Remarks by President Donald Tusk after his meeting with President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan

Let me start by thanking you, President Rahmon, my dear friend, for the absolutely wonderful hospitality and welcome to your beautiful country, and for our good discussion today.

My visit comes shortly after the launch of the European Union’s new Central Asia Strategy. I am the first President of the European Council to visit Tajikistan, which is another sign of our commitment to building stronger partnerships with you and the entire region.

Your strategic location at the crossroads between Europe and Asia and the recent positive developments in your region have opened opportunities for a stronger, modern partnership. We value our partnership and would like to see it deepen.

The EU is proposing to share high standards, quality investment, education and trade opportunities and to promote transport, energy and digital connections, in full respect of your sovereignty and interests.

One reason I came here, is that I know how important you are for the security of the entire region. I am grateful for the opportunity to have seen the border with Afghanistan today. And I was really impressed by how much you are doing to protect it. I am happy to say that we will seriously increase our support of the Border Management Project in Central Asia.

The EU remains strongly committed to cooperating with all of the Central Asian countries on fighting terrorism, drug trafficking and violent extremism.

Today I also visited the Pamir Glaciers. I was impressed by the beauty but also by the visible impact of climate change. This is not only a major concern for your country, but for the region and the whole world. The EU remains committed to fighting climate change. And I am sure Tajikistan will be the best partner in this.

In this context, let me also say that the efforts your country puts into regional water management are valued.

President Rahmon and I also discussed the bilateral relations between Tajikistan and the EU. I confirmed that the EU is ready to improve Tajikistan’s access to Europe’s markets, as soon as the necessary conditions are met. And you know, Mr President, what I am talking about. We also discussed the prospect of negotiating a new bilateral agreement. That would be a positive development in our relations.

Mr President, there are many commonalities in Poland’s and Tajikistan’s histories, and our fights for the freedom of our nations. Human rights are an essential part of this history. The highest goal of every politician is to ensure security but also human rights and freedoms. To achieve that, strength, courage and good will are needed. You have it all, Mr President. I would also like to underline the importance of your personal role and the role of your country in the political stabilisation not only in Tajikistan but in the whole region. Because of geography, your efforts are much more important than only in this local, regional context. In fact today your efforts, your activities, your impact also in a global context. And in these efforts for stabilisation and security, you can always count on Europe, and me personally.

Dear President, let me conclude by once again thanking you for your hospitality and welcome.




Assessments of offers to host the European Labour Authority have been published

Your request will be handled by the Press Office of the General Secretariat of the Council in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data.

Your data will be stored in the database until you unsubscribe from the service.

Certain data (name, e-mail address, preferred language, media name, media type) may be disclosed to the press offices of the European institutions, the Permanent Representations of the Member States and to European Union agencies, under the conditions laid down in Articles 7 and 8 of Regulation 45/2001.

If there is data which you would not like to be stored, please let us know at: [email protected]




ESMA updates Q&AS on MiFID II and MiFIR investor protection and intermediaries

Best execution

  • Reporting for venues on the ‘trading mode’ according to RTS 27; 
  • Reporting for venues and firms on template fields of RTS 27 and 28 if the required content is not applicable to their activities;
  • Reporting on ‘passive’ and ‘aggressive’ orders for firms using quote-driven systems to have client orders executed; and, 
  • RTS 28 reporting and execution venues.

Information on costs and charges

  • Information on costs and charges: Ex-ante information in case of sell orders;
  • Information on costs and charges: Ex-ante information in case of telephone trading;
  • Information on costs and charges: Use of assumed investment amounts for ex-ante information in relation to investment services and/or products with non-linear charging structures; and, 
  • Information on costs and charges: Use of ranges and maximum amount/percentages for ex-ante information. 

The purpose of these Q&As is to promote common supervisory approaches and practices in the application of MiFID II and MiFIR.

Next steps

ESMA will continue to develop this Q&A on investor protection topics under MiFID II and MiFIR, both adding questions and answers to the topics already covered and introducing new sections for other MiFID II investor protection areas not yet addressed in this Q&A.




Member states' representatives appoint 14 judges to the General Court

Your request will be handled by the Press Office of the General Secretariat of the Council in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data.

Your data will be stored in the database until you unsubscribe from the service.

Certain data (name, e-mail address, preferred language, media name, media type) may be disclosed to the press offices of the European institutions, the Permanent Representations of the Member States and to European Union agencies, under the conditions laid down in Articles 7 and 8 of Regulation 45/2001.

If there is data which you would not like to be stored, please let us know at: [email protected]




ESMA issues five positive opinions on national product intervention measures

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has today issued five positive opinions on product intervention measures taken by the National Competent Authorities (NCAs) of the Finland, Lithuania and Spain. ESMA’s opinion finds that the proposed measures are justified and proportionate and that it is necessary for NCAs of other Member States to take product intervention measures that are at least as stringent as ESMA’s measures. 

ESMA has issued opinions on national product intervention measures from:

Background

NCAs may take product intervention measures in accordance with Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014. At least one month before a measure is intended to take effect, an NCA must notify all other NCAs and ESMA of the details of its proposed measure and the related evidence, unless there is an exceptional case where it is necessary to take urgent action.

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014, ESMA performs a facilitation and coordination role in relation to such product intervention measures taken by NCAs. After receiving notification from an NCA of its proposed measure, ESMA must adopt an opinion on whether the proposed measure is justified and proportionate. If ESMA considers that the taking of a measure by other NCAs is necessary, it must state this in its opinion.

The opinions that ESMA previously issued on proposed national product intervention measures are published on its website.