ΕU latest news

have a long dinner ahead of us, so I will be brief. While expecting the US decision on exempting the EU from the proposed tariffs on steel and alu…

PRESS European Council    22/3/2018 | STATEMENTS AND REMARKS Remarks by President Donald Tusk on the European Council meeting of 22 March 2018 We have a long dinner ahead of us, so I will be brief. While expecting the US decision on exempting the EU from the proposed tariffs on steel and aluminium, I had decided to move the trade discussion to later this evening. We will present the EU's approach in more detail tomorrow, following the leaders' debate. Today, we had a frank discussion on taxation. The digital economy is a challenge for our tax systems. Most importantly, the discussion confirmed all leaders' desire to work further towards an effective and fair solution. We will return to this issue in June. In the meantime, Ministers will start working on the latest Commission's proposals. We also discussed the economic environment with the ECB President, Mario Draghi. The situation is good, but it doesn’t mean that all our problems are solved. First, we need to avoid protectionism at the global level. This is a major risk for jobs, not only in Europe. In this respect, dialogue with the US is key. Secondly we must prepare our Single Market for the future. To make it happen, leaders have asked the Commission to present, by December, the implementation report on the internal market strategies, namely: Digital, Capital markets and the energy union. Leaders will monitor this process, as we want this to be completed before the European Parliament elections. Finally, we also discussed recent developments concerning Facebook and Cambridge Analityca. It was clear to all the leaders that citizens’ privacy and personal data must be fully protected. We take this issue very seriously. The EU and national legislation must be respected and enforced. Thank you. 22/3/2018 | CONCLUSION European Council conclusions on jobs, growth and competitiveness, as well as other items (Paris Agreement and Digital Europe), 22 March 2018 The European Council on 22 March 2018 adopted conclusions on jobs, growth and competitiveness, as well as other items (Paris Agreement and Digital Europe). European Council conclusions on jobs, growth and competitiveness, as well as other items (Paris Agreement and Digital Europe), 22 March 2018

European Council

22/3/2018 | PRESS RELEASE

	Luis de Guindos appointed as Vice President of the European Central Bank
	The European Council appointed today Luis de Guindos as Vice-President of the European Central Bank for a non-renewable 8-year term. The new Vice President will replace Vítor Constâncio as of 1 June 2018.

EUROPEAN COUNCIL:Foreign Affairs Council, 19/03/2018

Main results
Current affairs

At the beginning of their meeting, the High Representative and EU foreign ministers discussed the Salisbury attack. They adopted a statement expressing the EU's unqualified solidarity with the UK and its support, including for the UK’s efforts to bring those responsible for this crime to justice.
Statement by the Foreign Affairs Council on the Salisbury attack
Syria

Foreign ministers discussed the latest development in Syria with Staffan de Mistura, UN Secretary General Special Envoy for Syria. Ministers commended his relentless efforts to push for a political solution to the conflict. They expressed their full support for these efforts, recalling that the EU has always clearly stated there can be no military solution to the conflict.

Foreign ministers expressed their concern over the increasingly deteriorating humanitarian situation, in particular in Afrin and Eastern Ghouta. They urged all those involved to fully and immediately implement UN Security Council resolution 2401. They also discussed possible repercussions of the situation in Syria for the wider region.

The Council also discussed the upcoming second Brussels conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” on 24-25 April 2018, which will be co-chaired by the EU and the UN.


We would like to use the Brussels conference to send a clear message from the international community that the fighting has to stop and that the political process has to start.Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Syria: Council response to the crisis (background information)
Iran

The Council discussed Iran. Ministers underlined the importance of the Iran nuclear deal, the JCPOA, for the security of the region and beyond. They highlighted the need to ensure the continuous commitment of all parties involved to the agreement.


'We attach strategic importance to the full implementation of the agreement by all parties. It is for us a matter of security, both for Europe and for the rest of the world.Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Ministers also discussed other issues outside the scope of the JCPOA, in particular Iran's ballistic missiles programme, as well as the role of Iran in the increasing tensions in the region, including in Syria and Yemen. In her press conference the High Representative underlined the fact that these topics had to be addressed outside of the scope of the nuclear agreement, adding that there was unity both on the need to preserve the JCPOA and on the need to address regional issues with Iran through dialogue.
Korean Peninsula

EU foreign ministers and the High Representative had an informal lunch with the South Korean Foreign Minister, Kang Kyung-wha. They focused on the situation on the Korean peninsula, in light of the recent announcements made by the DPRK's leadership.

Ministers looked ahead to the summit between Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in foreseen for April and the announced meeting between Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump, as these summits could create the conditions needed to work towards a diplomatic solution aimed at the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

EU ministers welcomed the efforts of South Korea aimed at the de-escalation of tensions in the peninsula and improved intra-Korean relations.

Highlights of the press statements by High Representative Federica Mogherini and South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha (VIDEO)
Ukraine

The Council exchanged views on Ukraine. Ministers expressed their appreciation for the High Representative's visit to Kyiv on 11-12 March. They discussed recent developments, in particular in the reform process. Ahead of the Ukraine reform conference to take place in Copenhagen on 27 June, they welcomed the progress achieved on economic reform, while underlining the need to step up efforts on some other areas, including the judiciary and anti-corruption.

One day after the 4th anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea, the Council reiterated its commitment to its non-recognition policy and support for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. Ministers expressed their concern over the humanitarian side in Eastern Ukraine and reiterated their full support for the work of the OSCE in the region.
EU relations with Ukraine (background information)


Meeting information


Meeting n°3608
Brussels
19/03/2018
Preparatory documents
Provisional agenda, Foreign Affairs Council, 19 March 2018
List of A items, non-legislative activities, Foreign Affairs Council, 19 March 2018
Indicative programme, Foreign Affairs Council, 19 March 2018
Background brief
Outcome documents
List of participants
Outcome of the Council meeting


Press releases
Statement by the Foreign Affairs Council on the Salisbury attack

19/03/2018, 10:35

EU latest

PRESS

Council of the European Union      19/3/2018  Use of chemical weapons in Syria: EU adds 4 persons to sanctions list On 19 March 2018, the Council added 4 persons to the list of those targeted by EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime. The EU added these 4 persons for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons against the civilian population, in line with the EU's policy to fight the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. These persons include a high-ranking military official and 3 scientists working at the Scientific Studies and Research Centre, the government entity responsible for developing and producing non-conventional weapons, including chemical weapons, and the missiles to deliver them. This entity is under EU restrictive measures since 1 December 2011. The EU already imposed restrictive measures on Syrian persons specifically for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons on 17 July 2017. Today’s decision brings to 261 persons the total number of persons targeted by a travel ban and an assets freeze for being responsible for the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria, benefiting from or supporting the regime, and/or being associated with such persons. In addition, 67 entities are targeted by an assets freeze. More broadly, sanctions currently in place against Syria include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, a freeze of the assets of the Syrian central bank held in the EU, export restrictions on equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression as well as on equipment and technology for the monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications. These measures were last extended on 29 May 2017 and are in place until 1 June 2018. The EU remains committed to finding a lasting political solution to the conflict in Syria under the existing UN-agreed framework. As stated in the EU strategy on Syria adopted in April 2017, the EU believes that there can be no military solution to the conflict and strongly supports the work of the UN Special Envoy and the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva. Χρήση χημικών όπλων στη Συρία: η ΕΕ προσθέτει 4 πρόσωπα στον κατάλογο κυρώσεων Στις 19 Μαρτίου 2018 το Συμβούλιο προσέθεσε 4 πρόσωπα στον κατάλογο των προσώπων που υπόκεινται σε περιοριστικά μέτρα της ΕΕ κατά του συριακού καθεστώτος. Η ΕΕ προσέθεσε τα 4 αυτά πρόσωπα για τον ρόλο τους στην ανάπτυξη και τη χρήση χημικών όπλων κατά του άμαχου πληθυσμού, σύμφωνα με την πολιτική της ΕΕ για την καταπολέμηση της διάδοσης και της χρήσης χημικών όπλων. Τα πρόσωπα αυτά είναι ένας υψηλόβαθμος στρατιωτικός και 3 επιστήμονες που εργάζονται στο κέντρο επιστημονικών σπουδών και έρευνας (Scientific Studies and Research Centre), δηλαδή την κρατική οντότητα που είναι υπεύθυνη για την ανάπτυξη και την παραγωγή μη συμβατικών όπλων, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των χημικών όπλων, και των πυραύλων που φέρουν τα όπλα αυτά. Η οντότητα αυτή υπόκειται σε περιοριστικά μέτρα της ΕΕ από την 1η Δεκεμβρίου 2011. Η ΕΕ επέβαλε ήδη περιοριστικά μέτρα κατά Σύριων συγκεκριμένα για τον ρόλο τους στην ανάπτυξη και τη χρήση χημικών όπλων στις 17 Ιουλίου 2017. Η σημερινή απόφαση ανεβάζει σε 261 τον συνολικό αριθμό των προσώπων τα οποία υπόκεινται σε ταξιδιωτική απαγόρευση και δέσμευση περιουσιακών στοιχείων, επειδή είναι υπεύθυνα για τη βίαιη καταστολή κατά του άμαχου πληθυσμού στη Συρία, ωφελούνται από το καθεστώς ή το στηρίζουν ή/και συνδέονται με τέτοια πρόσωπα. Επιπλέον, 67 οντότητες υπόκεινται σε δέσμευση περιουσιακών στοιχείων. Γενικότερα, οι κυρώσεις που ισχύουν επί του παρόντος κατά της Συρίας περιλαμβάνουν πετρελαϊκό αποκλεισμό, περιορισμούς σε ορισμένες επενδύσεις, δέσμευση των περιουσιακών στοιχείων της Κεντρικής Τράπεζας της Συρίας εντός της ΕΕ, περιορισμούς στις εξαγωγές εξοπλισμού και τεχνολογίας που θα μπορούσαν να χρησιμοποιηθούν για εσωτερική καταστολή, καθώς και εξοπλισμού και τεχνολογίας για την παρακολούθηση ή την υποκλοπή διαδικτυακών ή τηλεφωνικών επικοινωνιών. Τα μέτρα αυτά παρατάθηκαν τελευταία φορά στις 29 Μαΐου 2017 και ισχύουν μέχρι την 1η Ιουνίου 2018. Η ΕΕ παραμένει προσηλωμένη στην εξεύρεση βιώσιμης πολιτικής λύσης για τη σύγκρουση στη Συρία βάσει του ισχύοντος πλαισίου που έχει συμφωνηθεί στα Ηνωμένα Έθνη. Όπως αναφέρεται στη στρατηγική της ΕΕ για τη Συρία που εγκρίθηκε τον Απρίλιο του 2017, η ΕΕ θεωρεί ότι δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει στρατιωτική λύση στη σύγκρουση και υποστηρίζει θερμά το έργο του Ειδικού Απεσταλμένου των Ηνωμένων Εθνών και τις ενδοσυριακές συνομιλίες που διεξάγονται στη Γενεύη.

Council of the European Union      19/3/2018  Statement by the Foreign Affairs Council on the Salisbury attack The European Union strongly condemns the attack that took place against Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, UK on 4 March 2018, that also left a police officer seriously ill. The lives of many citizens were threatened by this reckless and illegal act. The European Union takes extremely seriously the UK Government's assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation is responsible. The European Union is shocked at the offensive use of any military-grade nerve agent, of a type developed by Russia, for the first time on European soil in over 70 years. The use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances is completely unacceptable and constitutes a security threat to us all. Any such use is a clear violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, a breach of international law and undermines the rules-based international order. The EU welcomes the commitment of the UK to work closely with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in supporting the investigation into the attack. The Union calls on Russia to address urgently the questions raised by the UK and the international community and to provide immediate, full and complete disclosure of its Novichok programme to the OPCW.  The European Union expresses its unqualified solidarity with the UK and its support, including for the UK’s efforts to bring those responsible for this crime to justice. The EU will remain closely focussed on this issue and its implications. Answer - European cooperation in the fight against criminal motorcycle gangs - E-000015/2018 20-03-2018 05:26 AM CET Commission response See question(s) : E-000015/2018 Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP Answer - EU funding for the Pau-Canfranc-Zaragoza railway line - E-000129/2018 20-03-2018 05:26 AM CET Commission response See question(s) : E-000129/2018 Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP Answer - Roaming and Brexit - E-000132/2018 20-03-2018 05:26 AM CET Commission response See question(s) : E-000132/2018 Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP Answer - Performance of the Irish economy - E-000140/2018 20-03-2018 05:26 AM CET Commission response See question(s) : E-000140/2018 Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP Answer - Northern Road Axis in Crete - E-000271/2018 20-03-2018 05:26 AM CET Commission response See question(s) : E-000271/2018 Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP Answer - Negative impact of the US tax reform on the EU - E-000383/2018 20-03-2018 05:26 AM CET Commission response See question(s) : E-000383/2018 Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP Answer - EU readmission agreements - E-007086/2017 20-03-2018 05:26 AM CET Commission response See question(s) : E-007086/2017 Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP Answer - Slovakian D4R7 Bratislava Bypass PPP project financed by EFSI and in compliance with Regulation (EU) No 2015/1017 - E-007651/2017 20-03-2018 05:26 AM CET Commission response See question(s) : E-007651/2017 Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP Answer - Child pornography - E-007776/2017 20-03-2018 05:26 AM CET Commission response See question(s) : E-007776/2017 Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP Answer - Practising as a lawyer in the EU - E-007938/2017 20-03-2018 05:26 AM CET Commission response See question(s) : E-007938/2017 Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP Answer - Amendment of Directive 98/44/EC on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions. - E-007948/2017 20-03-2018 05:26 AM CET Commission response See question(s) : E-007948/2017 Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

EU Publications Office Newsletter

Publications Office Newsletter N° 58 March 2018 ISSN 2315-0017 EU newsflash The European Commission adopts proposals for a European Labour Authority and for access to social protection. Spotlight on the Capital Markets Union and the Banking Union The Capital Markets Union, a plan aiming to unlock funding for Europe's growth and build a true single market for capital across the EU Member States, is part of the Commission's Investment Plan for Europe. It was launched within the Juncker Commission's priority to boost jobs, growth and investment across the EU. This plan goes hand in hand with the European Union's efforts to build a Banking Union as a common rule book for all financial actors in the EU, and ever-closer economic and financial ties between its Member States to strengthen the EU's economy as a whole. A common supervisory culture and structural reforms are natural steps towards shared economic and financial accountability. Following up on the original Capital Markets Union action plan, the European Commission has recently presented a new package of initiatives aimed at boosting the plan in 2018 and beyond. This newsletter presents a number of publications that will provide you with additional insight.   More on this topic   PDF/PAPER Supporting structural reforms Completing Europe's Economic and Monetary Union: the Commission's contribution to the leaders' agenda The European Commission presents a communication that sets out a vision of how certain budgetary functions that are essential for the euro area and the EU as a whole can be developed within the framework of the EU's public finances of today and tomorrow. Available in all the official languages of the EU except Irish   PDF/PAPER Effectiveness of tax incentives for venture capital and business angels to foster the investment of SMEs and start-ups Final report - Study The Capital Markets Union aims to strengthen the single market by deepening the integration of investment across the European Union. Improved access to finance is a key component of this project, in particular for start-ups, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and young companies with innovative growth plans. This study investigates the part that tax incentives for venture capital and business angels can play in fostering investment, with the intention of promoting the diffusion of best practice across Member States. Available in English   PDF Helping European SMEs to grow Start-up and scale-up initiatives for business ventures in the EU Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute 99 of every 100 businesses, and employ two out of three employees in Europe. Some of them are high-growth firms that generate a disproportionately high number of new jobs. However, they often face obstacles specific to their smaller size, which can hamper their growth potential. This publication showcases the main recent initiatives undertaken by the European Commission to help European SMEs grow: the European Fund for Strategic Investments, the single market strategy, the digital single market, and the capital markets union Available in English, French and German   Also out this month   PDF/PAPER/E-BOOK The ABC of EU law Latest edition The European Union shapes the political life and society in all EU Member States. Individuals are not merely citizens of their country, town or district; they are also citizens of the EU. The new edition of this practical introduction to EU law examines the roots of the European project and its development as a legal order. Available in all the official languages of the EU   PDF/PAPER Ten years 2007-2017 Ten portraits The European Research Council supports high-quality research projects impacting thousands of people across Europe. This book offers 10 views on this endeavour written by very diverse members of society. It presents an aspect of reality usually hidden from the public eye, instants in the lives of a handful of individuals that make the work within EU research truly meaningful. Available in English   PDF/PAPER Good for youth, good for business European Alliance for Apprenticeships Work-based learning, in particular apprenticeships, can enhance employability, notably of young people, and can help to address the skills shortages to better match the needs of companies. Of great benefit to learners and companies alike, these schemes also contribute to Europe's objective of ensuring sustainable growth and employment. This brochure focuses on the European Alliance for Apprenticeships launched in 2013 and addresses the challenges and possible answers of how to strengthen the quality, supply and image of apprenticeships. Available in English, French, German and Spanish   You may also like   » Find all our publications on EU Publications   » Download our Key publications catalogue   EU Law and Publications @EULawDataPubs @eubookshop @EURLex @CORDIS_EU @EUTenders @EU_opendata Forward to a friend Newsletter archive Online services managed by the Publications Office   Access to European Union law   The online library and bookshop of the European Union   Public procurement within the European Union   Access to European Union open data   EU-funded research projects and their results   The official directory of the European Union