Politics of the European Union

Ukraine: EASO publishes report on national healthcare system as it applies to asylum applicants

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 10, 2021

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) has published a new Medical Country of Origin Information (MedCOI) report on Ukraine.

Key Points: 
  • The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) has published a new Medical Country of Origin Information (MedCOI) report on Ukraine.
  • The report, written by EASO, is the result of a Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) to Ukraine in early 2020.
  • MedCOI reports help national asylum officials in verifying the healthcare situation in specific countries of origin, in order to aid in the assessment of applications made on medical grounds.
  • Different interlocutors were interviewed to get multiple viewpoints on the topics included in the report.

Press release - MEPs criticise visit of EU foreign policy chief to Moscow

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 10, 2021

In a debate on Tuesday afternoon with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell on the current situation in Russia, some MEPs defended the purpose of his visit, whilst many condemned the trip to Moscow.

Key Points: 
  • In a debate on Tuesday afternoon with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell on the current situation in Russia, some MEPs defended the purpose of his visit, whilst many condemned the trip to Moscow.
  • Mr Borrell said in his opening statement that he went to Moscow to see, through principled diplomacy, whether the Russian government was interested in addressing differences and reversing the negative developments in EU-Russia relations.
  • They also strongly criticised the behaviour and attitude of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov towards the EU and Josep Borrell during their meetings and press conference, which served to undermine the EU.
  • Some denounced certain EU capitals for not responding appropriately to the deterioration of EU-Russia relations, for instance by stopping the Nord Stream II pipeline.

EASO publishes updated 'Country Guidance: Iraq'

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 9, 2021

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) haspublished an update of the 'Country Guidance: Iraq'.

Key Points: 
  • The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) haspublished an update of the 'Country Guidance: Iraq'.
  • In 2020, Iraq remained one of the top five countries of origin of applicants for international protection in the EU+.
  • According to EASO Early warning and Preparedness System (EPS) data, applicants from Iraq lodged some 18 200 applications for international protection in 2020.
  • The Country Guidance is drafted by national experts, with the support of EASO and with valuable input from the European Commission and UNHCR.

Civil protection: Council presidency and European Parliament reach provisional agreement

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 9, 2021

The Council presidency and European Parliament representatives today reached a provisional agreement on a proposal to strengthen the EU civil protection mechanism.

Key Points: 
  • The Council presidency and European Parliament representatives today reached a provisional agreement on a proposal to strengthen the EU civil protection mechanism.
  • The text also sets out the funding of the civil protection mechanism in the context of the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027.
  • The Commission, in cooperation with member states, will define and develop EU disaster resilience goals in the area of civil protection.
  • The EU civil protection mechanism includes a European civil protection pool.

Two new director-generals appointed in the Council’s General Secretariat

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, February 6, 2021

Today, the Council appointed Maryem van den Heuvel as the new Director-General for External Relations (RELEX), and Didier Seeuws as the new DirectorGeneral for General and Institutional Policy (GIP).

Key Points: 
  • Today, the Council appointed Maryem van den Heuvel as the new Director-General for External Relations (RELEX), and Didier Seeuws as the new DirectorGeneral for General and Institutional Policy (GIP).
  • DG RELEX provides policy support to the European Council and its president in the areas of the EU's external relations and international summits.
  • It assists and advises the Council, the Council presidency and the High Representative in his capacity as President of the Foreign Affairs Council.
  • It acts as secretariat for the General Affairs Council and for the European Council, drafting all European Council supporting documents and providing assistance during meetings.

Forward look: 8 - 21 February 2021

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, February 6, 2021

Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council.

Key Points: 
  • Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council.
  • The location and the format (physical or virtual) indicated for each meeting are subject to change.
  • They will also discuss international issues and receive information regarding the annual budgetary procedure.
  • 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.

Bridging European institutions and citizens: European Citizens' Initiatives must impact the legislative process of the EU

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 5, 2021

It is an instrument of participatory democracy in the EU, allowing citizens to invite the European Commission to submit a proposal for a legal act to implement the EU Treaties.

Key Points: 
  • It is an instrument of participatory democracy in the EU, allowing citizens to invite the European Commission to submit a proposal for a legal act to implement the EU Treaties.
  • Local and regional authorities are therefore natural partners to promote Europen Citizens Initiatives with a territorial impact.
  • CoR First Vice-President Vasco Cordeiro said:"The European Citizens' Initiatives could represent a remarkable tool to improve democracy in the EU.
  • We must always stand by democracy, better legislation and the principle of active subsidiarity.
  • If they are not properly supported, the Citizens' Initiatives risk failing, creating further frustration among citizens and undermining their trust in the EU.
  • Pedro Silva Pereira , Vice-President of the European Parliament in charge of European democracy and European citizens' initiative said; "The European Citizens' Initiative is an important instrument to promote European participation on the legislative process of the Union.
  • The process, introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, has been subject to several changes in order to make it of easier access, also ensuring more transparency in the decision-making of the EU.
  • Our committees have an important role as intermediaries at EU but also at national, regional and local level."
  • Voters without border, Full Political Rights for EU Citizens is one of the currently 14 on-going ECIs
    (i.e.

Travel restrictions: Council reviews the list of third countries for which member states should gradually lift restrictions on non-essential travel

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 29, 2021

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 every two weeks and, as the case may be, updated.
  • On 30 June the Council adopted a recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, including an initial list of countries for which member states should start lifting the travel restrictions at the external borders.
  • 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.

EESC and European Commission join forces for a healthier and fairer Europe in the digital age

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 29, 2021

The European Union must become healthier, fairer and more prosperous, while stepping up its longterm transformation into a greener economy that is fit for the digital age.

Key Points: 
  • The European Union must become healthier, fairer and more prosperous, while stepping up its longterm transformation into a greener economy that is fit for the digital age.
  • This is the message that the EESC President Christa Schweng delivered on 27 January 2021, during the first day of the EESC plenary session, to European Commission Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight Maro efovi.

The Commission's 2021 work programme for an inclusive, digital and green Europe

    • Mr efovi specified that the Commission's 2021 work programme followed the conclusions of the first annual Strategic Foresight Report, published in September 2020, and included individual initiatives which all reflected the political ambitions of the von der Leyen Commission: recovery of the economy in a socially inclusive way, twin digital and climate transitions and strengthening Europe's resilience and leading position in the world.
    • The work programme is designed to help the EU move beyond the fragility caused by the crisis and create a new vitality, by putting a clear focus on delivery with future-proof solutions across all policy areas, he said.

Recovering from the crisis and fighting the pandemic

    • Our incumbent challenge ahead is to effectively tackle the economic and social hardship caused by COVID-19.
    • For his part, Mr efovi maintained that the pandemic was having a terrible impact on our societies, but also presented opportunities: Our Union showed a great deal of solidarity and unity.
    • We do not just bounce back, but also forward and after all the challenges of 2020, now is the time to kick our recovery from the COVID-19 crisis into gear and set out the future we want for our Union.
    • With reference to the ongoing measures against the pandemic, Mr efovi praised the Commission's efforts and work towards an EU Health Union, which had enabled the EU to take a coordinated approach on vaccination and secure the broadest portfolio of vaccines in the world, consisting of 2.3 billion doses.

The key role played by EU organised civil society

    • To successfully overcome the crisis, both Ms Schweng and Mr efovi agreed on the need for a joint effort among institutional actors, public authorities and organised civil society.
    • This was also emphasised by the EESC group representatives.
    • During the debate, Stefano Mallia, president of the EESC Employers' Group, welcomed the Commission's foresight approach, as a long-term view is the only way to put enterprises in a better position to grow and create more jobs.

The Conference on the Future of Europe


    In conclusion, Ms Schweng revealed that the Committee would play a full part in the upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe, a unique opportunity to encourage a frank discussion on the challenges ahead and future shape of the EU.

Citizens’ rights and moving together beyond the pandemic

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 29, 2021

The European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) held the ‘Moving Together Beyond the Pandemic’ conference on 21 and 22 January. It discussed how to restore freedom of movement in post-COVID-19 times. It also took stock of the challenges brought by the pandemic for EU citizens in 2020. 

Key Points: 

The European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) held the ‘Moving Together Beyond the Pandemic’ conference on 21 and 22 January. It discussed how to restore freedom of movement in post-COVID-19 times. It also took stock of the challenges brought by the pandemic for EU citizens in 2020.