Press Release: 3354th Council meeting Justice and Home Affairs (Justice) – Brussels, 4 December 2014

Main results of the Council

Data protection: Progress was made by justice ministers on the EU data protection framework. The Council reached a partial general approach on specific aspects of the draft regulation setting out a general EU framework for data protection. The partial general approach includes provisions which are crucial to the question of the public sector as well as provisions relating to specific data processing situations.

The Council also held a debate on the "one stop shop" mechanism on the basis of a proposal presented by the Presidency. A majority of ministers endorsed the general architecture of the proposal and the Presidency concluded that further technical work will need to be done in the coming months.

Andrea Orlando, Italian Minister for Justice and President of the Council, said: "Today we have agreed on two of the most politically sensitive issues on data protection reform. We see this as an important result for the Presidency, and a decisive step towards achieving global agreement on this complex and important file".

Insolvency proceedings: The Council approved a political agreement reached with the European Parliament on new EU-wide rules on insolvency proceedings.

The new rules are aimed at making cross-border insolvency proceedings more efficient and effective, benefiting debtors and creditors, facilitating the survival of businesses and presenting a second chance for entrepreneurs.

Other issues: The Council reached a general approach on two proposals: a directive on the strengthening of certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and of the right to be present at trial in criminal proceedings and a regulation amending the European small claims regulation and the European order for payment regulation.

Both agreements pave the way to a start of negotiations with the European Parliament.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU ministers back key pillar in data reform bill http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-ministers-back-key-pillar-in-data-reform-bill/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Legacy of Schengen evaluation within the Council and its future role and responsibilities under the new mechanism http://www.europeansources.info/record/council-conclusions-on-legacy-of-schengen-evaluation-within-the-council-and-its-future-role-and-responsibilities-under-the-new-mechanism/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Training of legal practitioners: an essential tool to consolidate the EU acquis http://www.europeansources.info/record/council-conclusions-on-training-of-legal-practitioners-an-essential-tool-to-consolidate-the-eu-acquis/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Development of a renewed European Union Internal Security Strategy http://www.europeansources.info/record/council-conclusions-on-development-of-a-renewed-european-union-internal-security-strategy/

Council of the European Union: Highlights, 05.12.14: Council discusses data protection reform http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/council-discusses-data-protection-reform?lang=en

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/14/2421, 05.12.14: Remarks of Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, at the end of the Home Affairs Council http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-2421_en.htm

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