European Union

General : Bendable and transparent smart phones, lighter air planes... All this and much more could soon become reality thanks to graphene. On 2 June, MEPs discussed with experts the potential of using the wonder material in various sectors, from electronics to health. Nobel Prize laureate Konstantin Novoselov, who co-discovered graphene, said: “Science is the easy part. To develop a technology, you should know what products you are aiming at, and this should be coming from the industry."

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : Bendable and transparent smart phones, lighter air planes... All this and much more could soon become reality thanks to graphene. On 2 June, MEPs discussed with experts the potential of using the wonder material in various sectors, from electronics to health. Nobel Prize laureate Konstantin Novoselov, who co-discovered graphene, said: “Science is the easy part. To develop a technology, you should know what products you are aiming at, and this should be coming from the industry."

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Today`s political trilogue on the EFSI regulation was productive and it was the last one. During the meeting, the last minor political issues were resolved on the proposed regulation on the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI). 

The #mindpower short film project dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Latvian poets Rainis and Aspazija has arrived in sunny southern Italy where it meets the cheerful singer Al Bano.

The ninth EU-Algeria Association Council took place this morning in Brussels.

The Association Council was chaired by Ms Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. Algeria was represented by H.E. Mr Ramtane Lamamra, Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

This latest meeting of the Association Council enabled the two parties to renew their intention to consolidate the bilateral relationship, not only through the implementation of the Association Agreement, but also through an ambitious political dialogue.

In this connection, the Association Council was an opportunity to reflect on common challenges.  The two parties reviewed the latest developments on Libya, the Malian crisis and combatting terrorism and preventing radicalisation. They also discussed migration and energy cooperation, marked this year by the holding of the first high-level dialogue on energy. The progress of integration in the Maghreb region was also discussed.

The EU and Algeria noted a convergence of views on the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy and reiterated their commitment to concluding negotiations on the action plan in 2015. In this context, both parties expressed their interest in the continuation of political, institutional and socio-economic reforms in Algeria aimed at strengthening democracy and good governance, through an inclusive dialogue with all elements of civil society. To that end, the two parties reviewed bilateral cooperation priorities, including the diversification of the economy and the strengthening of citizen participation in public life.

The parties also addressed the subject of the protection and defence of human rights. The EU welcomed the recent reforms adopted on the advancement of women. Concerning the right of association, the right to assembly and the freedom of assembly, the EU encouraged Algeria to strengthen its cooperation with the United Nations system in order to align itself more closely with the international standards in this field.

As regards technical cooperation, the two parties signed a protocol to the Association Agreement allowing Algeria to participate in Euro-Mediterranean programmes. Algeria will consequently be able to take part in 20 EU programmes, such as COSME (SMEs), Horizon 2020 (research) and Creative Europe (culture and media).

General : "We cannot have sustainable development without addressing social, development and environmental issues," said Sam Kahamba Kutesa, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, during his visit to the Parliament on 3 June. He was there do discuss new Sustainable Development Goals with the foreign affairs committee. We talked to him about issues such as climate change and migration.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : "We cannot have sustainable development without addressing social, development and environmental issues," said Sam Kahamba Kutesa, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, during his visit to the Parliament on 3 June. He was there do discuss new Sustainable Development Goals with the foreign affairs committee. We talked to him about issues such as climate change and migration.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Place:        KIRCHBERG building (KCC), Luxembourg
Chair(s):    Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Minister for Economics of Latvia  

All times are approximate and subject to change  

+/- 09.30     Doorstep by Minister Reizniece-Ozola
+/- 10.00     Beginning of Transport, Telecommunications and ENERGY Council meeting
                     Adoption of the agenda
+/- 10.15     Energy Security Strategy
+/- 12.15     Energy Union - Council conclusions
+/- 12.30     AOB
                     External energy relations: information from the Commission
                     European Nuclear Energy Forum: information from the CZ delegation
                     Work programme of the incoming Presidency
+/- 15.00     Press conference

On 4 June, the European Development Days (EDDs) lab debate organised by the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU stressed the need to eradicate discrimination against women and girls and enhance their role in the economy, focusing on Central Asia.

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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, 2015 - EP

On Friday, 5 June, No Elevators Day campaign will take place for the first time in Europe and the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU invites everyone to join the campaign and on that day use the stairs instead of the elevator.

Forum "Global education - engagement, growth, sustainability," which takes place on 8-10 June in Valmiera, embodies one of the major discussions under the Latvian Presidency on development/global education and the importance of its integration into the curriculum of formal education.