ΕU:Publications Office Newsletter

Publications Office Newsletter

N° 55 December 2017 ISSN 2315-0017

EU newsflash At its meeting on 15 December, the European Council decided that Brexit talks have made sufficient progress to move on to the second phase of the negotiations which will focus on the future relations between the European Union and post-Brexit United Kingdom. On 6 December, the European Commission has set out a roadmap for deepening Europe's Economic and Monetary Union, which includes the proposal of establishing a European Monetary Fund. Spotlight on the partnership with Africa, Carribean and Pacific countries The European Union maintains close relations with the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, and supports these countries in addressing the challenges they face. These include poverty, insufficient access to education, health and sanitary services, political instability and climate change. The EU and its Member States have decided to develop new ways of reaching out to their African, Caribbean and Pacific partners. The European Commission provides propositions for the road ahead and a new partnership with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries after 2020. EU-Africa relations play a special role within this policy. At the recent EU-Africa Summit in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 'Investing in youth for a sustainable future', EU and African officials strengthened their cooperation for education, peace and security, development, and better management of migration and mobility. Read more on the topic in the publications featured below. More on this topic PDF/PAPER African futures Horizon 2025 In recent years Africa has undergone significant economic, socio-political and technological transformations, a process which is likely to accelerate over the coming decades. There are strong indications that the global importance of the continent is set to rise — and not only as a source of risk factors spilling over from poverty and instability. This report aims at reflecting on the major trends that will orient Africa's future looking ahead towards 2025, and to identify the factors which are likely to have the most far-reaching impact on Africa's economic, political and security trajectory. Available in English PDF/PAPER 2016 annual report on EIB activity in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, and the overseas countries and territories This report on activities of the European Investment Bank in the regions of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) highlights ground-breaking projects and the impact of investments in emerging economies. In 2016 alone, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has invested in 29 projects in ACP regions. The report looks at how EIB investment is bringing connectivity and power where it is most needed, while sustaining thousands of jobs, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses and helping financial sectors evolve, in line with EU priorities abroad. Available in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish PDF/PAPER The joint Africa-EU strategy A study Implementation of the joint Africa-EU strategy has taken place since 2007 in a rapidly evolving political scenario at the global level and specifically within Europe and Africa. Concrete priorities are now being adapted to the new reality. Ten years after its adoption and in the context of the AU-EU Summit in Abidjan on 29-30 November 2017, the report reassesses the strategy's validity. Available in English Also out this month PDF/PAPER The Court of Justice and the rights of air passengers Since 1952, the Court of Justice of the European Union ensures that EU law is complied with and that it is properly applied in the Member States. Over the course of time, it has delivered judgments that have strengthened European integration while conferring ever more extensive rights on citizens. The report sets out a number of leading Court judgments on the rights of air passengers. Available in all the official languages of the EU except Irish PDF/PAPER They defend our freedoms 30 years of the Sakharov Prize Since its inception in 1988, the Sakharov Prize is awarded each year by the European Parliament to outstanding personalities who fight for human rights and a fairer society while motivating others to do the same. By being awarded in a widely broadcasted ceremony each year, the Prize promotes freedom of expression and freedom of thought anywhere in the world. Available in all official languages of the EU PDF/PAPER CAP explained Direct payments for farmers 2015-2020 The common agricultural policy (CAP) is the EU's answer to the questions of how to ensure food security, the sustainable use of natural resources and the balanced development of Europe's rural areas. Its aim is to help provide a decent standard of living for European farmers and agricultural workers and a stable, varied and safe food supply for citizens. This publication explains how the CAP works, focusing principally on direct payments as income support for farmers. Available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish