President of the European Commission

EU-China Leaders’ meeting: Delivering results by standing firm on EU interests and values

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 31, 2020

The European Union (represented by President of the European Council, Charles Michel and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen held a leaders meeting with China (represented by President Xi Jinping) via videoconference on 30 December 2020.

Key Points: 
  • The European Union (represented by President of the European Council, Charles Michel and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen held a leaders meeting with China (represented by President Xi Jinping) via videoconference on 30 December 2020.
  • The meeting focused in particular on progress achieved on negotiations on investment.
  • Following intensive negotiations carried out by the European Commission on the EUs side, the EU and China concluded in principle the negotiations for a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI)

    Visit the meeting page

Press release - Commission tries to secure Parliament’s support to tackle a difficult year ahead

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 21, 2020

In Tuesdays debate with Commission Vice-President Maro efovi, political group speakers commented on the priorities of the Commissions 2021 work programme.

Key Points: 
  • In Tuesdays debate with Commission Vice-President Maro efovi, political group speakers commented on the priorities of the Commissions 2021 work programme.
  • He then listed the main points of the 2021 EC work programme , which was put together by Commissioners and EP committee chairs.
  • The Commissions 2021 work programme is the result of close cooperation with the European Parliament, member states and EU consultative bodies.
  • Public discussions began with the State of the European Union plenary debate with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 16 September.

Chancellor Merkel and Commission President von der Leyen to discuss coronavirus recovery agenda with regions and cities.

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, October 10, 2020

KEY DEBATES12 October, 11 a.m: Debate on the Annual Local and Regional Barometer, with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission and Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič.12 October, 2.30 p.m.: Debate on cohesion and official opening of the 18th #EURegionsWeek, with Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner in charge of Cohesion and Reforms.13 October, 9 a.m.: Debate on the Green Deal, with Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Commissioner in charge of the European Green Deal.13 October, 2.30 p.m.: Debate on the German Presidency with Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.14 October, 10 a.m.: Debate on funds and recovery with Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank, and Lilyana Pavlova, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank.14 October, 11.30 a.m.: EU Matters for Local and Regional Authorities.14 October, 2.30 p.m.: Debate on resilience and recovery, with Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner in charge of Economy.14 October, 3.30 p.m.: Debate on social affairs, with Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner in charge of Jobs and Social Rights.OPINIONS FOR ADOPTIONThe REACT-EU package. Rapporteur:Mieczyslaw Struk (PL/EPP), President of Pomerania.European recovery plan: Recovery and Resilience facility and the Technical Support Instrument. Rapporteur:Christophe Rouillon (FR/PES), Mayor of Coulaines.Cross-border health care.Rapporteur:Karsten Uno Petersen (DK/PES), South Denmark Regional Council.EU Health Emergency Mechanism.Rapporteur:Birgitta Sacrédeus (SE/EPP), Dalarna County Council.EU4Health programme.Rapporteur:Nathalie Sarrabezolles (FR/PES), President of President of the Finistère Departmental Council.The role of the EU's cohesion policy with respect to intelligent and innovative economic change in the regions against the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis.Rapporteur:Michiel Rijsberman (NL/Renew Europe), Council of the Province of Flevoland.A Reinforced Union Civil Protection Mechanism.Rapporteur:Alberto Cirio (IT/EPP), President of the Piedmont Region.A Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions. Rapporteur:Anne Karjalainen (FI/PES), Kerava City Council.Equivalent standards of living as a joint challenge for all levels of government in Europe. Rapporteur:Bernd Lange (DE/EPP), Görlitz district council.Local and Regional Authorities in the permanent dialogue with citizens. Rapporteur:Declan McDonnell (IE/EA), Galway City Council.A new Industrial Strategy for EuropeRapporteur:Jeannette Baljeu (NL/ Renew Europe), Council of the Province of South Holland.The SME Strategy.Rapporteur:Eddy van Hijum (NL/EPP), Council of the Province of Overijssel.Single Market Barriers Report and Single Market Enforcement Action Plan.Rapporteur:Tadeusz Truskolaski (PL/EA), Mayor of Białystok.Regional Innovation Scoreboard and its impact in regional place-based policiesRapporteur:Mikel Irujo Amezaga (ES/EA), Director-General for External Action of the Government of Navarre.A Union of Equality: Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025.Rapporteur:Concepción Andreu Rodríguez (ES/PES), President of the Regional Government of La Rioja.Local Democracy Challenges in the Western BalkansRapporteur:Nikola Dobroslavić (HR/EPP), Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County.The European Climate Pact. Rapporteur:Rafał Trzaskowski (PL/EPP), Mayor of Warsaw.The renewal of the Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities. Rapporteur:Juan Espadas Ceja(ES/PES), Mayor of Seville.Bio-diverse cities and regions beyond 2020 at the UN CBD COP 15 and in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Rapporteur:Roby Biwer(LU/PES), Bettembourg Municipal Council.Towards Sustainable Use of Natural Resources within the Mediterranean insular context.Rapporteur:Francina Armengol i Socias (ES/PES), President of the Balearic Islands.New Circular Economy Action Plan. Rapporteur:Tjisse Stelpstra (NL/ECR), Council of the Province of Drenthe.A Strategy for Europe's Digital future and A Strategy for Data. Rapporteur:Mark Weinmeister (DE/EPP), Secretary of State for European Affairs, Land of Hesse.Artificial Intelligence – A European approach to excellence and trust. Rapporteur:Guido Rink (NL/PES), Emmen municipality.European Year of Rail. Rapporteur:Jaroslaw Piotr Stawiarski (PL/ECR), President of the Lubelskie Region.Demographic change: proposals on measuring and tackling its negative effects in the EU regions. Rapporteur:János Ádám Karácsony (HU/EPP), Tahitótfalu local assembly. German Chancellor

Key Points: 
  • KEY DEBATES
    • 12 October, 11 a.m: Debate on the Annual Local and Regional Barometer, with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission and Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič.
    • 12 October, 2.30 p.m.: Debate on cohesion and official opening of the 18th #EURegionsWeek, with Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner in charge of Cohesion and Reforms.
    • 13 October, 9 a.m.: Debate on the Green Deal, with Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Commissioner in charge of the European Green Deal.
    • 13 October, 2.30 p.m.: Debate on the German Presidency with Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
    • 14 October, 10 a.m.: Debate on funds and recovery with Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank, and Lilyana Pavlova, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank.
    • 14 October, 11.30 a.m.: EU Matters for Local and Regional Authorities.
    • 14 October, 2.30 p.m.: Debate on resilience and recovery, with Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner in charge of Economy.
    • 14 October, 3.30 p.m.: Debate on social affairs, with Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner in charge of Jobs and Social Rights.
  • OPINIONS FOR ADOPTION
    • The REACT-EU package. Rapporteur:Mieczyslaw Struk (PL/EPP), President of Pomerania.
    • European recovery plan: Recovery and Resilience facility and the Technical Support Instrument. Rapporteur:Christophe Rouillon (FR/PES), Mayor of Coulaines.
    • Cross-border health care.Rapporteur:Karsten Uno Petersen (DK/PES), South Denmark Regional Council.
    • EU Health Emergency Mechanism.Rapporteur:Birgitta Sacrédeus (SE/EPP), Dalarna County Council.
    • EU4Health programme.Rapporteur:Nathalie Sarrabezolles (FR/PES), President of President of the Finistère Departmental Council.
    • The role of the EU's cohesion policy with respect to intelligent and innovative economic change in the regions against the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis.Rapporteur:Michiel Rijsberman (NL/Renew Europe), Council of the Province of Flevoland.
    • A Reinforced Union Civil Protection Mechanism.Rapporteur:Alberto Cirio (IT/EPP), President of the Piedmont Region.
    • A Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions. Rapporteur:Anne Karjalainen (FI/PES), Kerava City Council.
    • Equivalent standards of living as a joint challenge for all levels of government in Europe. Rapporteur:Bernd Lange (DE/EPP), Görlitz district council.
    • Local and Regional Authorities in the permanent dialogue with citizens. Rapporteur:Declan McDonnell (IE/EA), Galway City Council.
    • A new Industrial Strategy for EuropeRapporteur:Jeannette Baljeu (NL/ Renew Europe), Council of the Province of South Holland.
    • The SME Strategy.Rapporteur:Eddy van Hijum (NL/EPP), Council of the Province of Overijssel.
    • Single Market Barriers Report and Single Market Enforcement Action Plan.Rapporteur:Tadeusz Truskolaski (PL/EA), Mayor of Białystok.
    • Regional Innovation Scoreboard and its impact in regional place-based policiesRapporteur:Mikel Irujo Amezaga (ES/EA), Director-General for External Action of the Government of Navarre.
    • A Union of Equality: Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025.Rapporteur:Concepción Andreu Rodríguez (ES/PES), President of the Regional Government of La Rioja.
    • Local Democracy Challenges in the Western BalkansRapporteur:Nikola Dobroslavić (HR/EPP), Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County.
    • The European Climate Pact. Rapporteur:Rafał Trzaskowski (PL/EPP), Mayor of Warsaw.
    • The renewal of the Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities. Rapporteur:Juan Espadas Ceja(ES/PES), Mayor of Seville.
    • Bio-diverse cities and regions beyond 2020 at the UN CBD COP 15 and in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Rapporteur:Roby Biwer(LU/PES), Bettembourg Municipal Council.
    • Towards Sustainable Use of Natural Resources within the Mediterranean insular context.Rapporteur:Francina Armengol i Socias (ES/PES), President of the Balearic Islands.
    • New Circular Economy Action Plan. Rapporteur:Tjisse Stelpstra (NL/ECR), Council of the Province of Drenthe.
    • A Strategy for Europe's Digital future and A Strategy for Data. Rapporteur:Mark Weinmeister (DE/EPP), Secretary of State for European Affairs, Land of Hesse.
    • Artificial Intelligence – A European approach to excellence and trust. Rapporteur:Guido Rink (NL/PES), Emmen municipality.
    • European Year of Rail. Rapporteur:Jaroslaw Piotr Stawiarski (PL/ECR), President of the Lubelskie Region.
    • Demographic change: proposals on measuring and tackling its negative effects in the EU regions. Rapporteur:János Ádám Karácsony (HU/EPP), Tahitótfalu local assembly.
    • German Chancellor
      Angela Merkel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will discuss
      the European Union's response to the coronavirus pandemic at the European
      Committee of the Regions on 12-13 October.
    • The EU's assembly for local and
      regional politicians will also hold debates with the president and the
      vice-president of the European Investment Bank, Werner Hoyer and Lilyana Pavlova.
    • The plenary will provide members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) with an opportunity to assess the potential contribution of the EU to local and regional recovery efforts and to discuss the EU's recovery package and long-term budget.
    • The debates will be informed by a wide-ranging survey by the CoR on the impact of the pandemic on the health, economies, and communities of the EU's regions and cities.
    • It highlights how the pandemic is widening regional socio-economic divides and putting tremendous strain on the finances of local and regional governments.
    • The 18th edition of the #EURegionsWeek will officially be opened by Commissioner Elisa Ferreira and President Tzitzikostas on 12 October.
  • Basic Facts on the Framework of EU-Switzerland Relations

    Retrieved on: 
    Friday, September 25, 2020

    Petros Mavromichalis is the new Ambassador of the European Union to Switzerland

    Key Points: 

    Petros Mavromichalis is the new Ambassador of the European Union to Switzerland

    On 1 September, H.E. Mr. Petros Mavromichalis presented his letters of accreditation, signed by the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, to the President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga. By that, he is

    European Commission's State of the Union 2020 – Teaser & Explainer

    Retrieved on: 
    Tuesday, September 15, 2020

    15/09/2020 | Future of Europe; Public administration

    Key Points: 
    • 15/09/2020 | Future of Europe; Public administration
      On 16 September, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will, in her first State of the Union speech, share her vision for a stronger Europe and a better world after the pandemic.
    • Click on CC for subtitles in your language.
    • Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers the State of the Union address before the European Parliament.
    • Get familiar with this key moment of democracy.

    Article - State of the EU debate: how to follow and get involved

    Retrieved on: 
    Friday, September 11, 2020

    This year will be the first State of the EU address by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen .

    Key Points: 
    • This year will be the first State of the EU address by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen .
    • Why is the 2020 State of the EU debate important?
    • This year the EU has been fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and working to relaunch the economy in its wake.
    • It also comes at a moment when the EU institutions are negotiating the next long-term budget, which will shape the EU for years to come.

    Article - Parliament this week: Covid-19, refugees, chemicals

    Retrieved on: 
    Monday, June 22, 2020

    Comittee members will also debate the pandemic with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, on Thursday.

    Key Points: 
    • Comittee members will also debate the pandemic with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, on Thursday.
    • The budgets committee will discuss the recovery plan and the EU's next long-term budget on Monday.
    • The following day Parliament President David Sassoli and the political group leaders will discuss the budget negotiations with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
    • Manuel Navarrete, the head of Europols European Counter Terrorism Centre, will present the 2020 EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report to the civil liberties committee on Tuesday.

    Article - Coming up: EU budget, Brexit, anti-racism, Schengen

    Retrieved on: 
    Monday, June 15, 2020

    MEPs will vote on a resolution on Friday.

    Key Points: 
    • MEPs will vote on a resolution on Friday.
    • EU-UK relations

      MEPs will discuss the future of EU-UK relations on Wednesday and vote on Parliaments position on the ongoing talks on Thursday.

    • On Monday, President David Sassoli, together with Council President Charles Michel and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will meet UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
    • Disinformation and fundamental rights

      MEPs will discuss the impact of disinformation campaigns during the Covid-19 pandemic on freedom of expression on Thursday morning.

    Press release - EU future at stake: MEPs broadly welcome Commission’s recovery package proposals

    Retrieved on: 
    Thursday, May 28, 2020

    EP/DLL

    Key Points: 
    • EP/DLL
      Focussing on future generations, Commission President von der Leyen discussed the 750 billion recovery instrument within a revamped long-term EU budget in plenary.
    • European solidarity is back and we are opening a new chapter for the EU, Manfred Weber (EPP, DE) said.
    • The MFF and the recovery plan must focus on the future, with the Green deal and digital agenda as building blocks, he said.
    • The Commission has also unveiled its adjusted Work Programme for 2020 , which will prioritise the actions needed to propel Europe's recovery and resilience.

    Press release - EU future at stake: MEPs broadly welcome Commission’s recovery package proposals

    Retrieved on: 
    Wednesday, May 27, 2020

    EP/DLL

    Key Points: 
    • EP/DLL
      Focussing on future generations, Commission President von der Leyen discussed the 750 billion recovery instrument within a revamped long-term EU budget in plenary.
    • European solidarity is back and we are opening a new chapter for the EU, Manfred Weber (EPP, DE) said.
    • The MFF and the recovery plan must focus on the future, with the Green deal and digital agenda as building blocks, he said.
    • The Commission has also unveiled its adjusted Work Programme for 2020 , which will prioritise the actions needed to propel Europe's recovery and resilience.