European Union

Allow me to congratulate you on your appointment as Prime Minister of Lithuania.

I am confident that during your term, Lithuania will continue to play its constructive role in the European Union, at a time when we are faced with many difficult challenges.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you every success.

Monday 28 November 2016
13.30 Meeting with President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi
15.00 Meeting with Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Pavel Filip (photo opportunity)

Wednesday 30 November 2016
13.00 Working lunch with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

Thursday 1 December 2016
13:30 Meeting with Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili (photo opportunity - press statements ±14.00)
15.00 Meeting with President of Tunisia Beji Caid Essebsi (photo opportunity)
17.00 Meeting with High Representative Federica Mogherini

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

A visibly upset Martin Schulz called time on his career in the European Parliament, triggering a scramble to replace him in Brussels and political ructions in Berlin. Here are some of the questions his departure raise.

The European Parliament was stale during Martin Schulz’s tenure at the assembly’s president, which began in 2012. While fringe parties created a fuss at the edge, at the core was an alliance between his centre-left S&D and the centre right EPP, in which they broadly agreed to chomp through whatever legislation they were served. Having being kept on a leash for years, some MEPs may want to run free. But they need to be careful. After elections in 2014, eurosceptic parties make up about a third of the chamber. If the EU is to function, then some form of deal needs to be cut between the more moderate groups. Horse trading over who takes the presidency will play a big role.

Read more

https://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/uploads/council-images/thumbs/uploads/council-images/remote/http_7e18a1c646f5450b9d6d-a75424f262e53e74f9539145894f4378.r8.cf3.rackcdn.com/consilium_16302_37976_21964_92.02_thumb_169_1477323220_1477323220_129_97shar_c1.jpg

EU Ministers of European Affairs, Industry, Research and related areas meet in Brussels on 28 and 29 November 2016

Download this video here.

Since the end of the Second World War, Europe has experienced unprecedented prosperity and a longer period of peace than at any other time in its history. But there are many questions to which Europe has yet to offer answers. The consequences of the financial crisis are still being felt in many countries, and we haven’t developed a common response to the refugee crisis.

I believe we need more integrated Europe. So I was pleased, the day after the British chose to leave the European Union, to see the European flag flown at the Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg’s residence and over the State Government building. It was a gesture that underlined the state’s positive view of European integration and encouraged ordinary citizens to consider the
future of Europe for themselves. Our objective must be to stop the right-wing populists and their anti-European and anti-immigration forces, and strengthen democratic diversity.

Baden-Württemberg is one of the largest and most economically successful German federal states, home to global corporations such as Porsche, Daimler and Bosch. The success of our export
industry is highly dependent on the European single market and global open markets to which we can export our products. The state also benefits to a very large extent from the free movement of
workers in the EU.

The rise of the automotive and components industry in south-west Germany would never have been possible had it not been for the so-called “guest workers” who were recruited in the 1960s. Labour shortages at the time led to the signing of bilateral recruitment agreements with Italy, Greece and Turkey. It was originally thought that the guest workers would return home after a few years with a little know-how and some savings in their pocket. But many chose to stay and bring their families to Germany. My father was one who came to the region alone. After a few years, my parents decided the whole family should move too. As well as job prospects, my parents were keen to provide their children with a good education and better opportunities.

The “guest worker” model wasn’t successful because there was too little incentive to return: in Germany, working conditions and educational standards were drastically better than in the workers’ countries of origin. Today, there are still many foreigners from outside Europe who wish to send their children to school in Germany and reap the benefits of living in a free and democratic country. So there is an urgent need to find new ways of managing this phenomenon. We need a common and modern European immigration law, and more options for working or setting up subsidiaries in other countries.

As someone who was born in Turkey but lives in and identifies with Baden-Württemberg, I have experienced just how successful integration can be. Almost a third of the state’s 10.8 million people
have a migration background. Of these, 1.4 million are foreign citizens and just over 1.7 million are naturalised German citizens. More than 40% of foreign passport-holders in the state are from
elsewhere in the EU.

“For the remaining member states, creating a functioning common immigration and asylum policy will be a key challenge in the post-Brexit EU”

In the capital, Stuttgart, where I live and work, 39% of the city’s 600,000 inhabitants have a migration background. These members of our community enrich our cultural life and provide valuable
support to companies, helping them to be globally competitive. They fill gaps in a labour market that is dependent on international professionals. Recognising and promoting cultural, linguistic and
religious diversity can only reinforce our tolerant and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Despite, or perhaps precisely because of, the large number of people with a migration background in our population,
there is relatively little social and intercultural tension.

But there’s a danger that Brexit could weaken diversity in our multicultural community. Fear of being overrun by foreigners through uncontrollable immigration was an important reason for many British citizens to vote for Brexit. This was despite the overwhelmingly positive impact on the UK of the accessions of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU. Many high-skilled workers from these countries took advantage of freedom of movement to the benefit of both sides. In terms of freedom of movement, Brexit is bad news for the EU and for Baden-Württemberg.

It’s not only the option of working in the UK that’s at stake for EU citizens; restrictions may soon also apply to students and apprentices – with similar hurdles placed before British citizens who wish to study or work on the continent. The UK will now only gain access to the single market if it accepts the principle of freedom of movement between the EU and Britain. The precise timing for triggering Article 50 will not make any difference in that respect.

“The immediate priority must be to stop people drowning in the Mediterranean, to step up humanitarian aid and to combat the smuggling of human beings”

For the remaining member states, creating a functioning common immigration and asylum policy will be a key challenge in the post-Brexit EU. The European Commission has already tabled a number of proposals. The immediate priority must be to stop people drowning in the Mediterranean, to step up humanitarian aid and to combat the smuggling of human beings. We must provide more legal routes for migration to Europe.

I believe EU member states will find a solution only if they work together. National self-interest and go-it-alone initiatives will not solve anything. We must create a common strategy that provides
protection to all those fleeing war and political persecution, and inspires hope for development in their countries of origin. Whatever it does, the EU must never forget it is not just an economic bloc. It is also a community of values committed to democracy, the rule of law and, above all, human dignity.

IMAGE CREDIT: CC / FLICKR – Isengardt

The post Making a success of integration and diversity appeared first on Europe’s World.

General : The world continues to be a dangerous place for women: one in three women in Europe has experienced violence, while 55% of women been sexually harassed in the past 12 months. To raise awareness the Parliament buildings in Brussels will be lit up in orange tonight in honour of today being the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This week MEPs called on the EU to adhere to the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : The world continues to be a dangerous place for women: one in three women in Europe has experienced violence, while 55% of women been sexually harassed in the past 12 months. To raise awareness the Parliament buildings in Brussels will be lit up in orange tonight in honour of today being the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This week MEPs called on the EU to adhere to the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

European Council meeting will take place on 15-16 December 2016 in Justus Lipsius building in Brussels. 

Now open for last-minute accreditation requests (online only)
Procedure

Please note that due to the current security situation in Belgium, specific security measures have been put in place for last minute accreditation requests. Media representatives applying for the first time or who have not been screened recently will be the subject of a comprehensive and detailed verification by our security service. Considering the time and resources needed for these verifications, not all requests may be processed. Media are therefore advised to avoid sending representatives falling into these categories.

If this is your first registration, please make sure you have a recent ID-size photograph in JPEG format (.jpg) and the number of your passport or identity card ready before starting the online process.

You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt by email. Please read it carefully as it includes the list of original documents you will be asked to provide when collecting your badge. Depending on your profile, the requested document will include: Passport or ID card, press card and/or a letter from your editor-in chief as well as the signed original of your authorisation for security screening (only for media representatives of Belgian nationality or resident in Belgium). The press centre may contact you to request additional information if necessary. No accreditation badge will be issued if you cannot provide all required documents. 

Trainees with media organisations who do not possess a press card are not entitled to request accreditation. 

Journalists holding a 6-month badge (30.06.2016 - 31.12.2016) do not need to register

6-month badges can be collected at the accreditation centre of the LEX building during summits. Please ensure that you have all the required documents when collecting your badge.

Collection of badges

Accreditation badges must be collected in person from the LEX building (145 rue de la Loi, Brussels)  

• Wednesday 14 December, from 9.30 to 13.00 and  from 14.00 to 19.00
• Thursday 15 December, from 08.30 to 20.00
• Friday 16 December, from 08.00 to the end of the final press conference (max. 22.00)

Practical information on the press centre and the media programme will follow.

For more details on the European Council meeting, see the meeting page.

Place:        Justus Lipsius building, Brussels
Chair(s):    Peter Žiga, Minister for Economy of Slovakia
                    Peter Plavčan, Minister for Education, Youth, Research and Sport of Slovakia                       

All times are approximate and subject to change

MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER

+/- 08.00
Arrivals              

+/- 08.30
Doorstep by Minister Žiga   

+/- 09.30    
Beginning of the meeting (Roundtable/Photo opportunity)
Adoption of agenda
Adoption of non-legislative A items
Adoption of legislative A items (public session) 

INTERNAL MARKET and INDUSTRY

+/- 09.45 
Geo-blocking (public session)
+/- 11.30
Single market strategy 

+/- 13.00
Lunch - Future of European automotive industry 

+/- 14.30
Any Other Business (AOB): Industrial policy
+/- 15.00    
Competitiveness check-up: new Skills agenda for Europe
+/- 16.00
Unitary patent protection system
+/- 17.00
AOBs:
- Reform of type approval framework for vehicles (public session)
- Review of consumer protection cooperation (public session)
- Legal protection of biotechnological inventions
- SMEs Envoys' network report
- Outcome of conference on collaborative economy
- 2nd Copyright package (public session)
- Social rights pillar
- Work programme of the Maltese presidency 

+/- 18.00         
Press conference (live streaming) 
 

TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER   

+/-08.00     
Arrivals                

+/-09.00
Doorstep by Minister Plavčan 

+/- 10.00
Beginning of meeting (Roundtable/Photo opportunity)

SPACE

+/- 10.05 
Space strategy for Europe (public session)
+/- 12.00
AOB: Work programme of the Maltese presidency 

RESEARCH

+/- 13.00
 Lunch - Cooperation of networks for excellence in the European research landscape 

+/- 14.30 
Support to young researchers - Council conclusions
+/- 14.50
International cooperation strategy (public session)
+/- 16.20    
AOBs:
- Open science
- Quantum technologies
- Accelerating clean energy innovatio
-  Outcome of conference on European bioeconomy
- International research centre in Azores Islands
- Work programme of the Maltese presidency                 

+/- 17.20
Press conference (live streaming)       

 

Martin Schulz has announced that he will not run for a third term as President of the European Parliament and will focus on German politics instead. Exactly what post he will occupy there remains an open question. Some commentators voice relief at seeing the old boy ties between Schulz and Commission President Jucker being severed. Others fear that Germany's influence in Europe will increase.

The European Parliament voted on Thursday by a large majority in favour of freezing EU membership talks with Turkey. The vote, however, is not legally binding either for the EU Commission or for the member states. What impact will it have on relations between Ankara and the EU?

The Italians will vote on a complex constitutional reform on December 4 that among other things foresees a smaller Senate. However according to observers the referendum no longer seems to be about reform but a vote for or against Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and the potential consequences of a government crisis for all Europe. What is really at stake in Italy?