Confederations

COVID-19: Council adopts conclusions on human rights-based recovery

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 23, 2021

The Council today approved conclusions reaffirming the EUs commitment to human rights in the context of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Points: 
  • The Council today approved conclusions reaffirming the EUs commitment to human rights in the context of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • In light of this, the EU reaffirms that a socio-economic response with human rights at its core will allow for a better and more sustainable recovery.
  • The EU undertakes to ensure that its response to COVID-19 upholds the dignity and human rights of all without discrimination of any kind.
  • Human rights, democracy and the rule of law will therefore remain at the heart of the EUs response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as stated in the Council conclusions on the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024.

Using EU funds to address fundamental rights migration challenges

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 18, 2021

FRA presented areas where EU funding could help address fundamental rights challenges in the field of asylum, borders and immigration.

Key Points: 
  • FRA presented areas where EU funding could help address fundamental rights challenges in the field of asylum, borders and immigration.
  • This could support Member States om their the implementation of EU law safeguards as they prepare their multiannual programmes under the new migration and security funds.
  • FRA gave the presentation during a European Commission workshop on 10 February.
  • FRA highlighted issues relating to child protection, the integration of migrants and refugees, fundamental rights monitoring at borders and the implementation of EU law safeguards when setting up new large-scale information technology systems.

Forward look: 15 - 28 February 2021

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, February 13, 2021

The location and the format (physical or virtual) indicated for each meeting are subject to change.

Key Points: 
  • The location and the format (physical or virtual) indicated for each meeting are subject to change.
  • They will also cover international issues, the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions and issues linked to the annual EU budget.
  • Informal video conference of education ministers, 19 February 2021

    Ministers will hold a policy debate on equity in access, inclusion and success for all in education and training.

  • Informal video conference of agriculture and fisheries ministers, 22 February 2021

    Ministers will discuss the state of play of the bilateral EU-UK consultations on setting definite fishing opportunities for 2021.

Press release - COVID-19: MEPs extend relief measures for the transport sector

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 11, 2021

In addition, the European Commission can also extend the new rules to other seasons in the future, and adjust the minimum utilisation rate to between 30% and 70%.

Key Points: 
  • In addition, the European Commission can also extend the new rules to other seasons in the future, and adjust the minimum utilisation rate to between 30% and 70%.
  • "In record time, we managed to update complex, but extremely strategic rules for the air sector, which has been among the hardest hit by the pandemic.
  • However, to ensure the smooth functioning of the single market, they have to accept prolonged certificates from other member states.
  • Now that MEPs have given their green light, Council has to approve the rules, so they can enter into force after publication in the Official Journal of the EU.

Press release - MEPs: EU recovery instruments must also support young people and sports sector

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Both the EUs recovery instruments and national recovery plans must offer short-term support to the sports sector and to our young people, said Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE), Chair of Parliaments Committee on Culture and Education.

Key Points: 
  • Both the EUs recovery instruments and national recovery plans must offer short-term support to the sports sector and to our young people, said Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE), Chair of Parliaments Committee on Culture and Education.
  • We must attend to the most vulnerable and we need greater flexibility to support all types of education, including vocational and informal learning.
  • Member states should therefore support sports with national funds and include them in their recovery plans.
  • An EU-wide approach is needed to help the sector recover, notably by addressing recovery within the EU Work Plan for Sport.

Kindred Group plc - Year end report January - December 2020 (unaudited)

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Gross winnings revenue amounted to GBP 1,130.2 (912.8) million, an increase of 24 per cent.

Key Points: 
  • Gross winnings revenue amounted to GBP 1,130.2 (912.8) million, an increase of 24 per cent.
  • I am pleased that we can finally put 2020, a difficult year for most people, businesses and countries, behind us.
  • At the same time, it is encouraging to see that Kindred's share of voice across markets has increased throughout 2020.
  • This disclosure contains information that Kindred Group is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014).

Kindred Group plc - Year end report January - December 2020 (unaudited)

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Gross winnings revenue amounted to GBP 1,130.2 (912.8) million, an increase of 24 per cent.

Key Points: 
  • Gross winnings revenue amounted to GBP 1,130.2 (912.8) million, an increase of 24 per cent.
  • I am pleased that we can finally put 2020, a difficult year for most people, businesses and countries, behind us.
  • At the same time, it is encouraging to see that Kindred's share of voice across markets has increased throughout 2020.
  • This disclosure contains information that Kindred Group is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014).

Join us for the 19th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 8, 2021

Join us for the 19th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities!

Key Points: 
  • Join us for the 19th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities!
  • Preparations for the European Week of Regions and Cities, 11to14October2021 have already started!The two co-organisers, the European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, launched their call for partners during the Kick-Off meeting on 28 January 2021 which gathered almost 600 potential partners participating online.
  • The organisers presented the main features and novelties of the 2021 edition, key milestones, how to apply and replied to questions from the audience.
  • If you would like to learn more and keep up-to-date via theevent website, follow #EURegionsWeek onTwitteror Facebook , or get in touch with the organisers.

MEPs and representatives of local and regional authorities: Rural Agenda should be transformed into a concrete policy framework and should be reflected in Recovery Plans

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 5, 2021

MEPs and local leaders agreed that the EUs future

Key Points: 
  • MEPs and local leaders agreed that the EUs future
    rural development policy must be more ambitious and
    contain a concrete policy framework that will be
    monitored and evaluated.
  • The AGRI Committee and NAT commission of the European
    Committee of the Regions held a joint meeting on the 4
    February to discuss the long-term vision of rural
    development policy.
  • Both institutions are acutely
    concerned about the significant decrease in the
    European budget dedicated to rural development.
  • As a result, we need to maximise the
    efficiency of these limited budgetary resources by
    getting the regions closely involved.
  • There is also an urgent need to
    simplify, coordinate and harmonise access to
    European funding for rural development."
  • The funds
    available under recovery plans should be mobilized as a
    matter of priority for the benefit of rural areas.
  • On 7 September 2020, the European Commission (EC)
    launched a public consultation on its initiative for a
    long-term vision for rural areas.
  • This public consultation
    should be the first step towards an EC Communication on
    the topic, to be published mid-2021.

Strengthening Cross-border Public Services is key to improving day-to-day life in European border regions

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 5, 2021

· The European Cross-border Mechanism (ECBM) was proposed by European Commission in 2018 as a solution to overcome legal and administrative obstacles hampering cross-border cooperation. In certain circumstances, the mechanism would allow the application of laws of a neighbouring state in cross-border regions. The proposal is currently blocked in the Council of the European Union. TheREACT-EU initiative is part of the EU's recovery plan and addresses the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative, which entered into force on 1st of January 2021, is one of the largest programmes under the new instrument Next Generation EU, amounting €47.5 billion.Almost one third of EU citizens live or work in border regions where access to public services, such as transport, education or health care, is often limited compared to central or capital regions.

Key Points: 
  • · The European Cross-border Mechanism (ECBM) was proposed by European Commission in 2018 as a solution to overcome legal and administrative obstacles hampering cross-border cooperation. In certain circumstances, the mechanism would allow the application of laws of a neighbouring state in cross-border regions. The proposal is currently blocked in the Council of the European Union.
    • TheREACT-EU initiative is part of the EU's recovery plan and addresses the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative, which entered into force on 1st of January 2021, is one of the largest programmes under the new instrument Next Generation EU, amounting €47.5 billion.
    • Almost one third of EU citizens live or work in border regions where access to public services, such as transport, education or health care, is often limited compared to central or capital regions.
    • Providing public services across borders would not only increase the quality of life of citizens on each side, but also make public services more cost-efficient.
    • "Access to cross-border public services contribute to reducing negative border effects and can increase the quality of life of citizens living in border regions.
    • Anne Sander (FR/EPP), Member of the European Parliament, commented:" I strongly support the cross-border public services in Europe.
    • The Covid-19 crisis has demonstrated the need to strengthen existing cross-border public services and create new ones in cross-border regions that need them most.
    • To increase access to public services in border regions, the European Committee of the Regions reiterates its strong support for legislative proposals such as the European Cross-border Mechanism (ECBM), which is currently blocked in the Council of the European Union.