European Union

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There has been no shortage of reasons for outrage over last month’s refugee return deal between the EU and Turkey that, for now, has slowed the influx of migrants into Greece to a trickle. The UN believes the expulsion of migrants arriving in Greece may be illegal under international law. Human Rights Watch yesterday found the deportations “riddled with abuse”. Others have been more upset about the sweeteners given to Ankara in exchange for its cooperation in the crackdown, including €6bn in new aid and the unfreezing of negotiations over Turkish membership in the EU – which nearly upended Cypriot reunification talks and has given Brexiteers a new tool to scare UK voters.

But there may not be an issue as politically sensitive as the EU concession to provide Turkish nationals visa-free travel in Europe as early as June. Yesterday Dimitris Avramopoulos, the EU’s migration commissioner, said Brussels will issue a progress report on May 4 outlining how far Ankara has gone in meeting 72 benchmarks required before the short-term visits can be allowed. “No visa liberalisation can be offered if all benchmarks are not met,” he intoned at a midday news conference.

There is increasing nervousness in several EU capitals, including Paris and Rome, that Turkey may actually clear those hurdles – or, if they’re close, the European Commission will give Ankara a pass and force national governments to decide what to do about the visa deal. That would be awkward for domestic politics in several EU countries; critics are already complaining that a refugee crisis that has caused an anti-immigrant backlash in some quarters because of the high number of Muslims arriving in Europe will have to be solved with a Turkey deal that will allow even more Muslims to travel to Europe. Some governments have begun looking at measures that would allow them to hedge their promise to Ankara, including safeguard clauses, extra conditions or watered down terms. But Ahmed Davutoglu this week made it clear: if there’s no visa-free travel deal, “no one can expect Turkey to adhere to its commitments.”

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Ledra Advertising v Commission and ECB
Economic policy
According to Advocates General Wathelet and Wahl, the General Court was fully entitled to dismiss the actions for annulment and damages concerning the restructuring of the Cypriot banking sector

Ledra Advertising v Commission and ECB
Economic policy
According to Advocates General Wathelet and Wahl, the General Court was fully entitled to dismiss the actions for annulment and damages concerning the restructuring of the Cypriot banking sector

Ledra Advertising v Commission and ECB
Economic policy
According to Advocates General Wathelet and Wahl, the General Court was fully entitled to dismiss the actions for annulment and damages concerning the restructuring of the Cypriot banking sector

Radlinger and Radlingerová
Approximation of laws
The Court finds that the obligation of the national court to examine of its own motion compliance with the rules of EU consumer protection law applies to insolvency proceedings

Radlinger and Radlingerová
Approximation of laws
The Court finds that the obligation of the national court to examine of its own motion compliance with the rules of EU consumer protection law applies to insolvency proceedings

Khachab
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
The Member States may refuse an application for family reunification if it is apparent from a prospective assessment that the sponsor will not have stable and regular resources which are sufficient in the year following the date of submission of the application

New Valmar
Freedom of movement for persons
According to Advocate General Henrik Saugmandsgaard Øe, the obligation laid down by a decree of the Flemish Community requiring cross-border invoices to be drawn up exclusively in Dutch, failing which they are to be declared null and void, infringes EU law

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A film produced by the Council of the EU on the occasion of Europe Day, 9 May 2015. Featuring: • Maria Romana De Gasperi: daughter of Alcide De Gasperi, former Prime Minister of Italy • Antoinette Spaak: daughter of Paul-Henri Spaak, former Prime Minister of Belgium • Jean-Marie Pelt: former private secretary of Robert Schuman, France's foreign minister whose declaration on 9 May 1950 prompted the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) • Jacques-René Rabier: head of cabinet for Jean Monnet in France's modernisation plan and in the ECSC high authority Inspired from the book by Victoria Martín de la Torre: 'Europe, a leap into the unknown'

Download this video here.

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EU Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs meet in Luxembourg on 21 April 2016 to discuss security and border issues. They are also to examine the latest developments concerning migration.

Download this video here.

On 22 April 2016 the EU and its 28 member states will sign the global Paris climate agreement in a high-level ceremony in New York (United States). The agreement was concluded at the UN climate change conference in December 2015, so called COP21, that took place in Paris. The document will be now open for signature for one year.

Dutch Minister for the Environment and President of the Council, Sharon Dijksma, said: "This is a historic day for global climate action. The Paris Agreement is a real turning point in limiting temperature rise and preventing risks posed by climate change. This signature sets out in black and white the EU's commitment to do its part and keep up the momentum from Paris. Continuous action is required."  

Minister Dijksma and Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič  will sign the agreement on behalf of the EU.  

Ratification and entry into force   

The Paris Agreement will enter into force after ratification from at least 55 countries accounting together for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It will then become legally binding for the countries that have ratified it.  

In March 2016, the European Council underlined that the EU and its member states need to ratify the Paris Agreement as soon as possible and on time so as to be parties as from the date of entry into force.  

Main elements of the Paris Agreement 

The Paris Agreement aims at keeping global temperature rise well below 2°C and to make efforts to keep it to 1.5°C (compared to pre-industrial levels). To this end, countries have an obligation to take measures to reduce their emissions.   

There will be a review process every five years to take stock and increase ambition over time. The progress of countries in their commitments will be tracked to ensure transparency and accountability. The need for all countries to adapt to climate change by preparing and reinforcing their resilience is also acknowledged.  

In terms of solidarity, the EU and other developed countries commit to continue providing climate finance to developing countries. 

 

Length of video : 158'
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Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Place:           European Convention Centre Luxembourg (ECCL)
Chair(s):      Ard van der Steur, Minister of Security and Justice
                      Klaas Dijkhoff, State Secretary of Security and Justice and Minister for Immigration

All times are approximate and subject to change

Home Affairs

+/- 08.30
Arrivals (live streaming)

+/- 08.45
Doorstep by Minister Dijkhoff

+/- 09.30
Doorstep by Minister Van der Steur

+/- 10.00
Beginning of Mixed Committee meeting (roundtable)
Adoption of the agenda

IT Systems for Security and Borders

+/- 11.40
Beginning of Home Affairs Council meeting
Adoption of the agenda
Adoption of non-legislative A Items

Databases

+/- 13.30
Adoption of legislative A Items (public session)

IT Systems for Security and Borders

+/- 13.45
Press conference security (live streaming)

+/- 14.00
Lunch

+/- 15.30
Continued Mixed Committee meeting

European Border and Coast Guard
Migration

+/- 17.00
Continued Home Affairs Council meeting

European Border and Coast Guard (public session)
Migration
Reform of the Common European Asylum System

+/- 17.30
Press conference migration (live streaming)