http://www.consilium.europa.euWed, 16 May 2012 10:14:50 GMTumbracoEuropean Council - Articles - ENenhttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/making-european-banks-more-solid?lang=enTue, 15 May 2012 17:18:50 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/making-european-banks-more-solid?lang=en These new rules aim to increase financial stability by making banks better equipped to manage their risks and absorb shocks similar to those of the last few years. At the same... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/greening-europes-agriculture-policy?lang=enWed, 16 May 2012 09:52:05 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/greening-europes-agriculture-policy?lang=en At the heart of the ministers' debate were three main greening measures proposed by the Commission: •    increasing crop diversity,•    creating and maintaining permanent... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/euro-area-fiscal-consolidation-and-growth-oriented-policies-are-not-in-contradiction?lang=enTue, 15 May 2012 12:18:08 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/euro-area-fiscal-consolidation-and-growth-oriented-policies-are-not-in-contradiction?lang=en The ministers discussed the European economic forecast, drafted by the European Commission, which predicts a slow recovery for the EU and for the euro area economies in the... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/making-europes-fisheries-healthier-and-greener?lang=enTue, 15 May 2012 11:19:17 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/making-europes-fisheries-healthier-and-greener?lang=en Managing fisheries according to MSY should ensure the recovery of the EU fish stocks (around 82 % of Mediterranean stocks and 36 % of Atlantic stocks are currently overfished)... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/afghanistan-entering-a-decade-of-transformation?lang=enMon, 14 May 2012 17:28:17 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/afghanistan-entering-a-decade-of-transformation?lang=en The Council welcomed the progress made in Afghanistan's transition process and stressed "the importance of the international community taking a holistic view of post-2014... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/an-interesting-open-day?lang=enSat, 12 May 2012 20:31:38 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/an-interesting-open-day?lang=en The focus was on showing how the European Council and the Council actually work.  Some information was given by means of a short film shot before, during and after the last... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/erasmus-for-all-investing-in-europes-youth?lang=enFri, 11 May 2012 17:21:04 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/erasmus-for-all-investing-in-europes-youth?lang=en With the same aim as before - to improve people's skills, personal development and job prospects - Erasmus for All will bring together in a single programme the Lifelong... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/debating-euro-area-governance?lang=enThu, 03 May 2012 15:36:38 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/debating-euro-area-governance?lang=en Starting at 4.30 p.m., this special event will feature Olaf Prüssmann, Head of Unit responsible for economic policy, including Euro Group, in Directorate-General G (Economic... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/towards-a-eu-system-for-collecting-passenger-name-records?lang=enFri, 27 Apr 2012 17:23:32 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/towards-a-eu-system-for-collecting-passenger-name-records?lang=en The aim of the draft directive is to set up an EU system for the collection and use of passenger name record (PNR) data, covering all flights into or out of the EU. This system... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/constructive-debate-on-direct-payments-for-farmers?lang=enFri, 27 Apr 2012 10:03:13 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/constructive-debate-on-direct-payments-for-farmers?lang=en "It has been a very constructive day. We’ve had fruitful meetings and very open discussions. I am sure that today we have moved the CAP (common agricultural policy) forward,"... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/financial-framework-2014-2020-discussion-on-agriculture-and-cohesion-policies?lang=enTue, 24 Apr 2012 17:44:02 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/financial-framework-2014-2020-discussion-on-agriculture-and-cohesion-policies?lang=en "Today's negotiations show that there is a need for the member states now to prioritize and compromise, so the differences can be narrowed down, and we can get closer to an... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/restrictive-measures-against-myanmarburma-to-be-suspended?lang=enMon, 23 Apr 2012 16:56:15 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/restrictive-measures-against-myanmarburma-to-be-suspended?lang=en At their meeting in January 2012, ministers welcomed "the remarkable programme of political reform undertaken by the Government and Parliament in Myanmar/Burma, together with... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/eurozone-deal-to-boost-firewall?lang=enFri, 30 Mar 2012 19:17:26 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/eurozone-deal-to-boost-firewall?lang=en Joint lending power of the ESM and EFSF reinforced The combined lending ceiling of the temporary European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and the permanent European... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/citizens-initiative-you-can-set-the-agenda!?lang=enThu, 29 Mar 2012 16:57:13 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/citizens-initiative-you-can-set-the-agenda!?lang=en "With the citizens' initiative we open a whole new chapter in European democracy," said Danish Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen at a press conference in Brussels on... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/roaming-rates-lowered-further?lang=enThu, 29 Mar 2012 14:58:17 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/roaming-rates-lowered-further?lang=en The Council, represented by the Danish Presidency, and the European Parliament agreed on 28 March on a new roaming regulation, which includes upper price limits for phone... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/financial-framework-2014-2020-first-discussion-on-the-negotiating-box?lang=enMon, 26 Mar 2012 17:00:28 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/financial-framework-2014-2020-first-discussion-on-the-negotiating-box?lang=en The negotiating box covered four categories of expenditure (known as "headings"): heading 1 “Smart and inclusive growth” (except for cohesion policy and the Connecting Europe... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/addressing-the-situation-in-the-sahel?lang=enFri, 23 Mar 2012 17:57:22 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/addressing-the-situation-in-the-sahel?lang=en Ministers expressed deep concern about the deterioration of the security situation in the Sahel region and condemned attempts to seize power by force in Mali. EU development... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/developing-land,-sea-and-air-routes-across-europe?lang=enFri, 23 Mar 2012 11:34:02 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/developing-land,-sea-and-air-routes-across-europe?lang=en The TEN-T integrates member states' land, sea and air routes into a single, multimodal system. The guidelines distinguish between a core network to be put into place as a... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/discussion-on-discard-ban-advances?lang=enTue, 20 Mar 2012 13:40:42 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/discussion-on-discard-ban-advances?lang=en Mette Gjerskov, Danish minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, said the member states’ meeting had “moved things forward”. The ministers discussed not “if we should have... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/financial-transaction-tax-first-technical-reading-completed?lang=enTue, 13 Mar 2012 17:34:59 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/financial-transaction-tax-first-technical-reading-completed?lang=en The Danish Presidency concluded that the first technical reading of the proposal had been completed. In its report to the ministers the Presidency noted that a whole range of... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/eurogroup-approved-second-package-for-greece?lang=enTue, 13 Mar 2012 16:00:36 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/eurogroup-approved-second-package-for-greece?lang=en "As agreed, new official financing of 130 billion euros will be committed by the euro area and by the IMF for the period 2012-2014," said the President of the Eurogroup... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/refugee-resettlement-priorities-for-2013?lang=enFri, 09 Mar 2012 13:59:08 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/refugee-resettlement-priorities-for-2013?lang=en Under the new decision, member states will be entitled to receive from the European Refugee Fund a fixed amount of: - EUR 6 000 per resettled refugee, if they are applying for... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/eurogroup-takes-note-of-progress-by-greece?lang=enFri, 02 Mar 2012 15:46:22 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/eurogroup-takes-note-of-progress-by-greece?lang=en The required legislation has been adopted and in the next few days the Troika is expected to finalise the assessment of the quality of this transposition. According to Mr... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/ministers-recommend-granting-candidate-status-to-serbia?lang=enTue, 28 Feb 2012 18:35:40 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/ministers-recommend-granting-candidate-status-to-serbia?lang=en "Serbia is now on its way back to our European family," said Nicolai Wammen, Danish Minister for European Affairs. Serbia applied for EU membership on 22 December 2009. It... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/syria-stepping-up-the-pressure?lang=enMon, 27 Feb 2012 17:20:08 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/syria-stepping-up-the-pressure?lang=en Among the new measures are an asset freeze on the Syrian Central Bank, banning transactions of gold, diamonds and precious metals. Also, cargo flights operated by Syrian... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/short-selling-more-transparency-and-stricter-rules?lang=enTue, 21 Feb 2012 14:04:12 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/short-selling-more-transparency-and-stricter-rules?lang=en The regulation - which also had to be agreed by the European Parliament - covers all types of financial instrument, but given the potential risks posed by short selling (see... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/agreement-on-a-new-programme-to-secure-greeces-future-in-the-eurozone?lang=enTue, 21 Feb 2012 15:03:29 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/agreement-on-a-new-programme-to-secure-greeces-future-in-the-eurozone?lang=en The Eurogroup agrees that the main task for Greece now is to duly implement the agreed programme, which should put public finances and the economy of Greece on sustainable... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/the-new-frontier-of-smart-regulation?lang=enMon, 20 Feb 2012 17:38:27 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/the-new-frontier-of-smart-regulation?lang=en In December 2011, the European Council endorsed the actions proposed by the Commission to minimise regulatory burdens for SMEs. Heads of state or government also recalled the... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/how-to-get-more-women-into-top-jobs?lang=enFri, 17 Feb 2012 16:35:26 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/how-to-get-more-women-into-top-jobs?lang=en Ministers discussed what could be done at national and EU level to facilitate qualified women's access to boardroom seats. Many stressed the economic benefits of women's... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/debate-on-new-rules-for-trans-european-energy-networks?lang=enTue, 14 Feb 2012 17:49:13 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/debate-on-new-rules-for-trans-european-energy-networks?lang=en The discussion will help to advance work on the adoption of the draft regulation, which is planned for the end of 2012. The draft rules are designed to address three main... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/education-and-training-emphasis-on-employability?lang=enMon, 13 Feb 2012 12:26:09 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/education-and-training-emphasis-on-employability?lang=en The numbers of unemployed in the EU are very high. Youth unemployment averages more than 20 %,  reaching nearly 50 % in some member states. During their policy debate,... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/greek-debt-negotiations-continue?lang=enFri, 10 Feb 2012 14:12:19 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/greek-debt-negotiations-continue?lang=en The discussion took place on the basis of detailed information from the Troika (i.e. the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund) on... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/research-and-digital-agenda-to-improve-competitiveness?lang=enFri, 03 Feb 2012 17:12:18 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/research-and-digital-agenda-to-improve-competitiveness?lang=en Horizon 2020 was presented by the Commission in November 2011. It sets out to become the world's largest research programme, with a proposed budget of 80 billion euro and... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/european-stability-mechanism-treaty-signed?lang=enThu, 02 Feb 2012 17:12:33 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/european-stability-mechanism-treaty-signed?lang=en The ESM will be a Luxembourg-based international financial institution, which will support euro area countries where indispensable to safeguard financial stability. It is... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/talks-on-long-term-eu-budget-framework-gain-momentum?lang=enFri, 27 Jan 2012 17:50:51 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/talks-on-long-term-eu-budget-framework-gain-momentum?lang=en The aim of the discussion was to see at which level the member states would like to set up the maximum amounts for EU spending and how these amounts should be spread over the... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/excessive-deficit-procedures-and-derivatives-on-the-table?lang=enWed, 25 Jan 2012 14:08:31 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/excessive-deficit-procedures-and-derivatives-on-the-table?lang=en The Council assessed the action taken by Hungary in order to correct its excessive government deficit. Five member states - Belgium, Cyprus, Malta, Poland and Hungary - have... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/agreement-on-the-european-stability-mechanism?lang=enTue, 24 Jan 2012 16:58:00 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/agreement-on-the-european-stability-mechanism?lang=en European Stability Mechanism At a ministerial meeting of the 27 member states, chaired by Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the Eurogroup, agreement was reached on the treaty... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/notching-up-the-pressure-on-iran?lang=enTue, 24 Jan 2012 14:25:12 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/notching-up-the-pressure-on-iran?lang=en The EU is pursuing a dual-track approach whereby sanctions are intended to persuade Iran to engage in constructive and substantive talks with a view to finding a diplomatic... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/priorities-for-agriculture-and-fisheries-for-the-next-six-months?lang=enTue, 24 Jan 2012 10:32:54 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/priorities-for-agriculture-and-fisheries-for-the-next-six-months?lang=en Reforms of the EU agriculture and fisheries policies are among the priority tasks for the Danish Presidency. The Presidency would like to make these sectors greener, more... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/europe-at-work-priorities-of-the-danish-presidency?lang=enWed, 18 Jan 2012 17:41:26 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/europe-at-work-priorities-of-the-danish-presidency?lang=en Economic governance must ensure robust public finances as the basis for a sustainable future that is  ready to embrace change and allows increased competitiveness. However,... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/helle-thorning-schmidt-we-need-a-more-responsible-europe?lang=enThu, 22 Dec 2011 12:35:57 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/helle-thorning-schmidt-we-need-a-more-responsible-europe?lang=en Prime Minister, what will be the priorities of, what is already the 7th Danish Presidency of the EU Council in this period which is critical for the European construction?... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/do-widzenia-waving-goodbye-to-the-polish-presidency?lang=enWed, 21 Dec 2011 12:25:59 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/do-widzenia-waving-goodbye-to-the-polish-presidency?lang=en In the area of economic and monetary policy, the Polish presidency saw an agreement on and the entering into force of the "six-pack" - maybe the best-known of the European... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/implementing-the-biodiversity-strategy?lang=enTue, 20 Dec 2011 17:23:22 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/implementing-the-biodiversity-strategy?lang=en The United Nations have designated 2011-2020 as the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, and the EU's strategy covers the same period. Meeting the targets of this strategy... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/compromise-on-the-fishing-quotas-for-2012?lang=enMon, 19 Dec 2011 16:46:24 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/compromise-on-the-fishing-quotas-for-2012?lang=en The aim in establishing fishing quotas and fishing efforts (number of days at sea for fishing vessels) for the EU fleets is to ensure that Union fisheries are ecologically,... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/bringing-out-the-best-in-every-region?lang=enFri, 16 Dec 2011 17:00:16 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/bringing-out-the-best-in-every-region?lang=en Cohesion policy co-finances infrastructure projects, develops the information society and helps citizens acquire new skills, to name just a few examples. Particular attention... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/help-for-the-needy-continues?lang=enFri, 16 Dec 2011 13:33:17 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/help-for-the-needy-continues?lang=en The EU will now be able to extend its help to people in need with food worth 480 million euro a year in 2012 and 2013, by providing food to charitable organisations and local... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/passenger-name-record-agreement-with-usa-signed?lang=enThu, 15 Dec 2011 11:17:37 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/passenger-name-record-agreement-with-usa-signed?lang=en PNR data is the information voluntarily provided by passengers and collected by air carriers during the reservation and check-in procedures. It includes information such as... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/internet-open-and-neutral?lang=enWed, 14 Dec 2011 15:29:19 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/internet-open-and-neutral?lang=en Referring to the EU's revised regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, ministers also stressed the importance of ensuring efficient... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/liechtenstein-to-join-schengen?lang=enWed, 14 Dec 2011 11:53:45 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/liechtenstein-to-join-schengen?lang=en Liechtenstein will now be part of Schengen - and it will also gain full access to the Schengen Information System (SIS), a common database for border, customs, police and... http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/boosting-the-rail-sector?lang=enTue, 13 Dec 2011 14:54:18 GMThttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/boosting-the-rail-sector?lang=en The new directive on a single European railway area aims to clarify and modernise the regulatory framework for Europe's railway sector so as to enhance investment, improve...