UPN, Alm.del - 2023-24 - Bilag 250: Konklusioner fra det ekstraordinære møde i Det Europæiske Råd 17.-18. april 2024

Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2023-24
UPN Alm.del Bilag 250
Offentligt

European Council

Brussels, 18 April 2024

(OR. en)

EUCO 12/24

CO EUR 10

CONCL 3

NOTE

From:

To:

Subject:

General Secretariat of the Council

Delegations

Special meeting of the European Council (17 and 18 April 2024)

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Conclusions

Delegations will find attached the conclusions adopted by the European Council at the above

meeting.

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Conclusions

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17 and 18 April 2024

In the context of the upcoming European elections, the European Council underlines the Union and

its Member States’

determination to closely monitor and contain any risks stemming from

disinformation, including through artificial intelligence, as well as foreign information

manipulation and interference in electoral processes. The European Council invites the EU

institutions and national authorities to cooperate on such matters.

UKRAINE

Recalling its conclusions of March 2024, the European Council reiterates its full

unwavering support to Ukraine, its people and its independence, sovereignty and

territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

The

European Council strongly condemns Russia’s continued air and

missile attacks

against Ukraine’s civilians and civilian and critical infrastructure, including the recent

intensified targeting of the energy sector. The European Union and its Member States

will intensify the provision of humanitarian and civil protection assistance, including

equipment such as power generators and power transformers.

The European Council underlines the need to urgently provide air defence to Ukraine

and to speed up and intensify the delivery of all the necessary military assistance,

including artillery ammunition and missiles. It calls on the Council, notably at its

upcoming meeting, and on Member States to ensure the necessary follow-up. The

European Council welcomes progress on the proposals to direct extraordinary revenues

stemming

from Russia’s immobilised assets for the benefit of Ukraine and calls for their

swift adoption.

Military support will be provided in full respect of the security and defence policy of

certain Member States and taking into account the security and defence interests of all

Member States.

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Conclusions

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II.

MIDDLE EAST

The European Council strongly and unequivocally condemns the Iranian attack on Israel

and reiterates its full solidarity with the people of Israel and commitment to Israel’s

security and to regional stability. The European Council calls on Iran and its proxies to

cease all attacks and urges all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from

any action that may increase tensions in the region. The European Union will take

further restrictive measures against Iran, notably in relation to unmanned aerial vehicles

(UAVs) and missiles. The European Union remains fully committed to contributing to

de-escalation and security in the region.

The European Council recalls its conclusions of March 2024 in all their elements, and

reiterates its commitment to work with partners to end the crisis in Gaza without delay

and implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2728, including through

reaching an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages, as well as

providing full, rapid, safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid at scale for

Palestinians in need. The European Union remains firmly committed to a lasting and

sustainable peace based on the two-state solution.

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The European Union stands ready to work with all partners to avoid further escalation

of tensions in the region, notably in Lebanon. It recalls its strong support for Lebanon

and the Lebanese people and acknowledges the difficult circumstances Lebanon is

experiencing domestically and as a result of regional tensions. The European Council

calls on all parties to commit to the implementation of United Nations Security Council

Resolution 1701. In this context, the European Union remains committed to the stability

of Lebanon, including through supporting much-needed reforms, and to strengthening

its support to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

The

European Council confirms the EU’s determination to support the most vulnerable

people in Lebanon, including refugees, internally displaced persons and host

communities in need, as well as providing support to combat human trafficking and

smuggling. The European Council reaffirms the need to achieve conditions for safe,

voluntary and dignified returns of Syrian refugees, as defined by UNHCR.

In view of the eighth Brussels Conference on Syria, the European Council invites the

High Representative and the Commission to review and enhance the effectiveness of

EU assistance to Syrian refugees and displaced persons in Syria and in the region. It

calls on all donors to maintain or increase their level of assistance to them.

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Conclusions

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III.

TÜRKİYE

The European Council held a strategic debate on EU-Türkiye relations, taking note of

the Joint Communication of the High Representative and Commission on the state of

play of EU-Türkiye political, economic and trade relations. The European Union has a

strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in

the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye.

The European Council tasks Coreper, respecting the competences of the relevant

institutions, to advance work on the recommendations of the Joint Communication in

line with previous European Council conclusions and in a phased, proportionate and

reversible manner, subject to additional guidance from the European

Council. Türkiye’s

own constructive engagement will be instrumental in advancing the various areas of

cooperation identified in the Joint Communication.

10.

In this regard, the European Union attaches particular importance to resumption of and

progress in the Cyprus settlement talks in further enhancing EU-Türkiye cooperation.

Recalling its previous conclusions, the European Council remains fully committed to a

comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the UN framework, in

accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and in line with the principles on which

the Union is founded and the acquis. The European Council welcomes the appointment

of María Angela Holguín Cuéllar as the UN Secretary-General’s

Personal Envoy on

Cyprus. The European Union is ready to play an active role in supporting all stages of

the UN-led process, with all appropriate means at its disposal.

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Conclusions

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IV.

A NEW EUROPEAN COMPETITIVENESS DEAL

11.

In the face of a new geopolitical reality and increasingly complex challenges, the

European Union is committed to acting decisively to ensure its long-term

competitiveness, prosperity and leadership on the global stage and to strengthen its

strategic sovereignty.

12.

Recalling its conclusions of March 2023 and June 2023, the European Council will

ensure an integrated approach across all policy areas to increase productivity and

sustainable and inclusive growth throughout Europe, build a robust, innovative and

resilient economy and advance Europe’s unique social and economic model that will

boost the Union’s

competitive

transition towards digital sovereignty in a self-

determined and open manner and towards climate neutrality. The green deal aims at

staying competitive globally and increasing energy independence. This will increase

real income and purchasing power, thereby improving living standards for all EU

citizens.

13.

Over the past 30 years, the Single Market and its four freedoms have been a powerful

engine of convergence and growth in the European Union and its Member States,

promoting a highly competitive social market economy, economic, social and territorial

cohesion, and a level playing field based, inter alia, on an effective State aid and

competition framework. In light of geopolitical tensions and more assertive policy

measures taken by international partners and competitors, notably on subsidies, as well

as long-term productivity and technological and demographic trends, Europe needs a

policy shift, building on its competitive strengths.

14.

The European Council welcomes

Enrico Letta’s

presentation of his

‘Much More Than

A Market’ High-Level Report, and invites the current and future Council Presidencies

to take work forward on the recommendations therein by the end of the year. The

European Council looks forward to the presentation of the upcoming

report on Europe’s

competitiveness. The new Strategic Agenda will provide further guidance and frame the

work ahead.

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Towards a new European competitiveness deal

15.

A new European competitiveness deal is needed, anchored in a fully integrated Single

Market. This will require efforts at both Union and Member State levels and across

policy areas to close growth, productivity and innovation gaps between the Union and

its international partners and main competitors. To that end, policy action must be better

put at the service of enhancing Europe’s economic, manufacturing, industrial and

technological base, thereby securing the Union’s economic resilience

and industrial

renewal, global competitiveness, technological leadership, and attractiveness as a

business location. Pursuing a level playing field, both globally and within the Single

Market, is essential in that context.

16.

Creating the conditions to allow European operators to seize the opportunities of a

climate-neutral, digital and circular economy, using the balanced and comprehensive

approach set out in Granada, will help the Union deliver sustainable solutions that work

for all. To this end, all relevant tools, including public procurement, should be

leveraged. Cohesion policy has a key role in reducing disparities and stimulating long-

term sustainable growth. Cross-border connectivity and high-quality infrastructure are

also crucial. Europe also needs to reduce its strategic dependencies in sensitive sectors

identified in Versailles

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energy, critical raw materials, semi-conductors, health, digital,

food and critical technologies

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and in other sectors such as chemicals, biotechnology

and space.

17.

Investments in key strategic sectors and infrastructures require a combination of both

public and private financing working together. The EU budget and the EIB group

continue to play an important role. Deepening the Capital Markets Union is key to

unlocking private capital. It will provide European companies with access to more

diversified financing at lower costs, help channel domestic savings and mobilise the

substantial amount of private investment needed to meet the challenges, notably the

green and digital transitions and the needs of the European defence industry. Access to

capital, including venture and growth capital, should also be facilitated and simplified,

especially for SMEs and start-ups.

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Conclusions

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18.

To implement the new European competitiveness deal, the European Council calls for

work to be taken forward decisively and swiftly on the following key competitiveness

drivers:

Single Market

deepening the Single Market by removing remaining barriers, in line with the

2020 Barriers Report, the ‘Single Market at 30’ Communication, and the Annual

Single Market and Competitiveness Report, and by fully implementing and

enforcing the free movement rules. In light of servitisation and the twin

transitions, the focus should be on the cross-border provision of services, notably

horizontal and economically significant ones, as well as cross-border movement

of goods, including such essential goods as medicines, based on the needs of

businesses, public institutions and citizens, while addressing transparency in

supply chains;

improving transport links and mobility within the Union by addressing missing

links or bottlenecks and upgrading the framework;

tackling unfair commercial practices, such as dual quality of foodstuffs, that

undermine EU consumers’ trust in the Single Market;

developing a new horizontal strategy for a modernised Single Market by June

2025. Special focus should be put on addressing challenges affecting the

competitiveness of business of all sizes, while paying particular attention to SMEs

and start-ups;

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Capital Markets Union

advancing work in the Council and the Commission without delay on all

identified measures that are necessary to create truly integrated European capital

markets which are accessible to all citizens and businesses across the Union, to

the benefit of all Member States, especially on:

ii)

harmonising relevant aspects of national corporate insolvency frameworks;

fostering investments, including in cross-border equity, through targeted

convergence of well-designed corporate systems for capital markets players

and mechanisms;

iii)

relaunching the European securitisation market, including through

regulatory and prudential changes, using available room for manoeuvre;

iv)

improving the convergence and efficiency of the supervision of capital

markets across the EU. It invites the Commission to assess and work on the

conditions for enabling the European Supervisory Authorities to effectively

supervise the most systemic relevant cross-border capital and financial

market actors, with the aim of strengthening financial integration and

ensuring financial stability, simplifying processes and reducing compliance

costs, taking into account the interests of all Member States;

improving the conditions for institutional, retail and cross-border investment

in equity and for the financing and exit options of European scale-ups;

vi)

ensuring a level playing field in access to private capital for all Member

States;

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vii) designing and implementing a simple and effective cross-border

investment/savings product for retail investors; developing pensions and

long-term savings products;

viii) creating an attractive and consumer-friendly investment environment and

promoting an investor culture among EU citizens, including by

strengthening financial literacy of citizens and promoting awareness-raising

initiatives;

ix)

reviewing and simplifying the financial market regulation framework to cut

red tape;

Industry

developing and implementing an effective industrial policy, in dialogue with

stakeholders, that decarbonises our industry in a competitive manner, develops the

Union’s competitive edge in digital and clean technologies,

diversifies and secures

strategic

supply chains, and strengthens Europe’s defence technological

and

industrial base;

Research and innovation

fostering a more innovation-friendly environment based on excellent science,

which accelerates market uptake and the industrial and commercial scale-up of

innovation, while increasing investment in research and development to meet the

3 % GDP expenditure target;

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Energy

achieving a genuine energy union, by securing the supply of abundant, affordable

and clean energy, that serves the dual objective of pursuing European energy

sovereignty and climate neutrality. This will require ambitious electrification

using all net-zero- and low-carbon solutions, flexibility, and substantial

deployment of and investment in grids, storage and interconnections;

Circular economy

increasing circularity and resource efficiency, including by exploiting the

potential of the bioeconomy, thereby reducing primary resource dependencies,

notably on critical raw materials;

Digital

supporting the digital transformation of business, government and society, which

requires a true Single Market in digital services and data, encouraging and

facilitating investment in digital infrastructure like 5G and 6G, addressing

possible barriers to cross-border activities in the mobile network sector, and the

application of game-changing digital technologies such as AI, blockchain,

quantum computing and immersive reality technology, and fully exploiting the

untapped potential of data in Europe while ensuring privacy and security. The

European Council also highlights the need to strengthen the EU’s

leadership in

global digital affairs and invites the Commission and the High Representative to

prepare a joint communication on the subject;

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Social

fostering high-quality jobs throughout Europe, by stepping up the pursuit of the

2030 headline targets, through reinforced social dialogue, on increased

participation in the labour market, reskilling/upskilling and lifelong learning,

tackling skills and labour gaps in the context of wider demographic trends,

including talent mobility to and within the European Union, and ensuring equal

opportunities;

Trade

supporting the core role of the WTO in the multilateral rules-based system;

pursuing an ambitious, robust, open and sustainable trade policy that allows fair

trade agreements, opens third-country markets to EU companies, defends EU

interests, allows resilient and reliable supply chains to develop, guarantees a true

level playing field and creates reciprocal market access opportunities.

A better and smarter regulatory framework

19.

The regulatory framework should ensure legal certainty and predictability, be better

integrated, coherent across policy areas, open to innovative approaches and digital by

default, while reducing the administrative burden that weighs on companies. Taking

into

account the economic fabric of the Union, the Commission should apply the ‘Think

small first’ principle when designing new legislation.

20.

The European Council invites the Commission to significantly reduce the administrative

and compliance burden on companies and national authorities, prevent over-regulation

and ensure the enforcement of EU rules, and highlights the importance of timely and

correct implementation of EU legislation by Member States, avoiding over-

transposition.

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21.

Harmonising regulatory frameworks, encouraging mutual recognition, streamlining

reporting data, and continuing the initiative to reduce reporting by at least 25 % will

contribute to that objective. In particular, ensuring the simplification of procedures for

permits and licenses, eliminating unnecessary reporting, and preventing the introduction

of overlapping obligations will also be important. The Commission should provide

high-quality, timely and thorough impact assessments and competitiveness checks,

including of cumulative effects, for legislative proposals with significant impact.

A competitive, sustainable and resilient agricultural sector

22.

A competitive, sustainable and resilient agricultural sector is a key strategic interest of

the Union. Farmers need a stable and predictable framework, including to accompany

them in tackling environmental and climate challenges. In line with its previous

conclusions, the European Council calls for a swift adoption of the amendment to the

CAP regulation and encourages the Council and the Commission to pursue work

especially on:

implementing short- and medium-term measures to reduce the administrative

burden and achieve simplification;

strengthening the position of farmers in the food supply chain to ensure a fair

income;

ensuring rules-based and fair competition globally and in the internal market;

the proposed extension of the temporary framework on State aid and the

possibility to increase the ceiling on de minimis aid for agriculture;

imposing further tariffs on certain imports into the European Union of Russian

and Belarusian agricultural products, while taking into account the impact on the

Single Market and ensuring that the transit of such goods to developing countries

remains unaffected.

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Review of progress

23.

The European Council will regularly review progress on initiatives to enhance the

Union’s competitiveness,

secure its economic resilience and achieve the full potential of

the Single Market.

24.

At its meeting in June 2024, the European Council will review progress and discuss

additional steps to deepen the Capital Markets Union.

25.

The European Council will keep actions in favour of a competitive, sustainable and

resilient agricultural sector under review.

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