New Commission guidelines help citizens gain better and fairer access to their national courts on environmental cases

Today the European Commission adopted a guidance document on access to justice in environmental matters which clarifies how individuals and associations can challenge decisions, acts and omissions by public authorities related to EU environmental law before national courts. The Juncker Commission has taken a step forward with the publication of these guidelines, providing the necessary guidance to citizens for better access to national justice systems. When public authorities fail to respect the rights and obligations under environmental laws, the public can hold them to account. National courts can use it to help identify all the EU Court of Justice cases that they should take into account when they are faced with questions related to access to justice in environmental cases. With this guidance, national administrations are made aware of possible shortcomings in their justice systems and businesses are provided with greater clarity on what EU rights and obligations are at stake in the decisions, acts and omissions that concern them. For more information a full press release and fact sheet are online. (For more information: Enrico Brivio – Tel.: +32 229 56172; Iris Petsa – Tel.: + 32 229 93321)

 

European Commission approves disbursement of EUR 23 million in assistance to Georgia

The European Commission, on behalf of the EU, has today approved the disbursement of the second tranche of EUR 23 million under its Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) to Georgia. The funds – EUR 10 million in grants and EUR 13 million in low-interest loans – will be disbursed in May 2017. This is the final instalment of the second of two MFA operations, each in an amount of EUR 46 million. The EU’s MFA programme is intended to strengthen Georgia’s external and budgetary positions and to support the government’s agenda of economic, social and financial reforms. Commenting on the disbursement, Pierre Moscovici, Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxations and Customs, said: “The disbursement decided today is part of the EU’s long-standing support to Georgia and its citizens. On the back of successful completion of critical reform commitments and improved stability, but at a time when our partner continues to face a challenging balance-of-payments and fiscal situation, the EU’s assistance will help alleviate Georgia’s short-term financing needs. It will also support the implementation of key reforms aimed at boosting economic growth and job creation, reinforcing social safety nets and strengthening the stability of the financial sector.“ A full press release is available here. (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 51496)

Commission publishes report following latest round of trade talks with Japan

The Commission published today – as part of its commitment to a more transparent trade policy – a report summarising the progress made during the latest round of EU-Japan tradetalks which took place in April in Tokyo. The report offers summary of the progress made in all areas of the negotiations, namely: 1) Trade in goods (including Market Access, and General Rules); 2) Non-Tariff Measures; 3) Rules of Origin; 4) Trade in Services; 5) Procurement; 6) Intellectual Property (including Geographical Indications); 7) Other issues (Institutions and Regulatory Cooperation). Work progressed in a constructive atmosphere, with both sides working with a renewed sense of urgency in order to respect the objective set by the leaders to conclude talks as soon as possible. The recent Commission proposals made in the course of the negotiations can be found on the dedicated transparency page. More information on the EU-Japan talks is available on the website of DG Trade. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel.: + 32 229 56185; Kinga Malinowska – Tel.: +32 229 51383)

 

EU to approve new projects to support peace, stability and job creation in the Horn of Africa

The European Commission will today announce the approval of new actions worth under the EU Trust Fund for Africa to improve stability and address the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement in the Horn of Africa region. At this occasion, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, said: “This new package illustrates how the EU Trust Fund provides sustainable solutions to address instability and lack of economic opportunities, as they are two main root causes of forced displacement in the Horn of Africa. By promoting peace, stability and job creation, these new actions will help create alternatives for people to improve their lives to ensure that migration can become a choice for people, and not a necessity.” A press release will be made available as of 17:00 today. (For more information: Carlos Martin Ruiz de Gordejuela – Tel.: +32 229 65322; Christina Wunder – Tel.: +32 229 92256)

 

L’Union européenne et le Chili signent un accord sur le commerce des produits biologiques

Le premier accord de commerce de nouvelle génération pour les produits biologiques a été signé entre l’Union européenne et le Chili. Cet accord, finalisé l’année dernière, permettra une reconnaissance mutuelle des règles de production des produits biologiques et des systèmes de contrôles de ces derniers. Grâce à cette équivalence, l’UE devrait augmenter ses exportations de produits bios vers le Chili. L’accord, signé par le Commissaire Arias Cañete, le vice-Premier Ministre de Malte M. Louis Grech et le Ministre chilien de l’agriculture M. Carlos Furche Guagardo, prévoit également une coopération accrue, comprenant un échange régulier d’informations, des mises à jour régulières des produits couverts par les règles sur le bio, et un système de règlement des différends à propos du commerce de ces produits. Le logo bio européen sera aussi protégé par cet accord, le premier de ce type conclu avec un pays d’Amérique Latine. Son entrée en vigueur se fera une fois les processus de ratifications des deux côtés conclus. Cet accord ouvrira de nouvelles opportunités de croissance pour le secteur du bio dans l’UE qui grandit en moyenne au rythme de 5,5% par an. Près de 6% de la surface agricole disponible dans l’UE est utilisée pour le bio. La vidéo de la signature de l’accord est disponible ici. Plus d’informations sur cet accord en ligne. (Pour plus d’informations: Daniel Rosario – Tel: +32 229 56 185; Clemence Robin – Tel.: +32 229 52509)

 

EU agri-food exports remain higher than previous years

The monthly value of EU agri-food exports increased by +1.2% (+ €131 million) compared with February last year, according to the latest figures published today.  The monthly exports particularly increased for Russia (+86 million), China (+77 million), the USA (+58 million) and Korea (+55 million). For the 12-months period covering March 2016 to February 2017, EU agri-food exports reached a value of €132.2 billion, corresponding to an increase by 2.2% in value terms compared to the same period one year ago. Exports of pig meat did particularly well over the last 12 months with a recovery of +33% compared to the same period one year ago. Monthly values for EU agri-food imports also increased in February 2017 compared to the year before (+1.5%) which means that the trade balance remains stable compared to February last year at €19 billion. This month’s report focuses on EU agri-food trade with Serbia. The EU is a net-importer of agri-food products from this country. While the EU is more oriented towards exporting processed products, the imports from Serbia are mainly commodities and other primary products. The full report is online. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel.: +32 229 56185; Clémence Robin – Tel: +32 229 52509)

Mergers: Commission clears creation of joint venture between BMW, Daimler, Ford and Porsche

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the creation of a joint venture by BMW, Daimler, Porsche, all three of Germany, and Ford of the US. The parties produce and distribute passenger cars and commercial vehicles, and also provide mobility services based on battery-electric vehicles. The joint venture will install, operate and maintain a publicly accessible high power charging infrastructure for battery-electric vehicles in several Member States. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns because of its limited competitive impact on the market. 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.8376. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Eurostat: Euro area annual inflation up to 1.9%

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 1.9% in April 2017, up from 1.5% in March 2017, according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Looking at the main components of euro area inflation, energy is expected to have the highest annual rate in April (7.5%, compared with 7.4% in March), followed by services (1.8%, compared with 1.0% in March), food, alcohol & tobacco (1.5%, compared with 1.8% in March) and non-energy industrial goods (0.3%, stable compared with March). A press release can be found here. (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Juliana Dahl – Tel.: +32 229 59914)

Eurostat: Quatrième trimestre 2016 – Le revenu réel des ménages par habitant en baisse dans la zone euro mais en hausse dans l’UE28

Dans la zone euro, en termes réels, le revenu des ménages par habitant a diminué de 0,2% au quatrième trimestre 2016, après avoir augmenté de 0,2% au trimestre précédent. La consommation réelle des ménages par habitant a progressé de 0,1% au quatrième trimestre 2016, après une hausse de 0,4% au troisième trimestre 2016. Croissance réelle du revenu et de la consommation des ménages par habitant dans la zone euro (en %, données corrigées des variations saisonnières). Un communiqué de presse est disponible ici. (Plus d’informations: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Juliana Dahl – Tél.: +32 229 59914)

STATEMENTS

Statement by Commissioner Thyssen on the occasion of International Labour Day

“Europe is home to the world’s most advanced welfare systems. The European social model has been a success story. But this is not a given. There are plenty of opportunities and challenges ahead of us. Globalisation, digitalisation and an ageing society – we need to shape these developments and make good use of them. Creating a more social Europe, one that protects and empowers workers, not only today but also in tomorrow’s world of work, has been this Commission’s priority from the very start. This is a matter of both social fairness and economic necessity: economic growth goes hand in hand with social progress. On 26 April, the European Commission presented the European Pillar of Social Rights. It includes 20 key principles and rights for citizens and workers, which will support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. The Pillar will be our reference framework to guide future policy, so that we make sure that we safeguard and improve where needed the rights and protection of workers. We aim for broad political support and high-level endorsement of the Pillar towards the end of this year. Already now, the Pillar is accompanied by four concrete initiatives to update and complement current EU rules in key areas of work-life balance, the information for workers, access to social protection and working time. And we will not stop here. Delivering on the Pillar’s principles and rights is a work in progress, and further initiatives will follow where needed.” Read the full statement here. (For more information: Christian Wigand– Tel.: +32 229 62253; Sara Soumillion – Tel.: + 32 229 67094)

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Vice-President Ansip participates in Citizens’ Dialogue in Romania

This morning, Vice-President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip opened the Eurosfat 2017 conference on European Affairs in Bucharest, Romania. This year’s forum is dedicated to the 10^th anniversary of Romania’s EU membership and addresses the country’s outlook as a Member State. Its opening session served as a Citizens’ Dialogue with an active Q&A session that mainly focused on digital topics with a strong emphasis on digital skills, the opportunities presented by digital transformation, and social empowerment. Vice-President Ansip also met representatives of the Romanian Parliament and will meet Prime Minister Sorin Mihai Grindeanu this afternoon as well as hold a roundtable with several other Romanian Ministers. The many topics addressed during these meetings range from Romania’s digital progress, digital skills, eGovernment and digitisation of the economy. Vice-President Ansip will also hold a discussion with the local startup community and visit Innovation Labs, a project by Romanian ITC Ministry for young Romanian teams to turn their ideas into IT products. (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tel.: +32 229 67083; Inga Höglund – Tel.: +32 229 50698)

Commissioner Arias Cañete in Iran for the first-ever Iran-EU Business Forum on Sustainable Energy

On 29 and 30 April, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete will be in Tehran to strengthen energy and climate ties with Iran. On 29 April, he will kick off the first-ever Iran-EU Business Forum on Sustainable Energy. The Forum will gather more than 50 European companies and business associations and some 40 Iranian energy companies to enable business relations and partnerships between Iran and the EU and lay the ground for further cooperation and joint partnerships in the energy sector. It will provide a platform for investors and businesses to look into investment opportunities for clean energy, renewables, energy efficiency and energy conservation actions in Iran. On 30 April, Commissioner Arias Cañete will open the High-Level Conference on Climate Change, which will bring together Iranian and European policymakers as well as representatives from International organisations. The aim is to review progress within the Paris Agreement and discuss the role of clean energy in the transition to a low-carbon economy and urgent actions needed to adapt to the consequences of climate change. Ahead of the visit Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete said:“Only 16 months after the historic nuclear deal was signed in January 2016, trade between the EU and Iran has risen by 79%, exports from Iran to the EU have increased by 450%, and we have established a dynamic energy partnership. Now we want to take this success story one step further. The energy sector will feature prominently in our future relations and we are committed to fully tap into its economic and social potential while contributing to achieve our climate commitments”.The Commissioner will also meet with Vice-President of Iran and Head of the Atomic Energy OrganizationSalehi, Vice-President of Iran and Head of Environmental Protection Organization Ebtekar, the Minister of Petroleum Zanganeh and Minister for Energy Chitchian. Following the conclusion and implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the EU and Iran have resumed bilateral relations and launched cooperation in energy (Joint Statement on Energy and Joint Statement on Nuclear Energy Cooperation). (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 229 56186; Nicole Bockstaller – Tel.: +32 229 52589)

 

Citizens’ Dialogue with Commissioner Andriukaitis in Seville

Today, Vytenis Andriukaitis, the Commissioner for Health & Food Safety, took part in a Citizens’ Dialogue in Seville, Spain. He answered questions concerning health issues and the future of Europe alongside Manuel Jiménez Barrios, Vice-President and Minister of Presidency of Regional Government of Andalucía. The event which took place this morning can be found here. And click here to read more about the Citizens’ Dialogues. (For more information: Enrico Brivio – Tel.: +32 229 56172; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)

Calendar

The Commissioners’ weekly activities

 

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

(Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine)

Déplacements et visites

 

Lundi 01 mai 2017

Labour Day

Mr Phil Hogan in Canada (until 03/05): in Ottawa, meets Mr Lawrence MacAulay, Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food of Canada; members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food; and representatives of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA); in Toronto, visits the Irish Potato Famine Memorial.

 

Mardi 02 mai 2017

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament (EP); Mr Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank (ECB); Mr Jeroen Dijsselbloem, President of the Eurogroup; and Mr Klaus Regling, Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), for a working lunch on the follow-up of the Five Presidents’ Report.

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Tsend Munkh-Orgil, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.

Mr Frans Timmermans delivers a keynote speech on the eve of the World Press Freedom Day at “Future Media Lab” conference, in Brussels.

Ms Federica Mogherini receives Mr Tsend Munkh-Orgil, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.

Ms Federica Mogherini participe au débat ‘Présent et futur des relations UE-Tunisie’ dans le cadre de la Semaine Tunisienne au Parlement Européen, à Bruxelles.

Ms Federica Mogherini receives Mr Enver Hoxhaj, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kosovo.

Mr Andrus Ansip receives Mr Timotheus Höttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom AG.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič in Paris, France: delivers a keynote speech on “Europe’s Space Strategy” at the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA).

Mr Johannes Hahn receives Mr Enver Hoxhaj, Foreign Minister of Kosovo.

Ms Cecilia Malmström in Paris, France: participates in the “11th Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains” jointly organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and UN Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete delivers a keynote speech at the “3rd Annual Energy Savings Summit: Europe’s People at the Heart of the Energy Transition“, in Brussels.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete receives Mr Luca Bettonte, CEO of ERG Renew S.p.A.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete receives experts from Hungarian environmental protection organisations; and representatives of Hungarian religious organisations active in the field of environmental protection.

Mr Karmenu Vella participates in a kick-off meeting to initiate a discussion on the principles for future investments in Sustainable Blue Economy together with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the HRH Prince of Wales International Sustainability Unit (ISU), in Brussels.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis meets representatives of the Federal Committees of Health, Environment and Social Renewal and the Federal Advice Committee of European Affairs at the Belgian Parliament, in Brussels.   

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis meets Ms Maggie De Block, Minister for Social Affairs and Health of Belgium, in Brussels.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis meets Mr Willy Borsus, Minister for the Middle Class, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Self-employed, Agriculture and Social Integration of Belgium, in Brussels. 

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis visits the Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (CODA-CERVA) with a presentation by Mr Pierre Kerkhofs, General Director of CODA-CERVA, in Brussels.

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos receives Mr Urmas Reinsalu, Minister for Justice of Estonia.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Paris, France: rencontre M. Pascal Lamy, Président emeritus de l’Institut Jacques Delors.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Paris, France: rencontre M. François Hollande, Président de la République française.

Mr Christos Stylianides receives Mr Abdul Malik Abdul Jalil Al Mekhlafi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Yemen.

Mr Christos Stylianides receives H.E. Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of Aleppo Armenians.

Mr Phil Hogan in Toronto, Canada: delivers several speeches at the “International Food and Beverage Trade Show” (SIAL) during a session on the EU-Canada trade agreement, for the official opening and during the tour of country pavilions; and meets representatives of the Canadian alcoholic beverage and dairy sectors.  

Ms Vĕra Jourová receives Mr Jevgeni Ossinovski, Minister for Health and Labour of Estonia.

Ms Vĕra Jourová receives Mr Giovanni Buttarelli, European Data Protection Supervisor.

Mr Tibor Navracsics delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the “Brussels Model European Union 2017 Annual Simulation”, at the Committee of the Regions, in Brussels.

Mr Tibor Navracsics meets representatives of youth organisations and young people in Brussels to discuss the future of EU youth policy in the framework of “European Youth Week 2017“, in Brussels.

Ms Margrethe Vestager receives the board of Horesta – Association for the hotel, restaurant and tourism industry in Denmark.

 

Mercredi 03 mai 2017

College meeting

Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (research)

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of Estonia.

President Jean-Claude Juncker and the College of Commissioners receive Mr Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of Estonia, and the Estonian Government for an exchange ahead of the Estonian Presidency of the Council.

Mr Frans Timmermans and Mr Julian King receive Mr Andres Anvelt, Minister for the Interior of Estonia; and Mr Urmas Reinsalu, Minister for Justice of Estonia.

Ms Federica Mogherini receives Mr Husein Kavazović, Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ms Federica Mogherini receives Mr Carlos Raúl Morales Moscoso, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala.

Mr Andrus Ansip receives Ms Urve Palo, Minister for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology of Estonia.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič receives representatives of the European Engineering Industries Association (ORGALIME).

Mr Maroš Šefčovič receives Ms Kadri Simson, Minister for Economic Affairs and Infrastructure of Estonia.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis receives Ms Véronique Willems, Secretary General of the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME).

Mr Johannes Hahn participates in the Conference on Trade and Business Opportunities in Jordan, in Brussels.

Mr Johannes Hahn receives Mr Yarub Qudah, Minister for Industry, Trade and Supply of Jordan.

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives Mr Yarub Qudah, Minister for Industry, Trade and Supply of Jordan.

Ms Cecilia Malmström participates in a launch event on “New Trade and Business Opportunities in Jordan”, in Brussels.

Mr Neven Mimica receives Mr Sven Mikser, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia.

Mr Karmenu Vella receives Mr Peter Thomson, President of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr Christos Stylianides receives Mr Sven Mikser, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia.

Mr Phil Hogan in Toronto, Canada: meets Mr Jeff Leal, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Areas of Ontario; Ms Anne Sado, President of the George Brown College during a visit of the College’s Food Innovation and Research Studio (FIRSt); and representatives of the meat, fruit and vegetables and confectionary sectors; visits a store of Loblaws supermarket chain; the EU Member States’ pavilions at the International Food and Beverage Trade Show (SIAL); and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) flagship store.

Ms Violeta Bulc delivers a keynote address at the “Reducing rail freight noise: what should we do?” conference organised by the Community of European Railways (CER), in Brussels.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska receives Ms Kadri Simson, Minister for Economic Affairs and Infrastructure of Estonia.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska receives Mr Margus Tsahkna, Minister for Defence of Estonia.

Ms Vĕra Jourová receives Mr Andrew Langdon QC, Chairman of the General Bar Council of England & Wales.

Mr Tibor Navracsics participates in the official opening of the “European Youth Week 2017” in a panel discussion on the future EU Youth Strategy, in Brussels.

Mr Tibor Navracsics speaks at a high-level debate on Media Literacy and the challenge of “fake news” organised by the European Newspaper Publishers’ Association (ENPA), in Brussels.

Mr Tibor Navracsics receives Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering, former President of the European Parliament and current Chairman of Konrad-Adenauer Foundation; and Mr Volker Hassemer, Chairman of Stiftung Zukunft Berlin.

Ms Corina Creţu receives Mr Mihhail Korb, Minister for Public Administration of Estonia.

Ms Margrethe Vestager receives Ms Kadri Simson, Minister for Economic Affairs and Infrastructure of Estonia.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Valetta, Malta: attends the Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (research).

 

Jeudi 04 mai 2017

04 – 05/05 ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) – EU Council

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Ms Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway.

Ms Federica Mogherini hosts a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), in Brussels.

Mr Andrus Ansip receives CEOs of the German Broadband Association (BREKO).

Mr Maroš Šefčovič attends a ministerial meeting with Ms Marie-Christine Marghem, Federal Minister for Energy, the Environment and Sustainable Development; Mr Bart Tommelein, Vice Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for the Budget, Finance and Energy; Ms Céline Frémault, Minister of Brussels-Capital Region Government responsible for Housing, Quality of Life, Environment and Energy; Mr Christophe Lacroix, Walloon Minister for the Budget, Energy, Public Service, and Administrative Simplification, in Brussels.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič exchanges views with members of the Federal Parliament of Belgium; and with the civil society stakeholders in the field of energy and climate as part of hisEnergy Union Tour in Belgium, in Brussels.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič in Antwerp, Belgium: delivers a keynote speech at a panel debate at the Smart Cities Energy and Climate Day, as part of hisEnergy Union Tour in Belgium; and participates in a Citizens’ Dialogue.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis participates in the Opening Ceremony of the House of European History, in Brussels.

Mr Johannes Hahn attends a meeting of the meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), in Brussels.

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives Mr Carlos Raúl Morales Moscoso, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala.

Mr Neven Mimica receives Mr Peter Thomson, President of the 71^st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr Karmenu Vella in Malta (until 08/05): participates in Ministerial Conference on Strengthening Euro-Mediterranean cooperation through Research and Innovation; and visits Abertax Technologies Ltd.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Düsseldorf, Germany: delivers a keynote speech at the “Save Food Congress 2017“.  

Mr Christos Stylianides in Helsinki, Finland (until 05/05): meets Ms Paula Risikko, Minister for the Interior of Finland; Mr Kai Mykkänen, Minister for Trade and Development of Finland; representatives of the Committee on EU Affairs of the Parliament of Finland; and partner NGOs working in the field of humanitarian aid.

Ms Vĕra Jourová receives Ms Diana Wallis, President of the European Law Institute.

Ms Margrethe Vestager receives the members of the Copenhagen Executive Forum – Danish network.

Vendredi 05 mai 2017

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Florence, Italy: delivers a speech at the 7^th edition of  The State of the Union conference, organised by the European University Institute (EUI).

Ms Federica Mogherini in Florence, Italy: delivers a speech in the panel ‘Cooperation and Partnerships, the European Way’ at the 7th edition of The State of the Union conference, organised by the European University Institute (EUI).

Mr Maroš Šefčovič in Košice, Slovakia: attends the Europe Day celebration and participates in a Citizens’ Dialogue on the future of the EU, on smart cities and on the Erasmus+ Programme; meets regional stakeholders on smart cities; and visits a public transport system project with focus on electromobility.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis receives Mr Andžs Ūbelis, Member of the Fiscal Discipline Council of Latvia.

Mr Günther H. Oettinger in Frankfurt am Main, Germany: delivers a speech at the event “European values in the crisis – what normative orientations does Europe need?” organised by the Goethe University Frankfurt.

Mr Johannes Hahn in Tbilisi, Georgia:on official visit.

Ms Cecilia Malmström in Stockholm, Sweden: participates in a public seminar on sustainable trade organised by the European Commission’s Representation in Sweden.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Madrid, Spain: participates in a debate on climate change and energy at Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales (Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations – CEOE).

Mr Karmenu Vella in Malta: participates in Europêche General Assembly; and visits the IMO International Maritime Law Institute.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Vilnius, Lithuania (until 08/05): delivers a speech at the “Life Sciences conference: ensuring the safety and consumers’ rights”; and a speech at the “World Psychiatric Association’s Inter Zonal Congress 2017”.

Ms Violeta Bulc in Florence, Italy: delivers a keynote speech at the Executive Symposium: Shaping the future of the EU Maritime Transport Cluster, organised by the European University Institute (EUI).

Ms Vĕra Jourová in Florence, Italy: delivers a speech in the panel ‘The Future of European Citizenship’ at the 7th edition of The State of the Union conference, organised by the European University Institute (EUI).

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Florence, Italy: delivers a speech in the panel ‘The European Union at Sixty’ at the 7th edition of The State of the Union conference, organised by the European University Institute (EUI).

 

Samedi 06 mai 2017

Mr Günther H. Oettinger, Ms Marianne Thyssen andMr Carlos Moedas participate in a Citizens’ Dialogue on the occasion of Europe’s Day, at the Open Doors Day of the European Commission, in Brussels.

 

Prévisions du mois de mai:

03/05 Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (research)

04-05/05 ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific)-EU Council

11/05 Foreign Affairs Council

11/05 EU-Tunisia Association Council

11/05 Agriculture and Fisheries Council

15-18/05 European Parliament Plenary Session

18-19/05 Informal meeting of energy ministers

19/05 Foreign Affairs Council

21-23/05 Informal meeting of agriculture and fisheries ministers

22/05 Eurogroup

22-23/05 Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council

23/05 Economic and Financial Affairs Council

29-30/05 Competitiveness Council

31/05 European Parliament Plenary Session in Brussels

Permanence DG COMM le WE du 29 au 30 avril 2017:

Lucia CAUDET: +32 (0)460 75 61 82

Permanence RAPID – GSM: +32 (0) 498 982 748

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