Politics of Europe

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.

Forward look: 14 - 27 December 2020

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Organizations, Politics of Europe, Articles, United Nations General Assembly observers, Confederations, European Union

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.
  • 14 December 2020

    Video conference of energy ministers

    Energy Ministers will exchange views on Energy System Integration and receive information from the Commission on recent developments in the field of external energy relations

    Video conference of home affairs ministers

    Home affairs ministers will discuss the migration and asylum pact, and will be updated on EU engagement with third countries on migration.

  • They will exchange views on the priorities set out in the draft conclusions on internal security and the European police partnership

    15-16 December 2020

    Agriculture and Fisheries Council

    Ministers will seek to agree the fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and North Sea, Mediterranean and Black Seas for next year and adopt conclusions on animal welfare and front-of-pack nutrition labelling

    17 December 2020

    Environment Council

    Environment Ministers will aim to reach a general approach on the European Climate Law reflecting the outcome of the discussions in the European Council of 10-11 December 2020

    For video coverage of Council sessions and audiovisual material, please see the following Council websites:

Forward look: 7 - 20 December 2020

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Politics of Europe, Organizations, Continents, Confederations, Foreign Affairs Council, European Union

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.
  • 7 December 2020

    Foreign Affairs Council

    EU ministers of foreign affairs will be briefed about current affairs and exchange of views on transatlantic relations and strategic autonomy

    Video conference of telecommunication ministers

    Ministers will discuss the proposal for a data governance act, published by the Commission on 25 November

    Video conference of European affairs ministers

    European Council and (poss.)

  • EU-UK relations will be on the agenda of the videoconference of EU Affairs ministers

    8 December 2020

    Video conference of transport ministers

    Ministers will discuss a proposal to revise the EU road-charging directive (Eurovignette), and the Commission's proposals concerning the Single European Sky

    10-11 December 2020

    European Council

    EU leaders will meet in Brussels to discuss further coordination on COVID-19, climate change, security and external relations

    14 December 2020

    Justice and Home Affairs Council

    Home affairs ministers will discuss the migration and asylum pact, as well as how to improve EU engagement with third countries on migration.

Michel Barnier and Mayor of London debate Brexit with EU regional and local leaders

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Organizations, Politics of Europe, Articles, European Committee of the Regions, Regionalism, European Union, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Also on#CoRplenaryagenda: German Minister and four European Commissioners to discuss climate targets, integration, agriculture, enlargement, and the EU's strategic thinking.

Key Points: 
  • Also on#CoRplenaryagenda: German Minister and four European Commissioners to discuss climate targets, integration, agriculture, enlargement, and the EU's strategic thinking.
  • The European Union's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Kahn, and thePresident of Brittany, Log Chesnais-Girard, will address the European Committee of the Regions' first fully virtualplenaryon 9 December.
  • 9 December, The future of EU enlargement Olivr Vrhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on 9 December will discuss the EU's relations with neighbouring countries, including would-be EU members from the Western Balkans.
  • Building on theIntegration Initiativelaunched in 2019, the European Commission and Committee will kick off a tailored partnership to support local and regional authorities in implementing integration of migrants policies into their communities.
  • 10 December, Supporting recovery in Europe's rural areas Janusz WojciechowskiEuropean Commissioner for Agriculture will discuss how to boost recovery in Europe's rural areas.
  • Members of the CoR will also debate and adopt nine opinions with recommendations that reflect these political priorities of the EU's regions and cities.
  • Strengthening local governance and representative democracy via new digital technology instruments.Rapporteur:Rait Pihelgas(EE/ Renew Europe), Jrva Rural Municipality Council.
  • From Farm to Fork the local and regional dimension.Rapporteur:Guido Milana(IT/PES), Olevano Romano Municipal Council.
  • European Commission report on the implementation the renewed strategic partnership with the EU's outermost regions.Rapporteur:ngel Vctor Torres Prez(ES/PES), President of the Government of the Canary Islands.
  • Towards more sustainable tourism for EU cities and regions.Rapporteur:Manuel Alejandro Cardenete Flores(ES/Renew Europe), Deputy Minister for Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration of the Regional Government of Andalusia.

#CohesionAlliance mobilises to back the European Parliament in the final stretch to secure a strong and participated cohesion policy 2021-2027

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 27, 2020
Articles, Politics of Europe, Organizations, Geography of the European Union, Regional policy of the European Union, Cohesion, Assembly of European Regions, Region, European Union, Group cohesiveness, Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund

Further interventions from the conference (alphabetical order):Magnus Berntsson, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER):"In this crisis, it is time to practice the leadership that our citizens expect from the EU and national governments. Time to promote new jobs, competitiveness, sustainable and inclusive growth to drive the recovery. To achieve this, funding must reach our regions, villages and cities immediately. And they must have a say in how best to use the funds."The negotiations between European Parliament and Council on the rules for cohesion policy 2021-27 are entering the final phase.

Key Points: 
  • Further interventions from the conference (alphabetical order):
    • Magnus Berntsson, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER):"In this crisis, it is time to practice the leadership that our citizens expect from the EU and national governments. Time to promote new jobs, competitiveness, sustainable and inclusive growth to drive the recovery. To achieve this, funding must reach our regions, villages and cities immediately. And they must have a say in how best to use the funds."
    • The negotiations between European Parliament and Council on the rules for cohesion policy 2021-27 are entering the final phase.
    • Cities, towns and regions and the European Parliament have converged on key demands and successfully advocated for strong cohesion policy beyond 2020.
    • "Concluding the negotiations on all cohesion policy programmes is more urgent than ever.
    • It's less than one month until Christmas, so national governments should stop playing games and listen to their cities and regions.
    • A delay in the negotiations on the cohesion policy regulation risks a postponement of the start of programmes.
    • More than ever, cohesion policy must be powerful, because today what is threatening is the distortion of economies and divergence.

    • European Migration Network National Contact Points meet

    Retrieved on: 
    Thursday, November 26, 2020
    Organizations, Human migration, European Migration Network, Articles, Politics of Europe, European Union

    National Contact Points from the European Migration Network (EMN) met online from 12 to 13 November.

    Key Points: 
    • National Contact Points from the European Migration Network (EMN) met online from 12 to 13 November.
    • These monthly meetings aim to update contact points as well as the European Commission and its Joint Research Centre, the European Asylum Support Office, the European Parliament and FRA about each others activities.
    • The National Contact Points and external partners also discussed plans on stepping up cooperation with non-EU countries, ongoing studies, and new priorities for 2021-2022.
    • The next National Contact Points meeting will take place on 10 December.

    Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons

    Retrieved on: 
    Tuesday, November 24, 2020
    Organizations, Politics of the European Union, Politics of Europe, Foreign relations of the European Union, Trade blocs, International relations, European Economic Area, European Free Trade Association, Common Foreign and Security Policy, European Union, North Macedonia, Stabilisation and Association Process

    The Council decided that six persons and one entity should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures as set out in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2018/1544.

    Key Points: 
    • The Council decided that six persons and one entity should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures as set out in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2018/1544.
    • The Candidate Countries the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania[2], and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine align themselves with this Council Decision.
    • They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision.
    • [2] The Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

    Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries concerning restrictive measures against Belarus

    Retrieved on: 
    Saturday, November 21, 2020
    Organizations, Politics of the European Union, Politics of Europe, Foreign relations of the European Union, Trade blocs, Common Foreign and Security Policy, European Free Trade Association, European Union, European Economic Area

    On 2 October 2020, the Council adopted Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1388[1] implementing Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP.

    Key Points: 
    • On 2 October 2020, the Council adopted Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1388[1] implementing Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP.
    • The Council Decision adds 40 individuals to the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures set out in the Annex to Decision 2012/642/CFSP.
    • The Candidate Countries the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania[2], and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine align themselves with this Council Decision.
    • They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision.

    Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries concerning restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova

    Retrieved on: 
    Saturday, November 21, 2020
    Politics of the European Union, Politics of Europe, Foreign relations of the United Kingdom, International relations, Foreign relations of the European Union, European Free Trade Association, European Economic Area, Book:Countries of the World: Europe, European integration

    The Council Decision renews the existing restrictive measures until 31 October 2021.

    Key Points: 
    • The Council Decision renews the existing restrictive measures until 31 October 2021.
    • The Candidate Countries the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania[2], and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and Georgia align themselves with this Council Decision.
    • They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision.
    • [2] The Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

    Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine

    Retrieved on: 
    Saturday, November 21, 2020
    Politics of the European Union, Politics of Europe, Organizations, Foreign relations of the European Union, Trade blocs, European Economic Area, Foreign relations of Norway, Foreign relations of Switzerland, European Free Trade Association, Common Foreign and Security Policy, European Union

    The Council Decision renewed the existing restrictive measures for a further 6 months, until 15 March 2021, and amended the list of individual designations subject to restrictive measures as set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP, concerning 41 individuals and 28 entities.

    Key Points: 
    • The Council Decision renewed the existing restrictive measures for a further 6 months, until 15 March 2021, and amended the list of individual designations subject to restrictive measures as set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP, concerning 41 individuals and 28 entities.
    • The Candidate Countries Montenegro and Albania[2], and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this Council Decision.
    • They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision.
    • [1] Published on 11.09.2020 in the Official Journal of the European Union no.