European Union

When we gather in places like Babi Yar, Auschwitz or Ponary, to honour the memory of the murdered victims, we helplessly search for the right words and phrases. Some, like Pope Francis, who recently visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, choose silence, which, in his case, was broken only for a short while, for the recitation of Psalm 130.

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!"

It is understandable that in the face of the Holocaust, the living seek consolation in prayer. It is also understandable that we most often choose silence, because silence can be louder than a scream. We look for ways to honour the victims in the most dignified and suitable manner, to move into the shadow, in order to see better and to better understand what happened here, and in other places of Shoah. To better understand what happened with us, with the people and with the world, in the abyss we have found ourselves together with the victims, the perpetrators, and the witnesses. Yes, common silence and common prayer are indeed appropriate in such a place and time. But silence and prayers by themselves will not be enough if we want to avoid the great moral danger, which was, and still is, present in our collective experience. According to Timothy Snyder, a historian of the Holocaust, (and his reflection is still relevant today), "The moral danger after all, is never that one might become a victim but that one might be a perpetrator or a bystander."

This is why, when we stand in silence at this mass grave, we need to remember that it is our daily duty to cry out at the top of our voice, and to act - always - when innocent people are killed, when the strong attack the weak, when children become the target of warplanes and rockets.

Confronted with evil and violence, humankind cannot be divided only into victims, perpetrators and bystanders. We must try to emulate those, who are called the Righteous Among the Nations. If we do not, why should the Lord hear our voice? Why should his ears be attentive to our pleas for mercy?

Tomorrow, we will say our last goodbye to one of those who believed that violence need not dominate in today's world, to Shimon Peres. I know that he is here with us now.  Let his belief, and that of  others, that evil can be overcome only by good, be guidance to us all. Thank you. 

On 30 September 2016, the Council agreed to speed up the process of ratification of the Paris Agreement. This agreement sets the framework for global action on climate change.

The Council decided to go ahead with ratification at EU level. Member states will ratify either together with the EU if they have completed their national procedures, or as soon as possible thereafter.

To open the way for EU ratification, ministers endorsed a Council decision on EU conclusion of the agreement and asked the European Parliament for its consent.

Once the European Parliament gives its green light, the decision on conclusion will be formally adopted by the Council. The EU will then be able to ratify the agreement.

The Slovak Minister for the Environment and president of the Council, László Sólymos said: "Today is an important day not only for our action on climate but also for unity we have demonstrated. This means that EU and its member states will add their weight to trigger the entry into force of the Paris Agreement. Europe has shown leadership in Paris and will participate in its implementation in Marrakesh. Action for climate remains essential for livelihood of our planet and future generations".

Member states' ratification

The Paris Agreement is a mixed agreement, which means that some of the issues it covers are the responsibility of the EU and others of member states. It therefore has to be ratified by both the EU and all 28 member states.

So far France, Hungary, Austria and Slovakia have completed their national ratification procedures and several others are very close to doing so.

Paris Agreement: entry into force

The agreement will enter into force 30 days after the ratification by at least 55 countries accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. So far 61 countries have ratified, accounting for 47.79% of global emissions.

If the threshold is met by 7 October 2016, the agreement will enter into force in time for the beginning of Marrakesh UN climate change conference (COP22) on 7 November 2016. The first meeting of the parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA) could therefore be convened during the conference. By ratifying the EU secures its full participation at this meeting.

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Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, visits Ukraine, on 28 and 29 September 2016.

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MEPs’ plans to tighten up EU car “type approval” rules, in the wake of the VW scandal, were discussed in the Internal Market Committee on Thursday. These include stricter supervision of tests done before a car can be placed on the market and more stringent obligations on EU member states to check that those already on the road meet all EU safety, environmental and production requirements.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

MEPs’ plans to tighten up EU car “type approval” rules, in the wake of the VW scandal, were discussed in the Internal Market Committee on Thursday. These include stricter supervision of tests done before a car can be placed on the market and more stringent obligations on EU member states to check that those already on the road meet all EU safety, environmental and production requirements.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

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EU-Tunisia relationship emphasises close cooperation on democratic reform, economic modernisation, and migration issues, under the European Neighbourhood Policy. Tunisia and the EU are bound by the legally binding treaty in the form of an Association agreement.

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General : The first-ever universal and legally binding global climate deal was agreed by 195 countries in Paris last December at the COP21 conference.Parliament wants the EU to ratify the Paris climate agreement as soon as possible to ensure it can rapidly enter into force. We talked to environment committee chair Giovanni La Via, an Italian member of the EPP group, about Parliament’s commitment to implement the climate deal and the challenges ahead.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : The first-ever universal and legally binding global climate deal was agreed by 195 countries in Paris last December at the COP21 conference.Parliament wants the EU to ratify the Paris climate agreement as soon as possible to ensure it can rapidly enter into force. We talked to environment committee chair Giovanni La Via, an Italian member of the EPP group, about Parliament’s commitment to implement the climate deal and the challenges ahead.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Programme of 5 October 2016 

Place:         Justus Lipsius building, 175 rue de la Loi, Brussels 

All times are approximate and subject to change

+/- 07.30
Arrivals
Live streaming

+/- 08.15 TBC
Doorstep by High Representative Federica Mogherini 

+/- 08.30
Arrival of the Afghan delegation, welcome by High Representative Federica Mogherini 

+/- 09.00       Opening session (roundtable Photo/TV opportunity Group A) 
including statements by:
President of the European Council Donald Tusk
President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Live streaming

+/- 10.30
Family photo (Photo/TV opportunity Group B)

 11.00
Presentation by the Afghan government of the National Peace and Development Framework and the revised Self-Reliance Mutual Accountability Framework
Presentation of the World Bank economic outlook
Live streaming

11.30
Bilateral statements by partner countries and international organisations (part I)
Chaired by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani
Live streaming

12.30
Lunch 

14.00
Afghan civil society joint statement
Live streaming

14.15
Bilateral statements by partner countries and international organisations (part II)
Chaired by Minister of Finance of Afghanistan Eklil Hakimi and European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica
Live streaming

17.30
Closing session
including statements by:
Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah
High Representative Federica Mogherini,
European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica
Live streaming                    

+/- 18.00
Press conference
Live streaming

Side Events - Programme of 4 October 2016 

Place:        Charlemagne building of the European Commission, 170 rue de la Loi, Brussels 

All times are approximate and subject to change                  

+/- 13.30
Signing of the State Building Contract
Live streaming   

Empowered Women, Prosperous Afghanistan
Live streaming

+/- 14.00 
Opening speeches                    

Session 1 - Promoting Afghan Women's Rights                    

+/- 16.15    

Session 2 - Socio-economic Empowerment of Afghan Women     

+/- 17.30 
Closing speeches  

Regional integration and prosperity 

+/- 16.00
Beginning of the event 

Recording of the introductive remarks will be published at +/- 18.00 on EbS

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Article 50 has sent the lawyers into a frenzy. The British government has been forced to publish its argument on why triggering the formal EU divorce clause does not require an act of parliament (and a potentially troublesome vote among MPs*) in an impending court case.

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EU Ministers of European Affairs, Industry, Research and related areas meet in Brussels on 29 September 2016 to hold debates on the development of the collaborative economy, on the situation of the steel industry and on access to finance for EU companies.

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Budget Committee MEPs reversed all the cuts proposed by the Council to the draft 2017 EU budget to meet the needs of the migration crisis and slow economic growth, in a vote on Wednesday. They also boosted funding to fight youth unemployment and increased spending on research and infrastructure projects. The full plenary will vote on 26 October on a proposed budget amounting to €161.8bn in commitments, €4.13bn more than the original Commission proposal.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Budget Committee MEPs reversed all the cuts proposed by the Council to the draft 2017 EU budget to meet the needs of the migration crisis and slow economic growth, in a vote on Wednesday. They also boosted funding to fight youth unemployment and increased spending on research and infrastructure projects. The full plenary will vote on 26 October on a proposed budget amounting to €161.8bn in commitments, €4.13bn more than the original Commission proposal.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

MEPs’ plans to tighten up EU car “type approval” rules, in the wake of the VW scandal, will be outlined in 196 amendments to the EU Commission proposal to overhaul the current system, to be debated in the Internal Market Committee on Thursday at 11.00. These include stricter supervision of tests done before a car can be placed on the market and more stringent obligations on EU member states to check that those already on the road meet all EU safety, environmental and production requirements.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

MEPs’ plans to tighten up EU car “type approval” rules, in the wake of the VW scandal, will be outlined in 196 amendments to the EU Commission proposal to overhaul the current system, to be debated in the Internal Market Committee on Thursday at 11.00. These include stricter supervision of tests done before a car can be placed on the market and more stringent obligations on EU member states to check that those already on the road meet all EU safety, environmental and production requirements.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : Anti-Semitism continues to be a problem in Europe with every fifth Jew having experienced verbal or physical violence. On 27 September MEPs and representatives from Jewish communities gathered in the European Parliament to debate anti-Semitism and the future of Jews in Europe. "Jewish friends and neighbours, we stand with you against those who spread hatred," said Parliament President Martin Schulz. "Europe is not Europe without its Jews. Europe is your home!”

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : Anti-Semitism continues to be a problem in Europe with every fifth Jew having experienced verbal or physical violence. On 27 September MEPs and representatives from Jewish communities gathered in the European Parliament to debate anti-Semitism and the future of Jews in Europe. "Jewish friends and neighbours, we stand with you against those who spread hatred," said Parliament President Martin Schulz. "Europe is not Europe without its Jews. Europe is your home!”

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Dear President Rivlin,

Please accept on behalf of the European Union our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Israel on the passing of former President Shimon Peres.

With the death of the former President the world has lost a true champion of peace. An icon on the world stage who will be dearly missed for his unwavering dedication to co-existence in the Middle East and between all peoples. He was instrumental in forging close ties of friendship and cooperation between Israel and other parts of the world, including Europe.

His long career as a senior official, a minister, prime minister and most recently as President was dedicated to building a strong and secure State of Israel. But he also remained convinced that his vision for Israel could only be achieved if the Palestinians were allowed to have a state as well, living in peace and security alongside Israel. Even in the darkest of hours he stuck to the vision of a two-state solution. This will be his enduring legacy.

He was a man of tremendous wit, humour, charm, hard work and dedication. Our hearts go out to Shimon Peres' family, who has lost a father and grandfather. Israel has lost a great statesman and Europe has lost a great friend and partner.

Peres never lost his faith in peace. We must keep his legacy alive by continuing his unflagging efforts for peace, cooperation and coexistence in the Middle East and globally.

Jean-Claude Juncker’s 2016 State of the European Union address was clear in its analysis: the EU is at a critical juncture and has to become more effective to regain its credibility. But the solution needs more work. Crucially, it needs political will. And it needs an understanding of past failures – not least those that have inflicted harm on Cyprus since 2013.

The Commission President gave his address three months after the UK backed Brexit. Traditional British Euroscepticism and issues such as migration were big factors in the result, but so too were the structural weaknesses of the EU.

Problems abound. Terrorism haunts the EU. European citizens are paying the price of upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa and the lack of policies to enhance stability and development in those regions. The EU has failed to adopt policies to face the socioeconomic problems afflicting the Union. There is high unemployment, social exclusion, increasing inequality and a mood of uncertainty.

Addressing the chronic eurozone crisis is a key starting point in addressing the problems. Juncker said that the Commission ‘will address how to strengthen and reform our economic and monetary union’ and underlined ‘the need to implement the Stability and Growth Pact with common sense’.

“Uniform policies have limits; now, nation states need to be able to address their own challenges”

Implicitly, there is an admission of the huge mess created by austerity policies. These policies cannot be sustained without further strains in the eurozone and the EU as a whole. Participation in the eurozone makes it difficult for a country to pursue discretionary policies to address a serious recession, as it has to stick to a balanced budget. This deepens the crisis, with further spending cuts and increased taxes. In effect, we have a set of automatic destabilisers that, when taken in conjunction with a tight monetary policy, lead to a vicious deflationary cycle.  For the eurozone to function there must be a system of fiscal support from the centre, a philosophy that is currently missing.

This explains the Commission President’s wish to stress the importance of solidarity – ‘the glue that keeps our Union together’. But here too, the Union has failed. Italy has recently received support to address its banking crisis (about €400bn in non-performing loans), but no “bail-in” was required – as was the case, with devastating results, in Cyprus in March 2013. Obviously, this is a case of double standards. According to Spain’s former foreign minister of Spain, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the EU acted myopically in not helping Cyprus address its crisis; on the contrary, the policies dictated by the EU deepened the crisis.

The decisions of the Eurogroup in March 2013 were influenced by other considerations as well: the timing of the German elections, containment of the Russian presence in Cyprus, and using the island as both a testing ground for future crises and an example to other, larger, more troublesome countries. Cyprus did not deserve this treatment, and the handling of the crisis caused other problems – for example, Germany is seen as hegemonic, and the Troika faces legitimacy problems as its economic philosophy (both in theory and practice) appears to lack reason and sensitivity.

Cyprus shares these problems with others, not least Greece, where socioeconomic conditions remain harsh. Unemployment approaches 30% despite the fact that thousands of Greeks have emigrated, there is a huge fiscal cliff, and deflation and decreasing salaries and pensions are creating suffocating conditions leading to unprecedented poverty levels. Greece is facing the depression of the century.

“The EU acted myopically in not helping Cyprus address its crisis; on the contrary, the policies dictated by the EU deepened the crisis.”

The experiences of Cyprus and Greece, especially given the endogenous structural problems of these two countries, highlight how the Troika’s recipes have worsened the situation, undermined social cohesion and jeopardised the geopolitical interests of the EU. Such attitudes and practices are related to the Union’s current malaise. There is a huge “solidarity deficit”, with deep institutional, structural and cultural differences between the member states. Equally, uniform policies have limits; now, nation states need to be able to address their own challenges.

Of course, Cyprus’s difficulties are not merely financial. In his speech, Juncker called for a solution to division of the island, offering the EU’s support. There is the “two communities” dimension to this problem, but the international and geostrategic aspects are even more important. Turkey’s role is overwhelming – and the EU has to acknowledge that Turkey occupies European territory. A solution of the Cyprus problem based on ethnocommunal pillars would probably lead to frustration and even destabilisation. Instead, Cyprus will have a better future with an integrationalist, federal model. The EU could encourage such an approach (even though this may entail evolutionary processes), and highlight that it maintains a substantive role in global affairs.

We should remember that when Cyprus embarked on accession negotiations it was the country with the highest levels of enthusiasm for the EU.  Obviously there were high expectations, generally linked to the stated “value system” of the EU. But more than 12 years after Cyprus’s accession to the Union and almost nine years after adoption of the euro, Cypriots are increasingly Eurosceptic. This is despite the efforts of the government and the Troika to describe Cyprus as a success story. The reality is that Cyprus is a success story only when compared to Greece.

Cyprus aside, we must also acknowledge that there is widespread uncertainly about the future of the EU.  Various leaders, technocrats, academics and analysts – as well as citizens – fear that the Union faces an existentialist dilemma. We need more than rhetoric to understand and address the EU’s problems. And we need both solidarity and flexibility.

IMAGE CREDIT: FomaA/Bigstock.com

The post Juncker’s rhetoric versus Cyprus’s reality appeared first on Europe’s World.

General : After five years’ existence, the transparency register, of independent organisations and people whose business is to influence EU decision-taking processes, is to evolve into a mandatory system covering all EU institutions. This is "an eagerly-awaited reform", said European Parliament Vice-President Sylvie Guillaume, welcoming the proposed inter-institutional agreement tabled by the European Commission on 28 September.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP