European Union

All information on media accreditation and access to the EU-Mexico summit on 12 June 2015.

The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.
Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Good morning, Grüss Gott. I am happy to be here in the Bavarian Alps for the G7 summit. Especially because it is my very first one. Still I remember well that every G summit (G7, G8, G20) causes emotions and opposition. The current demonstrations are proof of it. Freedom and pluralism matter as much to those who demonstrate as to us. I believe that G7 is the best guarantee, that the countries from the G7 group are the best guarantee, that those values, freedom and pluralism, have survived and will survive. We do not need to apologise for our meeting, it is only because of the G7 countries that people can demonstrate, can think what they want, can say what they want and even look like they want. I am sorry for this maybe too trivial truth, but from time to time it is important that someone says it so openly.

All of us would prefer to have Russia around the table in the G8 format. That is why Russia was invited in the 90ies. But our Group is not only a political and economic group of interests, but first of all this is a community of values. And that is why Russia is not among us here today and will not be invited as long as it behaves aggressively against Ukraine and other countries. This evening, we will discuss our policies towards Ukraine and Russia in light of the recent surge in fighting and killing in eastern Ukraine, the most severe disruption of the Minsk agreements since February. I want to underline that already in March the European Council took a political decision of linking our sanctions regime on Russia with the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements. My intention is that today we re-confirm the G7 unity on the sanctions policy. So let me state clearly, given the current situation, if anyone wants to start a debate about changing the sanctions regime, the discussion could only be about strengthening it. The European Union, as the entire G7, continues to stand firm in support of Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.

Foreign policy issues will also include discussions on Syria, Iraq, Iran and Libya. Discussions on Friday in the sanctions committee of the UN Security Council is another proof that the formation of a government of national unity in Libya will not be easy.

We will also discuss cross-cutting challenges such as terrorism and migration. Tomorrow, we will discuss counter-terrorism during our outreach session in the company of the leaders of Ethiopia, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia. We want to listen, not to lecture. Foreign fighters now pose a greater threat to international security than ever. We will exchange experiences with the leaders around the table given how important it is for the European Union to work with the countries most affected by this issue. As with our forthcoming Valetta summit with African countries on migration, it is hugely important for the European Union to establish a working dialogue with the countries most affected.
 
Beyond that, we as Europeans will aim for a united G7 approach in climate talks. Climate change is our shared challenge. In view of the Paris COP21 in December, we will use this summit to encourage our G7 partners to be ambitious. Europe cannot solve this problem alone. G7 needs to become united, also on this. The fight against climate change is a global fight and goes way beyond Europe and even the G7. If we are not united in the G7, how can we convince others?
 
Finally, I am really satisfied that some leaders want to use the summit to discuss corruption, including the recent FIFA scandal. We do not need empty declarations against corruption but we have to be ready to fight against those who were corrupted and those who corrupt. We need to fight corruption in its all dimensions, no matter how powerful the actors of these disgraceful practices are. Thank you. With this I pass the ball over to you, Jean-Claude.

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On 7-8 June 2015, Germany hosts the meeting of the G7 heads of state and government. Discussions are focused on the global economy as well as on key issues regarding foreign, security and development policy: the pursuit of a common foreign and security policy, international trade, climate change and energy security, and the post-2015 agenda for development.

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Only together do waves become the sea. Only together do trees become a forest. Starlings do not fly alone; one raindrop is not a downpour. It is only by singing together that we can give life and soul to a song. When sung alone, a song creeps through the heather, settles on stony ground and vanishes. But when many voices join together in song, it soars up into the sky in a woven garland of celebration and resonates for miles and miles. It is a powerful feeling when thousands of voices become one.

On 4-5 June, the meeting of the Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CIVCOM) took place in Riga. Discussions focused on topical issues related to the planning and conduct of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) civilian missions, and the participation of civilian experts from Member States to these missions.

Sunday 7 June 2015
G7 Summit - Schloss Elmau (Germany)
11.00  Press briefing by President Donald Tusk and President Jean-Claude Juncker
13.00  Official welcome by Chancellor Angela Merkel
13.30  First working session
15.00  Second working session
16.30  Family photo
17.30  Meeting with Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper
19.15  Official reception
20.30  Working dinner

Monday 8 June 2015
G7 Summit - Schloss Elmau (Germany)
09.00  Third working session
10.45  Fourth working session with outreach guests
12.20  Family photo with outreach guests
12.45  Working lunch with outreach guests

Wednesday 10 June 2015
EU-CELAC summit
09.15  Bilateral meetings
14.00  Official welcome
14.30  Opening Ceremony
15.30  First working session
17.00  Second working session
18.30  Family photo
19.00  Social dinner

Thursday 11 June 2015
EU-CELAC summit
10.00  Retreat session
12.15  Closing ceremony
13.00 Press conference by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the CELAC pro-tempore President
16.00  EU-SICA high level meeting
17.30  EU-CARIFORUM high level meeting

Friday 12 June 2015
EU-Mexico summit
09.30  Leaders' meeting
10.00  Plenary session

14.00  Meeting with President of Burkina Faso Michel Kafando (photo opportunity)

 

General : Ramón Jáuregui (S&D, ES), co-president the EuroLat Assembly, on Friday stated his "great concern" at the situation in Venezuela and called for the release of political prisoners and for elections, in a statement to next week's EU, Latin American and Caribbean Summit (EU-CELAC) in Brussels representing the majority position of the EuroLat MEPs. He also refers to the situation in Cuba and Colombia.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : Ramón Jáuregui (S&D, ES), co-president the EuroLat Assembly, on Friday stated his "great concern" at the situation in Venezuela and called for the release of political prisoners and for elections, in a statement to next week's EU, Latin American and Caribbean Summit (EU-CELAC) in Brussels representing the majority position of the EuroLat MEPs. He also refers to the situation in Cuba and Colombia.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

On the initiative of a number of Members of the Court of Justice, a Liber Amicorum will be presented to Mr Vassilios Skouris to celebrate his 12 years at the head of the institution

Plenary sessions : A new EU strategy for equality between women and men beyond 2015 will be debated by MEPs on Monday 8 June. The draft EP resolution drafted by Maria Noichl states that progress in the EU has been slow and that much remains to be done over the next five years. Watch the debate live on our website on Monday 8 June from 18.00 CET and check out our infographic to see how successful member states have been in achieving gender equality.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Plenary sessions : A new EU strategy for equality between women and men beyond 2015 will be debated by MEPs on Monday 8 June. The draft EP resolution drafted by Maria Noichl states that progress in the EU has been slow and that much remains to be done over the next five years. Watch the debate live on our website on Monday 8 June from 18.00 CET and check out our infographic to see how successful member states have been in achieving gender equality.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Merkel, standing, with her finance and defence ministers in the Bundestag last month

Just when is the real deadline before which Greece has to reach a deal with its creditors to gain access to €7.2bn in bailout aid?

Its current bailout ends on June 30, and officials think that if a deal is in place by the next scheduled meeting of eurozone finance ministers, June 18, there may just be enough time for Greece to pass the necessary legislation to get the rescue disbursement before the clock runs out.

But Stefan Wagstyl, the FT’s man in Berlin, writes to point out there’s another looming deadline that could cause problems for a Greece decision, tied to the upcoming recess of the Bundestag, which must approve any aid tranche:

It could be that Greece’s real deadline is much earlier that many realise: June 14. That is the date by which German officials say Greece and its bailout monitors must complete a new agreement for the German parliament to have time to vote on it before the end of the month.

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