European Union

The EU and the UN issued a financial tracking report ahead of the Brussels II conference on "Supporting the future of Syria and the region" that will be held on 24-25 April 2018.

On 20 April 2018, the Coreper endorsed an agreement between the Bulgarian presidency of the Council and European Parliament negotiators on a directive that will require EU member states to carry out a proportionality test before establishing new requirements for professions.

President Tusk will travel to Tirana, Podgorica, Belgrade, Sarajevo and Skopje from Tuesday 24 to Friday 27 April. The main purpose of the trip is to prepare for the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia on 17 May and to participate in the Brdo-Brijuni summit in Skopje.

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Implementing Decision 2018/421 of 19 March 2018 implementing Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria.

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/476 of 21 March 2018 amending Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya.

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/466 of 21 March 2018 amending Decision 2011/172/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Egypt.

The Council added four persons involved in the financing North Korea's nuclear programme to the list of those subject to an asset freeze and travel restrictions.

AMENDMENTS 1 - 108 - Draft report Accompanying resolution to the consent on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

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The informal meeting of EU health ministers take places on 23 April 2018, in the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. It includes a discussion on healthy nutrition for children.

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On Sunday 22 and Monday 23 April, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini is in Toronto, Canada, participating in the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting. The focus of discussions over the two days are on the most pressing international issues of the day, including on Syria.

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Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Committee meetings, Brussels

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the need for EU reform during his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Thursday. The latter agreed to put together a compromise on the reforms by the middle of the year despite glaring differences of opinion. Journalists speculate on the reasons for Merkel's reticence.

The president, the parliament and two of Ukraine's Orthodox churches have asked the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople to approve autocephaly. This would be tantamount to his giving permission for the establishment of a Ukrainian national Church that is independent of the Moscow Patriarchate. The initiative has triggered a fierce debate in Ukrainian and Russian media.