13/07/2023 (Agence Europe) – Concluded at the end of June (see EUROPE 13210/1), the provisional agreement between representatives of the European Parliament and the previous Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the finalisation of the introduction in the EU of banking prudential standards known as ‘Basel III’ is proving a hard sell to some Member States. According to several diplomatic sources consulted, there was no clear support for this agreement on Wednesday 12 July at the meeting of Member States’ ambassadors to the EU (Coreper), so the Spanish Presidency of the Council concluded that more time was needed to reflect on the next steps and come back with a plan. Some delegations feel that the agreement affects the balance of future negotiations on banking union in the euro area. (MB)