Today, international stakeholders gathered in Brussels for the Somalia Partnership Forum, organised by the European Union together with the Federal Government of Somalia and Sweden. Over 60 delegations took part and agreed on joint commitments in key areas for inclusive politics, peace and security and economic recovery in Somalia. 

High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini said: “The European Union is leading the international partnership to strengthen Somalia’s political, economic and security reform agenda. Today, I announced that the EU will provide additional €200 million to support Somalia’s overall stabilisation to create a better future for its people. I also signed the EU’s contribution of €114.2 million for the African Union Mission to Somalia until the end of this year. The stability and development of the country is also critical for the stability of the broader region and for Europe.”

The President of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed said: “The Federal Government of Somalia is fully committed to implement the Political Roadmap 2020, Transition plan for security, economic reform and reach out to the whole of Somalia for reconciliation and dialogue. The Somalia Partnership Forum is key for strengthened partnerships with our regional and international partners. We want to work according to the theme of the forum – forward together.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs Sweden, Margot Wallström, said: “The Somalia Partnership Forum has made a number of strong commitments for inclusive politics. We encourage Somalia to adopt national laws and policies that protect women’s and girls’ human rights and enable them to have a stronger role in society. Somalia has taken very important steps on the pathway for sustainable peace and development. Sweden remains a committed partner and will double our development support to Somalia to approximately $350 million over the next five years.”

A Joint Communiqué was adopted which outlines the key outcomes of the Forum.

Background

Over the period 2015-2018, the EU and its Member States provide €3.7 billion to the country in development and humanitarian aid as well as peacekeeping operations.

The EU is a leading supporter of Somalia in a wide range of areas, in particular on security with 3 Common Security and Defence Policy missions in the country: EUNAVOR ATALANTA, EUTM Somalia, EUCAP Somalia. These missions and operations play a significant role in supporting Somalia’s efforts to become a peaceful, stable and democratic country and to take progressive ownership over its own national security. The EU has consistently supported the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) which has been operating for 10 years now and with €1.73 billion. The EU is currently increasing its security support to the country, reorienting it to more direct support to the Somali institutions.

The EU has also stepped up its humanitarian contribution, with €89 million in new funding announced last week.

For More Information

Joint Communiqué

Opening remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini

Factsheet – EU’s comprehensive support to Somalia

Today following the trilateral ministerial talks with Russia and Ukraine on the long-term transit of gas to Europe, Vice-President for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič said:

“This has been a long but a productive day.

I am pleased to announce that today, we have managed to establish a trilateral process with Russia and Ukraine. In other words, we have a joint agreement that today’s meeting was not a one-off exercise.  

We have also agreed that we need to separate old and new issues.

All three sides will now mandate their high-level experts to work on four issues

1. The European Union’s gas needs;

2. Ways in which the EU law applied in Ukraine would impact on the future transit contract;

3. Certified transmission system operator; and

4. The tariffs.

They should meet in mid-September.

This will prepare grounds for the next trilateral meeting at the political level that should take place in the course of October. In fact, this will be the frequency of our trilateral talks – approximately six to eight weeks.

To have everyone around one table today and to start building trust was of vital importance. As you know, time is passing quickly and every day we are getting closer to the end of 2019. 

You all know the fundamental question – whether on 1 January 2020, we will have an agreement on the long-term transit of Russian gas to the EU through Ukraine in a commercially viable manner. 

Therefore, I appreciate the high-level participation from both, Russia and Ukraine, which was necessary to start this process going – I hope that we will continue to see a firm commitment on both sides to reach an agreement at the end of this process. 

I am convinced that such an agreement is in everyone’s best interest.

So once again, this was a good day, marking a start of what will be a complex, difficult process. 

A trilateral process is the most effective platform to seek a satisfactory solution to the gas matters important for involved parties.”

Video statement available here.

The Board of Supervisors of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has appointed new members to the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group (IRSG) and Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group (OPSG). The new members will take up their appointment on 4 September 2018 and will serve a 2½ years term.

EIOPA considered 215 applications from 25 European countries, submitted following an open call. In its selection, EIOPA aimed to achieve geographical and gender balance, as well as an appropriate representation of different types of stakeholders, in particular seeking to strengthen representation of consumers and beneficiaries.

More information in the press release.

New composition of the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group, effective 4 September 2018: [LINK]

New composition of the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group, effective 4 September 2018: [LINK]