In the euro area, in real terms, household income per capita increased by 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2018, after an increase of 0.2% in the previous quarter. Household real consumption per capita was stable in the fourth quarter of 2018 as well as in the third quarter of 2018.
More than 80% of the NUTS 2 regions of the European Union (EU) saw their unemployment rate for persons aged 15-74 fall in 2018 compared with 2017. Around 60% recorded a decrease of at least 0.5 percentage points. However, regional unemployment rates continued to vary widely across the EU regions, with the lowest rates recorded in two Czech regions Prague (1.3%) and South-West (1.5%), and Mittelfranken (1.8%) in Germany, followed by two further German regions, Tübingen and Oberpfalz, and Cumbria in the United Kingdom (all 1.9%).
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership, a series of events will take place on 13 and 14 May 2019 in Brussels.
On Monday 13 in the morning, EU foreign ministers will meet their counterparts from the Eastern partner countries for their annual joint session. On the same day, beginning at 18.30, President Tusk will host the leaders of the Eastern Partnership Countries for dinner.
On Tuesday 14, a high level conference will take place at the European Commission (Charlemagne building).
For more information on the Eastern Partnership anniversary: eap10.eu
9.00 – Arrivals
10.00 – Ministerial meeting (Roundtable)
12.00 – Family photo
12.15- 13.30 – Ministerial lunch
18.30 – Arrivals, official welcome by President Tusk
Europa VIP entrance
18.45 – Family photo
Europa Forum
19.00 – 20.30 Dinner
Media representatives holding a Council 1-year badge (2019) do not need to register.
Media may request a single “10th EaP anniversary” badge valid to access the Council premises representatives on 13 May and the Commission Charlemagne building on 14 May through the Council website: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/accreditation/
Access to the ministerial meeting on Monday 13 morning and to the conference on Tuesday 14 will also be possible with the EU inter-institutional press card or with regular daily passes.
Before starting the registration process, make sure you have a recent ID-size photograph in JPEG format (.jpg), the number of your passport or identity card, the scan of a letter confirming you are a bona fide journalist assigned to cover the event (Media representatives holding an EU or a Belgian official press card (delivered by the interior ministry) may upload this card instead of the letter. No other press cards are accepted).
You may be asked to send additional documents/information to demonstrate that you fulfil the media accreditation criteria. For more information on our accreditation policy, see our terms and conditions.
You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt by email and you may access your profile at any time to check the status of your application.
Badges can be collected on Monday 13 May (from 7.30 to 19.00) at the main accreditation desk Justus Lipsius building (175, rue de la Loi) with a valid ID (or passport for non-EU member States nationals).
The €1 billion package announced today by Commissioner for agriculture Phil Hogan and EIB Vice-President Andrew McDowell, aims at increasing access to funding for EU farmers, especially young farmers.
Agriculture and rural development Commissioner Phil Hogan said: “Access to finance is crucial and too often an obstacle for young people wanting to join the profession. With 11% of European farmers under the age of 40 years old, supporting young farmers in the sector is a priority for the European Commission and the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy. I am pleased to see this new joint initiative up and running.”
EIB Vice-President responsible for agriculture and bioeconomy, Andrew McDowell commented: “The agricultural sector is the backbone of the EU economy and has a key role to play not just in producing healthy food but also to battle climate change and preserve the environment. With this new initiative, the EIB is looking towards the future of the sector and addressing an important market gap, the lack of access to finance of farmers, especially the next generation of farmers. This programme loan will also support growth and competitiveness in the agriculture/bioeconomy sector, by preserving and creating employment in the rural and coastal regions.”
The programme will be managed at Member State level by banks and leasing companies operating across the EU. Participating banks should match the amount committed by the EIB, therefore bringing the total amount to a potential €2 billion, and priority should be given to young farmers.
The programme will address many of the current shortcomings that farmers face with:
Two pilot loans of €275 million are about to be implemented in France through this scheme. These loans are specifically targeted at young farmers and climate change mitigation.
Background
This new loan programme is part of a joint ‘Young Farmers’ initiative’ between the European Commission and the EIB that aims to bring together existing European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) support and the financial means and expertise of the EIB. In addition to the loan package, this includes a continued use of the EAFRD grants for young farmers and start-ups that can be used as interest rate subsidies or for technical assistance, in combination with financial instruments. In addition, the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF) offer advisory support and expertise to managing authorities.
For More Information
Brochure on the ‘Joint Initiative for improving access to funding for European Union Young Farmers’
Brochure on ‘Using financial instruments to reduce the impact of price volatility in agriculture’
Survey on financial needs and access to finance of EU agricultural enterprises
Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management said: “Mozambique is facing a double disaster as a second devastating cyclone hits the country in just over a month. The EU is acting fast to deliver essential supplies, especially given that Mozambique is still recovering from cyclone Idai. We express our solidarity with the people of Mozambique and of Comoros. Our thoughts are with the national first responders working at this difficult time”.
The new EU funding will provide food aid, emergency shelter, water and sanitation, basic essential items, and emergency telecommunications support for those most in need.
The cyclone brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the areas lying in the cyclone’s path, causing people to be evacuated from their homes, damage to infrastructure, loss of crops, and an increased risk of flash floods.
Background
Tropical cyclone Kenneth made landfall in the Cabo Delgado province, in northern Mozambique, on 25 April 2019, with wind speed over 200 kilometres per hour, having passed very close to the north coast of the island of Grand Comore on 24 April 2019, lashing it with strong winds of 120 kilometres per hour.
It is the first time that two strong tropical cyclones have hit Mozambique in the same season, with tropical cyclone Idai having left more than 600 people dead in March 2019.
The European Union provided €9.15 million in humanitarian aid to Mozambique following Cyclone Idai and, at the request of the government of Mozambique, activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism through which assistance was offered by nine Member States, with some of the actions still underway. The European Union financed 75% of the transport costs of the assistance material sent, amounting to nearly €4 million in total. The European Union’s Copernicus satellite mapping services helped provide maps of affected areas and plan disaster relief operations.
For more information