COUCILOF THEEUROPEAUIO EN

11236/08(Presse193) PROVISIOALVERSIO

PRESSRELEASE

2882ndCouncilmeeting

EconomicandFinancialAffairs

Brussels,8July2008

President ChristineLAGARDE MinisterforEconomicAffairs,FinanceandEmploymentof France

PRESS

RuedelaLoi175B–1048BRUSSELSTel.:+32(0)22816083/6319Fax:+32(0)22818026 [email protected]http://www.consilium.europa.eu/Newsroom SN3567/08(Presse) 1 E PROVISIOALVERSIO 8.VII.2008

MainresultsoftheCouncil

TheCounciltookaDecisionontheadoptionbyoftheasfrom1January2009and setthepermanentconversionratefortheSlovakkorunatotheeuro.TheDecisionwillextendthe euroareafrom15to16MemberStates,allowingsixmonthsforSlovakiatoprepareforthe changeover.

TheCouncilconcludedanexcessivedeficitprocedureconcerningPolandandatthesametime openedaprocedureconcerningtheUnitedKingdom.ItadoptedopinionsonBelgium'sstability programmeandPoland'sconvergenceprogramme.

Inthecourseofadiscussionontheriseinoilprices,itreachedpoliticalagreementontheweekly publicationofoilstocks.

TheCouncilalsoadoptedconclusionsonIASBgovernanceandoninitiativestakenfollowingthe recentturmoilonthefinancialmarkets,concerninginparticulartransparencyandratingagencies, includingtheirregistrationatEuropeanlevel.

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COTETS1

PARTICIPATS...... 5

ITEMSDEBATED

PRESIDENCYWORKPROGRAMME...... 7

ADOPTIONOFTHEEUROBYSLOVAKIA ...... 8

STABILITYANDGROWTHPACT–IMPLEMENTATION...... 9

BelgiumandPoland:Stabilityandconvergenceprogrammes ...... 9

Poland:Excessivedeficitprocedure ...... 9

UnitedKingdom:Excessivedeficitprocedure ...... 10

RISINGOILPRICES ...... 11

INTERNATIONALACCOUNTINGSTANDARDS–Councilconclusions ...... 12

FINANCIALMARKETS–Councilconclusions ...... 14

OTHERITEMSAPPROVED

ECOOMICADFIACIALAFFAIRS

– EuropeanCentralBankauditors...... 18

COMMOFOREIGADSECURITYPOLICY

– BelarusRestrictivemeasuresTechnicaladaptations ...... 18

– Consularcooperation...... 19

1  Wheredeclarations,conclusionsorresolutionshavebeenformallyadoptedbytheCouncil,thisisindicated intheheadingfortheitemconcernedandthetextisplacedbetweenquotationmarks.  DocumentsforwhichreferencesaregiveninthetextareavailableontheCouncil'sInternetsite (http://www.consilium.europa.eu).  ActsadoptedwithstatementsfortheCouncilminuteswhichmaybereleasedtothepublicareindicatedby anasterisk;thesestatementsareavailableontheCouncil'sInternetsiteormaybeobtainedfromthePress Office. SN3567/08(Presse) 3 E PROVISIOALVERSIO 8.VII.2008

JUSTICEADHOMEAFFAIRS

– Cooperationintheareaofcounteringradicalisationandrecruitmenttoterrorism–Councilconclusions ...... 19

– CooperationwithWesternBalkancountriesonthefightagainstorganisedcrime–Councilconclusions...... 19

– Europol–CooperationAgreementswithSerbiaandMontenegro...... 19

COMMERCIALPOLICY

– Antidumping:ammoniumnitratefromRussiaandUkraine;powderedactivatedcarbonfromChina ...... 20

– Procedureforthepreliminaryexaminationofmajorinvestmentprojects–Councilconclusions ...... 20

ELARGEMET

– EU/Croatia–StabilisationandAssociationAgreement–enlargement ...... 20

EUROPEAECOOMICAREA

– Financialcontributionstoeconomicandsocialcohesion...... 21

DEVELOPMETCOOPERATIO

– FinancialcontributionstotheEuropeanDevelopmentFund ...... 21

FISHERIES

– CanaryIslandsImportsoffisheryproducts ...... 21

EVIROMET

– HazardouschemicalsandpesticidesInternationaltrade ...... 22

APPOITMETS

– EconomicandSocialCommittee ...... 23

– CommitteeoftheRegions ...... 23

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PARTICIPATS

ThegovernmentsoftheMemberStatesandtheEuropeanCommissionwererepresentedasfollows:

Belgium: MrDidierREYNDERS DeputyPrimeMinisterandMinisterforFinanceand InstitutionalReforms Bulgaria: MrPlamenVassilevORESHARSKI MinisterforFinance CzechRepublic: MrMiroslavKALOUSEK MinisterforFinance Denmark: MrClausGRUBE PermanentRepresentative Germany: MrPeerSTEINBRÜK FederalMinisterforFinance Estonia: MrIvariPADAR MinisterforFinance Ireland: MrBobbyMcDONAGH PermanentRepresentative Greece: MrGeorgiosALOGOSKOUFIS MinisterforEconomicAffairsandFinance Spain: MrDavidVEGARAFIGUERAS StateSecretaryforEconomicAffairs France: MsChristineLAGARDE MinisterforEconomicAffairs,FinanceandEmployment Italy: MrGiulioTREMONTI MinisterforEconomicAffairsandFinance Cyprus: MrCharilaosSTAVRAKIS MinisterforFinance Latvia: MrMārtinšBICEVSKIS StateSecretary,MinistryofEconomicAffairs Lithuania: MrRimantasŠADŽIUS MinisterforFinance Luxembourg: MrJeanClaudeJUNCKER PrimeMinister,Ministred'Etat,MinisterforFinance MrJeannotKRECKÉ MinisterforEconomicAffairsandForeignTrade, MinisterforSport Hungary: MrJánosVERES MinisterforFinance Malta: MrTonioFENECH MinisterforFinance,theEconomyandInvestment etherlands: MrWouterBOS MinisterforFinance,DeputyPrimeMinister Austria: MrChristophMATZNETTER StateSecretary,FederalMinistryofFinance Poland: MrJanVINCENTROSTOWSKI MinisterforFinance

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Portugal: MrEmanuelAUGUSTOSANTOS StateSecretaryfortheBudget,attachedtotheMinisterfor Finance Romania: MsAliceBITU StateSecretary,MinistryoftheEconomyandFinance Slovenia: MrAndrejBAJUK MinisterforFinance Slovakia: MrJánPOČIATEK MinisterforFinance Finland: MrVeliPekkaNUMMIKOSKI StateSecretary,MinistryofFinance Sweden: MrAndersBORG MinisterforFinance UnitedKingdom: MrAlistairDARLING ChancelloroftheExchequer

Commission: MrJoaquínALMUNIA Member MrCharlieMcCREEVY Member

Otherparticipants: MrLucasPAPADEMOS VicePresidentoftheEuropeanCentralBank MrPhilippeMAYSTADT PresidentoftheEuropeanInvestmentBank MrXavierMUSCA ChairmanoftheEconomicandFinancialCommittee MrChristianKASTROP ChairmanoftheEconomicPolicyCommittee

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ITEMSDEBATED

PRESIDECYWORKPROGRAMME

TheCounciltooknoteofthepresentationbytheFrenchPresidencyofaprogrammeofworkinthe fieldofeconomicandfinancialaffairstobeundertakenduringitsterm,fromJulyto December2008(11204/08).Itexchangedviewsonthissubject.

InitsprogrammethePresidencypaysparticularattentionto:

• puttingforwardresponsestoEuropeans'concernattheeconomicsituationagainstabackground ofhighoilpricesandrisksfortheenvironment;

• boostingconfidenceintheEuropeanfinancialsystem,gearingittotherealityoffinancial integrationinEuropeandarrangingforeffectivesupervisionofpanEuropeanfinancialgroups;

• ensuringthateconomicandmonetaryunionfunctionsproperly;

• continuingwithintegrationoftheinternalmarket,particularlyasregardsfinancialservicesand taxation;

• onbudgetissues,finalisingtheEUbudgetfor2009.

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ADOPTIOOFTHEEUROBYSLOVAKIA

TheCounciladopted:

– aDecisionontheadoptionbySlovakiaoftheeuroasitsasfrom1January2009;

– aRegulationsettingthepermanentconversionratefortheSlovakkorunatotheeuro,and consequentlyamendingRegulationNo2866/98accordingly;

– aRegulationadjustingcertaintechnicalprovisionsontheeuroandamending RegulationNo974/98.

TheDecisionwillenlargetheeuroareato16MemberStatesasfrom1January2009,allowing sixmonthsforSlovakiatoprepareforthechangeover.Euronotesandcoinswillbeissuedin Slovakiaatthesametimeasadoptionoftheeuro.

Theconversionrateissetat30,1260Slovakkorunatotheeuro.

FifteenoftheEU's27MemberStatescurrentlyusetheeuroastheircurrency:Belgium,Cyprus, Germany,Greece,Spain,France,Ireland,Italy,Luxembourg,Malta,theNetherlands,Portugal, Austria,SloveniaandFinland.Euronotesandcoinswereintroducedin12ofthosecountrieson 1January2002,inSloveniaon1January2007andinCyprusandMaltaon1January2008.

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STABILITYADGROWTHPACT–IMPLEMETATIO

BelgiumandPoland:Stabilityandconvergenceprogrammes

TheCounciladoptedopinionsontheannualupdates:

• byBelgiumofitsstabilityprogramme(8962/08);

• byPolandofitsconvergenceprogramme(8631/08).

UndertheEU'sstabilityandgrowthpact,MemberStateshavingtheeuroastheircurrencyare requiredtopresentstabilityprogrammes;thosenotparticipatinginthesinglecurrencyarerequired topresentconvergenceprogrammes.Theyupdatethemeveryyear,andeachtimetheCouncil adoptsanopinion.

TheprogrammessetouttheMemberStates’mediumtermbudgetaryobjectivesandthemain assumptionsconcerningeconomicvariables.Theaimistoensuresoundgovernmentfinancesasa meansofstrengtheningtheconditionsforpricestabilityandforsustainablegrowthconducivetojob creation.

TheCouncilevaluatedtheupdatedprogrammesoftheother25MemberStatesatitsmeetingson 12Februaryand4March2008.

Poland:Excessivedeficitprocedure

TheCounciladoptedadecision,Article104(12)oftheTreaty,repealingthedecisionithadtakenin July2004underArticle104(6)concerningtheexistenceofanexcessivegovernmentdeficitin Poland(11029/08).

Polandhas,inasustainablemanner,broughtitsdeficitbelowthelevelof3%ofgrossdomestic product(GDP),whichisthereferencelevelsetbytheTreaty.

Forfurtherinformation,seePressRelease11493/08.

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UnitedKingdom:Excessivedeficitprocedure

TheCounciladopted,underArticle104(6)oftheTreaty,adecisionontheexistenceofanexcessive governmentdeficitintheUnitedKingdomandarecommendation,underArticle104(7),onaction tobetakenforitscorrection.

ThedecisionisbasedoninformationreceivedfromtheUKauthoritiestotheeffectthatthedeficit shouldreach3,2%ofgrossdomesticproduct(GDP)in200809,i.e.abovethe3%referencevalue setbytheTreaty.

TheCouncil'srecommendationgivestheUnitedKingdomaperiodofsixmonthstotakecorrective measures.TheUnitedKingdomisrequiredtoputanendtoitsexcessivedeficitbythe200910 financialyearatthelatest,withatleasta0,5%ofGDPimprovementinstructuralbalanceduring the200910financialyear.

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RISIGOILPRICES

TheCouncilwasinformedofthePresidency'sintentionsconcerningtheCouncil'srole,inits EconomicandFinancialAffairsconfiguration(Ecofin),inimplementingtheconclusionsofthe EuropeanCouncilon19and20June2008concerningtrendsinthepetroleummarkets.

ThePresidencyputforwardanotedescribingthewayitwasproposedtoorganisetheworkofthe EcofinCounciloverthenextsixmonths(11225/1/08REV1).TheCouncil'sotherconfigurations willalsocontributetothiswork.

TheCouncilheldanexchangeofviews,andinparticularreachedapoliticalagreementon publishinginformationonoilstocksonaweeklybasis.

AtitsmeetinginJune,theEuropeanCouncilexpressedconcernaboutthecontinuedriseinoiland gaspricesandthesocialandeconomicconsequences.ItinvitedthePresidency,incooperationwith theCommission,toexaminethefeasibilityandimpactofmeasurestolimittheeffectsofthesudden priceincreasesandtoreportbackbeforetheOctoberEuropeanCouncil.

ACommissioncommunicationof13Juneprovidesabasisfordiscussiononthewayinwhich Europemaybeabletoadapttohigheroilpricesinthenextfewyears(10824/08).

ThetopicstobeconsideredbytheEcofinCouncil,withaviewtotheEuropeanCouncil'smeetings inOctoberandDecember,include:

– thefunctioningofthemarkets,inparticularasregardstheunderstandingofpricechanges,and themeansofimprovement,especiallyasregardsthetransparencyofcommercialoilstocks;

– theroleofthefinancialinstruments(oftheCommissionandtheEuropeanInvestmentBank)in theimprovementofenergyefficiency,intheuseofrenewableenergysourcesandinamore environmentallyfriendlyuseoffossilfuels;

– measureslikelytoalleviatetheimpactofrisingoilprices.

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ITERATIOALACCOUTIGSTADARDS–Councilconclusions

TheCouncilexaminedthelatestdevelopmentsconcerningtheongoingreformintheInternational AccountingStandardsBoard(IASB)andadoptedthefollowingconclusions:

"TheCouncilrecognisestheeffortsmadebytheIASCFTrusteestoenhancetheIASCF's governancesincethecompletionofthelastconstitutionalreviewandtostrengthentheabilityofthe IASBtobettertakeintoaccountthepublicinterest.Itconsidersthattheongoingreviewofthe IASCFconstitutionoffersanimportantopportunitytointroducechangestofurtherenhancethe legitimacyandacceptabilityofinternationalaccountingstandardsdevelopedbytheIASB.The currentfinancialturmoilillustratestheimportanceofarobustandlegitimateindependent internationalaccountingstandardsettingprocess,whichisresponsivetothepublicinterestand consistentwiththeobjectiveofensuringfinancialstability.

TheCouncilwelcomestheproposalsthathavebeenmadeinthisdirectionbytheIASCFand considersthatthefurtherreformoftheIASCFandIASB'sgovernanceandpublicaccountability shouldbemadeaccordingtothefollowingkeyprinciples:

• ThepublicaccountabilityoftheIASCFshouldbeenhancedthroughthecreationofaneffective MonitoringBoard,whichshouldhavesufficientpowerstoprovidethenecessaryoversightofthe IASCF;itshouldfirstensurethatTrusteeseffectivelydischargetheiroversightroletowardsthe IASB,playanactiveroleintheselectionofTrusteesandapprovetheirfinalselection.The membersoftheMonitoringBodyshouldbeabletofurtherreferissuesofpublicinterest, includingthoserelatedtofinancialstabilityandprudentialrequirements,andmattersofoverall strategyforconsiderationbytheIASB.TheMonitoringBoardshouldthusremaininclose relationwiththeChairmanoftheBoardofTrustees,whoshouldbeputincharge,underthe IASCconstitution,toensurethatallviewsandconcernsofpublicinterestrepresentativesare fullyaddressedbytheIASBBoard;

• TheMonitoringBoardshouldbecomposedofrelevantauthoritiesresponsibleforpublicinterest relatedtotheadoptionandendorsementofaccountingstandardsintheirrespectivejurisdictions, includingtheglobalbodyrepresentingauthoritiesresponsibleforfinancialstabilityorkey authoritiesinvolvedinfinancialstability.TheEuropeanCommissionshallproposemechanisms toensurethatitrepresentsthecoordinatedpositionofallrelevantEuropeaninstitutionsand bodies,andMemberStates;

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• TheIASBmustachievegreatertransparencyandlegitimacyofitsstandardsettingand agendasettingprocesses,inparticularthroughmoresystematicpublicconsultationsaboutthe IASB'sworkprogramme,includingtheIASBFASBconvergenceagendaandmorefieldtesting. TheeffectivenessoftheStandardsAdvisoryCouncilshouldbeenhanced;theroleofimpact assessmentsasamandatorypartoftheIASB'sdueprocessshouldbeformalised;and,possible changestothetermsofserviceofIASBmembersshouldbeconsidered,includingapossible termlimitationforthechairmanoftheIASB.Theviewsofpublicauthorities,inparticularthose chargedwithfinancialstabilityandprudentialregulation,shouldbeadequatelyreflectedinthe IASB'sstandardsettingprocess.

• MembersoftheIASBshouldreflectanappropriatebalanceofpracticalandtechnicalexpertise, aswellasadiversityofgeographicalexperienceinordertocontributetothedevelopmentof highquality,globalaccountingstandards.TheroleoftheEUasthelargestjurisdictionapplying internationalfinancialreportingstandardsshouldbeproperlyreflected.

• TheCouncilemphasisestheurgencyofenhancingtheEU'sabilitytocontributeinatimelyand consistentmannertotheinternationalaccountingdebate.Itthereforewelcomeseffortsto enhancetheroleoftheEuropeanFinancialReportingAdvisoryGroup(EFRAG),especiallyin relationtotimelyupstreaminputtotheIASB'sagendasettingprocess.EFRAG'sgovernance arrangementsshouldensureabalancedrepresentationofallEuropeanstakeholders.EFRAG shouldestablisheffectiveandtransparentproceduresensuringthatitoperatesinthepublic interestandinamannerconsistentwiththeEU'sfinancialreportingpolicy.TheCouncil welcomesrecentprogresstoreformEFRAG'sstructureofgovernanceinthisdirection.

TheCouncilurgesallpartiesconcernedtofinalisethesearrangementsbeforetheendof2008and willaddressthesemattersbythatdate.Realizationoftheseobjectiveswouldhelptosecure appropriatefundingforboththeIASCFandEFRAG,bothofwhichareurgentlyneeded.

TheCouncilinvitestheCommissionandtheEconomicandFinancialCommitteetoreporttothe CouncilonaregularbasisonprogressmadeinimprovinggovernanceoftheIASCF,IASBand EFRAG."

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FIACIALMARKETS–Councilconclusions

TheCounciladoptedthefollowingconclusions:

"TheCouncilhasreviewedrecentmarketdevelopmentsandprogressmadeintheimplementation oftheroadmaponthefinancialmarketturmoilconcerningmarkettransparencyandtheroleof ratingagencies.

1. Transparency

TheCouncilrecallsthatpromptandfulldisclosurebybanksandotherfinancialinstitutionsoftheir exposurestodistressedassetsandoffbalancesheetvehiclesandoftheirwritedownsandlossesis essentialtobringbackconfidenceinthemarkets.Inthisrespect,theCouncilunderlinesthatthe upcomingmidyearresultsneedtobeascomprehensive,legibleandcomparableaspossible.

TheCouncil

• welcomesCEBS'reports,issuedmidJune2008,onbanks'transparencyonactivitiesand productsaffectedbytherecentmarketturmoilandonissuesregardingthevaluationofcomplex andilliquidfinancialinstruments,

• takesnoteoftheneedtoenhanceconsistencyofbanks'disclosurepractices,aswellasofthe valuationofexposuresandtheiraccounting,

• welcomestheguidanceprovidedbyCEBS,

• callsonbankstoimplementtheseguidelines,inawayconsistentwiththeirexposuresand involvementintheactivitiesaffectedbythecrisis,and

• invitesCEBSandsupervisorstomonitorthisimplementationfollowingthepublicationofbanks' midyearresultsandtoreportbacktotheFSC/EFCandEcofininNovember.

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TheCouncilalsocallsoninternationalstandardsetterstotakeintoconsiderationCEBS'reporton issuesregardingvaluationofcomplexandilliquidfinancialinstrumentsintheirworkprogrammes. ItlooksforwardtothereviewbyCEBSofitsrecommendationsonbanks’disclosurein2009within thescopeofpillarIIIoftheCapitalRequirementsDirectiveandofitsrecommendationson valuationandaccounting.

TheCouncilalsowelcomestheinitiativesundertakenbytheindustrytoimprovetransparencyfor investors,marketsandregulatorsofsecuritizedmarkets.Ittakesnoteofthecommitmentsto developgoodpracticesguidelinesonsecuritisationdisclosure,toissueonaquarterlybasisan IndustryMarketDataReport,tosupplementitwithspecificinformationonthesecondarymarket andtoimplementinitiativestoenhanceinformationtoinvestors.TheCouncilinvitesthe Commissiontocloselymonitortheimplementationoftheseinitiativesandtoreportbacktothe EFCandtheEcofininearlySeptember.

2. Ratingagencies

TheCouncilconsidersthat,giventhecentralroleratingsplayinstructuredfinanceaswellastheir roleintheEuropeanfinancialservicesregulation,itisofhighimportancetoaddresstheconcerns thathavebeenraisedinthecontextofthefinancialturmoilconcerningthetransparencyofthe ratingprocesses,riskofconflictsofinterestrelatedtotheremunerationmodelsoftherating agencies,accountabilityandthequalityofratings.TheCouncilfullysupportstheFSF recommendationsinthisfield,inparticulardifferentiatedratingsandbetterinformationontherisk characteristicsofstructuredproducts.

TheCouncilwelcomestherevisionbyIOSCOofitsCodeofConductattheinternationallevel,and CESR'sandESME'sreportsonratingagencies.TheCouncilconsidersthattherevisionstothe IOSCOCodeofConductprovideaminimumbenchmarkfortheactionsthatcreditratingagencies shouldtaketoaddressconcernsabouttheiractivitiesinthemarketforstructuredproducts.Inthis context,theCounciltakesnoteoftheadditionalstepsundertakeninthisfieldbytheratingagencies tobetteraddressthegovernanceconcernsandimprovetransparencyconcerningthevalueand limitationsoftheratings.

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However,theCouncilsharestheCommissionviewthatthecurrentinitiativesdonotfullyaddress thechallengesposed,thatfurtherstepsareneededandthatregulatorychangesmightbenecessary.

TheCouncilsupportstheobjectiveofintroducingastrengthenedoversightregimeforrating agenciesandnotesinthisregardthepreliminaryviewsbytheCommissionaswellastheproposals byCESRandESME.TheCouncilsupportsanenhancedEuropeanapproachandtheobjectiveof strengtheninginternationalcooperationtoensureastringentimplementationofinternationally approvedprinciples.Tothisend,andwithoutprejudicetoconsiderationofitspracticalapplication, theCouncilsupportstheprincipleenvisagedbytheCommissionthattheratingagenciesshouldbe subjecttoanEUregistrationsystem.

TheCouncilwouldalsowelcomeintensifiedcompetitionbyentryintothemarketofnewplayers.

TheCouncilunderlinesthatanyfurtherstepstakeintoconsiderationtheprinciplesoftheIOSCO Codeofconductandfurtherinternationaldevelopmentsoncreditratingagenciesoversightand regulation.TheCouncillooksforwardtoconcreteCommissionproposalsintheautumnof2008."

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MEETIGSITHEMARGISOFTHECOUCIL

MinistersfromMemberStatesintheeuroareatookpartinameetingoftheEurogroupon7July.

*

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Overlunch,MinisterswerebriefedontheoutcomeoftheG8FinanceMinistersmeetinginOsaka on14JuneandonpreparationsfortheSummitfortheMediterraneaninParison13July.They werealsobriefedontheEurogroupdiscussionson7July.

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OTHERITEMSAPPROVED

ECOOMICADFIACIALAFFAIRS

EuropeanCentralBankauditors

TheCounciladoptedaDecisionappointingPricewaterhouseCoopersAktiengesellschaft WirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaftastheexternalauditorsoftheEuropeanCentralBank(ECB)for thefinancialyears2008to2012(10033/08).

TheaccountsoftheECBandnationalcentralbanksinthehavetobeauditedby independentexternalauditorsappointedontherecommendationoftheECB'sGoverningCouncil andapprovedbytheCounciloftheEU.

COMMOFOREIGADSECURITYPOLICY

BelarusRestrictivemeasuresTechnicaladaptations

TheCounciladoptedaRegulationamendingRegulationNo765/2006concerningrestrictive measuresagainstPresidentLukashenkoandcertainofficialsofBelarus(10121/08).

RegulationNo765/2006hasbeenaligned,forthesakeofclarity,withrecentdevelopmentsin sanctionspracticeregardingtheidentificationofcompetentauthorities,liabilityforcertain infringementsandpublicnoticeregardingproceduresformaintenanceofcertainlists.

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Consularcooperation

TheCouncilapprovedguidelinesdesignedtofurtherstrengthentheframeworkforconsular cooperationamongEUMemberStatesbyimplementinganumberofprovisionsunder Decision95/533/EC.

TheaimoftheseguidelinesismoreespeciallytoprovidethenecessaryhelpforEUcitizensinneed inthirdcountries,asswiftlyasposible,inapragmaticandflexibleway.

TheyhavebeendrawnupaspartofafurtherimplementationoftheprovisionsunderArticle20of theTEC,andbuildontwoDecisionsadoptedin1995withaviewtostrengtheningEuropean solidarity.

JUSTICEADHOMEAFFAIRS

Cooperationintheareaofcounteringradicalisationandrecruitmenttoterrorism– Councilconclusions

Theconclusionswillbefoundin10928/08.

CooperationwithWesternBalkancountriesonthefightagainstorganisedcrime– Councilconclusions

Theconclusionswillbefoundin10931/08.

Europol–CooperationAgreementswithSerbiaandMontenegro

TheCouncilauthorisedtheDirectorofEuropoltoconcludetheCooperationAgreementsbetween EuropolandSerbiaandbetweenEuropolandMontenegro.

TheaimofthetwoAgreementsistoenhancecooperationbetweentheEUMemberStates,acting throughEuropol,andtheabovetwocountriesrespectivelyinpreventing,detecting,suppressingand investigatingseriousformsofinternationalcrime,inparticularthroughtheexchangeofstrategic andtechnicalinformation.

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COMMERCIALPOLICY

Antidumping:ammoniumnitratefromRussiaandUkraine;powderedactivatedcarbon fromChina

TheCounciladoptedRegulations:

• amendingRegulationNo442/2007imposingadefinitiveantidumpingdutyonimportsof ammoniumnitrateoriginatinginUkrainefollowinganexpiryreviewpursuanttoRegulation No384/96(10852/08);

• imposingadefinitiveantidumpingdutyonimportsofammoniumnitrateoriginatinginRussia followinganexpiryreviewandapartialinterimreviewpursuanttoRegulationNo384/96 (10622/08);

• imposingadefinitiveantidumpingdutyonimportsofpowderedactivatedcarbonoriginatingin thePeople'sRepublicofChina(10625/08).

TheCouncilalsoapprovedacorrigendumtotheRegulationof28April2008imposingadefinitive antidumpingdutyonimportsofcoumarinoriginatinginthePeople'sRepublicofChinafollowing anexpiryreviewpursuanttoArticle11(2)ofRegulationNo384/96extendedtoIndia,Thailand, IndonesiaandMalaysia(9746/08).

Procedureforthepreliminaryexaminationofmajorinvestmentprojects– Councilconclusions

Theconclusionswillbefoundin9846/08.

ELARGEMET

EU/Croatia–StabilisationandAssociationAgreement–enlargement

TheCounciladoptedaDecisiononthesigningandprovisionalapplicationofaProtocoltothe StabilisationandAssociationAgreeementwithCroatiatotakeaccountoftheaccessionofBulgaria andRomaniatotheEUinJanuary2007(15834/07+15834/07COR8+15834/07COR9).

TheStabilisationandAssociationAgreementwithCroatiawassignedinLuxembourgin October2001andenteredintoforceinFebruary2005.

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EUROPEAECOOMICAREA

Financialcontributionstoeconomicandsocialcohesion

TheCounciladoptedaDecisionauthorisingtheCommissiontoopennegotiationsconcerningthe futurefinancialcontributionsoftheStatesoftheEuropeanFreeTradeAssociation(EFTA),which aremembersoftheEuropeanEconomicArea(EEA),toeconomicandsocialcohesionintheEEA.

DEVELOPMETCOOPERATIO

FinancialcontributionstotheEuropeanDevelopmentFund

TheCounciladoptedaDecisionfixingthesecondinstalmentofthefinancialcontributionstobe paidin2008totheEuropeanDevelopmentFund(11132/08).

FISHERIES

CanaryIslandsImportsoffisheryproducts

TheCounciladoptedaRegulationtemporarilysuspending,forspecifiedtariffquotas,customs dutiesonimportsofcertainfisheryproductsintotheCanaryIslands(9761/08).

Thepurposeofthismeasureistooffsetthenaturalhandicapresultingfromtheexceptional geographicalsituationoftheCanaryIslandsandconcernsonlythesupplyoffisheryproducts intendedexclusivelyfortheislands'domesticmarket.

TheRegulationisapplicableretroactivelyfrom1January2007to31December2013.

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EVIROMET

HazardouschemicalsandpesticidesInternationaltrade

TheCounciladoptedaDecisioninfavourofaddingchrysotileasbestos,endosulfanandtributyltin compoundstothelistofhazardoussubstancesintheRotterdamConvention(10102/08).

ThisDecisionauthorisestheCommission,atthenextmeetingoftheConferenceofthePartiesto theRotterdamConventiononthePriorInformedConsentProcedureforCertainHazardous ChemicalsandPesticidesinInternationalTrade,tosupporttheadditionofthesethreeproductsto thelist.

ThesethreeproductsarealreadysubjecttorestrictionsunderCommunitylegislation.

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APPOITMETS

EconomicandSocialCommittee

TheCouncilappointedMrFlorivalROSALANÇAtotheEconomicandSocialCommitteeuntil 20September2010.

CommitteeoftheRegions

TheCouncilappointedtotheCommitteeoftheRegions,fortheremainderofitstermofoffice, whichrunsuntil25January2010:

– asmembers:MsIndraRASSA,ChairwomanofSaldusDistrictMunicipalityandChairwomanof NīgrandesLocalMunicipality,MrCarlosAlbertoPINTO,PresidentedaCâmaramunicipalda Covilhã,MrJacekCZERNIAK,PrzewodniczącySejmikuwojewództwalubelskiego(Chairman oftheSejmikoftheLubelskievoivodship)andMrBogusławŚMIGIELSKI,Marszalek województwaśląskiego(MarshalloftheŚląskievoivodship),MrPierreHUGON,Vice présidentduConseilgénéraldelaLoire(changeofmandate),MrPierreMAILLE,Présidentdu ConseilgénéralduFinistère,MrRenéSOUCHON,PrésidentduConseilrégionald'Auvergne andMrChristopheROUILLON,MairedeCoulaines(changeofmandate),and

– asalternatemembers:MrJanisRAŠČEVSKIS,ChairmanofJēkabpilsDistrictMunicipalityand ChairmanofSaukusLocalMunicipality,MrDariuszWRÓBEL,burmistrzOpolaLubelskiego (MayorofOpoleLubelskie),MrJeanMichelDACLIN,AdjointauMairedeLyon, MsRoseMarieFALCQUE,Maired'Azerailles,MsRachelPAILLARD,MairedeBouzyand MrJeanLouisTOURENNE,PrésidentduConseilgénérald'IlleetVilaine.

SN3567/08(Presse) 23 E