to update the Council on thedevelopments on the ground.
The Article 7 procedures regarding Poland and Hungary are continuing. Hearings are a useful tool in this process. They allow member states to get a detailed picture of the reforms undertaken by the respective governments, the implementation process and the issues that still need to be addressed.
Jessika Roswall, Minister for EU Affairs of Sweden
The Council also approved the items on the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items without discussion.
EU-UK relations
Regarding EU-UK relations, the Council adopted three regulations aimed at implementing the Windsor Framework, which was politically agreed between the Commission and the UK government on 27 February 2023 to address, in a definitive manner, the challenges concerning Northern Ireland following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
The new rules will make it considerably easier to move a range of goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland if they are destined for final consumption there. At the same time, safeguards will be put in place to prevent such goods from entering the EU’s single market and to ensure the protection of public, animal and plant health, as well as consumer interests in the EU.
The EU is delivering on its promise to swiftly implement the agreed joint solutions, which respond to the everyday needs of people and businesses in Northern Ireland, for which the EU has always had understanding. It is important to continue work to make them fully operational, as well as to ensure the EU single market is protected.
Jessika Roswall, Minister for EU Affairs of Sweden
The Council approved its annual report on public access to documents. The report describes trends in the implementation of Regulation 1049/2001 regarding requests for public access to Council documents in 2022 and reviews other related aspects.
The EU continues to support Moldova, also financially.
The Council decided to nearly double the amount of macro-financial assistance to Moldova which it had agreed to provide a year ago, from €150 million to a total of €295 million.
The Council imposed restrictive measures against 7 individualsunder two distinct sanctions frameworks: a recently established regime targeting persons responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, and the regime addressing the actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
The Article 7 procedures regarding Poland and Hungary are continuing. Hearings are a useful tool in this process. They allow member states to get a detailed picture of the reforms undertaken by the respective governments, the implementation process and the issues that still need to be addressed.