07 January 2022

FRENCH PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL KICKS OFF

On 1st January, France took the reins of the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Presidency’s motto “Recovery, Strength and a Sense of belonging” will drive the agenda of the French government at EU level for the next six months as also detailed in the Presidency’s work programme.

In the field of transport, the Presidency’s objective is to further support the decarbonisation of all modes of transport. Negotiations on the Fit for 55 Package will continue with the aim of reaching a general approach on most of the files (AFIR, FuelEU Maritime and ReFuelEU Aviation). The Presidency will begin work on the “efficient and green mobility” legislative package. It will conduct initial negotiations on review of the Regulation on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (TENT), and in late June it will hold, in association with the Commission, the tenth edition of the TEN-T Days bringing together all stakeholders in the network. It will also concentrate on revising the Intelligent Transport Systems Directive. On climate action, the Presidency will continue the Council’s work on the ETS proposal and the establishment of a Social Climate Fund.

The French Presidency will focus the work of the Economic affairs Council on the CBAM proposal. A first assessment of the reform of e-commerce VAT rules will be conducted, to consider the next steps to be taken ahead of the proposal that the Commission plans to make in the second half of 2022. Finally, as enhancing cybersecurity is considered a key priority of the French government, the Presidency will seek to further the negotiations on revision of the NIS Directive.