Politics of the European Union

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Politics of the European Union, Organizations, Countries, Foreign relations of the European Union, Trade blocs, European Economic Area, Multi-speed Europe, Withdrawal from the European Union, European Free Trade Association, Common Foreign and Security Policy, European Union, North Macedonia

On 22 March 2021 the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/4811, amending Council Decision 2020/1999.

Key Points: 
  • On 22 March 2021 the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/4811, amending Council Decision 2020/1999.
  • The Council Decision adds 11 persons and 4 entities to the EU sanctions list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999.
  • The Candidate Countries the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania2 and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this Council Decision.
  • L 99 I/25

    2 The Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

New EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process appointed

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Politics of the European Union, European Union, European Union Special Representative, Israeli–Palestinian peace process, Foreign relations of the European Union, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Two-state solution, Sven Koopmans

Today the Council appointed Mr Sven Koopmans as the EU's Special Representative (EUSR) for the Middle East Peace Process from 1 May 2021 to 28 February 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Today the Council appointed Mr Sven Koopmans as the EU's Special Representative (EUSR) for the Middle East Peace Process from 1 May 2021 to 28 February 2023.
  • Mr Koopmans is a peace negotiation specialist, senior diplomat, national politician, and international lawyer.
  • The mandate of the EUSR for the Middle East Peace Process is to provide an active contribution to the final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution, in line with the UNSCR 2334 (2016).
  • The EUSR will also support the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, on this issue and maintain an overview of all EU regional activities linked to the Middle East Peace Process.

EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement: Council adopts decision on conclusion

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Free trade agreements of the European Union, Foreign relations of the European Union, Free trade agreements, Politics of the European Union, EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, EU–UK Partnership Council, Brexit withdrawal agreement

The Council has today adopted a decision on the conclusion of the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement and the security of information agreement.

Key Points: 
  • The Council has today adopted a decision on the conclusion of the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement and the security of information agreement.
  • Background

    Negotiators reached an agreement on an EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement and a security of information agreement on 24 December 2020.

  • On 29 December 2020, the Council adopted the decision on the signing of the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement and a security of information agreement and on their provisional application as of 1 January 2021.
  • On 26 February 2021, the Council requested the European Parliament's consent to its decision on the conclusion of the agreements, which the European Parliament gave on 27 April.

EASO begins strengthening support for EU reception authorities

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Politics of the European Union, European Asylum Support Office, EASO

On 18 March 2021, the Management Board of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) adopted the EASO Strategy on Reception.

Key Points: 
  • On 18 March 2021, the Management Board of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) adopted the EASO Strategy on Reception.
  • The document responds to the growing demand from EU+ countries for EASOs operational and technical support on the reception of asylum seekers.
  • Recognising the negative impact of inadequate reception conditions on the human dignity and fundamental rights of asylum seekers directly, and on the integrity of the Common European Asylum System in general, the strategy foresees meaningful EASO support to EU+ countries in enhancing their reception systems and increasing reception capacity where needed, in line with EU and EASO standards.
  • This support is provided through EASO personnel and national experts deployed to enhance the capacity of reception services and training of Reception officers in frontline countries, as well as through technical advice from the EASO Reception Team in EASO Headquarters.

EASO and Greece increase joint training activities for asylum officials

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 26, 2021
Politics of the European Union, European Asylum Support Office, EASO

Increased deployment of EASO personnel in Greece matched by new training plan aimed at supporting the Greek authorities in sustaining long-term quality and efficiency in the national asylum system.

Key Points: 
  • Increased deployment of EASO personnel in Greece matched by new training plan aimed at supporting the Greek authorities in sustaining long-term quality and efficiency in the national asylum system.
  • The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) has begun implementing a new joint Training Plan together with the Greek Asylum Service (GAS) under the Agencys 2021 Greece Operating Plan.
  • Since 2011, EASO has trained more than 450 Greek officials as trainers who are now qualified to instruct colleagues in line with EU asylum and fundamental rights standards, while tailoring said training to the national context.
  • In the same period, the Agencys national training sessions have seen 3,457 Greek participants, while EASOs operational training, targeting Member State experts deployed in Greece, has recorded 3,735 participations.

Press briefing ahead of the video conference of the members of the European Council, 25-26 March 2021

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Television, Mass media, Politics of the European Union, EUCO, European Council, The Briefing: Politics, the Press, and the President, RT

The press briefing ahead of the video conference of the members of the European Council of 25 and 26 March 2021 will take place via video conference on Wednesday 24 March 2021 at 15.00

Key Points: 
  • The press briefing ahead of the video conference of the members of the European Council of 25 and 26 March 2021 will take place via video conference on Wednesday 24 March 2021 at 15.00

    English and French interpretation will be available.

  • This briefing is "off the record".
  • In order to follow the briefing and to be able to ask questions remotely, EU accredited journalists and journalists who had a EUCO accreditation from June 2019 European Council meeting or later, can register using this link

    Journalists who already registered for high-level press conferences (European Councils, international summits) in 2020 or 2021 don't need to register again.

  • Deadline: Wednesday 24 March, 12.00

    Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants approximately half an hour before the briefing.

Forward look: 22 March - 4 April 2021

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Council of the European Union, European Union, Politics of Europe, Foreign relations of the European Union, Politics of the European Union, General Affairs Council, Foreign Affairs Council, European Council, Continents

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.
  • Foreign Affairs Council, Monday 22 March

    EU ministers of foreign affairs will be briefed about current affairs and exchange views on the Southern neighbourhood and Turkey.

  • Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Monday 22 - Tuesday 23 March

    Ministers discuss the state of play in the negotiations of the CAP reform package and the EU-UK fishing opportunities for 2021 and, for deep-sea stocks for 2021 and 2022.

  • Informal video conference of European affairs ministers, Tuesday 23 March

    European Council, European Semester and the Conference on the Future of Europe will be on the agenda of the General Affairs Council.

Press release - Conference on the Future of Europe: EP appoints executive board representatives

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 19, 2021
European Union, European Parliament, Parliamentary assemblies, Politics of the European Union, Conference on the Future of Europe

On Thursday, Parliaments Conference of Presidents endorsed the members and observers nominated by the political groups to be on the Conferences executive board.

Key Points: 
  • On Thursday, Parliaments Conference of Presidents endorsed the members and observers nominated by the political groups to be on the Conferences executive board.
  • The executive board will oversee the work of the Conference, and prepare the Conference Plenary meetings, including following up on citizens input.
  • The European Parliaments President and the leaders of the political groups endorsed the following nominations:

Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe: EU ambassadors greenlight final compromise text with a view to an agreement with the EP

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 18, 2021
Organizations, Articles, European Union, Politics of the European Union, Economy of the European Union, Multiannual Financial Framework, Committee of Permanent Representatives, MFF

EU member states' ambassadors today endorsed the final compromise text of the regulation setting up the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument Global Europe (NDICI), in the context of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF).

Key Points: 
  • EU member states' ambassadors today endorsed the final compromise text of the regulation setting up the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument Global Europe (NDICI), in the context of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF).
  • The text endorsed today reflects the provisional agreement reached on 15 December by the Council Presidency and European Parliament's representatives.
  • Thematic

    The thematic programmes - for which 6358 million (5665million) are foreseen - will fund actions linked to the Sustainable Development Goals at global level.

  • Next Steps

    Following today's endorsement by Coreper, NDICI's final compromise text will need to undergo legal linguistic revision before its final adoption in June 2021.

Media advisory EU-Georgia Association Council, 16 March 2021

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Politics of the European Union, European Union, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Press conference

Indicative programme

Key Points: 
  • Indicative programme

    Tuesday 16 March 2021

    11.45 - beginning of the EU-Georgia Association Council, chaired by Josep Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

  • At the end (+/- 14.00) of the meeting - press conference in live streaming

    Arrangements for the press conference

    Please note that there will be no physical press conference.

  • Journalists who already registered for previous Foreign Affairs Council press conferences do not need to register again.
  • Deadline: Tuesday 16 March 2021, 13.00

    Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants approximately half an hour after the deadline.