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12-18 May 2014 Coming Up... 12 May, 2014 | Brussels FAC Meeting   The crisis in Ukraine, diplomatic efforts to promote de-escalation of the situation and restrictive measures will top the agenda. The Council will also debate the state of play regarding the Middle East peace process, and will also discuss the EU's neighbourhood policy. A Stabilisation and Association Council with Albania will take place in the margins, followed by an EU-Algeria Association Council Meeting, on the following day (13.5.2014). Read more   12-13 May, 2014 | Athens Informal COMPET Meeting (Industry/ Research) The Greek Presidency has identified two key challenges for European Industry: Innovation and Key Enabling Technologies Competitiveness of Energy Intensive Industries The following day (13.5.2014), EU Ministers in charge of research will deal with: the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation for Research and Innovation, the European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs) and the Commission Communication on Blue Economy. Read more   12-14 May, 2014 | Athens eHealth Forum E-Health Forum 2014 brings together international experts who can lead the way towards the development of innovative services to reshape healthcare, empower citizens and foster economic growth. The three-day event will include industry sessions, networking opportunities, as well as parallel and plenary sessions of technical and scientific interest. Read more   13 May, 2014 | Brussels GAC Meeting The Council meeting will be devoted to the preparation of the European Council on 26-27 June. The European Council is expected to focus in particular on the area of freedom, security and justice; the European Semester; climate and energy issues. Read more   14 May, 2014 | Athens Informal ENVI The main item of the agenda are the cross-cutting thematic area of “Blue Growth” with a focus on marine environment and specific climate change issues. In addition, a working lunch will take place with a presentation on the role of the UN Environment Assembly in the Post-2015 development agenda. Read more   15-16 May, 2014 | Athens Informal TTE Meeting (Energy) The broad thematic areas for discussion include: energy efficiency and security, energy infrastructures and the important link between the Europe 2020 strategy and industrial competitiveness and climate and energy policies. Read more   View our full calendar of events here. Last week's highlights 6 May, 2014 | Brussels ECOFIN: Bank recovery & resolution/ Taxation   7 May, 2014 | Athens Informal Maritime: 'Athens Declaration': Maritime Transport Policy Priorities 8 May 2014| Athens Informal TTE (Transport): Smart infrastructure 4 road safety challenges 8 May, 2014 | Brussels FAC (Trade): EU's External Trade Ties (Canada, USA, Japan)   #gr2014eu supports Western Balkans EU perspective An EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Conference was hosted by the Greek Presidency of the Council on 8 May, in Thessaloniki.   Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle, Ministers for Foreign and EU Affairs from Member States and the Western Balkans, as well as senior officials from the EEAS and the European Commission participated at the Conference. Representatives of financial institutions and regional organisations also attended the conference, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos.