European Union

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Trips and meetings of Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

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Plenary sessions : The EU Commission should comply with EU law by temporarily reintroducing visa requirements for US citizens, so as to encourage Washington to grant citizens of all EU countries visa-free access to the US, said a majority of MEPs in a debate in plenary on Wednesday.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Plenary sessions : The EU Commission should comply with EU law by temporarily reintroducing visa requirements for US citizens, so as to encourage Washington to grant citizens of all EU countries visa-free access to the US, said a majority of MEPs in a debate in plenary on Wednesday.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

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EU Heads of State or Government meet on 15 December 2016 in Brussels to discuss migration and security issues. Leaders are also discussing economy and youth, as well as the issue of the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in the Netherlands.

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Donald Trump’s surprise victory in the United States presidential election has put global climate negotiators on the back foot.

The President-elect’s promise to pull the United States out of last year’s Paris Agreement and his unabashed enthusiasm for coal slowed the momentum that negotiators had hoped to sustain at this year’s climate change talks in Marrakech, Morocco. Trump’s shocking win also provoked threats of tariffs – decision-makers in Canada, Mexico and Europe mooting the possibility of carbon duties on American products.

But there’s a better approach: challenge the incoming president to an innovation race.

That would do a lot more than a carbon tariff to fix the climate over the long term.

The carbon tariff proposal contravenes the fundamental premise of the Paris Agreement. Each nation offered its own commitments at Paris, with the negotiators then constructing a plausible path forward by putting them all together.

A key aspect of this process is periodic renegotiation to bring the sum of national commitments closer to the global goal of limiting the rise in average global temperature to two degrees Celsius or less. But the International Energy Agency says that even if they are fulfilled, the Paris commitments would lead the world to overshoot the target by 35%.

“Challenging the US to a low-carbon innovation race would tap into emotions of pride and superiority, but channel them in constructive directions”

We need another approach to a carbon tariff, which would take us back to the bad old days of top-down climate negotiations.

While setting a global cap, divvying it up among nations, and punishing countries that exceed their quota might seem logical, this approach failed miserably in the 1990s and 2000s. It left the world playing catch-up in the fight against climate change. Wielding the stick causes a backlash. It threatens national identity and self-worth, even when succumbing to pressure may appear to be the economically rational response.

The United States under President Trump would undoubtedly react badly to the carbon tariff. As Harvard economist Robert N. Stavins put it: “Is he the sort of person who would back down or would he retaliate? He seems like the kind of person who would retaliate. And then you’d have a trade war.”

If the stick of tariff threats is a bad approach, will the carrot of competition work?

Challenging the United States to a low-carbon innovation race would tap into similar emotions of pride and superiority, but channel them in constructive directions. If the United States can come up with new and better ways to produce electricity, trap carbon and save energy, Americans would save the world and make a lot of money. If the Mexicans, Canadians, and Europeans do the same… well, at least the world still gets saved.

“The cost the US’s energy innovation commitment is a mere rounding error in the context of tax cuts spending that are set to come”

A global focus on innovation would lead to new options that will make the energy services that everyone needs more affordable and more accessible. Simply making dirty energy more expensive – the carbon tariff approach – will not do that. Europe’s very high tax on gasoline, for instance, has encouraged Europeans to drive smaller cars, but it has not led to the breakthroughs in electric vehicles that the world desperately needs to kick its petroleum habit. The small carbon tariffs being suggested will have small results in the best of circumstances. Yet even relatively small investments in innovation have the potential to be truly transformative.

Mission Innovation, a lesser-known agreement which was also signed last year in Paris, provides the framework for an innovation race. Many of the world’s largest nations, including the United States, pledged to double their investments in low-carbon energy research and development by 2020.

A deep-pocketed group of global entrepreneurs, led by Bill Gates, promised to provide billions of dollars in follow-on investment to reap the fruits of this R&D in the market. They announced a US$1bn initial fund on Monday. The cost of fulfilling the US’s Mission Innovation commitment would be $6.4bn per year when fully ramped-up. That’s a mere rounding error in the context of the giant tax cuts and spending extravaganza that are set to come in the next year.

So a message to the nations of the world as they await Trump: be afraid, even very afraid, but don’t let fear lead to a counterproductive spiral of threats and counter-threats.

Stay on the sunny side, keep doing the right thing, and hope that, as Winston Churchill was famously supposed to have said, “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing… after they have tried everything else.”

IMAGE CREDIT: CC / FLICKR – Gage Skidmore

The post Challenge Trump to an innovation race, and avoid a trade war appeared first on Europe’s World.

General : Ever wondered what the Parliament looks like from inside? It's now possible to visit our building from the comfort of your own home using your smartphone thanks to virtual reality technology. In our first ever VR video you will be greeted by Parliament’s Facebook followers and President Martin Schulz and be shown around the plenary chamber.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : Ever wondered what the Parliament looks like from inside? It's now possible to visit our building from the comfort of your own home using your smartphone thanks to virtual reality technology. In our first ever VR video you will be greeted by Parliament’s Facebook followers and President Martin Schulz and be shown around the plenary chamber.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Following the referendum in Denmark on 3 December 2015, we agree on the need for operational arrangements, minimising the negative impact of Denmark's departure from Europol on 1 May 2017, for the mutual benefit of Denmark and the rest of the European Union in the combatting of cross-border serious and organised crime and international terrorism. Such arrangements must be Denmark-specific, and not in any way equal full membership of Europol, i.e. provide access to Europol's data repositories, or for full participation in Europol's operational work and database, or give decision-making rights in the governing bodies of Europol. However, it should ensure a sufficient level of operational cooperation including exchange of relevant data, subject to adequate safeguards.

This arrangement would be conditioned on Denmark's continued membership of the European Union and of the Schengen area, on Denmark's obligation to fully implement in Danish law Directive 2016/680/EU on data protection in police matters by 1 May 2017 and on Denmark's agreement to the application of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and the competence of the European Data Protection Supervisor.

The Commission and Denmark will endeavour to initiate the necessary legal procedure as rapidly as possible and take all necessary actions, including contacts with relevant institutional actors, to ensure a swift process with a view to the new arrangements being in place by 1 May 2017 or as rapidly as possible thereafter. This is to limit to the maximum extent possible the gap between 1 May 2017 and the entry into force of the future operational agreement, in order to minimise the negative impact on cooperation and data exchange.

We acknowledge that the only way for Denmark to fully participate in the new Europol Regulation by 1 May 2017 is to make use of the procedure foreseen in Protocol No 22 to the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

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In the central Mediterranean, Europe’s forgotten crisis grinds on: 4,752 are dead or missing, while 175,000 more have risked their lives by getting into unseaworthy vessels. The EU’s leaders will meet in Brussels today, once again, to try to come up with a solution, an explanation or perhaps a scapegoat.

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Plenary sessions : Persistent concerns about the rule of law and democracy in Poland were debated in the European Parliament on Wednesday. The debate followed a statement by European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans on the situation there.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Plenary sessions : Persistent concerns about the rule of law and democracy in Poland were debated in the European Parliament on Wednesday. The debate followed a statement by European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans on the situation there.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : On behalf of Parliament’s political group leaders, EP President Martin Schulz expressed in a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk his disappointment at the way the draft conclusions of the 27 Heads of State or Government relegate Parliament “to a secondary position in the Brexit negotiation process”.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : On behalf of Parliament’s political group leaders, EP President Martin Schulz expressed in a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk his disappointment at the way the draft conclusions of the 27 Heads of State or Government relegate Parliament “to a secondary position in the Brexit negotiation process”.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The third meeting of the EU−Ukraine Association Council will take place on 19 December 2016 in Brussels.

The meeting will be chaired by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, on behalf of the European Union. Ukraine will be represented by its Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman.

A press conference will take place after the meeting, on Monday 19 December at 11.30 in the Justus Lipsius building (main press room). A specific accreditation is needed to attend the press conference and all media opportunities.

The Association Council will discuss relations between the EU and Ukraine, specifically on:

• Political dialogue and reform, political association;
• Justice, freedom and security;
• Economic and sectoral cooperation, as well as trade and trade-related matters,  

The EU High Representative and the Prime Minister of Ukraine will also discuss more specifically developments related to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the EU global strategy and regional issues.

Programme - including media opportunities and information on media accreditation

• 08.10 Arrival of Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman, welcome by High Representative F. Mogherini, VIP entrance, level 02 - photo/video opportunity (*)
• 08.30 Working breakfast
• 09.30 Association Council - plenary session
  Roundtable - photo/video opportunity (*)
• 11.30 Press Conference by High Representative F. Mogherini and Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman (*)live streaming

Journalists holding a 6-month badge (30.06.2016 - 31.12.2016) or a European Council badge (15.12.16) do not need to register. 6-month badges and European Council badges can be collected at the accreditation centre of the LEX building (14/12 from 9.30 to 13.00 and 14.00 to 19.00 - 15/12 from 8.00 to 20.00).

Other journalists must register by e-mail before Friday 16 December 13.00 to : press.centre@consilium.europa.eu, including copy of their ID and valid press card or assignment letter.

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In circumstances that are sensitive politically, economically, socially and with regard to safety, relations between the EU and Niger are mainly expressed through development cooperation. Budgetary support is a major link in the cooperation between the EU and Niger. Governed by the European Development Fund, it has supported the macro-economic reform programme implemented by Niger’s government, reforms to the management of public finances and the implementation of the Socio-Economic Development Plan since 2013.

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Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, meets EU Leaders.

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Plenary sessions : The situation in Aleppo following the breakdown of a deal to evacuate rebels and civilians from the long-besieged Syrian city was the focus of a debate in Parliament this morning. Ahead of tomorrow’s EU summit, MEPs described the situation variously as “hell on earth”, a “death factory” and the “meltdown of humanity”. They called for an immediate cessation of hostilities as well as access for humanitarian aid. A number of speakers were highly critical of Russia’s role in the conflict.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Plenary sessions : The situation in Aleppo following the breakdown of a deal to evacuate rebels and civilians from the long-besieged Syrian city was the focus of a debate in Parliament this morning. Ahead of tomorrow’s EU summit, MEPs described the situation variously as “hell on earth”, a “death factory” and the “meltdown of humanity”. They called for an immediate cessation of hostilities as well as access for humanitarian aid. A number of speakers were highly critical of Russia’s role in the conflict.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

On 14 December 2016 the Slovak presidency reached an informal agreement with the European Parliament on the coordinated use of a key frequency band that will allow for higher speeds and better access to mobile internet across Europe. At the same time, the deal addresses the need for spectrum for broadcasting purposes. The outcome of the talks will be submitted for approval by member states at the beginning of 2017.

Árpád Érsek, the Slovak Minister for Transport, Construction and Regional Development, said: "Spectrum is a precious resource that must be used wisely and strategically. Releasing of 700 MHz frequency band for wireless broadband is a win-win solution for digital industry, audio-visual sector, as well as for all consumers. It brings long-term regulatory certainty and is essential for uptake of 5G. This means better connectivity everywhere."

Under the agreement, EU countries must reassign the 700 MHz frequency band (694-790 MHz) to wireless broadband services by 30 June 2020. If they are unable to do this, a delay of up to two years is possible in duly justified cases. 

The 700 MHz band provides high speeds and excellent coverage. Its coordinated use for mobile will promote the take-up of 4G and help offer high-quality broadband to all Europeans, including in rural areas. Increased connectivity will make it easier for citizens to communicate and use internet content and services in their daily life, wherever they are. It improves conditions for business, drives up demand for more services and furthers economic development. 

This targeted assignment of spectrum will also make it easier to roll out 5G as soon as it becomes available (around 2020). 5G will enable vastly enhanced wireless network capacity and ubiquitous connectivity, allowing for the effective deployment of innovative services such as remote healthcare, connected cars and smart infrastructures. Creating the conditions for these new technologies is crucial for Europe's global competitiveness.  

Broadcasting services, such as digital television and wireless microphones, will maintain priority in the sub-700 MHz band (470-694 MHz) at least until 2030, based on national needs. This gives the audio-visual sector long-term regulatory predictability so that it can continue to provide services and secure necessary investments.

The 470-790 MHz range is currently widely used for digital television broadcasting and for wireless microphones, for instance in theatres, concerts and sporting events.

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

1.             In accordance with its conclusions of 16 December 2014, the Council has assessed the overall state of the EU relations with the following Western European countries that are not members of the EU: the Republic of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway, the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco and the Republic of San Marino. The Council will revert to the overall state of EU relations with the Swiss Confederation in early 2017. The Council will reassess the state of these relations in two years, as appropriate.

2.             The Council emphasises the weight and importance the EU attaches to relations with all these special partners. Beyond shared history, geography, interests and core fundamental values, it is economic integration within the framework of the extended EU Single Market that brings us together even more and frames the inter-dependency of our future prosperity and competitiveness.

3.             The Council reiterates that the strength of our economic integration depends on full respect for the four freedoms of the Single Market. It is therefore the responsibility of all the States which already participate or wish to increase their level of participation in the extended Single Market to ensure its integrity and homogeneity, as well as full respect for equal rights and obligations for both citizens and businesses. The Council welcomes the launch of negotiations with Andorra, Monaco and San Marino to develop closer relations with the EU, in particular with regard to their participation in the Single Market, while at the same time taking into account the specificities of each country, as well as their particular situations in line with the Declaration on Article 8 of the Treaty on European Union.

4.             The relations of the EU with the above Western European countries that are not members of the Union have further developed over the years to include many of the EU other policies. The Council looks forward to continuing this mutually beneficial cooperation and to further deepening it in the years to come.

5.             Furthermore, the Council notes the excellent cooperation in some areas of EU external action such as development aid, cooperation in multilateral fora, and common foreign and security policy, including human rights and restrictive measures. It notes that, in most instances, the action of our partners is much synchronised with EU action or complements it. It welcomes and stands ready to successfully further this approach.

6.             The Council acknowledges, in the context of the unprecedented migratory flows to Europe, the constructive and positive cooperation of our partners, as well as their contribution to the Union's efforts, notably in the context of the European Agenda on Migration.

PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN

7.             In the course of the past two years, relations between the EU and Liechtenstein in the context of the EEA Agreement have further intensified. The Council appreciates Liechtenstein´s continued excellent rate of implementation of EEA relevant EU acquis, as well as its efforts to bring about solutions to pending issues.

8.             The Council welcomes the solidarity shown by the people of Liechtenstein through their increased commitment to reducing social and economic disparities within the EEA in the period 2014-2021, by supporting innovation, research, education, competitiveness and youth employment in the European labour market.

9.             The Council acknowledges the quick progress made by Liechtenstein in the process of incorporation of the package of EU acts in the area of financial services, needed for its integration into the system of financial supervisory authorities.

10.         Liechtenstein is a close and reliable partner in the area of justice and security, in particular with regard to the efficient implementation of the Agreements associating Liechtenstein with the Schengen and Dublin acquis.

11.         The Council appreciates the good cooperation with Liechtenstein in the area of CFSP and looks forward to further deepening this cooperation, in particular on issues such as strengthening the rule of law and respect for human rights, notably within the framework of the United Nations and the OSCE.

12.         The Council notes with satisfaction the advances made on cooperation between the EU and Liechtenstein against tax evasion thanks to the signing and entry into application of the 2015 Protocol on information exchange in tax matters, but also stresses the importance of the effective implementation of the cooperation measures agreed and the need for Liechtenstein to pursue its active participation in global efforts to increase transparency.

13.         The Council welcomes the intensified dialogue between the EU and Liechtenstein on tax measures which constitute harmful tax competition, and encourages Liechtenstein to continue to engage in constructive, transparent and open dialogue with the EU, with the aim of applying the principles and all the criteria of the EU Code of Conduct on Business Taxation.

14.         The Council also notes with satisfaction that Liechtenstein has become a member of the G20/OECD Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) and has committed to the comprehensive BEPS package and its consistent implementation.

REPUBLIC OF ICELAND

15.         Through its participation in the EEA Agreement, which is at the core of Iceland's foreign policy, its membership of the Schengen area, as well as through its close cooperation on various EU policies, Iceland remains an important and reliable partner for the EU.

16.         The Council has taken note of the Icelandic government's letter of 12 March 2015 clarifying its policy on the EU accession negotiations, as well as the Icelandic government's commitment to continued strong relations with the EU.

17.         The Council appreciates Iceland's close cooperation in the area of CFSP and acknowledges the constructive role played by Iceland in relation to Arctic matters. The Council welcomes the continued support of Iceland for observer status for the EU in the Arctic Council.

18.         The Council appreciates the continued close cooperation between the EU and Iceland in a range of other areas such as justice and home affairs, research, innovation, education and energy. The Council looks forward to deepening the close cooperation in the areas of environment and climate change policy. In this regard, the Council welcomes the commitment by Iceland to achieve the same emission reduction target as the EU by 2030, as well as the swift finalisation of the national ratification procedure of the Paris Agreement.

19.         The Council welcomes the signing of the Agreements on the EEA financial mechanisms for the period 2014-2021 and looks forward to their rapid implementation. The Council acknowledges Iceland's increased commitment to the reduction of social and economic disparities in the EEA by supporting innovation, research, education, competitiveness and youth employment in the European labour market, as well as the importance of sharing knowledge and expertise in areas such as geothermal energy. The Council also welcomes the signing of the Additional Protocol to the Free Trade Agreement between the European Economic Community and Iceland of 22 July 1972, establishing special provisions for imports of certain fish and fishery products for the period 2014-2021.

20.         The Council welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations between Iceland and the EU on further liberalisation of agricultural trade within the framework of Article 19 of EEA Agreement, on protection of geographical indications, as well as on further liberalisation of trade in processed agricultural products between Iceland and the EU, and looks forward to their rapid entry into force.

21.         The Council welcomes the commitment made by Iceland both to reduce the number of EEA-relevant EU acts awaiting incorporation into the EEA Agreement and to ensure their timely transposition. The Council strongly encourages Iceland to further substantiate ongoing efforts with the aim of ensuring legal certainty and homogeneity in the Single Market.

22.         The Council acknowledges the substantial efforts made towards a continued economic and financial recovery in Iceland. The Council welcomes recent decisions taken to gradually lift the remaining capital controls, and recalls that restrictions can only be implemented temporarily on the basis of provisions of Article 43 of the EEA Agreement.

23.         Regarding the management of mackerel stock in the North East Atlantic, the Council recalls the conclusion in 2014 of a five-year arrangement, as well as the long-term management strategy agreed upon in 2015 between EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands. The Council recalls that the possibility for Iceland to join these agreements remains open and urges Iceland to engage in consultations to arrive at solutions that would offer stability and predictability, and would guarantee the conservation of the biomass and the sustainable exploitation of the stock across its entire area of distribution.

24.         The Council reaffirms its strong support for the maintenance of the internationally-agreed moratorium on commercial whaling established under the International Whaling Commission and for the listing of cetaceans and other marine species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It therefore calls upon Iceland to respect the internationally-agreed moratorium on commercial whaling established under the IWC and to withdraw its reservations under CITES for these and other marine species.

KINGDOM OF NORWAY

25.         The Council notes with satisfaction that, over the past two years, Norway and the EU have maintained and further strengthened their very close and stable cooperation both inside and outside the framework of the EEA Agreement.

26.         Norway is a close and reliable partner in the area of justice and home affairs, in particular in the application of the Schengen acquis. In the context of the unprecedented migratory flows to Europe, the Council acknowledges Norway's contribution, as well as its constructive and positive cooperation, notably in the context of the implementation of the European Agenda on Migration.

27.         The Council appreciates the very close cooperation with Norway, as well as its contribution, in the areas of Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and looks forward to the deepening of this cooperation based on shared values, such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The Council acknowledges Norway's active role in peace-building and mediation initiatives around the world. The Council also notes the importance of the close cooperation with Norway on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

28.         The Council welcomes the continued strong cooperation with Norway on Arctic matters and reiterates its interest in further strengthening this cooperation. Many of the issues affecting the region can be more effectively addressed through enhanced regional or multilateral cooperation. The Council also welcomes the continued support of Norway for observer status for the EU in the Arctic Council.

29.         In the area of energy, the Council notes with satisfaction that Norway remains a key partner of the EU as a reliable supplier of gas and oil. The Council fully recognises the importance of this cooperation for the energy security of the EU, as well as the significant contribution of Norway to the completion of the internal energy market. The Council notes however that the Third Energy Package and the Offshore Safety Directive have not yet been implemented in Norway, and calls for increased efforts with a view to their swift incorporation into the EEA Agreement.

30.         In response to the challenges posed by climate change, the Council welcomes the commitment made by Norway to achieve the same emission reduction target as the EU and looks forward to continuing this cooperation. The Council notes the importance of the close cooperation with Norway on climate change, in particular in the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Council welcomes the swift finalisation of the national ratification procedure of the Paris Agreement by Norway.

31.         The Council welcomes the signing of the Agreements on the EEA and the Norwegian financial mechanisms and looks forward to their rapid implementation. The Council welcomes, in particular, Norway's commitment to continue and increase its significant contribution to the reduction of social and economic disparities in the EEA by supporting innovation, research, education competitiveness and youth employment in the European labour market. The Council also welcomes the signing of the Additional Protocol to the Free Trade Agreement between the European Economic Community and Norway of 14 May 1973, establishing special provisions for imports of certain fish and fishery products for the period 2014-2021 and ensuring the continuation of the arrangement allowing for free transit of fish and fishery products landed in Norway from vessels flying the flag of a Member State of the EU.

32.         Participation in the framework programmes and in the European Research Area remains a core element of Norwegian research policy. The Council welcomes Norway's commitment to research and innovation and the successful participation of Norwegian entities in Horizon 2020, Creative Europe and Erasmus +.

33.         The Council acknowledges the importance of Norway as one of the EU's main trade partners and reiterates its interest in achieving further liberalisation of trade in agricultural products. The Council welcomes the launch in February 2015 of the negotiations within the framework of Article 19 of the EEA Agreement and strongly encourages the parties to actively continue their efforts to achieve further progress in the negotiations and conclude these shortly. The Council regrets that harmful tariff measures introduced by Norway in 2012 are still in force and calls on Norway to immediately reverse these measures.

34.         The Council reiterates its invitation for Norway to actively engage, without delay, in a proper and constructive negotiation process on the liberalisation of trade in processed agricultural products (Protocol 3 to the EEA Agreement).

35.         The Council takes note with regret of the suspension of the negotiations between the EU and Norway on the protection of geographical indications and hopes that these negotiations will resume soon.

36.         The Council reaffirms its strong support for the maintenance of the internationally-agreed moratorium on commercial whaling established under the International Whaling Commission and for the listing of cetaceans and other marine species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It therefore calls upon Norway to respect the internationally-agreed moratorium on commercial whaling established under the IWC and to withdraw its reservations under CITES for these and other marine species.

37.         The Council acknowledges the close cooperation with Norway in a broad range of other areas, such as fisheries and maritime affairs and looks forward to continuing and further deepening this cooperation.

38.         Regarding cooperation under the EEA Agreement, and with a view to ensuring the homogeneity of the single market acquis throughout the entire EEA, the Council invites Norway to continue its efforts to fulfil its obligations under the Agreement regarding the timely incorporation and implementation of EEA relevant EU legislation.

39.         The Council takes note of the state of play on the negotiations for an agreement between the EU and Norway on administrative cooperation, combating fraud and recovery of claims in the field of value-added tax and invites the EU and Norway to continue and to complete the negotiations as soon as possible on that basis. The aim of the negotiations is to establish a common European framework for administrative cooperation between EU Member States and Norway in the field of VAT in order to exchange information and best practices and cooperate for the recovery of claims in a manner similar to the way it takes place between Member States.

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

40.         The Council notes that the EEA Agreement has continued to function in a satisfactory manner in the last two years, maintaining its key role in advancing economic relations and Single Market integration between the EU and the EEA EFTA States.

41.         The Council welcomes the adoption of the EEA Joint Committee Decisions on the first package of legal acts relating to the EU Regulations on the European Supervisory Authorities in the area of financial services. The Council also stresses the importance of promptly incorporating and applying the other outstanding legislation in the field of financial services as soon as possible.

42.         The Council notes that, despite all efforts, there is still an important number of legal acts for which the compliance date in the EU has passed but which have not entered into force in the EEA EFTA States as their incorporation into the EEA Agreement has been delayed. The Council stresses the need for the EEA EFTA States to continue their efforts towards a streamlined incorporation and application of EEA relevant legislation, in order to reduce the number of pending acts for incorporation and to ensure legal certainty and homogeneity in the EEA.

PRINCIPALITY OF ANDORRA, PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO AND REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO

43.         The Council notes with satisfaction that, over the past two years, relations with Andorra, Monaco and San Marino have continued to be characterised by a high level of stability and cooperation.

44.         The Council welcomes the opening, on 18 March 2015, of negotiations between the EU and Andorra, Monaco and San Marino, with a view to concluding one or several Association Agreement(s) (the 'Agreement(s)') to provide for the participation of these countries in the EU's Single Market, as well as for cooperation with the EU in other policy areas.

45.         The Council considers that the future Agreement(s) should be based on a number of fundamental principles, such as maintaining the good functioning and homogeneity of the Single Market and legal certainty, while at the same time taking into account the specificities of each country as well as their particular situations in line with the Declaration on Article 8 of the Treaty on European Union. In this context, the Council stresses the need for all parties to continue to make steady and concrete progress towards the finalisation of these negotiations.

46.         Furthermore, the Council stresses the importance of establishing a coherent, efficient and effective institutional framework to underpin the Agreement(s) that, inter alia:

a)             includes a forum for consultation between parties to ensure the good functioning and proper implementation of the Agreement(s);

b)             ensures the dynamic take-over of the EU acquis by the three countries;

c)             provides for the uniform application and consistent interpretation of the provisions of the Agreement(s); and

d)            includes a fair, effective and efficient dispute resolution mechanism.

47.         The Council welcomes the continued cooperation with Andorra, Monaco and San Marino in the area of CFSP, including through close contacts in multilateral organisations and voluntary alignment with EU positions, declarations and restrictive measures on a case-by-case basis, and calls for this cooperation to be strengthened.

48.         The Council welcomes the signing of protocols between the EU and Andorra, Monaco and San Marino respectively on the implementation of the Global Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information, as developed by the OECD and endorsed by the G20, and looks forward to their complete and effective implementation within the agreed timelines.

49.         The Council notes with satisfaction that Andorra, Monaco and San Marino have become members of the G20/OECD Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS). The Council also notes that Andorra, Monaco and San Marino have yet to commit to and implement the principles and the criteria of the EU Code of Conduct on Business Taxation and urges them to do so without further delay.