Politics
Decisions taken by the Governing Council of the ECB (in addition to decisions setting interest rates)
February 2025
21 February 2025
Market operations
Extension of liquidity lines until January 2027
On 23 January 2025 the Governing Council approved the extension of the ECB repo lines with eight non-euro area central banks (Magyar Nemzeti Bank, Banca Națională a României, Bank of Albania, Andorran Financial Authority, National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia, Central Bank of the Republic of San Marino, Central Bank of Montenegro and Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo) until 31 January 2027. The decision was taken pursuant to the new framework for euro liquidity lines, which was adopted in 2023.
Eurosystem climate stress test report
On 13 February 2025 the Governing Council took note of the main findings of the 2024 climate stress test on the Eurosystem’s balance sheet, which will feed into the Eurosystem’s climate-related financial disclosures.
Market infrastructure and payments
Inclusion of provisions on the TARGET Analytical Environment in the T2 Currency Participation Agreement
On 13 February 2025 the Governing Council approved the amendments to the agreement on the use of T2 services (T2 Currency Participation Agreement) to include the TARGET Analytical Environment as a standard feature offered to both current and future signatories of the T2 Currency Participation Agreement.
Advice on legislation
ECB Opinion on flood insurance
On 4 February 2025 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2025/3 at the request of the Chair of the Oireachtas (Irish National Parliament) Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister).
ECB Opinion on indirect participants in, and access to, payment systems, and a new exemption from the cash rule
On 5 February 2025 the Governing Council adopted Opinion CON/2025/4 at the request of the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority.
Corporate governance
ECB’s Annual Accounts for 2024
On 19 February 2025 the Governing Council approved the audited financial statements of the ECB for the financial year 2024. The annual accounts, together with a press release, are available on the ECB’s website.
ECB Recommendation on the external auditors of the European Central Bank for the financial years 2025 to 2029
On 12 February 2025 the Governing Council adopted Recommendation ECB/2025/6 to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of the European Central Bank.
Statistics
Extension of the Integrated Reporting Framework and the Common Data Management investigation phases
On 17 February 2025 the Governing Council approved the revised Quality Review Gate 1 documentation (including the Financial Envelopes and Project Charters), extending until the end of September 2025 the investigation phases of the ESCB and SSM Common Data Management and the ESCB Integrated Reporting Framework projects.
Banknotes and coins
Composition of the design contest jury for the new euro banknotes
On 6 February 2025 the Governing Council took note of the composition of the design contest jury for the new euro banknotes. The jury will prepare a shortlist of designs to support the selection of the final design of the future euro banknotes by the Governing Council and is scheduled to start work in early 2025.
ECB Banking Supervision
Update of the 2025 Supervisory Examination Programme (SEP) for on-site inspections and internal model investigations at significant institutions
On 30 January 2025 the Governing Council did not object to a proposal by the Supervisory Board for an update of the 2025 SEP for on-site inspections and internal model investigations at significant institutions and outsourcing service providers. The on-site SEP is based on SSM supervisory priorities for 2025-2027 published on the ECB’s banking supervision website.
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This week, the EUDA hosted the Belgian National Drug Commissioner, Ine Van Wymersch, during her two-day visit to Lisbon. Ms Van Wymersch was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Fabien Gerard and other members of the Belgian National Drug Commission.
During the visit, on 3 June, the delegation received an in-depth overview of the agency’s work. EUDA Executive Director Alexis Goosdeel presented the agency’s new mandate and its current state of implementation. EUDA experts followed, with briefings on key areas of the agency’s activity, including drug markets, crime and precursors, prison-related…
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Building Better Government Software at Scale – Agile, DevSecOps and Software Factories
The next edition of the Industry Roundtable, titled ‘Building Better Government Software at Scale – Agile, DevSecOps and Software Factories’, will take place on 11-12 June 2025 in Warsaw, Poland, under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The event will be organised in a hybrid format allowing for in-person and online participation. This iteration will focus on the benefits that new technology trends such as Software Factories – built upon the principles of Agile approaches and DevSecOps methodologies – can bring to the EU public sector organisations (both at MS and EU levels). The event will also feature presentations and discussions on new technological solutions that can help to achieve those benefits while addressing some of the pending challenges.
EU institutions are increasingly relying on digital solutions, which are often complex and require significant investment in IT and software development. To meet the fast pace of delivery, public sector authorities are adopting cutting-edge methodologies like Agile, DevSecOps, and Software Factories, as well as technologies such as cloud computing, automation, and AI.
Registrations for the eu-LISA Industry Roundtable are now closed.
Agile methodologies
Agile methodologies provide a structured yet flexible approach to managing complex IT projects, enabling institutions to deliver services and applications faster while adapting to evolving needs. Agile allows public institutions to prioritise user-centric development, iteratively improving systems to meet high standards of accessibility and inclusivity. Furthermore, Agile fosters collaboration across departments, breaking down silos and ensuring that IT projects align with broader organizational goals. For EU institutions managing diverse and cross-border initiatives, this collaborative and adaptive framework is essential for driving cohesion and innovation.
DevSecOps
DevSecOps integrates software development and IT operations and further strengthens security and data protection by design, integrating security and data protection into every phase of the software development lifecycle, a critical need in today’s heightened cybersecurity landscape. As EU public sector institutions handle vast amounts of sensitive data, embedding security and data protection by design, reduces vulnerabilities and enhances compliance with regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), EUDPR, Regulation for Cybersecurity of EU Institutions or the NIS2 Directive.
Software Factories
Coupled with the concept of Software Factories — highly automated environments for rapid and scalable software development — these methodologies provide EU institutions with the ability to respond swiftly to new legislative mandates, security threats, or societal challenges. The Software Factory approach is also a powerful tool that can be used by public institutions to become more independent in their software design and development, and less reliant on outsourcing to external contractors for the fulfilment of IT projects. The increased level of IT self-sufficiency and technical ownership brought by the implementation of Software Factories can be key to improve performance in areas such as:
- Improved control over the products and systems offered which, in turn, will result in faster and more economically efficient ways to adapt such services to changing demands and regulations,
- Better management and more efficient use of resources (both human and financial),
- Lowering of potential risks related to guaranteeing long-term services (e.g., vendor lock-in situations, market discontinuity of products), and
- Shorter time-to-market.
Together, Agile, DevSecOps, and Software Factories, combined as well with other innovative IT practices such as cloud computing or AI-based tools, empower public institutions to build secure, efficient, and citizen-focused digital ecosystems while fostering trust and resilience across the Union.
About the Industry Roundtable
The eu-LISA Industry Roundtable is a collaborative platform that convenes representatives from the industry, Member States’ authorities, and EU institutions to facilitate an open dialogue on the latest technological advancements and innovations in the migration and home affairs domain. This forum enables eu-LISA stakeholders to share knowledge, exchange best practices, and discuss the potential applications and implications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, biometrics, and data analytics, in supporting the Agency’s mission to manage EU’s large-scale IT systems for migration, asylum, and border management. By fostering a spirit of cooperation and information-sharing, the eu-LISA Industry Roundtable helps to identify opportunities, address challenges, and shape the future of technology-enabled solutions in the field of migration and home affairs.
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Politics
Joint Statement by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Chile’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Alberto van Klaveren on the provisional application of the EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement
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