Foreign relations of the European Union

Press release - EU-UK future relations: MEPs to debate the agreement reached on 24 December

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Foreign relations of the European Union, Politics of the European Union, United Kingdom and the European Union, Brexit, EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Foreign relations of Europe, Disaster preparedness, Trade negotiation between the UK and the EU

Members on the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committees will debate the new EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on Thursday at 10.00 CET.

Key Points: 
  • Members on the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committees will debate the new EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on Thursday at 10.00 CET.
  • The joint meeting of the lead committees will intensify the democratic parliamentary scrutiny process for the new EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached by EU and British negotiators on 24 December.
  • The new Trade and Cooperation agreement has been provisionally applied since 1 January 2021.
  • MEPs on the International Trade Committee held a first meeting on the new EU-UK deal on Monday 11 January, during which they promised thorough scrutiny of the agreement.

Concern at lack of structured regional dimension in EU-UK deal

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Organizations, Foreign relations of the European Union, Articles, Disaster preparedness, Negotiation, EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, European Union, Brexit negotiations, Brexit

Local and regional leaders express relief at agreement, but identify major losses, uncertainties and challenges for regions and cities.

Key Points: 
  • Local and regional leaders express relief at agreement, but identify major losses, uncertainties and challenges for regions and cities.
  • Local and regional politicians from the European Union voiced short-term relief mixed with long-term caution and concern at their first meeting with UK counterparts since the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was settled on 24 December.
  • Longer-term concerns raised by EU politicians included data protection, the impact on fishing communities in the EU, and a lowering of environmental standards in the UK.
  • He continued:"Politically, I fear that five-yearly reviews will ensure an environment of uncertainty for both sides.
  • I will seek reassurances from Mr Barnier the EU's Chief Negotiatior and the European Parliament that the ongoing talks will develop the regional dimension of this very important relationship."
  • Options could include, she said, association with the new Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, or with the civil-society platform, or the creation of a specific body for local and regional authorities.
  • Erasmus and scientific cooperation were along with recognition of professional qualifications among the major losses for EU and UK citizens identified in the deal by both EU and UK regional and municipal leaders.
  • The CoR launched theCoR-UK Contact GroupinSeptember 2020, and held its first meeting with UK representatives inNovember 2020.

Press release: Signature of the EU-UK agreement, 30 December 2020

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Foreign relations of the European Union, European Union, Politics of Europe, Politics of the European Union, Disaster preparedness, Negotiation, Confederations, European Council, Brexit withdrawal agreement, Brexit

On behalf of the European Union, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission signed this morning the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement.

Key Points: 
  • On behalf of the European Union, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission signed this morning the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement.
  • This agreement will now be brought to the United Kingdom to be signed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, before being provisionally applied as of 1 January 2021.
  • This agreement will then be examined by the European Parliament and the Council, before it can be ratified by the European Union.
  • Charles Michel, President of the European Council: "On major issues, the European Union stands ready to work shoulder to shoulder with the United Kingdom.

European Union (Future Relationship)

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
United Kingdom and the European Union, Foreign relations of the European Union, Law of the United Kingdom, European Union (Withdrawal) Act, European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act, European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Act, Parliament of the United Kingdom, European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act, Parliament of Singapore, European Union (Referendum) Bill 2013–14

Latest Bill

Key Points: 
  • Latest Bill

    Latest news on the European Union (Future Relationship) Bill 2019-21

    Thisis a public bill presented to Parliament by the Government.

  • The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons and given its First Readingon Wednesday 30 December 2020.
  • MPs will next consider the Bill at Second Reading on Wednesday 30 December 2020, followed byCommittee of the Whole Houseandremaining stages, all on the same day.
  • Additional information

    Summary of the European Union (Future Relationship) Bill 2019-21

    A Bill to Implement, and make other provision in connection with, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement; to make further provision in connection with the United Kingdoms future relationship with the EU and its member States; to make related provision about passenger name record data, customs and privileges and immunities; and for connected purposes.

DGAP-News: VST Enterprises Ltd: Cyber Tech Solution To Solve UK / Euro Freight Ban

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 24, 2020
United Kingdom and the European Union, VST Enterprises, Data security, Foreign relations of the European Union, Identity documents, Information governance, Cybercrime, Passport, Computer security, Brexit, Aftermath of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, Politics of the European Union

MANCHESTER, UK / ACCESSWIRE / December 24, 2020 / British cyber technology company VST Enterprises (VSTE) has offered to step in and assist the UK Government with a cyber technology solution that could help end the UK Freight ban into Europe.

Key Points: 
  • MANCHESTER, UK / ACCESSWIRE / December 24, 2020 / British cyber technology company VST Enterprises (VSTE) has offered to step in and assist the UK Government with a cyber technology solution that could help end the UK Freight ban into Europe.
  • The UK Freight ban has also highlighted yet again the need for a cross-border secure digital health passport to provide support in a pandemic and beyond.
  • The V-Health Passport(TM) is the worlds most secure health passport using next generation VCode(R) code scanning cyber security technology.
  • VST Enterprises whose VCode(R) technology provides the secure coding element behind the V-Health Passport(TM) system can also assist the UK Government with Frictionless Borders post BREXIT.

PFS Research Finds UK Retailers Still Need to Prepare for Brexit

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 21, 2020
United Kingdom and the European Union, Brexit, Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom, Politics, Portmanteaus, Withdrawal from the European Union, Foreign relations of the European Union, Politics of the European Union, European Union

With just over half (54%) of UK retailers reporting that they are either fully prepared for Brexit, or will be by the end of 2020, this still leaves a significant proportion of retailers who wont be ready in time.

Key Points: 
  • With just over half (54%) of UK retailers reporting that they are either fully prepared for Brexit, or will be by the end of 2020, this still leaves a significant proportion of retailers who wont be ready in time.
  • The research has also uncovered that most retailers believe Brexit will have some kind of impact on their business operations.
  • As the clock ticks down to the end of 2020, many retailers are realizing that the time to act is now.
  • To find out more about the research, read The final countdown: are retailers cutting it fine with their Brexit plans?

Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument: Coreper endorses provisional agreement with the European Parliament

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 19, 2020
European Union, Foreign relations of the European Union, Organizations, Politics of the European Union, Multiannual Financial Framework, European Neighbourhood Policy, European Development Fund, European External Action Service, Budget of the European Union, Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund

EU member states' ambassadors today endorsed the provisional agreement reached on 15 December between the Council Presidency and European Parliament's representatives on a regulation setting up the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), in the context of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF).

Key Points: 
  • EU member states' ambassadors today endorsed the provisional agreement reached on 15 December between the Council Presidency and European Parliament's representatives on a regulation setting up the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), in the context of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF).
  • With the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) the EU is showing its capacity to act in the world.
  • I also welcome the fact that, with the NDICI, the EU is putting an emphasis on climate action.
  • The new instrument will streamline and simplify EU external action financing instruments for international and development cooperation, crisis response or peace-building actions in partner countries.
  • It will do so by merging ten existing external financing instruments - as well as the European Development Fund - into one single financing tool.
  • It will promote multilateralism, strategic priorities and the achievement of key international commitments and objectives, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.
  • In addition, European Neighbourhood countries will benefit from enhanced political cooperationand support for the purposes of enhancing regional cooperation and promoting integration into the EUs internal market.
  • Actions financed under this component aim at strengthening resilience of crisis affected countries, linking humanitarian and development actions and addressing foreign policy needs and priorities.

Background and next steps

    • The Parliament adopted its first-reading position on 27 March 2019 and the Council adopted a partial mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on 13 June 2019.
    • On 27 May 2020, the Commission published a revised MFF proposal and at the Special Meeting of the European Council (17-21 July 2020), and member states decided on the sum to allocate for the total budget of the NDICI.
    • Following today's endorsement by Coreper, the European Parliament and the Council will translate the agreement into legislative text before final steps will be taken for its adoption.

Travel restrictions: Council reviews the list of third countries for which restrictions on non-essential travel should be lifted

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 18, 2020
Politics of the European Union, Human migration, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, Foreign relations of the European Union, European Union, Politics of Europe, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Identity documents, Visa policy of the Schengen Area

Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted.

Key Points: 
  • Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted.
  • As stipulated in the Council recommendation, this list will continue to be reviewed regularly and, as the case may be, updated.
  • Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation.
  • A Member State should not decide to lift the travel restrictions for non-listed third countries before this has been decided in a coordinated manner.

ESMA renews its decision requiring net short position holders to report positions of 0.1% and above

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 18, 2020
Foreign relations of the European Union, Politics of the European Union, Foreign relations of Europe, European Free Trade Association, EFTA Court, European Economic Area

The measure applies from 19 December 2020 for a period of three months.

Key Points: 
  • The measure applies from 19 December 2020 for a period of three months.
  • Todays action extends the measure taken on 17 September and will expire on 19 March 2021.
  • ESMA believes that this decision will continue to support the ability of NCAs to deal with threats to the orderly functioning of markets and financial stability at an early stage.
  • The EFTA Surveillance Authority, in cooperation with ESMA, adopted a corresponding decision today, also effective as of 19 December, applicable to EEA EFTA States' markets.

Article - Migration: EU return policy must be better implemented

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 18, 2020
Organizations, Articles, Continents, Confederations, European Union, Foreign relations of the European Union, Brexit and arrangements for science and technology

Read more about the EU's migration policy

Key Points: 
  • Read more about the EU's migration policy

    Promoting effective returns

    In 2019, EU countries issued more than 490,000 return decisions.

  • However, less than a third of non-EU nationals were effectively returned to a country outside the EU.
  • They called on EU countries to allow an appropriate departure deadline with entry bans decided on a case-by-case basis.
  • Background

    The report is a response to the European Commission's proposal for a revision of the EU return policy in 2018, which aims to create a more effective European return policy and is a cornerstone of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.