CALENDRIER du 11 juin au 17 juin 2018

(Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine)

Déplacements et visites

 

Lundi 11 juin 2018

Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy)

Mr Frans Timmermans in Bonn, Germany: takes part in a discussion with Mr Sigmar Gabriel, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, and with University staff; delivers a lecture and discusses the topic ‘Werte, Normen Interessen – Was hält die europäischen Völker zusammen?’ with University students and staff.

Mr Karmenu Vella participates in a Stakeholder Conference on the Second REACH (European Regulation on registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals) Review, in Brussels.

Ms Marianne Thyssen in Mannheim, Germany: visits Förderband Mannheim, an EU-funded project.

Mr Phil Hogan in Rosslare, Ireland: addresses a conference organised by the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA).

Ms Violeta Bulc meets Mr Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and addresses the plenary meeting of the North Atlantic Council, in Brussels.

Mr Carlos Moedas receives Mr Stephen Toope, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.

M Julian King participe à un débat autour d’un déjeuner avec le Club des représentants des grandes entreprises françaises, à Bruxelles.           

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Germany: in Bonn: delivers a keynote speech at the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum; and in Hannover: delivers keynote speeches and participates in a panel discussion in CEBIT Fair 2018.

 

Mardi 12 juin 2018

College meeting

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France (until 13/06):addresses the Plenary of the European Parliament on the Commission preparations for the June European Council; and receives Ms Maria Gabriela Zoană, Member of the European Parliament.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Strasbourg, France: meets representatives of Women’s European Council (WEUCO).

 

Mercredi 13 juin 2018

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France:participates in a debate on the future of Europe in the Plenary of the European Parliament with Mr Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of The Netherlands.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis in Greece (until 15/06): delivers a keynote speech at the Annual Economist Government Roundtable; and attends bilateral meetings with the authorities.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete delivers a keynote speech at the Talanoa Dialogue for Climate Ambition, in Brussels.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete receives representatives of environmental groups.

Ms Marianne Thyssen delivers the opening speech for the launching event of GAN (Global Apprenticeship Network) Belgium, with Mr Alain Dehaze, Chair and CEO, in Brussels.

Mr Christos Stylianides in Luxembourg: meets members of the Bureau and of the Committee for foreign and European affairs, defence, cooperation and immigration of the National Parliament of Luxembourg; and Ms Bettina Jakobsen, member of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and Dean of Chamber III “External action, security and justice”.

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Leipzig, Germany: takes part in the Awarding Ceremony of the European Heritage Label for Leipzig’s Musical Heritage Sites.

Mr Carlos Moedas in the Czech Republic: meets Mr Robert Plaga, Minister for Education Youth and Sports in resignation of the Czech Republic; visits the International Laser Research Centre ‘ELI Beamlines’; meets members of the EU Committees of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate; Mr Jan Řídký, Deputy Head of the Czech Academy of Science; holds a Citizens’ dialogue with young scientists and researchers at the Academy of Science; and meets representatives of the Czech Rectors’ Conference.

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Vienna, Austria: meets members of the Austrian Parliament; Mr Wolfgang Sobotka President of the National Council of Austria; Ms Juliane Bogner-Strauß, Chancellery Minister for Women, Family and Youth; Mr Gernot Blümel, Chancellery Minister for European Affairs, Art, Culture and Media; Mr Heinz Faßmann, Minister for Education, Research and Science; and Ms Margarete Schramböck, Minister for Digitalisation and Economy; and visits a Horizon2020 flagship project “Quantum research project centre”.

 

Jeudi 14 juin 2018

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Ms Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, President of Croatia.

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Munich, Germany: addresses the Plenary of the Bavarian Landtag.

Ms Federica Mogherini receives Ms Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Mr Andrus Ansip in London, the United Kingdom: participates in the Founders Forum.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič receives Ms Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Mr Jyrki Katainen receives Mr Jouko Niinimäki, Rector of the University of Oulu, Finland; and the Vice-Rectors of the University.

Mr Jyrki Katainen receives Mr Dacian Cioloș, leader of “Romania Together Movement”, and former European Commissioner.

Mr Johannes Hahn receives Ms Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives Mr Markus Beyrer, Director-General of BusinessEurope.

Ms Cecilia Malmström delivers a speech at the Business Luncheon “Hong Kong – Europe Strategic Partnership for Scaling New Heights“, organised by the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, in Brussels.

Ms Cecilia Malmström meets Ms Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in Brussels.

Mr Karmenu Vella in Cherbourg, France: delivers a keynote speech at the International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE); participates in a panel session on “The future of the industry”; visits the Nutrifish transformation plant; delivers a speech at the inauguration of the Naval Energies tidal-turbine plant; meets Mr Hervé Morin, President of the Regional Council of Normandy, President of the Association of French Regions.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Plovdiv, Bulgaria: delivers a speech at the “Research and innovation for food and nutrition security – transforming our food systems” high-level conference, organised by the Bulgarian Presidency; and holds a Citizens’ dialogueat the Medical University of Plovdiv.

Ms Marianne Thyssen in Berlin, Germany: meets Ms Franziska Giffey, Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth; Ms Andrea Nahles, Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD); Mr Hubertus Heil, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs; members of the EU and Social Affairs Committees of the Bundestag and representatives of the Christian Democratic and Christian Social Unions (CDUC/CSU) Parliamentary Group.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Paris, France: rencontre M. Edouard Philippe, Premier ministre de la République française.

Mr Phil Hogan addresses representatives of the European Farmers (Copa) and European Agri-Cooperatives (Cogeca) Praesidia, in Brussels.

Ms Violeta Bulc in The Hague, the Netherlands: meets Ms Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE); takes part in a high-level meeting of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), the European Association of Automobile Suppliers (CLEPA) and Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

Ms Vĕra Jourová in Malta (until 15/06): meets Mr Owen Bonnici, Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government; Mr Joseph Azzopardi, Chief Justice of Malta; Ms Helena Dalli, Minister for European Affairs and Equality; speaks at a consumers’ dialogue “Main points of the New Deal for Consumers Proposal: What is the European Commission doing for Consumers?”; and meets representatives of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) of Malta and of the Association of Judges, Magistrates and Chamber of Advocates.

Ms Margrethe Vestager in Rønne, Denmark (until 15/06): participates in a series of on-stage debates, conversations and a Citizens’ dialogue at the “Folkemødet” meeting.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Prague, the Czech Republic: meets Mr Andrej Babiš, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Bulgaria (until 15/06): in Sofia: visits Sofia Tech Park; delivers a speech at the “Financial instruments fostering research and innovation” conference during the closing session of the Innovative Enterprise Week, organised by the Bulgarian Presidency; and holds a joint press conference with Mr Krasimir Valchev, Minister for Education and Science of Bulgaria.

Mr Julian King in London, the United Kingdom: appears before the House of Lords EU Home Affairs Sub Committee.

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Sofia, Bulgaria: delivers a keynote speech at the conference SEMIC 2018: Linked Digital Public Administrations.

Vendredi 15 juin 2018

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Ms Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Mr Frans Timmermans delivers the opening speech at the Second Annual Conference on Regulatory Scrutiny in the EU, in Brussels.

Ms Federica Mogherini in Rome, Italy: on official visit.

Mr Johannes Hahn in Göttweig, Austria: participates in the Europa-Forum Wachau.

Mr Neven Mimica co-hosts, together with Ms Joanne Rowling, founder and president of NGO Lumos, the conference “Ending Institutionalisation of Children”, co-organised by the European Commission and the NGO Lumos, in Brussels.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis meets representatives of industry organisations on Health Technology Assessment.

Ms Marianne Thyssen delivers the opening speech at the European Validation Festival, in Brussels.

Mr Christos Stylianides delivers a speech at the conference “Ending Institutionalisation of Children”, co-organised by the European Commission and the NGO Lumos, in Brussels.

Ms Violeta Bulc receives Mr Johan Lundgren, CEO of Easyjet.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Sofia, Bulgaria: delivers the opening speech at public procurement conference “Improving access to procurement markets”.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Krakow, Poland: meets with Mr Wojciech Nowak, Rector of Jagiellonian University.

Ms Vĕra Jourová in Malta: meets Mr Edward Scicluna, Minister for Finance; representatives of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA); officers investigating the murder of Ms Daphne Caruana Galizia; Mr Jonathan Cardona, CEO of Identity Malta; and Mr Adrian Delia, Opposition Leader (PN/EPP).

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Budapest, Hungary: participates in a roundtable discussion with the working group of Pact4Youth, organised by the National Youth Council.

Ms Margrethe Vestager in Rønne, Denmark (until 15/06): participates in a series of on-stage debates, conversations and a Citizens’ dialogue at the “Folkemødet” meeting.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Plovdiv, Bulgaria: visits the “Food Village”; and delivers a speech at the “Research and innovation for food and nutrition security – transforming our food systems” high-level conference, organised by the Bulgarian Presidency.

 

Samedi 16 juin 2018

 

Dimanche 17 juin 2018

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Berlin, Germany (until 19/06): participates in Petersberg Climate Dialogue IX).

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Sofia, Bulgaria: participates in the official dinner of the plenary meeting of the European Affairs Committee of the Bulgarian National Assembly.

 

Prévisons du mois de juin:

18/06 Agriculture and Fisheries Council

21/06 Eurogroup

21/06 EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Council

21/06 EU-Armenia Partnership Council

21-22/06 Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Social policy and health)

22/06 Economic and Financial Affairs Council

25/06 Foreign Affairs Council

25/06 Environment Council

26/06 General Affairs Council

28-29/06 European Council

29/06 Euro Summit

Permanence DG COMM le WE du 09 et 10 juin 2018:

Daniel ROSARIO: +32 (0) 460 76 42 67

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

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



New data collected by citizens: Cigarette butts and filters the most common pieces of litter on Europe’s beaches

 Image © Andrei Ciobanu on Unsplash

A new EEA analysis on marine litter showcases data collected by volunteer groups at beaches across Europe’s four regional seas — the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the North-East Atlantic Ocean.

Using the EEA’s Marine LitterWatch mobile app, volunteer groups collected litter data at 1,627 beach clean-up events between 2014 and 2017. The EEA has been responsible for controlling the quality of the data and analysing the results.

Based on the new data, the most common items found on beaches include cigarette butts and filters, pieces of plastics and polystyrene, fragments of glass and ceramics, plastic cups and lids, cotton bud sticks, shopping bags, crisp packets, strings and cords, and drink bottles. As for materials, disposable plastics are by far the biggest contributor to marine litter across all four regional seas.

The new data recorded with the EEA app is consistent with official data released, for example, under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive’s Technical Group on Marine Litter and the first ever Europe-wide strategy on plastics. This finding shows that data recorded by volunteers can complement official data on marine litter and thus help tackle the problem.

The EEA’s Marine LitterWatch app is available for Android and iOS devices. The app can be downloaded, free of charge, from Google Play and the App Store.



New data collected by citizens: Cigarette butts and filters the most common pieces of litter on Europe’s beaches

 Image © Andrei Ciobanu on Unsplash

A new EEA analysis on marine litter showcases data collected by volunteer groups at beaches across Europe’s four regional seas — the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the North-East Atlantic Ocean.

Using the EEA’s Marine LitterWatch mobile app, volunteer groups collected litter data at 1,627 beach clean-up events between 2014 and 2017. The EEA has been responsible for controlling the quality of the data and analysing the results.

Based on the new data, the most common items found on beaches include cigarette butts and filters, pieces of plastics and polystyrene, fragments of glass and ceramics, plastic cups and lids, cotton bud sticks, shopping bags, crisp packets, strings and cords, and drink bottles. As for materials, disposable plastics are by far the biggest contributor to marine litter across all four regional seas.

The new data recorded with the EEA app is consistent with official data released, for example, under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive’s Technical Group on Marine Litter and the first ever Europe-wide strategy on plastics. This finding shows that data recorded by volunteers can complement official data on marine litter and thus help tackle the problem.

The EEA’s Marine LitterWatch app is available for Android and iOS devices. The app can be downloaded, free of charge, from Google Play and the App Store.



Press statement by Michel Barnier following this week's round of negotiations

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am very happy to be here to debrief you on the round of negotiations which has just ended, less than three weeks from the European Council.

I would like to frankly present to you today, as I usually do, the three points of this negotiation:

  • The separation issues;
  • The major question of Ireland and Northern Ireland, in light of the UK paper presented yesterday;
  • The future partnership and the conditions to succeed.

First of all, a general remark:

It is now time to take decisions and make choices.

Time is short. In less than 10 months, the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union, as it so wished. And, I repeat, we must conclude an agreement on the orderly withdrawal by autumn to give the necessary time on both sides for ratification – which was always my objective.

We continue to work intensely and, on our side, we will continue to explain calmly and clearly our positions, as well as recalling – as is sometimes necessary – what the European Union, the Single Market and the Customs Union are.

And, seeing as time is short, I also recall that we are always available and ready to intensify the rhythm of our meetings and negotiations.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I – First, a few words on this week’s work and on the separation topics.

We progressed over the past days on a certain number of subjects linked to the orderly withdrawal. These are called “other separation issues”.

We think that these subjects can be resolved before the next European Council, which means that, in the document you know well, we will probably change some yellow parts into green and some white parts into green.

Each of these subjects is obviously important to provide legal certainty where there is currently no legal certainty because of Brexit.

But there is a lot of work to be done on the three other separation issues, which are important, even very serious, for our businesses and citizens:

  • The protection of the personal data of EU citizens. We want that the data that has already been exchanged remains protected as it is today.
  • The protection of geographical indications, on which we still do not have any UK position. This subject is important for a lot of producers, for consumers, as much in the UK as in the 27 other countries of the European Union.
  • The infringement and administrative procedures concerning the UK which will be ongoing at the end of the transition, for example in the area of state aid. This is not a bureaucratic point. This is a point which concerns the financial interests of the Union.

Beyond these three points – on which we have worked a lot – there remain two major points of divergence:

  • The governance of the Withdrawal Agreement. I won’t elaborate further on this point today because I spoke at length on this a few days ago in Lisbon.
  • And obviously questions related to Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Ladies and gentlemen,

II – On Ireland and Northern Ireland, we also worked this week with the UK team on two important elements.

First, regulatory alignment.

This is about very concrete subjects: goods, agriculture, electricity, certain parts of environmental policy.

On these subjects, I would like to call for pragmatism from all sides, as I did recently during my trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland. On these concrete everyday topics, we need common rules to preserve the free movement of goods on the island and to preserve and encourage North-South cooperation.

During this visit – a month ago – everywhere I went, from Dundalk, to Newry, Derry-Londonderry and Dungannon, I was very interested to meet groups of farmers, businesses, young people, and women, who all told me the same thing. They told me about the importance of being able to circulate and move freely. And this is what we want to preserve in the agreement.

It is in Northern Ireland’s interest also to keep the same rules in these areas, and to avoid new barriers to the daily exchanges on the island.

It is in the interest of the farmers in Ireland and Northern Ireland that the same sanitary and phytosanitary rules apply, as is the case today.

The second points of discussions on Ireland and Northern Ireland this week concerned customs.

Ladies and gentlemen,

You have all seen the UK’s customs paper, which we received yesterday.

I welcomed the publication of this paper. It is good to see the UK engaging with us by proposing text.

As I said yesterday, we are examining this paper objectively, looking at three questions:

  1. First: Is this a workable solution to avoid a hard border?
  2. Second: Does it respect the integrity of the Single Market and the Customs Union?
  3. Third: Is this an all-weather backstop?

Allow me to come back to each of these questions, which in turn, raise more specific ones.

1) First: Is this a workable solution to avoid a hard border?

  • The UK recognises that the proposals in its paper cannot qualify as a backstop since the issue of full regulatory alignment is not addressed. I repeat that we need regulatory alignment to avoid a hard border. How do we solve this issue?

2) Second question: Does the UK proposal respect the integrity of the Single Market and the Customs Union?

  • The UK wants to continue benefiting from our free trade agreements. Does that mean that we will have to reopen, renegotiate or even re-ratify our existing agreements in order to keep the UK in our customs territory after the transition?
  • The UK tells us that it wants to avoid any control. How does that fit with the requirements of our VAT system?

3) Third question: Is this an all-weather backstop?

  • The UK calls this arrangement temporary. How does that fit with the need to secure the absence of a hard border in all circumstances?
  • Moreover, we had agreed with the UK on the principle that public authorities and businesses would need to adapt only once to the new situation created by Brexit – only once. Does the temporary nature of the customs arrangement mean that several adaptations will now be needed?

Ladies and gentlemen,

These questions require further discussion. The UK itself recognises that these questions are relevant and difficult.

But let me recall that our backstop provides answers to each of these questions.

It provides specific solutions to the unique situation of Northern Ireland.

The UK is taking a different angle, however. It is looking for a UK-wide solution.

Let me be clear: our backstop cannot be extended to the whole UK.

Why? Because it has been designed for the specific situation of Northern Ireland.

What does it do?

  • On customs, Northern Ireland would form part of our customs territory. What is feasible with a territory the size of Northern Ireland is not necessarily feasible with the whole UK.
  • On regulatory alignment, we have been pragmatic and developed the least disruptive system for citizens and businesses on both sides.

Let’s go back to pragmatism. Checks carried out on ferries are less disruptive than along a 500km-long land border.

In addition, these checks can build on arrangements and facilities which already exist – which already exist – between the rest of the UK and Northern Ireland.

Obviously, behind all these rules, we want to preserve the fluidity and ease of trade and agricultural production on the island of Ireland.

And once again, we need such a solution in the Withdrawal Agreement by autumn.

We will not leave this issue unresolved.

Ladies and gentlemen,

III – My third and last point concerns the future relationship with the United Kingdom.

Following the mandate I received from the European Council in March, and as outlined by the European Parliament in its resolution, we are now discussing the framework for the future relationship, which will include an economic partnership and strategic cooperation in the area of security.

In all the UK papers that we have been receiving until now – which I read carefully with my team – there has been a request to maintain the status quo, a form of continuity, which is paradoxical seeing as the country decided itself to leave the European Union.

The United Kingdom seems to want to maintain the benefits of the current relationship, while leaving the EU regulatory, supervision, and application framework.

When we respond to UK leaders saying that these benefits are not accessible outside the EU system – because of their decision – some people in the UK try to blame us for the consequences of this.

I simply want to say that we will not be swayed, I will not be swayed, by this blame game.

The United Kingdom decided to leave the Union. We respect this democratic decision and we will implement it. The United Kingdom must assume the consequences.

If we want to construct a new relationship, we need a basis of trust. We also need more realism about what is and is not possible.

Ladies and gentlemen,

There are now two weeks left before the June European Council. I hope we will use this time to consolidate and make new progress in this difficult and complex negotiation.

Thank you for your attention.



“Gabriel Bernardino: Solvency II is a success”, interview with Gabriel Bernardino, Chairman of EIOPA, conducted by Ola Hellblom for Pensioner & Förmåner and Dagens Industri

“Gabriel Bernardino: Solvency II is a success”, interview with Gabriel Bernardino, Chairman of EIOPA, conducted by Ola Hellblom for Pensioner & Förmåner and Dagens Industri

08/06/2018 14:30

​”Gabriel Bernardino: Solvency II is a success”, interview with Gabriel Bernardino, Chairman of EIOPA, conducted by Ola Hellblom for Pensioner & Förmåner and Dagens Industri