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Good afternoon. We have just finished a long European Council with the following outcomes.
As regards our deal on migration, it is far too early to talk about a success. We have managed to reach an agreement in the European Council. But this is in fact the easiest part of the task, compared to what awaits us on the ground, when we start implementing it.
As for the text of our compromise, the leaders accepted three proposals I put forward, that is disembarkation platforms outside Europe, a dedicated budgetary tool in the next MFF to combat illegal migration, as well as boosting EU support for the Libyan Coast Guard. On top of that, we have sent a clear message to all vessels, including those of NGOs, operating in the Mediterranean, that they must respect the law and must not obstruct the operation of the Libyan Coast Guard. This demonstrates our clear and univocal support for the actions of the Maltese authorities.
Another part of the compromise is the Franco-Italian proposal of controlled centres on EU territory, in countries that are willing to build them. All the measures in the context of these centres, including relocation and resettlement, will be taken on a voluntary basis.
Last but not least, we agreed to launch the next tranche of financing for Turkey and to transfer 500 million euros of development money to the EU Trust Fund for Africa.
Moving on to this morning’s proceedings. The Euro Summit agreed, as promised in December, to progress on the completion of the Banking Union and to strengthen the European Stability Mechanism, including by providing the backstop to the single resolution fund. This reform of the EMU will strengthen the euro, and as a result, also our Union. In turbulent times, this is welcome news for all Europeans.
On Brexit. The EU27 has taken note of what has been achieved so far. However, there is a great deal of work ahead, and the most difficult tasks are still unresolved. If we want to reach a deal in October we need quick progress. This is the last call to lay the cards on the table.
Before concluding, let me thank my good friend, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, for the outstanding and effective Bulgarian Presidency. You and your team have done a truly remarkable job. Including on the Sofia Summit, which was a historic moment in terms of our relations with the Western Balkans. Thank you very much, Boyko.
The swift and extensive roll-out of 5G and other next generation technologies throughout Europe, stronger consumer protection and a capped rate for international calls within the EU – all these are covered by the comprehensive set of new rules for the electronic communications sector that EU countries’ ambassadors approved today on behalf of the Council. A provisional agreement on the ‘European Electronic Communications Code‘ and on a revised remit for the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communication (BEREC) was reached with the European Parliament on 5 June 2018.
This reform will frame the development of the electronic communications sector for the next ten years and beyond. I am confident that it will stimulate healthy competition and increased investment in 5G and fibre networks, so that every citizen and business in the EU can enjoy very high quality connectivity and an increasing choice of innovative digital services.
Ivaylo Moskovski, Bulgarian Minister for Transport, Information Technology and Communications
Consumers will benefit from a similar, higher level of protection for electronic communications services across Europe. Targeted exceptions to full harmonisation are designed to ensure that the level of protection is not lowered in any country. The strengthened consumer rules will make it easier to switch between providers and offer better protection for people who subscribe to bundled services, for example.
To ensure that end-users are equally protected regardless of the type of services they use to communicate, ‘electronic communications services’ will also cover services provided over the internet such as messaging apps and email (also known as ‘over-the-top’, or ‘OTT’, services). Certain characteristics of the service – rather than the underlying technology – will determine which rules of the directive will apply. For example, an obligation to provide certain information in contracts will only concern services which are provided against remuneration.
A review mechanism will ensure that end-user rights remain robust and up-to-date as business models and consumer behaviour change.
Affordable and adequate internet access will be included in the list of universal services that must be available to all consumers, irrespective of their location or income. People with disabilities should have equal internet access.
Following positive experiences in some countries, all member states will have to set up a public warning system to send alerts to citizens on their mobile phones in the event of a natural disaster or other major emergency in their area. This ‘reverse 112’ system will have to be in place within 3.5 years of the directive entering into force.
To promote investment, in particular in 5G, member states will, as a general rule, provide operators with regulatory predictability over a period of at least 20 years regarding spectrum licencing for wireless broadband. Decisions on renewals of rights will have to be taken in a timely manner. Member states will also have to make available new frequency bands for 5G that will allow faster internet connections and increased connectivity throughout Europe.
The directive will update current rules on operators’ access to networks to encourage competition and make it easier for companies to invest in new, very high capacity infrastructure (capable of download speeds of at least 100 Mbps), including in more remote areas. The text allows authorities to reduce the level of regulation to some extent where markets are competitive, but introduces safeguards to ensure that market regulation remains effective.
Rules on ‘significant market power’ (SMP) will be complemented with symmetric regulation of all providers of electronic communications networks in some very specific situations to ensure competition in all cases. In addition, national regulatory authorities will have more tools to address issues that may arise in certain market circumstances, such as duopolistic situations.
With this agreement, the Council and the Parliament succeeded in meeting the June 2018 deadline that EU leaders set for this priority dossier at the European Council in October 2017.
In line with its new mandate, BEREC will play a significant role in helping EU countries to roll out very high capacity networks and will contribute to the smooth application of the regulatory measures laid down in the Code.
As BEREC’s current structure has worked so well, there was no need for a major overhaul of BEREC. The dual structure of BEREC and the BEREC Office will therefore be maintained, and the BEREC Office will continue to have legal personality and the status of an EU decentralised agency.
The BEREC regulation also includes provisions on cheaper ‘intra-EU calls’, which will complement last summer’s abolition of roaming surcharges in the EU. Under the new rules, the retail price of mobile or fixed calls placed from the consumer’s home country to another EU country will be capped at 19 cents per minute. Similarly, the cap for intra-EU text messages will be 6 cents per message. The beneficiaries will be consumers, as businesses usually negotiate their rates with operators. As is the case with roaming, derogations are possible in exceptional circumstances. The new caps will kick in as soon as 15 May 2019.
Once the agreed texts have undergone legal and linguistic finalisation, they must be formally adopted, first by the Parliament and then by the Council (agreement at first reading). Following adoption, the legal acts will be published in the EU’s Official Journal. This is expected to take place at the end of this year.
For the Code, member states will then have two years to adopt the necessary provisions to put the directive into practice. An additional one-year transition period will apply to the harmonised end-user provisions. The BEREC regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication.
The full texts of the draft directive and the draft regulation will soon be available on this webpage.
The EU is moving to boost its data economy by creating a single market for data storage and processing services, such as cloud computing. This freedom to choose a data service provider anywhere in Europe is expected to lead to more innovative data-driven services and more competitive prices for businesses, consumers and public administrations. Member states’ ambassadors endorsed the new rules today, following a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on 19 June.
Free movement of data is crucial for unlocking the vast potential of the data economy. This legislation will ensure that data is allowed to flow freely, allowing companies and public administrations to store and process non-personal data wherever they choose in the EU. These rules will provide legal certainty and trust in the increasing use of data-driven innovations for the benefit of all citizens.
Ivaylo Moskovski, Bulgarian Minister for Transport, Information Technology and Communications
The reform will remove any restrictions imposed by member states’ public authorities on the geographical location for storing or processing non-personal data, unless such restrictions are justified on grounds of public security. Important sources of non-personal data include the rapidly expanding Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Current uses of aggregate and anonymised sets of non-personal data include for example big data analytics and precision farming.
To ensure that the rules will work in practice, member states must either repeal their data localisation requirements or notify those that are permitted to the Commission. The text clarifies that member states’ public administrations are not prevented from insourcing the provision of services involving data processing.
If a data set contains both personal and non-personal data, the general data protection regulation will apply to the personal data part of the set, while the non-personal data will be covered by the free flow of data regulation.
Member states’ competent authorities will continue to have access to data even when it is stored or processed in another country. This may be necessary for example for the purposes of regulatory or supervisory control.
The draft regulation also encourages the development of codes of conduct to make it easier for users of data processing services to switch service providers or to port their data back to their own IT systems.
Removing data localisation restrictions is considered a key factor in ensuring that the data economy can achieve its full potential and double its value to 4% of European GDP in 2020.
With this agreement, the Council and the Parliament succeeded in meeting the June 2018 deadline that EU leaders set for this priority dossier in the European Council in October 2017.
How will it become law?
Once the agreed text has undergone legal and linguistic finalisation, it must be formally adopted, first by the Parliament and then by the Council (agreement at first reading). Following adoption, the regulation will be published in the EU’s Official Journal. It will apply six months after publication.
(Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine)
Déplacements et visites
Lundi 02 juillet 2018
President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France (until 04/07): receives Mr Joseph Daul, President of the European People’s Party (EPP) and Mr Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament.
Mr Frans Timmermans in Luxembourg: holds a Citizens’ dialogue with Mr Jean Asselborn, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Immigration and Asylum of Luxembourg.
Mr Maroš Šefčovič in Bucharest, Romania: attends a joint meeting with Mr Viorel Ștefan, Vice Prime Minister of Romania; Mr Anton Anton, Minister for Energy and Mr Dănuţ Andruşcă, Minister for the Economy; delivers a speech at the “Energy Forum – Romania´s energy priorities – the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2019 ” at the Romanian Parliament; meets Mr Liviu Dragnea, President of the Chamber of Deputies; visits an EU-funded project at Politehnica University of Bucharest and exchanges views with professors and students; and meets Ms Viorica Dăncilă, Prime Minister of Romania.
Mr Jyrki Katainen receives Mr Guto Bebb, Minister for Defence Procurement of the United Kingdom.
Mr Jyrki Katainen in Luxembourg: meets Mr Alexander Stubb, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Mr Johannes Hahn in Serbia: meets Mr Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia and Ms Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister of Serbia.
Ms Marianne Thyssen delivers a keynote speech at the “Results of 2018 Pensions Adequacy Report” conference, in Brussels.
M. Pierre Moscovici à Athènes, Grece (jusqu’à 03/07): rencontre M. Euclid Tsakalotos, Ministre des Finances de la République Hellénique.
Mr Christos Stylianides in Saarbrücken, Germany: meets Mr Klaus Bouillon, Minister for the Interior of Saarland to discuss rescEU.
Mr Carlos Moedas receives Mr Arnaud Leroy, President of the French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME).
Ms Mariya Gabriel in Sofia, Bulgaria: delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of Bulgaria International Mathematics Competition 2018.
Mardi 03 juillet 2018
College meeting
President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France: addresses the Plenary of the European Parliament on the conclusion of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council and on the beginning of the Austrian Presidency of the Council; participates in a joint press conference with Mr Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, and Mr Sebastian Kurz, Chancellor of Austria; and addresses the Plenary of the European Parliament on the conclusions of the June European Council.
Mr Valdis Dombrovskis in Strasbourg, France: meets a high-level delegation from the European Australian Business Council (EABC), led by Mr Mathias Cormann, Minister for Finance of Australia; and Mr Peter Cosgrove, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Mr Jyrki Katainen in Strasbourg, France: meets a high-level delegation from the European Australian Business Council (EABC), led by Mr Mathias Cormann, Minister for Finance of Australia; and Mr Peter Cosgrove, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Mr Günther H. Oettinger in Karlsruhe, Germany: delivers the opening address “Europe: a Continent of Silicon Valleys” at the Digital, Life, Design (DLD) event.
M. Pierre Moscovici à Athènes, Grece: rencontre M. Prokopīs Pavlopoulos, Président de la République Hellénique; M. Alexis Tsipras, Premier Ministre de la République Hellénique; M. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Président de Nea Dimokratia parti politique; Mme Fofi Gennimata, Présidente de Panhellenic Socialist Movement et de Movement for Change; et prononce un discours au Parlement Hellénique.
Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Strasbourg, France: meets a high-level delegation of the European Australian Business Council (EABC).
Ms Corina Creţu in Strasbourg, France: meets the RegioStars Award finalists.
Mr Carlos Moedas in Lisbon, Portugal: delivers a keynote speech at the award ceremony of the Doctoral Scholarships Awards in Medicine and Nursing Jose de Mello Saude; and a keynote speech at the meeting “Ciência 2018”, under the support of the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education.
Ms Mariya Gabriel in Strasbourg, France: receives Ms Yuliya Morenets, founder of TaC – Together against Cybercrime International.
Mercredi 04 juillet 2018
President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France: participates in a debate on the future of Europe in the Plenary of the European Parliament with Mr Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland.
Mr Maroš Šefčovič hosts a meeting of chairs of EU standardisation bodies on battery, in Brussels.
Mr Günther H. Oettinger in Munich, Germany: delivers the keynote speech at the Munich Economic Summit “Reshaping Europe”, organised by the Ifo Institute.
Mr Johannes Hahn in Vienna, Austria: participates in the Economy Ministers’ Meeting ahead of the 2018 Western Balkans Summit in London.
Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Paris, France: meets Mr Nicolas Hulot, Minister of State, Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition of France.
Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos receives Mr Joseph Daul, President of the European People’s Party (EPP).
Mr Phil Hogan receives Mr John Wilson, Chairman of Fonterra,co-operative of New Zealand farmers.
Ms Margrethe Vestager in Copenhagen, Denmark: meets Mr Karsten Dybvad, CEO at the Confederation of Danish Industries; and attends an event celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Danish National Bank.
Mr Carlos Moedas receives Mr Phil Wynn Owen, Member the European Court of Auditors (ECA).
Mr Carlos Moedas receives Mr Mario Monti , President of Bocconi University in Milan and Chair of the ‘High-level search committee’.
Mr Carlos Moedas delivers the welcome speech at the first meeting of the ‘High-level search committee to find the next President of the European Research Council’, in Brussels.
Mr Julian King receives Mr Michael Punke, Vice-President of Global Public Policy at Amazon Web Services.
Jeudi 05 juillet 2018
President Jean-Claude Juncker in Vienna, Austria (until 06/07): together with the College of Commissioners, pays an official visit to Vienna to mark the beginning of the Austrian Presidency of the Council; and participates in a working dinner hosted by Mr Sebastian Kurz, Chancellor of Austria, on the beginning of the Austrian Presidency of the Council.
Mr Maroš Šefčovič delivers a speech via webstream at the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) Annual Conference.
Mr Miguel Arias Cañete delivers a speech on the Conference of the Parties (COP24) at the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), in Brussels.
Ms Marianne Thyssen receives Mr Hideki Makihara, State Minister for Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.
Ms Mariya Gabriel receives Mr David Kaye, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
Ms Mariya Gabriel receives representatives from the European Tech Alliance.
Vendredi 06 juillet 2018
President Jean-Claude Juncker in Vienna, Austria: meets Mr Sebastian Kurz, Chancellor of Austria; holds a joint press conference with Mr Sebastian Kurz; meets Mr Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Austria; and together with the College of Commissioners, participates in a working lunch hosted by the Federal Parliament of Austria, on the beginning of the Austrian Presidency of the Council.
Mr Tibor Navracsics in Budapest, Hungary: participates in the first EU-Japan Policy Dialogue on Education, Culture and Sport in the presence of Mr Yoshimasa Hayashi, Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Mr Shinjiro Komatsu, Deputy Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Samedi 07 juillet 2018
Ms Margrethe Vestager in London, the United Kingdom: delivers a keynote speech at Ditchley Foundation’s annual lecture.
Dimanche 08 juillet 2018
Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Pulawy, Poland: participates in a Citizens’ dialogue.
Prévisons du mois de juillet:
09/07 EU-Ukraine Summit
11-12/07 NATO Summit
12/07 Eurogroup
12-13/07 Informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers, in Innsbruck, Austria
13/07 EU-the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council
13/07 EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Council
13/07 Economic and Financial Affairs Council
16/07 Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (Internal market and industry), in Vienna, Austria
16/07 Agriculture and Fisheries Council
16/07 Foreign Affairs Council
16-17/07 EU – CELAC Ministerial meeting
17/07 Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (Research), in Vienna, Austria
17/07 General Affairs Council (Art. 50)
19-20/07 Informal meeting of employment and social policy ministers, in Vienna, Austria
24/07 Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Budget)
Permanence DG COMM le WE du 30 juin et 01 juillet 2018:
Anca PADURARU: +32 498 96 64 30
Permanence RAPID – GSM: +32 (0) 498 982 748
Service Audiovisuel, planning studio – tél. : +32 (0)2/295 21 23