Latest estimates show that drug overdose deaths in Europe have risen for the fifth consecutive year, with a record 9 461 lives lost in 2017 (EU 28, Turkey and Norway). Reducing drug-related deaths is therefore a major public health challenge. Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day, the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) launches today three new resources looking at drug overdoses in Europe and the interventions in place to prevent them.

Preventing drug-related deaths — risks and responses

Most overdose deaths in Europe are linked to the use of opioids (heroin or synthetic opioids), although cocaine, other stimulant drugs and medicines also play a role. In a new online resource, Prevention of drug-related deaths in Europe, the agency provides an overview on the issue and the risk factors involved.

Fatal overdoses are most likely to occur in specific situations, such as lost or reduced tolerance to opioids shortly after prison release, hospital discharge, interruption of treatment or completing a course of residential detoxification. Using opioids with other substances (e.g. alcohol, benzodiazepines and other medicines) also increases the risks of death, as does the lack of, or inadequate, response by those witnessing an overdose.

The EMCDDA illustrates how overdose prevention can be addressed on three levels: reducing vulnerability to overdose (e.g. accessible treatment and services); reducing the risk of overdose (e.g. retention in opioid substitution treatment, prison aftercare and overdose risk assessments); and reducing the likelihood of fatal outcomes (e.g. take-home naloxone policies and supervision of drug consumption) (see Figure 1). Currently, 87 supervised drug consumption facilities exist in 8 EU Member States, Norway and Switzerland providing a safer drug-using environment (¹).

Take-home naloxone can save lives — a first overview of programmes

Many people overdose in the presence of their partners or peers, therefore empowering friends, family and other bystanders to act effectively, before emergency services arrive at the scene, can save lives. While naloxone — a medicine used to reverse opioid toxicity — has been used in hospitals for over 40 years, it is also now available in the community in many countries (²). The EMCDDA launches today its first overview of Take-home naloxone (THN) programmes in Europe.

The new online resource describes how these programmes developed and became more common over the past decade (see timeline). Providing naloxone and training in emergency response to those likely to witness an overdose is set out as an overdose prevention measure in the EU Action Plan on Drugs 2017–2020 and THN programmes are now expanding. In 2019, 11 EU Member States and Norway report running such programmes (see map and national fact sheets) or allowing access to the medicine without a prescription (³). Since 2016, pharmacists in a majority of US states have been able to give out naloxone on the basis of a standing order (and do not require a patient-specific prescription). Prescription-free distribution is now permitted in several other countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada, Italy, the UK and France.

Practical solutions have been found to allow non-medical personnel to receive and administer injectable naloxone and enable the distribution of the medication to the homes of potential bystanders. Some countries now make the emergency medication available without a prescription to, or have lifted prescription regulations for, specific establishments or those registered as formally trained. The resource summarises the different products used in THN programmes, including naloxone nasal spray, authorised in 2017 by the European Commission for marketing in all EU countries.

Drug overdose deaths in Europe — frequently asked questions

Where have drug-related deaths increased most over the last 10 years? Are women and men affected equally? What are the current concerns in Europe? These are some of the questions answered in new Frequently asked questions (FAQs): drug overdose deaths in Europe published today on the EMCDDA website. These present the overdose situation and trends as well as a range of maps and graphics. ‘Focus’ sections highlight overdose trends in Scotland — currently the country with the highest overdose mortality rate per capita in Europe — and illicitly manufactured fentanyl and its derivatives, involved in large numbers of deaths in some countries, including Sweden (which saw a peak in 2017) and Estonia.

In Scotland, a country with a high prevalence of high-risk drug use, a record 1 187 drug-related deaths were reported in 2018 (up 27% from 2017). Scotland’s drug-death rate among adults (15–64 years) is higher than those reported for all the EU countries. Most cases in Scotland are associated with opioids (9 in 10) and benzodiazepines (7 in 10), but almost all (85%) involve more than one drug. Recent increases are primarily seen in 35–44 and 45–54 year-olds. Other northern European countries (e.g. Estonia, Sweden, Norway) also have high overdose mortality rates (in some countries, there may be under-reporting).

The EMCDDA monitors closely alerts on harms related to fentanyl and its derivatives due to the very high toxicity of these substances and their potential to result in large clusters of incidents and deaths. In 2017, following reports that fentanyl or carfentanil introduced into the heroin supply in the north of England had caused a number of deaths, public health authorities issued warnings on the harms related to these heroin mixtures and advised on naloxone dosing regimes in the event of an overdose.

EMCDDA Director Alexis Goosdeel says: ‘Overdose deaths are preventable. We know from research that many of those who die have been struggling and living on the margins of society for years. We know that those who overdose once are at a very high risk of overdosing again. And we know that effective preventive and response measures exist that would allow us to avoid many deaths. Bystanders must also be empowered to save lives and prevent irreversible organ damage with effective medication’.

Through its Strategy 2025, the EMCDDA is committed to contributing to a healthier Europe. While opioids are involved in the vast majority of overdose fatalities, other substances (e.g. cocaine, benzodiazepines, synthetic cannabinoids) also contribute to the overdose burden and should not be neglected. The resources released today contribute to a better understanding of drug overdoses and responses to them in Europe to support sound policymaking in this area.

(Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine)

Déplacements et visites

 

Lundi 2 septembre 2019

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Ms Ursula Von der Leyen, President-elect of the European Commission, for a working lunch.

Ms Federica Mogherini delivers a speech at the annual EU Ambassadors Conference 2019, in Brussels.

Mr Jyrki Katainen in Helsinki, Finland: delivers a keynote speech at the Climate Leadership Coalition strategic meeting.

Mr Karmenu Vella meets Mr Iván Ontaneda Berrú, the Minister for Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries of Ecuador, in Brussels.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis receives a group ofMembers of the European Academy of Paediatrics, in Brussels.

Ms Margrethe Vestager receives Ms Heike Schweitzer, Chair for Private law, European Economic law, Competition Law and Law and Economics at the Humboldt University Berlin; Mr Jacques Crémer, Senior researcher CNRS at the Toulouse School of Economics; and MrYves-Alexandre de Montjoye, Lecturer at the department of Computing and Data Science Institute, Imperial College London, who have been appointed by the Commission as her special advisers, in Brussels

Mr Julian King in Bled, Slovenia (until 3/09): participates in the 2019 Bled Strategic Forum.

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Borovets, Bulgaria: delivers an opening keynote speech at the International Conference on High Performance Computing HPC – Bulgaria 2019.

 

Mardi 3 septembre 2019

President Jean-Claude Juncker addresses the annual EU Ambassadors Conference 2019, in Brussels.

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

Mr Jyrki Katainen meets Mr Joseph Daul, President of the European People’s Party, in Brussels.

Ms Cecilia Malmström in Gothenburg, Sweden; participates in a panel discussion at the Donsö Shipping Meeting; and participates in a panel discussion at the 150th Anniversary of the Nautical Association of Sweden in Gothenburg

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis receives Ms Angélique Delahaye, President of Les Producteurs des Legumes de France (SOLAAL) and Ms Dorothée Briaumont, Executive Director of SOLAAL.

Mr Pierre Moscovici à Toronto, Canada (jusqu’au 06/09) : est invité comme conférencier d’honneur à la 13e édition du ‘Toronto Global Forum’, à l’occasion du 25e anniversaire du Forum économique international des Amériques.

Mr Christos Stylianides in Welzow, Germany: participates in an exhibition of the German Federal civil protection authority.

Mr Phil Hogan in Warsaw, Poland:  delivers a speech on the ‘Future of Common Agricultural Policy’ at the annual conference of Polish Ambassadors; meets with the Prime Minister of Poland, Mr Mateusz Morawiecki; meets with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland, Mr Jacek Czaputowicz; and meets with the Minister for Agriculture of Poland, Mr Krzysztof Ardanowski.

Mr Julian King in Bled, Slovenia: meets with Mr Boštjan Poklukar, Minister for the Interior of Slovenia; Mr Damir Črnčec, State Secretary for Security in the Office of the Prime Minister of Slovenia; Mr Josep Borrell Fontelles, Minister for the Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain of Slovenia; and participates in the 2019 Bled Strategic Forum.

 

Mercredi 4 septembre 2019

College Meeting

Ms Cecilia Malmström delivers a keynote address at the Bruegel Annual Meetings 2019 in Brussels

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Oslo, Norway:meets Mr Kjell-Børge Freiberg, Minister for Petroleum and Energy of Norway.

Mr Karmenu Vella meets Mr Jari Leppä, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of Finland; and participates in an exchange of views with the EP Environment Committee, in Brussels

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis receives a delegation of Mayors and Mayor Candidates from Hungary; and the Directors of Crop Life International and the European Association for Biotechnologies (EuropaBio).

Ms Margrethe Vestager in Bergen, Norway: delivers a keynote speech at the Conference of Nordic Competition Authorities to mark 60 years of Nordic Cooperation on Competition matters.

 

Jeudi 5 Septembre 2019

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Gitanas Nausėda, President of Lithuania.

Ms Federica Mogherini receives Mr Igor Dodon, President of the Republic of Moldova.

Mr Johannes Hahn receives Mr Igor Dodon, President of the Republic of Moldova.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Oslo, Norway: delivers a keynote speech at the Carbon Capture and Storage conference.

Mr Karmenu Vella, participates in the EU-China Blue Partnership Forum for the Oceans, in Brussels.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis delivers a keynote speech at The Brewers of Europe event, in Brussels.

Mr Julian King participates in the launch of the EU Counter-Terrorism Register at Eurojust, in Brussels.

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Linz (Austria): meets with Mr Thomas Stelzer, Governor of Upper Austria.

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Linz (Austria): delivers the STARTS (Science, Technology and ART) PRIZE awards at the Ars Electronica Festival

 

Vendredi 6 septembre 2019

Ms Federica Mogherini delivers a speech at the conference ‘Towards a Global Exchange on Religion in Society’, in Brussels.

Mr Günther H. Oettinger in Larnaca, Cyprus: discusses EU’s next long-term budget with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, with the Minister for Finance, Mr Harris Georgiadis, and with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides.

Mr Karmenu Vella, co-chairs the EU-China High Level Dialogue, in Brussels.

Mr Christos Stylianides in Athens, Greece: meets Mr Giorgos Koumoutsakos, Alternate Minister for Citizen Protection of Greece.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Lisbon, Portugal: participates in the discussion ‘European philanthropy and European Institution’ in the margins of the 60^th Annual meeting of the Hague Club, hosted by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

 

Prévisions du mois de septembre 2019 :

13/09 Eurogroup

16/09 General Affairs Council

20/09 Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport)

24/09 Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy)

26-27/09 Competitiveness Council

 

Permanence DG COMM le WE du 7 et 8 septembre 2019 : 

Nathalie VANDYSTADT – tél : +32 (0) 460 767 083

 

Service Audiovisuel, planning studio – tél. : +32 (0)2/295 21 23

 

 

 

South America fires: EU Civil Protection Mechanism activated to help Bolivia

Following a request for assistance from Bolivia on 29 August 2019, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated to help in efforts to stop the spread of forest fires in the Chiquitania region. As an immediate first response, the Commission is mobilising a team of experts from EU Member States to be deployed to the affected areas. “The EU stands in solidarity with Bolivia and all countries in the region affected by these devastating fires. The fires in the Amazon region show that climate change has increased the threat of natural disasters globally. We have a common duty to work together to protect our environment”, said Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management. The European Union’s 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in close contact with the Bolivian authorities to monitor the situation and channel further EU assistance. In addition, the EU’s emergency Copernicus satellite service is currently providing maps of areas hit by forest fires.  (For more information: Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela – Tel.: +32 229 65322; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)

 

EU invests in modern tram fleet in Dresden, Germany

The EU is investing €102.8 million from the European Regional Development Fund to buy 30 new tram vehicles for the city of Dresden, Saxony, by December 2021. This project will increase the capacity of the network and make it accessible to people with disabilities. Dresden’s current population of 550,000 should indeed reach almost 600,000 by 2040 and the tramways are already working at full capacity during peak hours. The EU-funded project will therefore help meet the inhabitants’ needs for a reliable and efficient urban transport system. Commissioner Budget and Human Resources Günther H. Oettinger said: “The inhabitants of Dresden will soon enjoy better tram services in their city and, ultimately, better air quality, with this clean transport system.” In 2016, Dresden’s trams were used for some 157.1 million journeys, up 18.6 million from 2005. This figure is expected to rise by a further 19.5 million by 2023. (For more information: Christian Spahr – Tel.: +32 2 295 00 55, Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr – Tel.: +32 229 56169)

Jeunes traducteurs: la Commission lance son concours de traduction 2019 pour les écoles secondaires

La Commission européenne a annoncé aujourd’hui la 13e édition de son concours annuel “Juvenes Translatores” destiné aux lycéens de toute l’Europe. Dès le 2 septembre, les écoles de tous les États membres de l’UE pourront s’inscrire en ligne afin que leurs élèves puissent se mesurer à des pairs de toute l’Europe. Cette année, les adolescents participants devront traduire un texte portant sur ce que les jeunes peuvent faire pour contribuer à façonner l’avenir de l’Europe. Günther H. Oettinger, commissaire européen chargé du budget, des ressources humaines et de la traduction, a déclaré à cet égard: « En Europe, nous avons la chance de parler et de nous comprendre dans quelques dizaines de langues différentes. Il est formidable de constater que les jeunes apprécient les avantages de la maîtrise des langues étrangères et sont avides d’en apprendre davantage. Je les encourage à participer au concours Juvenes Translatores de cette année et à montrer leurs impressionnantes compétences linguistiques. » Les participants pourront choisir n’importe laquelle des 552 combinaisons linguistiques possibles entre les 24 langues officielles de l’UE. Au cours de l’édition de l’année dernière, les élèves ont utilisé, au total, 154 combinaisons linguistiques. Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d’informations: Mina Andreeva – Tél.: +32 229 91382; Andreana Stankova – Tél.: +32 2 29 57857)

 

Baltic Sea fishing opportunities for 2020: Commission proposes a prudent package to ensure sustainable fisheries

Today, the Commission has adopted a proposal for fishing opportunities for the commercially most important fish stocks in the Baltic Sea for 2020. The Commission proposes to increase catches for herring in the Gulf of Riga and maintain the levels for salmon in the Gulf of Finland. For the remaining stocks (central, western and Gulf of Bothnia herring, plaice, sprat, eastern and western Baltic cod), a reduction in catches is foreseen. Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said: “Despite efforts by our fishermen and authorities, the situation of fish stocks in the Baltic is serious, particularly for eastern Baltic cod and western herring. In line with scientific advice, we propose a prudent package to ensure that sustainable fisheries can continue in the Baltic Sea over time.” The proposed total allowable catches (TAC) are based on scientific advice from the International Council on the Exploration of the Seas and follow the Baltic multiannual management plan adopted in 2016 by the Council and the European Parliament. Joint efforts by stakeholders in recent years have succeeded in rebuilding important stocks in the Baltic Sea and in allowing, where complete scientific advice is available, to set 7 out of 8 TACs in line with the principle of maximum sustainable yield, covering 95% of fish landings in volume. However, scientists have recently discovered that the situation was less stable than previously estimated.Decisive action is therefore necessary to ensure all stocks are at levels that allow for sustainable exploitation. The Council will now examine the Commission proposal, with the aim of adopting it on 14-15 October. A news item is available here. (For more information: Enrico Brivio – Tel.: +32 229 56172; Ana Parrondo Crespo – Tel.: +32 229 81325)

State aid: Commission approves compensation to energy-intensive companies in Poland for indirect emission costs

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Polish plans to compensate energy-intensive companies for higher electricity prices resulting from indirect emission costs under the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). The scheme will cover the period 2019-2020, with a provisional budget of PLN 1.78 billion (approximately €417 million). The measure will benefit companies active in Poland in sectors facing significant electricity costs and which are particularly exposed to international competition. The compensation will be granted through a partial refund of electricity costs to eligible companies. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular its Guidelines on certain State aid measures in the context of the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme post-2012 and found that it is in line with the requirements of the Guidelines. In particular, the scheme will avoid an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions due to companies relocating to countries outside the EU with less stringent environmental regulation. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the aid granted is limited to the minimum necessary. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the State Aid Register under the case number SA.53850. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

Mergers: Commission clears the creation of a joint venture between Sumitomo and PT Tuah Turangga Agung

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture between Sumitomo Corporation (“SC”) of Japan and PT Tuah Turangga Agung (“TTA”) of Indonesia, ultimately controlled by Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited of China. The joint venture will be active in the trading of thermal coal, predominantly in Asia. SC provides integrated trading and investment activities, in particular trading of metal products, transportation and construction of systems, environment and infrastructure, chemicals and electronics, media, networks and lifestyle related goods, mineral resources, energy and life sciences, in Japan and around the world. TTA is active in mining and trading of coal, in Asia. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would raise no competition concerns, because of the limited activities of the joint venture in the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.9498. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

Concentrations : La Commission autorise l’acquisition du contrôle conjoint d’une entreprise commune nouvellement créée par les filiales d’AXA et le groupe NN

La Commission Européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l’acquisition du contrôle en commun de l’entreprise commune nouvellement créée par les sociétés Lindisfarne S.L., basée en Espagne, ESI One S.à.r.l. (« ESI »), basée en France, Alterimmo Europe S.à.r.l, basée en France, toutes contrôlées in fine par la société AXA S.A., basée en France, et REI Spain B.V., basée aux Pays-Bas, qui appartient au groupe NN, basé aux Pays-Bas. L’entreprise commune sera active dans le marché de la location de locaux d’habitation en Espagne. Les sociétés Lindisfarne, ESI, et Alterimmo sont actives dans la gestion immobilière en Espagne et en Europe. AXA est un groupe global actif dans le secteur de l’assurance et dans la gestion d’investissements. REI intervient dans l’acquisition, la détention et la gestion d’actifs immobiliers en Europe. Le groupe NN est une institution financière globale offrant des services d’investissement et d’assurance. La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu de son impact très limité sur la structure du marché. La transaction a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée de contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d’affaire M.9354. (Pour plus d’informations: Lucía Caudet – Tél.: +32 229 56182; Giulia Astuti – Tél.: +32 229 55344)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Gategroup by Temasek and RRJ Captital

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Gategroup of Switzerland by Temasek of Singapore and RRJ Capital of Hong Kong. Gategroup is mainly active in in-flight catering and retail on-board services, as well as the provision of related airport hospitality solutions at global level. Temasek is an investment company that owns a majority shareholding in Singapore Airlines, which operates passenger flights to/from certain European airports where Gategroup is active. RRJ Capital is an investment firm that focuses on private equity investments in Asia. The Commission’s investigation found that to due Gategroup’s significant activities in the provision of in-flight catering and retail on-board services, the transaction gives rise to vertical links between Gategroup and Singapore Airlines’ activities in Europe. However, given the very low market share of Singapore Airlines in passenger air transport services at certain European airports, the investigation confirmed that following the transaction, Gategroup would not have the ability or incentive to restrict Singapore Airlines competitors’ access to catering and retail on-board services at these airports. The Commission therefore concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.9418. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344) 

Eurostat: Le taux d’inflation annuel de la zone euro stable à 1,0%

Le taux d’inflation annuel de la zone euro est estimé à 1,0% en août 2019, stable par rapport à juillet selon une estimation rapide publiée par Eurostat, l’office statistique de l’Union européenne. S’agissant des principales composantes de l’inflation de la zone euro, l’alimentation, l’alcool & le tabac devrait connaître le taux annuel le plus élevé en août (2,1%, comparé à 1,9% en juillet), suivis des services (1,3%, comparé à 1,2% en juillet), des biens industriels hors énergie (0,4%, stable comparé à juillet) et de l’énergie (0,6%, comparé à 0,5% en juillet). Un communiqué de presse est disponible ici. (Pour plus d’information: Johannes Bahrke – Tél.: +32 229 58615; Enda McNamara – Tél.: +32 229 64976; Annikky Lamp – Tél.: +32 229 56151)

Eurostat: Le taux de chômage à 7,5% dans la zone euro et à 6,3% dans l’UE28 en juillet 2019

Dans la zone euro (ZE19), le taux de chômage corrigé des variations saisonnières s’est établi à 7,5% en juillet 2019, stable comparé à juin 2019 et en baisse par rapport au taux de 8,1% de juillet 2018. Cela est le taux le plus faible enregistré dans la zone euro depuis juillet 2008. Dans l’UE28, le taux de chômage s’est établi à 6,3% en juillet 2019, inchangé par rapport au taux de juin 2019 et en baisse de 6,8% en juillet 2018. Cela demeure le taux le plus faible enregistré dans l’UE28 depuis le début de la série mensuelle sur le chômage en janvier 2000. Ces chiffres sont publiés par Eurostat, l’office statistique de l’Union européenne. Eurostat estime qu’en juillet 2019, 15,613 millions d’hommes et de femmes étaient au chômage dans l’UE28, dont 12,322 millions dans la zone euro. Par rapport à juin 2019, le nombre de chômeurs a augmenté de 27 000 dans l’UE28 et a diminué de 16 000 dans la zone euro. Comparé à juillet 2018, le chômage a baissé de 1,093 million de personnes dans l’UE28 et de 898 000 dans la zone euro. Un communiqué de presse est à votre disposition en ligne. (Pour plus d’information: Christian Wigand – Tél.: +32 229 62253; Sara Soumillion – Tél.: +32 229 67094)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Thyssen participates in G20 meeting of Labour and Employment Ministers

On 1 and 2 September, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, will attend the G20 meeting of Labour and Employment Ministers in Matsuyama, Japan. This year’s G20 ministerial gathering focuses on ‘Shaping a Human-Centred Future of Work’. Commissioner Thyssen will reaffirm the EU’s commitment to multilateralism and a human-centred future of work. These topics are particularly aligned with EU priorities, not least with the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Commissioner will share the progress made during the Juncker Commission in this area, for instance with the new Directives on a better work-life balance for working parents and carers and on predictable and transparent working conditions, the recommendation on access to social protection for all workers and the self-employed and the new European Labour Authority. Commissioner Thyssen will participate in working sessions on social dialogue, demographic change, gender equality, new forms of work and on ending child labour, forced labour and human trafficking in global supply chains. The main outcomes of these discussions will be summarised in the ‘Matsuyama Declaration’. The gathering of ministers will also be an occasion for Commissioner Thyssen to meet with the Turkish Minister of Family, Labour and Social Services, Zehra Zümrüt Selcuk, the Spanish Minister of Labour, Migrations and Social Security, Magdalena Valerio Cordero, and the President of the International Social Security Association, Prof. Dr. Joachim Breuer. (For more information: Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253; Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: + 32 229 86500)

Calendar – Commissioner’s weekly activities

Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)

The European Commission has today announced the 13th edition of its annual Juvenes Translatores competition for secondary-school students from across Europe. As of 2 September, schools from all EU Member States will be able to register online so their students can compete with peers from across Europe. This year, the participating teenagers will have to translate a text on the topic of what young people can do to help shape the future of Europe.

European Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger in charge of budget, human resources and translation said: ‘In Europe, we are happy to speak and understand each other in a few dozen different languages. It is great to see that young people appreciate the benefits of mastering foreign languages and are hungry to learn more. I encourage them to take part in this year’s Juvenes Translatores competition and showcase their impressive language skills.‘

Participants will be able to translate between any two of the EU’s 24 official languages (552 possible language combinations). At last year’s edition of the competition, students used a total of 154 language combinations.

Registration for schools — the first stage of the two-phase process — is open until 20 October 2019 at noon. The registration form can be completed in any of the EU’s 24 official languages.

Then the European Commission will invite 751 schools to the next stage. The number of participating schools from each country will be equal to the number of seats the country has in the European Parliament, with the schools selected randomly by computer.

The schools chosen must then nominate 2-5 students to take part in the contest. The students can be of any nationality but all from the same year group, born in 2002.

The contest will take place on 21 November 2019 simultaneously in all participating schools. From this year on, the contest will be run online.

The winners — one per country — will be announced by early February 2020. They will receive their prizes in the spring of 2020 at a special ceremony in Brussels.

During their visit to the Belgian capital, students will have the chance to meet professional translators from the European Commission’s translation department — the people who evaluated their translations — and talk about working with languages.

Background

The Commission’s Directorate-General for Translation has organised the Juvenes Translatores (Latin for ‘young translators’) contest every year since 2007. The contest promotes language learning in schools and gives young people a taste of what it is like to be a translator. It is open to 17-year-old secondary school students and takes place on the same date and at the same time in all selected schools across the EU.

The contest has inspired and encouraged some participants to continue with language learning at university level and to become professional translators. The competition also provides an opportunity to emphasise Europe’s rich linguistic diversity.

For more information

Juvenes Translatores website

Pictures of the 2019 award ceremony and winners

Follow the European Commission’s translation department on Twitter: @translatores

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 7.5% in July 2019, stable compared with June 2019 and down from 8.1% in July 2018. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since July 2008. The EU28 unemployment rate was 6.3% in July 2019, stable compared with June 2019 and down from 6.8% in July 2018. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since the start of the EU monthly unemployment series in January 2000. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Full text available on EUROSTAT website