Politics of Europe

Highlights - Foreign policy priorities of the Slovenian Presidency - Committee on Foreign Affairs

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 12, 2021

On 14 July, AFET will debate external policy priorities with Ane Logar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.

Key Points: 
  • On 14 July, AFET will debate external policy priorities with Ane Logar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.
  • The Minister and MEPs will discuss the priorities in relation to foreign policy, as Slovenia takes over the rotating presidency of the Council in a very important moment for the European Union.
  • During this Presidency, the EU-UK relations will continue to be high on the agenda, next to transatlantic relations as well as the Neighbourhood, with a focus on Western Balkans.
  • At the same time the EU will continue the fight with the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects not only in the Member States, but also in cooperation with and providing assistance to its external partners.

Highlights - Presentation of ECA Review on financial contributions from non-EU countries to the EU - Committee on Budgets

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 6, 2021

On 12 July, Members of the Committee on Budgetary Control and on Budgets will receive ECA Member Franois-Roger Cazala, who will present the ECA Review: "Financial contributions from non-EU countries to the EU and Member States".

Key Points: 
  • On 12 July, Members of the Committee on Budgetary Control and on Budgets will receive ECA Member Franois-Roger Cazala, who will present the ECA Review: "Financial contributions from non-EU countries to the EU and Member States".
  • The ECA carried out a review of the financial contributions from non-EU countries to the EU and Member States.
  • These contributions are based on agreements through which non-EU countries gain access to EU programmes and activities and/ or to the EU single market and amounted to EUR 1,9 billion in 2019, 1% of the total EU revenue.
  • The review aims to present the available but fragmented and incomplete information on EU's agreements with non-EU countries and related contributions in a comprehensive way, filling gaps and providing a single place for a financial overview of the contributions, together with a description of the main rules and principles that govern them.

The Enlargement day is back

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 25, 2021

On 13 July 2021, the CoR, in cooperation with the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, will hold the Enlargement Day.

Key Points: 
  • On 13 July 2021, the CoR, in cooperation with the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, will hold the Enlargement Day.
  • After June's meetings of theCoR's Working Groups and Joint Consultative Committeeswith candidate countries and potential candidates, this unique annual event, organized online this year, will discuss the role of regions and cities in the EU accession process and sustainable recovery pathways in the region.
  • For more info and registration, click here .

Article - Sassoli: the EU must tackle inequality

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 24, 2021

We know, however, that these tools will only work if coordination between countries is close and application is uniform, said Sassoli.

Key Points: 
  • We know, however, that these tools will only work if coordination between countries is close and application is uniform, said Sassoli.
  • The Parliament is keen to strengthen the mandates of EU agencies dealing with health.
  • The President also said discrimination was incompatible with EU values: This is why we are concerned about the recent legislative initiatives undertaken in Hungary.
  • He added that any initiative to seek dialogue with Russia should take place at EU level.

DGAP-News: CECONOMY AG further enhances post-pandemic financing structure with €500 million 5-year senior unsecured bond

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 18, 2021

The securities referred to herein are not being offered to the public in the European Economic Area ("EEA") within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the ''EU Prospectus Regulation'').

Key Points: 
  • The securities referred to herein are not being offered to the public in the European Economic Area ("EEA") within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the ''EU Prospectus Regulation'').
  • In member states of the EEA, this announcement is directed only at persons who are ''qualified investors'' within the meaning of the EU Prospectus Regulation.
  • This announcement must not be acted on or relied on in any member state of the EEA by persons who are not qualified investors.
  • Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to qualified investors in any member state of the EEA.

Highlights - INTA Members meet US Trade Representative Katherine Tai - Committee on International Trade

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Very timely and constructive in camera meeting on 15 June between the United States Trade Representative K. Tai and leading Members of INTA in the framework of the EU-US Summit in Brussels.

Key Points: 

Very timely and constructive in camera meeting on 15 June between the United States Trade Representative K. Tai and leading Members of INTA in the framework of the EU-US Summit in Brussels.

Press release - Parliament’s delegation to the Conference on the Future of Europe

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 10, 2021

The Conference Plenary seats have been allocated as follows.

Key Points: 
  • The Conference Plenary seats have been allocated as follows.
  • Renew Europe: 15

    Greens/EFA: 11

    ID: 11ECR: 9

    The Left: 6

    Non-attached Members: 5

    The full composition of the Parliaments delegation to the Conference, as well as all other information on MEPs work in the Conference, will be available on the dedicated EP webpage.

  • The delegation will meet prior to the inaugural plenary session of the Conference, set for 19 June 2021 in Strasbourg, with physical and remote participation.
  • The Conference Plenary will be gender balanced.

Highlights - 16/17 June: Votes on trade relations with US and China - Committee on International Trade

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 8, 2021

The INTA meeting on 16/17 June will focus on the EU's trade relations with a number of key partners around the world.

Key Points: 
  • The INTA meeting on 16/17 June will focus on the EU's trade relations with a number of key partners around the world.
  • The INTA Committee will vote on its opinions on a new EU-China strategy and the future of EU-US relations, providing trade-related input to the respective own-initiative reports by the Foreign Affairs Committee.
  • Members will also discuss the trade aspects of industrial policy, a recent UNCTAD study, as well as the EU's trade relations with Switzerland, following the country's recent decision to terminate the negotiations on the EU-Swiss Institutional Framework Agreement (IFA).

Europe Day: discover the European Union on the occasion of 9 May 2021

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 4, 2021

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) will publish animated video about its premises, role and functioning.

Key Points: 
  • The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) will publish animated video about its premises, role and functioning.
  • An 'all EU-institution' Europe Day portal presents the various bodies and activities.
  • Citizens of all generations across Europe and the world are invited to join this unique Europe Day experience.
  • For general information on Europe Day and the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950 please see here .\nFor information on CoR activities, see here .\n"

Forward look: 3 - 16 May 2021

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, May 1, 2021

Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), Thursday 6 May

Key Points: 
  • Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), Thursday 6 May

    EU ministers of foreign affairs will be briefed about current affairs and exchange views on the Strategic Compass.

  • Informal meeting of heads of state or government, Saturday 8 May

    An Informal meeting of EU leaders will discuss the European Pillar of Social Rights in Porto.

  • Foreign Affairs Council, Monday 10 May

    EU ministers of foreign affairs will be briefed about current affairs and exchange views on Western Balkans, transatlantic relations and Belarus.

  • General Affairs Council, Tuesday 11 May

    The Council will prepare for the special European Council meeting on 25 May 2021.