26/03/2020 (Agence Europe) – The Council of the European Union will adopt its decision on the free trade agreement by the 'simplified' written procedure, EUROPE has learned (see EUROPE 12424/3). The decision could not be adopted at the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 13 March. However, the Council has since adopted an emergency decision procedure enabling it to validate its decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. A derogation from its rules of procedure allows it to temporarily circumvent the current requirement of unanimity of the Member States, which is necessary to validate the use of this written procedure. In this case, the Member States will decide, by qualified majority, on the use of the written procedure and on the adoption of the decision on the free trade agreement. Member States' replies are expected by 30 March. (HD)