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Council of the European Union      9/3/2018  Fighting fraud with non-cash means of payment : Council agrees its position On 9 March 2018, the Council adopted its position on the directive on combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment. The Council is now ready to start negotiations with the Parliament as soon as the latter agrees on its position. The directive aims at updating the current rules to ensure a clear, robust and technology-neutral legal framework is in place. It also eliminates operational obstacles that hamper investigation and prosecution as well as foresees actions to enhance public awareness of fraudulent techniques such as phishing or skimming. "Fraud with credit cards or online shopping is rapidly increasing. Not only it is used to finance criminal groups but it undermines the development of the digital single market as citizens become more reluctant to shop online. We need to put a stop to this and send a clear message to fraudsters that they you will no longer be able to exploit loopholes between Member states. We will now have common rules which will be robust and will ensure that fraudulent behaviours are punished." Tsetska Tsacheva, Bulgarian minister of Justice Main elements of the directive The directive aims to be technology-neutral to encompass not only traditional non-cash payments such as bank cards or cheques but also new ways of making payment which have appeared over recent years : electronic wallets, mobile payments, virtual currencies, etc. The directive includes provisions on: Expanding the scope of the offences to include, for example, transactions through virtual currencies; Harmonising the definitions of some online crime offences, such as hacking a victim's computer or phishing Introducing minimum level for the highest penalties for natural persons Clarifying the scope of jurisdiction to ensure cross border frauds are better dealt with; Improving EU-wide criminal justice cooperation; Improving prevention and awareness-raising to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of fraud. The directive provides for minimum rules so member states are free to go beyond and implement more stringent rules, including a broader definition of offences or higher penalties. Background In 2013, it is estimated that €1.44 billion were gained by criminals through non cash payment fraud. Around 36 billion of phishing messages are sent every year to European citizens. The directive was proposed by the Commission in September 2017 as part of the EU's response to the challenge of cybersecurity. It replaces the Council framework decision 2001/413/JHA dating back to 2001. Next steps Once the European Parliament has defined its position, currently planned for June, trilogues negotiations will start with a view of reaching an agreement as soon as possible. Directive on non-cash fraud - General approach Council of the European Union      9/3/2018  Insurance distribution: Council delays application of new rules The Council has delayed the application of new rules on insurance distribution. On 9 March 2018, it adopted a directive postponing the application date to 1 October 2018. The directive also extends to 1 July 2018 the deadline given to member states to transpose the new rules into national laws and regulations. Directive 2016/97 is aimed at improving consumer protection for insurance products. Adopted in December 2015, it was due to apply from 23 February 2018 and member states initially had until then to transpose it. The delay was decided in the light of implementing rules issued by the Commission in September 2017. The delay will enable the insurance industry to better prepare the changes necessary to comply with the implementing rules. The implementing rules deal with: product oversight and governance requirements for insurance companies and insurance distributors; information requirements and other rules applicable to the distribution of insurance-based investment products. The directive was adopted at a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, without discussion. This follows an agreement with the European Parliament. The Parliament approved the directive on 1 March 2018. Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης      9/3/2018  Διανομή ασφαλιστικών προϊόντων: Το Συμβούλιο αναβάλλει την εφαρμογή των νέων κανόνων Το Συμβούλιο αναβάλλει την εφαρμογή των νέων κανόνων περί διανομής ασφαλιστικών προϊόντων. Στις 9 Μαρτίου 2018, εξέδωσε οδηγία για την μετάθεση της ημερομηνίας έναρξης ισχύος την 1η Οκτωβρίου 2018. Σύμφωνα με την οδηγία, παρατείνεται έως την 1η Ιουλίου 2018 και η προθεσμία που είχε δοθεί στα κράτη μέλη για τη μεταφορά των νέων κανόνων στο εσωτερικό τους δίκαιο. Η οδηγία 2016/97 αποσκοπεί στη βελτίωση της προστασίας των καταναλωτώνασφαλιστικών προϊόντων. Είχε εκδοθεί τον Δεκέμβριο του 2015 και επρόκειτο να τεθεί σε εφαρμογή στις 23 Φεβρουαρίου 2018, ημερομηνία κατά την οποία τα κράτη μέλη όφειλαν να την έχουν μεταφέρει. Η αναβολή αποφασίσθηκε κατόπιν των εκτελεστικών κανόνων που εξέδωσε η Επιτροπή τον Σεπτέμβριο του 2017. Η αναβολή αυτή θα δώσει τον χρόνο στον ασφαλιστικό κλάδο να προετοιμάσει καλύτερα τις αλλαγές που απαιτούνται ώστε να συμμορφωθεί προς τους εκτελεστικούς κανόνες. Οι εκτελεστικοί κανόνες αφορούν: τις απαιτήσεις εποπτείας και διακυβέρνησης των προϊόντων που ισχύουν για τις ασφαλιστικές εταιρείες και τους διανομείς ασφαλιστικών προϊόντων, τις υποχρεώσεις παροχής πληροφοριών και άλλους κανόνες που διέπουν τη διανομή των επενδυτικών ασφαλιστικών προϊόντων. Η οδηγία εκδόθηκε χωρίς συζήτηση στα πλαίσια συνόδου του Συμβουλίου Δικαιοσύνης και Εσωτερικών Υποθέσεων κατόπιν συμφωνίας με το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο. Το Κοινοβούλιο ενέκρινε την οδηγία την 1η Μαρτίου 2018. 07/03/2018    Δελτίο Τύπου Tusk: η συμφωνία ελεύθερων συναλλαγών είναι το μόνο δυνατό μοντέλο σχέσεων μετά το Brexit Ο Πρόεδρος κ. Tusk παρουσίασε σχέδιο κατευθυντήριων γραμμών για τις σχέσεις της ΕΕ με το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο μετά το Brexit. «Ελπίζω ότι θα είναι φιλόδοξη και προωθημένη, αλλά θα είναι απλώς μια συμφωνία εμπορικών συναλλαγών», σχολίασε ο ίδιος, μιλώντας για τη μελλοντική οικονομική σχέση. Πρότεινε επίσης να συνεχίσουν οι δύο πλευρές την κοινή αντιτρομοκρατική δράση τους και να αρχίσουν κατεπειγόντως συνομιλίες για να αποτρέψουν τη διατάραξη των πτήσεων μεταξύ Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου και Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Justice and Home Affairs Council, 08-09/03/2018 Main results Justice (Friday 9 March) Non-cash fraud directive Ministers agreed on the Council's position on the directive on combatting fraud of non-cash means of payments. The directive will put in place a clear, robust and technology-neutral legal framework to tackle fraud to electronic and digital means of payment such as online wallets, mobile payments, bank cards or virtual currencies. Fraud with credit cards or online shopping is rapidly increasing. Not only it is used to finance criminal groups but it undermines the development of the digital single market as citizens become more reluctant to shop online. We need to put a stop to this and send a clear message to fraudsters that they you will no longer be able to exploit loopholes between Member states. We will now have common rules which will be robust and will ensure that fraudulent behaviours are punished. Tsetska Tsacheva, Bulgarian minister of Justice Insurance distribution: Council delays application of new rules (press release, 09/03/2018) E-evidence Ministers reaffirmed the importance of establishing a legal framework for the cross-border access to e-evidence and encouraged the Commission to finalise its proposal urgently. The Commission undertook to present it in April.   Ministers also discussed developments at international level, in the US and at the Council of Europe in particular, and underlined the need to take these into account in future EU legislation. European public prosecutor's office (EPPO) The Council was updated by the Commission on the implementation of the EPPO regulation. Member states reaffirmed their wish to be closely involved in the practical setting up of the EPPO as well as the need to ensure good working cooperation between EPPO and other bodies such as Eurojust, OLAF and Europol. During the debate, Malta informed of its intention to join the EPPO.   The EPPO will have the authority, under certain conditions, to investigate and prosecute EU-fraud and other crimes affecting the Union's financial interests. It will bring together European and national law-enforcement efforts to counter EU fraud. 20 member states confirm the creation of an European Public Prosecutor's Office (press release, 12/10/2017) Highlights of the Justice & Home Affairs Council (Home Affairs), taking place on 8 March 2018 in Brussels. Home affairs (Thursday 8 March) Cooperation with the Western Balkans on security Ministers exchanged views on cooperation with the Western Balkans in the area of internal security and counter-terrorism, on the basis of the Commission communication of 6 February. They focused on how to enhance member states' engagement with the Western Balkans and where to focus follow-up action. Ministers also highlighted a number of possible short term deliverables. Security in the Western Balkans has a direct impact on security in the EU. We are committed to better cooperation with the region to counter threats from organised crime and terrorism, and so improve the security of EU citizens. Valentin Radev, minister for interior of Bulgaria The outcome of this discussion will feed into the upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit, which will take place in Sofia on 17 May. The Presidency also announced its intention to convene a meeting in June with Western Balkans partners at senior officials level. Interoperability Ministers discussed the Commission proposals on interoperability between EU information systems. These proposals aim to improve the searching and comparing of data available in EU information systems. Ministers focused on whether the interoperability components proposed adequately address the needs, whether coordination should be provided at EU level to prepare the implementation at national level, whether any additional elements should be considered, and whether the Commission and member states should examine the feasibility of other elements to address the remaining information gaps and contribute to the completion of the interoperability landscape. Following this discussion, examination of the proposals will continue at a technical level. Background note on interoperability from the presidency Infographic on interoperability Other items Over lunch, ministers discussed how to tackle terrorist content online most effectively. They highlighted the importance of continuing work on the various measures in place and on ensuring the big internet companies live up to their commitments. The Council also appointed Catherine De Bolle from Belgium as the next Executive Director of Europol. Europol: Council appoints Catherine De Bolle as Executive Director (press release, 08/03/2018) Meeting information Meeting n°3603   Brussels   08-09/03/2018 Preparatory documents Provisional agenda, Justice and Home Affairs Council, 08-09 March 2018 List of A items, legislative deliberation, Justice and Home Affairs Council, 08-09 March 2018 List of A items, non-legislative activities, Justice and Home Affairs Council, 08-09 March 2018 Indicative programme Background brief Outcome documents Outcome of the Council meeting List of participants