Recovery, Strength and a Sense of Belonging
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FRENCH PRESIDENCY
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION
Recovery,
Strength
and a Sense
of Belonging
Programme for the French Presidency
of the Council of the European Union
1 J A N U A RY T O 3 0 J U N E 2 0 2 2PFUE
This is a time for Europe.
PROGRAMME
In facing the public health crisis, the
climate crisis, the digital revolution,
migration challenges and rising
powers, the best response is a
European response. Our Union has
always been at its best when working
together in solidarity to protect
its values and interests. For proof,
look no further than the European
response to the COVID-19 crisis and
its aftermath.
Throughout this crisis, the European
model has proven its strengths.
It is a model of democratic freedom,
solidarity, economic growth and
social protection. It is what defines
the European identity and is the
strength of our nations. To uphold
and advance this model, Europe
must assert its sovereignty, be free
to make its own decisions, have
control over its own destiny and
engage with its partners to address
global challenges, with the support of
united Europeans.
2PFUE
The programme for the French A humane Europe:
PROGRAMME
Presidency has three ambitions:
— that listens to the concerns
A more sovereign Europe: expressed by its citizens through the
Conference on the Future of Europe;
— by strengthening the Schengen
area, protecting European borders, — that defends the rule of law and
controlling migration and improving upholds its values;
the asylum policy, in line with — that takes pride in its culture, trusts
Europe’s values and its international in science and knowledge, and is
commitments; committed to fighting discrimination
— by building a stronger Europe which and securing a future for the next
is more capable of action in the fields generation.
of security and defence;
More details on the priorities of the
— by taking action for the prosperity French Presidency are presented in the
and stability of its neighbours, programme that follows.
particularly through its engagement in
the Western Balkans and its renewed These priorities follow on from the
relationship with Africa; achievements of the Slovenian
— and by bringing forth solutions to Presidency and are in line with the
global challenges. broader programme of the trio of
presidencies co-developed with
the upcoming Czech and Swedish
A new European model
presidencies. These priorities are
for growth:
based on the European Commission’s
— to make Europe a land of work programme for 2022. They were
production, job creation, innovation developed in close collaboration
and technological excellence; with the President of the European
— in which economic development is Council, the European Parliament and
aligned with climate goals; the High Representative of the Union
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
— that supports innovation and the The European Economic and Social
growth of European digital players and Committee, the European Committee
sets its own rules for the digital world; of the Regions and social partners
— and that offers high-quality, were also consulted. Implementation
high‑skilled and better-paying jobs. of the programme will take account of
developments in the ongoing public
health situation.
The Presidency will make every effort
to promote multilingualism in the work
of the Council and at meetings held
in France.
3PROGRAMME PFUE 4
Table of Contents
6 44
General Competitiveness
affairs
52
14 Transport,
Foreign telecommunications
affairs and energy
24 58
Economic and Agriculture
financial affairs and fisheries
30 64
Justice and Environment
home affairs
70
38 Education, youth,
Employment, culture and sport
social policy, health
and consumer affairsGeneral affairs
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The Fight Against
PROGRAMME
COVID-19
The French Presidency is committed to maintaining close
cooperation in response to the public health crisis and
reinforcing the European Union’s resilience in the face of
future crises.
It will continue the coordination efforts at European level
of national responses to combat the COVID-19 epidemic,
focusing on the need to stabilise the epidemiological situation
and anticipating potential epidemic waves due to variants. In
this context, the Presidency will promote the common goal
of achieving the highest possible level of vaccine protection
in the EU, through sharing best practices and information on
vaccine policies, with respect for the responsibility of Member
States in terms of public health. Regarding mobility, it will
ensure that all restrictions are based on objective criteria and
do not disproportionally hinder free movement internally or
travel to the European Union. The Presidency is committed
to strengthening the EU’s vaccine production capacities and
will simultaneously pursue international solidarity efforts,
especially with regard to Africa, for access to vaccines for
low- and middle-income countries, in particular thanks to
the COVAX Facility. Lastly, it aims to draw lessons from this
pandemic in order to prepare to respond in a coordinated
manner to any new crisis that may arise in the future, in
particular through strengthening European public health.
General affairs
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Strengthening
PROGRAMME
European Democracy
Reinforcing European democracy will In the fight against hybrid threats,
be a priority. The French Presidency, the French Presidency is committed
as co-chair of the Conference on the to reinforcing the EU’s prevention
Future of Europe, as well as its executive and response capacities, by working
board, will actively contribute to the to develop a hybrid toolbox using a
conference. A report on the work large selection of existing European
will be presented during a high-level instruments or creating them, and
event in Strasbourg in May. It will be providing a political framework for a
important for the conference results coordinated response against hybrid
to be based on the recommendations activities that affect the European
of citizens, civil society and national Union and its Member States. It
parliaments. The Presidency will seek will continue efforts to combat the
to ensure that the reflections on the manipulation of information.
future of Europe identify the EU’s
priorities of future action and lead to Building on actions aimed at increasing
the most concrete measures possible the security of networks and
in order to identify the means to information systems, the Presidency,
implement them. together with the High Representative
will organise a cyber exercise to test
Strengthening European democracy the EU’s preparedness and response
will also entail improving the legislative capability when faced with large-
framework in preparation of the scale cyber incidents affecting several
next European elections. The French Member States.
Presidency will contribute to advancing
work to revise the regulation on the The Presidency will continue to support
statute and funding of political parties, the strengthening of the security of
regulate online political advertising European institutions, in particular
and amend the Electoral Act. The by advancing work on the proposed
French High Authority for Transparency regulation on cybersecurity of
in Public Life will contribute to the European institutions announced by
reflections through a symposium on the the Commission.
themes of ethics and transparency on
3 March 2022.
General affairs
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Strengthening the Rule of Law
PROGRAMME
and Protecting Fundamental
Rights
The Presidency will resolutely A symposium on the dialogue between
contribute to strengthening the rule courts and the rule of law will be held
of law, an essential prerequisite to the on 22 February 2022 at the initiative of
proper functioning of the Union, based the French supreme courts.
on mutual trust and legal security in the
application of our shared rules. The Presidency will promote the
Charter of Fundamental Rights and
In accordance with the preventive the protection of fundamental rights
instruments, the Presidency will within the European Union. It will
continue the dialogue underway on follow up on the Commission’s first
the basis of the Commission’s annual thematic report on the application of
report, including a specific discussion the Charter of Fundamental Rights that
focused on five Member States over will focus on digital concerns. It will
the first half of the year. It will ensure support the negotiations underway in
the open and constructive nature of Strasbourg on the European Union’s
this dialogue for a better understanding accession to the Convention for the
of each situation, a collective Protection of Human Rights and
identification of difficulties and sharing Fundamental Freedoms and will devote
experiences that are helpful to all. particular attention to the EU’s internal
procedural mechanisms, designed to
It will support the Commission in its support this accession with respect for
role as guardian of the EU Treaties its autonomy.
and, by drawing on the instruments
provided for by Article 7 of the TEU, in
the search for a solution to identified
problems through maintaining open
and constructive dialogue. Lastly, the
Presidency will seek to ensure the swift
and proper implementation of the
mechanism of conditionality for the
protection of the Union budget, insofar
as the conditions of its application
are met.
General affairs
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Relations with
PROGRAMME
the United Kingdom,
the European Free
Trade Association
(EFTA) Member States,
and Andorra, Monaco
and San Marino
The French Presidency will attentively follow developments in
the EU’s relationship with the United Kingdom. It will seek to
the preservation of the unity of the Member States and to the
United Kingdom’s compliance with its commitments to the
European Union, in particular the Protocol to the Withdrawal
Agreement on Ireland and Northern Ireland, fair competition
and fisheries. Lastly, regarding the internal governance of
the European Union, the Presidency, after receiving the
Commission’s proposal, will endeavour to move negotiations
forward as much possible on the draft regulation on the
Union’s adoption conditions of certain measures specified in
the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The Presidency will seek to make progress on the negotiations
underway with Andorra, Monaco and San Marino and will
contribute to the ongoing work evaluating the EU’s relationship
with Switzerland.
General affairs
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Enlargement
PROGRAMME
The Presidency will ensure continued negotiations with
candidate countries in keeping with the new methodology
endorsed in the Council conclusions of 15 March 2020. It will
support the EU’s work in the Western Balkans, promoting
far-reaching, transformative reforms in key areas such as rule
of law, democratic institutions, freedom of the press and
economic reforms, which will facilitate the incorporation
of the European acquis.
Reacting to crises
and ensuring EU
resilience
The French Presidency will give high importance to enhancing
the EU’s capacity to manage and boost its resilience to crises
by improving its preparedness, response capacities and by
drawing lessons from the response to the pandemic. It will
undertake work to re-examine the Council’s crisis response
mechanism (IPCR), with an aim to strengthen it.
General affairs
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Economic, Social and
PROGRAMME
Territorial Cohesion
The Presidency will work to assess the progress made in
terms of economic, social and territorial cohesion as the new
generation of programmes under the 2021-2027 cohesion
policy begin to be implemented. It will prepare the Council’s
conclusions on the matter building on the 8th report on the
cohesion policy that will be presented by the Commission, and
will more specifically focus on territorial challenges in terms of
innovation, reduction of carbon intensity, connectivity, social
cohesion, democracy, citizen engagement, good governance
and funded projects’ adherence to the EU’s values. In addition,
the Presidency will organise discussions on an effective,
suitable management and implementation system for all funds
for the 2021-2027 period.
Through the informal ministerial meeting to be held on
1 March 2022, the Presidency hopes to promote a long-term
European vision for rural areas, and to take into account the
challenges faced by the inhabitants of these regions as well
as those in territories undergoing industrial change, regions
with very low population density and island, cross-border and
mountain regions. These exchanges will notably take place
as part of the discussions on the 8th report and on the infra-
regional dimension of the cohesion policy.
The Presidency will place particular emphasis on the specific
situation of outermost regions as is recognised by Article 349
of the TFEU, which allows for European standards to be
adapted for these regions. It will be firmly committed to
ensuring that their respective characteristics and constraints
are fully taken into account and that their potential for
development is boosted. It will prepare conclusions following
the Commission’s presentation of its new strategy.
General affairs
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General affairs PROGRAMME PFUEForeign affairs
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The French Presidency will strengthen
PROGRAMME
the capacity of the European Union
to take action to defend its values
and interests, boost its resilience and
its preparedness for the threats and
challenges it faces and contribute
to achieving peace and security at a
global level. It will support the action
of the President of the European
Council as well as that of the High
Representative of the Union for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The French Presidency will ensure
the proper implementation of the
decisions taken by the European
Council and the Council of the EU, in
close coordination with the European
External Action Service (EEAS).
Foreign affairs
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Africa
PROGRAMME
In close cooperation with the President of the European
Council, the President of the Commission and the High
Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy, the French Presidency will contribute to renewing the
partnership between Africa and the EU, in preparation for the
European Union-African Union Summit taking place in Brussels
on 17 and 18 February 2022. The goal will be to establish an
ambitious and forward-looking alliance with Africa in order
to foster the creation of a space of solidarity, security, lasting
prosperity and stability.
This summit will focus on highlighting ambitious, foundational
projects, supported by an Africa-Europe investment package
centred around the triple focus of prosperity, peace and
security, and migrations and mobility. With regard to
prosperity, the Summit could focus in particular on African
public health resilience including through supporting local
vaccine production, economic recovery, the development
of sustainable infrastructure to facilitate the energy and
digital transitions, the role of Euro-African trade partnerships
to support Africa’s economic resilience, food and nutrition
security through a partnership strategy to develop protein
supply chains and agroecology in connection with the Great
Green Wall initiative and educational and employment
opportunities for young people. With regard to peace
and security, the Summit could help reinforce structural
cooperation on crisis management and support the actions
of Africans on their continent. Lastly, the Summit could
contribute to develop an updated mobility framework
(students, researchers, volunteering schemes, etc.) that takes
into account the issue of migration, combining reflection
on legal migratory channels and the fight against irregular
migration. In preparation for this summit, the Presidency
will also hold a ministerial conference on the new trade
partnerships between Europe and Africa.
Foreign affairs
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Indo-Pacific Region
PROGRAMME
Following the communication presented in September by
the Commission and the High Representative, the Presidency
will be fully committed to implementing the EU Strategy for
cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which was supported by the
European Council meeting of 21 and 22 October.
Together with the High Representative, the Presidency will hold
a ministerial forum on 22 February 2022, bringing together the
Member States, the European Commission and Indo-Pacific
partner countries. The forum will address specific challenges
related to security and defence, and digital and connectivity
issues in the context of the Global Gateway initiative to
develop infrastructure worldwide, as well as global challenges
such as global health, climate change, biodiversity and the
protection of oceans.
Relations with
the United States
The Presidency will contribute to strengthening ties with the
United States, particularly within the framework of the Energy
Council and the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), while
respecting the EU’s decision-making autonomy.
It will support a deeper dialogue with the United States with
regard to foreign policy, in particular concerning China and
the Indo-Pacific region.
Foreign affairs
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Relations with Russia,
PROGRAMME
China and Turkey
With regard to Russia, the Presidency will continue to
support the work of the European Council, building on the
positions set out on 24 and 25 June 2021, for a united, long-
term and strategic European approach based on the five
guiding principles. It will continue to implement the approach
chosen with regard to EU-China relations. It will also ensure
the implementation of the European Council’s conclusions
concerning Turkey.
Southern
Neighbourhood
Promoting a more sustainable, ecological, stable and
prosperous Southern Neighbourhood is a shared strategic
priority and fundamental interest for both the European
Union and its partners, in order to meet shared challenges
and benefit from joint opportunities thanks to heightened
cooperation. Further to the conclusions adopted by the
Council and European Council, the Presidency will see to the
implementation of the different measures and actions in
anticipation of a progress report on the renewed partnership
with the Southern Neighbourhood and the new agenda for the
Mediterranean region in spring 2022.
Foreign affairs
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Eastern
PROGRAMME
Neighbourhood
The French Presidency is committed to the implementation
of the Eastern Partnership following on from the summit
held on 15 December, and to reinforcing resilience, stability
and sustainable connectivity in the region. It will support the
commitments of the President of the European Council, the
High Representative and the Commission to these efforts.
Western Balkans
The French Presidency will organise a conference on the
Western Balkans in June 2022. It will support the deepening
of concrete cooperation projects with the Western Balkans, in
particular to foster regional cooperation and stability.
Foreign affairs
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Development and
PROGRAMME
Humanitarian Aid
Development
The context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Team Europe approach with
has further reinforced the need to partner countries. The Summit of
make European collective action the European Union and the African
more strategic, visible and influential Union will illustrate this approach. In
in support of the EU’s foreign policy the same spirit, the Presidency will
priorities and its ability to act. The seek to advance discussion on the
emergence of the Team Europe EU’s renewed partnership with less
approach, first in response to the developed countries, which have been
pandemic, then as a new mode of severely affected by the COVID-19
action, and the NDICI-Global Europe crisis, to support their economic
instrument entering into force on recovery efforts and help them
a global scale are two significant reach their sustainable development
developments. goals. Lastly, the Presidency will
focus on the finalisation of the Post-
The Presidency will support these Cotonou Agreement, with a view
developments to promote European toward implementing a modernised
interests and values and a more partnership between the EU and
geopolitical relationship with our its Member States and the African,
partner countries, based on the Caribbean and Pacific countries.
financial and operational strength of
the development cooperation policies
of the European Union and its Member
States. It will strive to solidify the EU’s
position as a development power by
focusing on concretising Europe’s
offer through its funding projects
Foreign affairs
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PROGRAMME
Humanitarian Aid
The European Union and its Member
States together are the leading donor
of humanitarian aid in the world, a
concrete and visible demonstration
of European solidarity. The Presidency
is thus committed, together with
the Commission, to furthering the
promotion of and compliance with
international humanitarian law,
preserving the humanitarian space
and fighting against the impunity
of perpetrators of attacks against
humanitarian workers. The Presidency
will also prioritise better incorporation
of the impact of climate change and
environmental issues into humanitarian
action.
Together with the Commission, the
Presidency will co-organise the first
European Humanitarian Forum. It will in
particular provide a forum to promote
the Call to Humanitarian Action,
aiming to mobilise the international
community to better implement
international humanitarian law.
Foreign affairs
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Trade
PROGRAMME
The French Presidency seeks to bolster ensure that imported products are
the contribution of trade policy to subject to the manufacturing standards
European prosperity and sovereignty, in force within the EU, whenever this
drawing on the Communication from is necessary, to heighten protection
the Commission of 18 February 2021 on of health and the environment, in
“An Open, Sustainable and Assertive compliance with WTO rules (“mirror
Trade Policy”. measures”).
It will support EU initiatives to The French Presidency will move
safeguard and reform the multilateral forward with talks on the EU’s
trading system with an eye to restoring autonomous instruments: the
its full effectiveness and allowing it to regulation on the international
play its full role. To this end, together procurement instrument and the
with the Commission, it will continue regulation on the protection of the
to prepare the Twelfth WTO Ministerial Union and its Member States from
Conference, in particular the work on economic coercion by third countries.
reforming the organization, and will The aims will be to generate greater
back European calls for sustainable opportunities for the European
development issues to be fully included economy, to better defend European
in WTO rules, especially as regards interests from the unfair or coercive
the agreement on regulating fisheries practices of non-EU countries and
subsidies. to ensure reciprocity in trade. It will
arrange to hold a conference on
It will strive to ensure that trade policy the contribution of trade policy to
imperatives take better account of European strategic autonomy.
sustainable development and the
achievement of the objectives of The Presidency will also lead the work
the Green Deal by driving forward to protect European citizens from
discussions on the revision of the the effects of the extra-territorial
Generalised Scheme of Preferences application of certain legislation
(GSP) and by backing the revision of the adopted by third countries by, inter
approach to sustainable development alia, strengthening European tools,
in trade agreements that has been including through amendment of the
initiated by the European Commission. blocking statute.
In this respect, the instrument to
combat imported deforestation and
the future initiative on sustainable
corporate governance will play an
important role. In addition, continued
work will be done on the measures to
Foreign affairs
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Defence
PROGRAMME
The Presidency will contribute to work the roadmap on critical technologies
on the common defence and security and the reduction of strategic
policy and will endeavour to have the dependencies. It will be involved in
European Strategic Compass endorsed setting up and scaling up the European
by the European Council on 24 and Peace Facility, and revising the Civilian
25 March 2022 on the basis of the draft Common Security and Defence Policy
presented by the High Representative. (CSDP) Compact by 2023.
This document will help underpin the
EU’s objectives in terms of security and Lastly, a stronger and more operational
defence, in particular regarding crisis European defence , which is
management, resilience, capability complimentary to NATO, will contribute
development and partnerships. Against to global and transatlantic security.
this backdrop, the Presidency will be The Presidency will strive to expand
responsible for preparing the Council’s the EU’s relations with its partners
position on the Commission’s initiatives in the security and defence fields.
within the Defence Package, expected It will be involved in implementing
in early 2022, and will support the the 2022-2024 priorities of the UN-
efforts of the High Representative, the EU Partnership. Looking ahead to
Commission and the Member States to the NATO Summit in Madrid, it will
roll out the Strategic Compass and the support the strengthening of EU-NATO
tangible concurrent measures. It will cooperation in areas of mutual interest
ensure that the commitments made are and according to agreed principles.
reviewed on a regular basis. The Presidency will back the holding
of the first EU-US defence and security
The EU’s access to contested strategic dialogue and will work to strengthen
areas will also be a priority. The partnerships, in particular in Africa and
Presidency will provide special support the Indo-Pacific.
for the action to be taken in the
maritime field through the expanded
application, in early 2022, of the
Coordinated Maritime Presence in a
new area of the Indo-Pacific and will
start, as requested by the Council, work
to update the EU Maritime Security
Strategy (EUMSS) to meet current and
future challenges. It will also contribute
to the efforts to provide the EU with
a space strategy for security and
defence, and the implementation of
Foreign affairs
23Economic and financial affairs
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The French Presidency will
PROGRAMME
concentrate on three main areas:
guaranteeing the coordination of
post‑crisis economic policies for
the entire success of the European
recovery plan, financing future growth,
and helping to build a responsible
capitalism by putting finance to
work for the dual climate and digital
transition while countering financial
crime. It will support joint thinking
on a new European model for growth,
investment and employment at an
informal meeting of Heads of State
and Government on 10 and 11 March.
Economic and financial affairs
25PFUE
Recovery
PROGRAMME
and Growth
The Presidency will see to the full deployment of the recovery
plan in the Member States, ensuring that funds are swiftly
disbursed and to organising the oversight and adoption of the
national recovery and resilience plans. The French Presidency
will make every effort to see through the emergence of a
coordinated strategy for investment and structural reforms, in
particular with respect to investments in future growth sectors.
It will take forward discussions on the review of the EU’s
economic governance framework, including analysis of the
repercussions of the COVID-19 crisis on the European economy
and on challenges it faces, fiscal rules and the macroeconomic
imbalances procedure, with the aim of preventing any
stifling of growth and enabling the necessary investments
to be made in the green and digital transitions to build the
European economic model for 2030. The public consultation
on economic governance, relaunched by the communication
from the European Commission of 19 October 2021, will inform
a debate on the initial conclusions that the Commission
draws from its consultation at the (Economic and Financial
Affairs) Council meeting in March 2022. The Presidency
will also launch discussions on the targeted revision of the
EU Financial Regulation in order to fully align it with the
2021‑2027 Multiannual Financial Framework. More generally, the
French Presidency will promote the work on green budgeting.
In keeping with the roadmap approved by the three
institutions in December 2020, the Presidency will steer
work on the creation of new own resources geared towards
the climate transition based on proposals presented by the
Commission in December 2021.
Economic and financial affairs
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Financing
PROGRAMME
Future Growth
The Presidency will contribute to ensuring the financing for
a more competitive and innovative economy in support
of the recovery and speeding the pace of work to develop
financial sovereignty. It will take forward Council negotiations
on banking and insurance prudential regulations (Solvency II
and Basel III) with a view to guaranteeing the resilience and
competitiveness of financial establishments and will draw
up conclusions taking stock of the implementation of the
communication from the Commission of 19 January 2021
regarding “The European economic and financial system:
fostering openness, strength and resilience”.
The Presidency will actively undertake to make progress
with the Capital Markets Union, focusing in particular on the
negotiations regarding a single access point for financial and
non-financial information, the long-term investment funds
framework and the review of the Alternative Investment Fund
Managers Directive. The Presidency will work in support of
deepening the Banking Union based on the progress expected
within the context of the Eurogroup.
Economic and financial affairs
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Building a Responsible,
PROGRAMME
Sustainable Capitalism
The French Presidency’s work will of the green bond standard. The
focus primarily on the environmental subjects of green finance, industrial
legislative proposals put forward transition, green budgeting and
by the Commission on 14 July 2021, greening official export support policies
in particular the Carbon Border will be raised at a ministerial conference
Adjustment Mechanism, which in March 2022.
will enable this transition to be
implemented for all European The Presidency will prioritise work
industries while preserving the EU’s on a Corporate Sustainability
competitiveness. Reporting Directive (CSRD), which
will increase corporate transparency
The Presidency will seek to put in in environmental and social matters
place fairer, effective taxation. It will as well as in the areas of fundamental
take forward work on the proposal rights and anti-corruption. An
presented by the Commission ambitious implementation timeline
in December 2021, writing into will enable the EU to position itself as a
European law the agreement on forerunner in an environment of strong
Pillar Two reached with the OECD normative competition.
on 8 October 2021, with entry into
force set for 1 January 2023. Work A high priority will be placed on
on the proposed Energy Taxation protecting financial transactions
Directive will also continue and a first against cyber and criminal threats. The
appraisal of the 1 July 2021 reform of Presidency will make the maximum
e-commerce VAT rules will be prepared possible progress with the work on
in order to consider the next steps regulating digital finance (Regulation
to be taken ahead of the proposal on Markets in Crypto-Assets – MiCA
that the Commission plans to make – and Digital Operational Resilience
in the second half of 2022. Lastly, the Act for the financial sector – DORA – )
Presidency will undertake work on and with anti-money laundering and
future initiatives designed to strengthen countering the financing of terrorism
administrative cooperation between (creation of a European supervisory
Member States and action to counter authority, revision of rules on transfers
tax evasion and avoidance. of funds in order to guarantee the
traceability of crypto-assets, enhanced
The Presidency will seek to develop due diligence for persons who present
Economic and financial affairs
sustainable finance in support of the a risk, harmonisation of internal control
climate transition and to make Europe requirements, etc.). It will hold a
a leader in sustainable finance, which ministerial conference on sovereignty
calls for further progress to be made in the face of financial crime on
with green finance such as the adoption 21 January 2022.
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Economic and financial affairs PROGRAMME PFUEJustice and home affairs
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The French Presidency will take
PROGRAMME
action to proceed with the reform
of the Schengen area, continue work
on asylum and migration and will
work to strengthen the security of
European citizens by heightening
police cooperation and to strengthen
European coordination in civil
protection. Furthermore, the French
Presidency will stress the importance
of combatting all forms of hate and
discrimination. Lastly, the Presidency
will take action in various areas in
order to adapt judicial cooperation
to the digital age, including with
regard to electronic evidence.
Justice and home affairs
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Reform of
PROGRAMME
the Schengen Area
Priority will be given to ensuring the Improving the governance of our
improved functioning of the Schengen shared area is also an important aspect
area. The French Presidency will ensure of reforming the Schengen area. The
that the upcoming reform of our French Presidency will work towards
shared area will introduce efficient strengthening the Council’s role of
protection mechanisms for the external political steering. The ongoing revision
borders of the EU, draw lessons from of the Regulation on the Schengen
the COVID-19 crisis and, with regard evaluations, which the Presidency
for our principles, provide solutions to will strive to finalise, is an important
the instrumentalisation of migration by element in this regard. The Regulation
certain third countries. It will examine will enable simpler, more reactive
means of strengthening cooperation and thus more efficient methods of
arrangements to support Member evaluation, and will guarantee prompt
States confronted with specific responses in the event of serious
challenges at the EU’s external borders, deficiency.
including means such as border guards
and aerial surveillance. The reform must
also allow for the prevention of irregular
migratory flows within the Schengen
area. At the same time, it will ensure
the proper implementation of decisions
taken, for example concerning
European information systems and
their interoperability.
Justice and home affairs
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Continuing Work
PROGRAMME
on Asylum and Migration
The Presidency is committed to As regards the internal dimension, the
supporting a European response to the Presidency will suggest proceeding in
challenges faced by the EU regarding accordance with a gradual approach.
migration and asylum. Drawing upon It will ensure that each step has a
the Pact on Migration and Asylum satisfactory balance of protection
proposed by the European Commission, of external borders, responsibility
solutions to the most pressing issues and solidarity. In this context, the
must be defined while building the trust presidency will continue negotiations
required. on the corresponding legislative texts.
The Presidency will therefore also strive
In particular, the Presidency will strive to identify the support that could be
to develop the external dimension provided to the Member States that
of migratory policies, in accordance ensure the protection of the external
with the conclusions of the European borders, as well as the means of
Councils of June, October and achieving a unified European policy on
December 2021. The aim will be to returns, which will support the actions
strengthen cooperation with the main of the Member States.
third countries of origin or transit, on
the basis of action plans that set out The launch of the European Union
clear objectives and concrete actions Agency for Asylum in January 2022
based on the available instruments will also mark an important step
and levers including those that are in European asylum policy. The
financial or related to visa policy. These Presidency will support the work of the
actions must contribute to preventing agency to promote the alignment of
irregular departures, improving the national practices relating to asylum,
efficiency of returns and strengthening information exchange between national
the capacities of third countries to authorities and better processing
efficiently manage migratory flows and of multiple asylum applications, to
to combat trafficking. To this end, the guarantee better application of the
Presidency will encourage the creation European acquis and to better prevent
of an operational structure to ensure secondary migratory movements.
effective coordination and steering.
Justice and home affairs
33PFUE
Security for
PROGRAMME
European Citizens
The French Presidency will work on Furthermore, the Presidency will
strengthening police cooperation in promote current reflection on the
the EU in order to ensure a high level project of an EU Knowledge Hub for
of security for European citizens, the prevention of radicalisation. The
in particular by continuing to make Presidency also intends to combat the
European information systems behaviour of individuals and entities
interoperable. The Presidency will who, though their words and actions,
commit to bring forward negotiations incite radicalisation and acts of
with the European Parliament violence.
concerning the revision of the Europol
Regulation, which is a key element To strengthen legal instruments
in the fight against organised crime for combatting online child sexual
and terrorism. The Presidency will abuse, the Presidency will carry out
engage in discussions on the police negotiations on the upcoming proposal
cooperation aspect of the Schengen of the European Commission on
reform, with the revision of the preventing and combatting the sexual
Prüm decision, which will allow for abuse of minors.
significant improvement in information
exchange between European police The Presidency will hold trilogues
forces regarding investigations, the with the European Parliament on the
Directive on information exchange resilience of critical entities for the
and the recommendation for a police protection of critical infrastructure,
cooperation code. parallel to work on recasting the NIS
Directive on the protection of digital
The Presidency will also further efforts infrastructure.
underway in the fight against terrorism
and radicalisation. Measures will Lastly, it will step up the fight against
be examined to better protect the drug trafficking, by addressing it in its
European territory, in the face of the duality as a security and health issue.
threats posed by the return of foreign The revision of the mandate of the
terrorist fighters and the evolving European Monitoring Centre for Drugs
situation in Afghanistan, as well as and Drug Addiction should contribute
to improve the detection of terrorist to achieving this goal.
individuals within the Schengen area.
Justice and home affairs
34PFUE
Civil
PROGRAMME
protection
The Presidency will aim to build a
strong European response as regards
civil protection, as an extension
of the recent revision of the EU
Civil Protection Mechanism. It will
notably work to construct a common
vision of the risks and capability
requirements for 2030 and to promote
the development of EU centres of
excellence, including the one in Nîmes.
Justice and home affairs
35PFUE
Uphold the Values of the EU
PROGRAMME
and Adapt Judicial Cooperation
to the challenges of digital
technology
The French Presidency intends to The Presidency will also promote the
promote the values of tolerance which protection of the rights of victims
underpin the construction of Europe of criminal offences within the EU. A
by focusing on combatting hatred and symposium will be held in March 2022
all forms of discrimination. With this to address this matter. With regard to
goal, it will support the Commission’s child protection, the French Presidency
proposal to extend the list of offences will also resume work on abduction
covered by Article 83 of the Treaty on alert systems, so as to better coordinate
the Functioning of the European Union Member State reactions in the event of
regarding hate speech and hate crime. a child suddenly going missing.
With this same objective, the French Environmental protection will also
Presidency will prepare conclusions be at the heart of the efforts of the
of the Council on the fight against French Presidency in the area of
racism and anti-Semitism so as to justice. This is a crucial fight for the
follow through with the European generations to come, and the French
Commission’s strategy on combatting Presidency intends to make headway
anti-Semitism and fostering Jewish in negotiations on the proposed
life. The Presidency will also work revision of the 2008 Directive on the
on the upcoming proposal of the protection of the environment through
European Commission on preventing criminal law.
and combatting violence against
women and domestic violence. It The Presidency wishes to drive forward
will also continue to support the the work on the digitalisation of judicial
Istanbul Convention, which remains an proceedings, which is a decisive factor
international reference on the matter. in the effectiveness of justice systems.
Justice and home affairs
36PFUE
PROGRAMME
It will work towards finalising
negotiations with the European
Parliament on draft regulations and
directives concerning access to
electronic evidence, in compliance
with fundamental rights and while
implementing procedures that
guarantee judicial authorities of the
EU Member States swift access to
electronic evidence, which is often
a determining factor in criminal
investigations. The Presidency will
pay particular attention to the
draft regulation on the exchange of
information relating to terrorism, which
meets an identified operational need. It
will also promote the establishment of a
Joint Investigation Teams collaboration
platform.
The Presidency will continue work on
strengthening judicial cooperation
in civil matters both within the EU
and outside its borders by closely
following the ongoing work at
the Hague Conference on Private
International Law and at the United
Nations Commission on International
Trade Law.
Justice and home affairs
37Employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs
PFUE
Health
PROGRAMME
The French Presidency will prioritise Building on efforts already undertaken
strengthening European public health to extend the mandate and resources
through promoting responsiveness, of the principal European agencies
coordination and solidarity. The in the field of health, the Presidency
COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted will support the establishment of
the need for more effective measures the European Health Emergency
for health emergency preparedness, preparedness and Response Authority
anticipation and response. It has also (HERA).
accentuated the need to reinforce
supply chains for health products. Lastly, The Presidency will also be committed
our interdependence in terms of public to strengthening European health
health, both within the EU and with sovereignty by promoting an industrial
the rest of the world, has revealed the strategy for health. To this end, it will
importance of the principle of solidarity support the goal of an Important
in the management of the epidemic, Project of Common European Interest
to ensure that everyone has timely (IPCEI) to reinforce the EU’s industrial
access to medical countermeasures. policy in the health sector and its
The French Presidency will continue the strategic positioning in this sector by
discussion undertaken by the previous fostering innovation in the various
presidencies on the development segments of the healthcare industry.
of European public health with a These initiatives will be highlighted
view toward the emergence of a true during a ministerial conference on
European Health Union. strengthening the European Union’s
sovereignty and competitiveness
These goals will be pursued through through building a common industrial
the conclusion of negotiations on policy for health.
the legislative package on “Building a
European Health Union”, in particular The Presidency will initiate negotiations
trilogues on the proposed regulation on the revision of the directives on the
on serious cross-border threats safety and quality of human blood and
to health. This legislative package on the safety and quality of human
tissues and cells, in order to allow a
Employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs
promotes the creation of a European
Health Union based on the ability to more flexible adaptation to scientific
face future pandemics in solidarity, and technological developments and to
on better coordination of actions take into account lessons learned from
promoting health and prevention, the pandemic.
and on strengthening the European
health security system. In this regard, a Developing digital health will be a
ministerial conference on the resilience central focus of the French Presidency’s
of health systems will be held in January work. It will open negotiations on
in particular to analyse the impact of the Commission’s proposal for the
the COVID-19 crisis on health systems European Health Data Space. This
and healthcare. initiative will ensure balance between
39PFUE
facilitating interoperability between work on setting up an international
PROGRAMME
the European health systems, with treaty to combat pandemics. It
the goal of improving the continuity will notably step up efforts on the
of care especially in cross-border prevention and fight against cancer,
contexts, on the one hand, and the antimicrobial resistance, and the
respect of high ethical standards for mental health of vulnerable young
protecting sensitive data, on the other. people, which will be the subject of
A ministerial conference will be held on a ministerial conference on 7 March.
2 February on the themes of citizenship, It will also prepare the revision of the
ethics and health data. EU’s pharmaceutical legislation during
a ministerial conference on 28 February
Lastly, the French Presidency will work on rare diseases. It will also hold a
to reinforce the European Union’s ministerial conference on 18 January
actions in the field of health, including devoted to the resilience of health
its contributions to global health, in systems to support cooperation on a
cooperation with other international European scale.
bodies. The Presidency will follow the
Employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs
40PFUE
Employment, Social Affairs
PROGRAMME
and Equality
The French Presidency will continue in partnership with the European
strengthening the Social Europe Economic and Social Committee
following on from the European (EESC).
Pillar of Social Rights declared on
17 November 2017 at the Social The French Presidency will therefore
Summit in Gothenburg, and from pay particular attention to the issues
the commitments made at the Porto of lifelong training, employment
Social Summit on 7 and 8 May 2021. transitions and social dialogue, in
The measures set out in the Action particular at the Tripartite Social
Plan to implement the Pillar, presented Summit, in order to provide support
by the Commission on 4 March 2021, during the changes brought about by
will contribute to achieving the target the digital and climate transitions.
figures by 2030.
The EU’s Gender Equality Strategy,
The French Presidency will commence presented by the Commission in
negotiations with the European March 2020, sets out key actions
Parliament concerning the proposed to end gender-based violence and
directive on adequate minimum stereotypes; ensure equal opportunities
wages in the EU. It will also initiate in the labour market, including equal
discussions on the proposed directive pay; and achieve gender balance in
on improving the working conditions of decision-making. At the intersection
people working through digital labour of several legislative initiatives,
platforms. women’s economic empowerment, as
well as concretely achieving gender
The Presidency will place accompanying equality, will be a particular focus for
large economic transitions at the the Presidency addressed during a
heart of its priorities, in order to ministerial conference on 31 January.
support employment in the context
of European recovery. It will work In light of the persistent gender pay
Employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs
towards the Council’s adoption of gap in the EU, the Presidency will
recommendations on individual move forward negotiations through
learning accounts and on the social trilogues on the proposed directive on
impact and impact of the climate strengthening the application of the
transition on the labour market. These principle of equal pay for equal work,
topics will be placed on the agenda or work of equal value, between men
of the informal Council meeting held and women through pay transparency
in Bordeaux on 15 February 2022. and enforcement mechanisms in
A ministerial conference on the order to improve access to employee
social economy will also be held on information. The Presidency is
17 and 18 February in Strasbourg, committed to advancing discussions on
41PFUE
the proposed directive on improving The French Presidency believes that
PROGRAMME
gender balance on company boards. social policies should address all ages
As part of the EU’s follow-up on the in life. It will encourage discussion on
implementation of the Beijing Platform children’s access to essential services,
for Action, the French Presidency a principle included in the Council
will propose that the Council adopt recommendation establishing the
conclusions on gender-based violence. European Child Guarantee, as well as on
the mental health of vulnerable young
With regard to social inclusion, the people and on preventing the loss of
French Presidency will seek to promote autonomy, which will be addressed
the EU’s action in order to better take through ministerial conferences.
into account fundamental rights and
the fight against the economic and Lastly, with a view towards eradicating
social exclusion of vulnerable persons. homelessness by 2030, the Presidency
In light of the EU Strategy for the Rights will seek to give new impetus to this
of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, policy goal via the European platform
the Presidency will hold a ministerial to combat homelessness and the
conference in early March to discuss Housing First policy.
how action can be taken to improve
the social and economic participation
of persons with disabilities as well as
their access to rights. This conference
will in particular be an opportunity to
review progress on the employment
package aimed at improving the
employment situation of people
with disabilities, as well as to discuss
challenges related to European research
on autism.
Employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs
4243
Employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs PROGRAMME PFUECompetitiveness
PFUE
Strengthening the EU’s strategic
PROGRAMME
autonomy will be central to the
work of the French Presidency. It will
endeavour to promote a knowledge-
based and industrial Europe that
is more sovereign, more innovative
and that makes progress towards
the digital and green transition.
In this respect, the “Fit for 55”
package, which will be a priority
for the French Presidency in the
Council configurations in which it
is discussed, also includes major
industrial challenges such as the
move to a low-carbon model for
certain industries or the development
of new key sectors.
Competitiveness
45PFUE
Internal Market
PROGRAMME
and Industry
With 2022 marking the 30th anniversary to ensure that digital markets are
of the internal market, the French contestable and fair.
Presidency will aim to deepen this
market to fully cover fiscal and social The Presidency will also promote
convergence objectives, and to make a initiatives to provide citizens and
contribution to the EU’s dual green and businesses with the means to
digital transition. become involved in environmental
and climate-based efforts. As an
The French Presidency will continue example, the Presidency will support
with the action already taken to enhanced consumer information on
remove unjustified obstacles to the the environmental features of the
single market for products, services products they purchase and their
and capital. It could draw on the protection when faced with unfair
Commission’s review in its second commercial practices such as planned
Annual Single Market Report in order obsolescence. This will draw on a
to channel the work towards improved legislative proposal to be put forward
application of internal market rules. by the Commission. The French
To take account of lessons learned Presidency will also work on stepping
from the COVID-19 crisis in the internal up the contribution of procurement to
market, the French Presidency will begin the digital and green transition.
work on the Commission’s proposal for
a single market emergency instrument. To ensure that the single market
continues to protect consumers,
The French Presidency will prioritise the French Presidency will move
the reform of the digital world. As discussions on the revision of the
regards content regulation, it will General Product Safety Directive along.
move as far forward as possible with This will increase the singularity of the
talks with the European Parliament on supervisory framework for the product
the Digital Services Act (DSA), which market by adjusting product safety
will introduce a bold, effective and requirements to the new technologies
proportionate legal framework applying and risks, and by ensuring that the
to content moderation by digital resulting obligations for economic
platforms and to increased obligations operators are aligned. It will continue
for online marketplaces. Concerning with the revision of the Consumer
the economic regulation of major Credit Directive to tailor EU legislation
digital platforms, the French Presidency to address the changing practices
will take forward negotiations for the brought about by the development of
Competitiveness
Digital Markets Act (DMA) so that the digital technology and the COVID-19
EU has a specific ex-ante regulation pandemic. It will also begin discussions
instrument for these gatekeepers on the revision of the Directive on
46PFUE
PROGRAMME
Distance Marketing of Consumer industrial strengths in the global
Financial Services by factoring context. It will strive to glean material
in technological innovations and results from this strategy to further the
subsequent sector-based regulations. EU’s strategic autonomy. This means
On 10 and 11 February, a ministerial that it will endeavour to make European
conference on consumer protection industrial ecosystems more resilient,
will be organised in Strasbourg in to support their green and digital
conjunction with the Commission. transition, and to ensure improved
management of our dependencies,
The European regulatory framework is particularly by developing new
essential to the expansion of European European manufacturing capabilities.
industry and the Commission’s
standardisation strategy plays a part The Presidency will strive to initiate
in achieving this goal. The Presidency and fast track tangible industrial
will continue working on the various cooperation facilitated by the
projects that will contribute to a Important Projects of Common
harmonised framework within the European Interest (IPCEIs) instrument
single market whilst guaranteeing with a view to structuring value
robust consumer protection. A prime chains, key sectors and technologies
example is the proposal for a common for health, hydrogen, electronics
charger which would make life easier and cloud computing at European
for users and meet an environmental level. The Presidency will also ensure
objective. The French Presidency that other current Europe-wide
will also move on with talks on the instruments are taken into account.
Machinery Regulation and will start These include industrial alliances and
work on revising the Regulation laying Horizon Europe’s joint undertakings
down harmonised conditions for the which further develop public-private
marketing of construction products and partnerships focusing on strategic
the legislative proposal to establish a research issues to be forged, with the
harmonised framework for access to in- public contribution being funded
vehicle data. Lastly, the Presidency will directly from the EU’s budget. The
look into drawing up a new European Presidency will begin work on the
emissions standard for all pollutants, proposal for a European Chips Act once
except CO2, for the placing on the it is published by the Commission. It
market of new vehicles (Euro 7). will continue to bolster the EU’s legal
framework in respect of combatting
The Presidency will continue the work unfair practices by making progress
Competitiveness
begun by the Commission as part of with the discussions on the proposal
the May 2021 update of the Industrial for a regulation on foreign subsidies
Strategy by capitalising on the EU’s distorting the internal market.
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