Statement by Commissioner Creţu on the French authorities’ request for aid from the European Solidarity Fund

Within the first few hours of the devastating Irma and Maria hurricanes hitting the Caribbean, the European Union expressed its solidarity by mobilising its emergency response instruments and offering aid for reconstruction in the longer term with the support of European funds.

We have now received a request from the French authorities for aid from the EU Solidarity Fund to help with reconstruction on Guadeloupe and Saint Martin in particular; French Overseas Minister Annick Girardin will today meet my colleague, Pierre Moscovici, to hand him the request in person.

I welcome this request, since once analysed it will allow us to assist the people of Saint Martin by providing financial aid to help restore infrastructure and public services and to cover emergency and clean-up costs.

Europe’s support will soon be put to work on the island. This is the promise I made to Daniel Gibbs, President of the Collectivity of Saint Martin, at the Conference on the Outermost Regions in October, where we presented our new strategy for a stronger partnership with these regions. This promise will be kept, since although these overseas regions may be geographically distant from the European continent, never have they been so close, so integrated, or so European.

However, we also realise that these regions are part of a special neighbourhood and that Saint Martin itself is one of a pair, since it shares its island, and therefore its destiny, with the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten.

Saint Martin and Sint Maarten will recover together. My colleague Commissioner Mimica, responsible for development, last week announced an investment package to support the reconstruction and economic revival of the Caribbean countries affected by the disaster, including Sint Maarten.

Furthermore, in December we will announce how our inter-regional cooperation programmes, known by the name of Interreg, can also make a contribution, in particular the specific programme linking Saint Martin and Sint Maarten.

The European Union stands side-by-side with those who lost everything, including their dreams, in the disaster. They can count on the sincere and unfailing support of the EU for the reconstruction work and for the rebuilding of their lives.

For further information:

EU Solidarity Fund

Press release – EU supports recovery and resilience in the Caribbean region with €300 million

Interreg Saint-Martin / Sint-Maarten Programme

Interreg Caribbean Programme

Press release: The outermost regions and the EU: a privileged, renewed and strengthened partnership

Europe’s social dimension: President Juncker and Prime Minister Löfven present way forward after the Social Summit

The concluding report published today will serve to frame the follow-up of the Summit, which starts with the December European Council. The discussions between Heads of State or Government at the Summit showed a lot of common ground on the need for Europe to be equipped with a strong and tangible social dimension. Going forward, tackling the challenges of labour markets, as well as focusing on both economic and social development will be essential. The Summit was a first milestone in the debate on the future of Europe as laid out in President Juncker’s Roadmap for a more United, Stronger and more Democratic Union, as well as the first stop on the road to the meeting of EU Leaders in Sibiu on 9 May 2019.

President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said: “The Social Summit was a landmark moment in the debate on the future of Europe. It sent a clear message that a stronger, more democratic and fairer Union must be built on fair jobs, inclusive growth and equal opportunities. With the proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, all EU institutions and leaders have made it our joint responsibility to stand up for the rights of our citizens in a fast-changing world. Now it is time to deliver. This starts with the December European Council. And you can be sure that the European Commission will continue to play a strong role in this endeavour, notably through the country specific recommendations in the European Semester process.“

Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven, added: “It’s time for a social Europe. We need to improve people’s working and living conditions and at the same time increase our competitiveness in a global economy.”

At the Summit, participants reaffirmed their joint responsibility to tackle the challenges our labour markets face at all levels. The European Pillar of Social Rights was proclaimed at the Summit by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission as an embodiment of this joint commitment. In the spirit of the Pillar, the participants at the Summit agreed that the need to promote convergence of our economies and societies should be met by efforts at all levels, including by the social partners. Further steps should be taken to improve access to labour markets to increase the number of men and women in employment, ensure fair employment and working conditions and support transitions between jobs by investing in people, while taking account of the diversity of social traditions across Europe.

More specifically, the Summit recalled the need to put people first through joint efforts at all levels, and to further develop the social dimension of the Union based on a shared commitment and established competences. As a first next step, the following should be taken forward:

In December, the European Council will follow up the Gothenburg Summit, addressing the social dimension in the discussion on the future of Europe. As co-host of the Social Summit, the European Commission will continue to play its part in these discussions. The European Semester of Policy Coordination should be the main framework for taking the discussions on the social dimension forward.

Background

European Heads of State or Government met in Gothenburg on 17 November 2017 with EU institutions, social partners, civil society, students and leading experts at the Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth, organised by the Swedish Government and the European Commission.

Eight months on from the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Treaties of Rome, the Summit constituted an extraordinary opportunity for leaders and stakeholders to discuss topics that touch on the everyday lives of citizens. As such, it contributed to the debate on the future of the EU, which was initiated at the Bratislava Summit and shaped by the European Commission’s White Paper and the five subsequent reflection papers, notably the one on Europe’s social dimension, presented earlier this year.

The Summit focused on how to boost inclusive growth, create fair jobs and foster equal opportunities for all men and women, while acknowledging common challenges and the wealth of experiences around Europe. Discussions took place in a unique, open and interactive format which resulted in different perspectives being heard and different solutions debated, all taking account of common challenges and the specificities of national context and priorities. Live streams allowed citizens all over Europe to follow the discussions in real time. The Summit also witnessed the joint proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission. This sent a strong message of unity and political commitment.

For More Information

Concluding report on the Social Summit

Website on the Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth

Programme and input notes for the three Summit working sessions on how to promote fair jobs and growth in the future

Commission factsheets on the Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth

Website on the European Pillar of Social Rights

EASO Management Board meets to prepare activities for 2018

On 27 and 28 November 2017, the 26th meeting of the Management Board of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) took place in Valletta, Malta and approved the Agency’s Work Programme for the upcoming year.

The Management Board meeting, which was Chaired by Mr. Wolfgang Taucher, devoted significant attention to preparations for the Agency’s activities and operations in 2018.

Within this context, the Management Board approved EASO’s Single Programming Document for the 2018-2020 period, as well as the Work Programme and Budget for 2018. The Work Programme foresees a scaling-up in the levels of support that the Agency could provide to Member States, also bearing in mind that negotiations on the Regulation which will transform EASO into the European Union Agency for Asylum are at an advanced stage amongst co-legislators. The meeting also approved the 2018 External Communications and Stakeholder Plan, which has also been prepared to take into account the possibility of the transition in the coming year.

The Management Board also ratified a Hosting Arrangement with Italy following the signing of the arrangement on 22 November 2017 by the Director General for the EU at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi, and the Executive Director of EASO, José Carreira. The Arrangement, which now needs to be ratified by the Italian Parliament, sets out the legal status of EASO’s premises, staff and assets in Italy, therefore specifying the modalities under which the Agency can carry out its operations and facilitating its effectiveness. Talks are also ongoing on a similar arrangement with the Greek Government on EASO’s operations in that country.

Additionally, EASO provided the Management Board with the latest updates on asylum trends in the European Union, as well as the latest developments in its operations in Cyprus, Greece and Italy. Finally, delegates also discussed plans for cooperation with the European Union Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) with regard to returns of migrants whose applications for international protection in EU Member States are rejected. Having a more effective return system is an important element of the EU’s comprehensive approach to managing migration, and EASO stands ready to provide FRONTEX with any assistance it can.

Stay updated. Connect with EASO on social media

ECB consults on a new euro unsecured overnight interest rate

PRESS RELEASE

28 November 2017

ECB calls for input on high level features of a new unsecured overnight interest rate
Consultation runs until 17:00 CET on 12 January 2018

The European Central Bank (ECB) is today calling on market participants and all other interested parties to provide comments on the high level features of a new unsecured overnight interest rate. Through the consultation, the ECB aims to collect the views of stakeholders regarding the main features of the rate and its publication timing. The consultation document provides an overview of the factors supporting the ECB’s decision to publish an unsecured overnight rate as well as the consultation questions that address design features of the rate.

The consultation follows the ECB’s decision, announced on 21 September 2017, to develop a euro unsecured overnight interest rate based on data already available to the Eurosystem. The interest rate would complement existing benchmark rates produced by the private sector and serve as a backstop reference rate. This consultation is a first step. A second consultation related to the methodology will follow later in the process.

You are invited to submit responses to this consultation by 17:00 CET on 12 January 2018. Responses should be sent by email to ECB-overnight-rate@ecb.europa.eu. A high level summary of replies will be published.

For media queries, please contact William Lelieveldt, tel.: +49 69 1344 7316.

Media contacts

EDPS Newsletter 55

28/11/2017

The latest edition of the EDPS Newsletter is online now!

EDPS Survey 2017

28/11/2017

There has been continuous and steady progress in the way in which EU institutions comply with data protection rules. Read the EDPS Survey and press release.

EDPS calls for swift agreement on new Regulation

21/11/2017

Eleven months have passed since the Commission issued its proposal for the new Regulation governing data protection in the EU institutions and bodies. The EDPS calls for a swift agreement on the new Regulation, so that EU institutions can lead by example in the rules that they apply to themselves as controllers and processors. Read the Statement.

Interoperability of information systems

20/11/2017

The EU aims to improve the efficiency of its IT databases by making them more interoperable. Read the EDPS Opinion and press release.

EDPS Newsletter 54

08/11/2017

The latest edition of the EDPS Newsletter is online now!

EDPS-DPO meeting in London

13/10/2017

DPOs preparing for the implementation of accountability in daily work of EU institutions and bodies. EDPS-DPO meeting in London. Read the blogpost by Wojciech Wiewiórowski.

eu-LISA regulation

10/10/2017

EDPS Opinion on the proposal for a Regulation on eu-LISA.

1st Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol

09/10/2017

On 9 October, the EDPS Giovanni Buttarelli has been invited to appear before the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol (JPSG). This first meeting follows the EDPS/Europol Management Board meeting that took place on 3 October 2017. When discussing with MEPs and national DPAs, Giovanni Buttarelli underlined the importance of the supervisory role of the EDPS and the JPSG. Since May 2017 a new chapter has been opened. The EDPS intends to carry on its supervisory activity through three main strategic elements: accountability, cooperation and innovation.

Watch video

Recommendations on the proposed ePrivacy Regulation

06/10/2017

EDPS recommendations on specific aspects of the proposed ePrivacy Regulation.

Read here.

2018 International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners

03/10/2017

40th edition of the international conference will focus on digital ethics and data driven technologies.
Read the press release and watch the conference video.

EDPS Newsletter 53

28/09/2017

The September 2017 edition of the EDPS Newsletter is online now!

A crucial moment for communications privacy

27/09/2017

Data protection by design will become a legal obligation under GDPR, read blogpost by Giovanni Buttarelli.

The State of the Data Protection Union

20/09/2017

The EU data protection framework is about to change , read blogpost by Giovanni Buttarelli.

Hate speech, Fake News and Security

14/09/2017

The EDPS participated in the Hate Speech and Security Summit in Rome. The Summit was organised by the Italian Presidency of the G7 and was also attended by seven Bar Associations.
The initiative was aimed at developing a common strategy and reinforcing the importance of protecting human dignity and the right to privacy in the era of hate speech and fake news.
In his intervention, Giovanni Buttarelli stressed the importance of political will, a common framework and the wise use of new technologies.

See video

A digital Europe needs data protection

01/08/2017

The Commission’s proposal for a Regulation establishing a single digital gateway and the once-only principle is a necessary development in the modernisation of administrative services throughout the EU. However, some key issues related to data protection must be taken into account for the future development of the once-only principle. Read the EDPS Opinion and the press release.

Teenagers on privacy

14/07/2017

How do millennials relate to digital life and privacy? Read blogpost by Giovanni Buttarelli

EU-Japan cooperation on data protection

11/07/2017

Giovanni Buttarelli and Jiro Akama, Japanese State Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, have met on convergence and cooperation between EU and Japan on data protection.

Debating Ethics: Dignity and Respect in Data Driven Life

10/07/2017

In March this year, my respected colleague Ventislav Karadjov, Chairman of the Commission for Personal Data Protection of the Republic of Bulgaria (CPDP) and I announced that we will jointly be hosting the 40th annual International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners in October 2018.

Read blogpost by Giovanni Buttarelli

EDPS meets Japanese PPC

07/07/2017

The EDPS and the Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC) in Japan have met to discuss the implementation of forthcoming GDPR. The new regulation reinforces international cooperation outside the EU including the DPAs of third countries.

30th Anniversary, Privacy Law and Business Annual Conference

04/07/2017

On 4 July 2017, Giovanni Buttarelli to speak on the transition from the EU Art. 29 Working Party to the European Data Protection Board at the Privacy Law & Business 30th Anniversary Annual Conference. Other topics will include the need for a Digital ClearingHouse for regulators from different sectors and countries to have an exchange of views, as well as the digital ethics in the privacy debate.

A New Chapter for EU Data Protection

27/06/2017

On 28 June 2017, the Assistant Supervisor Wojciech Wiewiórowski will participate in the conference ‘A New Chapter for EU Data Protection: Managing accountability and compliance in the Reform era’ hosted by the European Parliament’s Data Protection Service.

The event will inform about the potential changes the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), coming into force on 25 May 2018, might bring for EP officials, and how to tackle these new challenges.

Web streaming of the event is available here.

New EDPS Newsletter

23/06/2017

In the June 2017 edition of the EDPS Newsletter we introduce you to our new-look Newsletter and cover the EDPS Opinion on ePrivacy.

Other interesting topics, such as our continuing work on data ethics through #DataDrivenLife workshop, the launch of our 2016 Annual Report, the supervision of Europol and the first meeting of the Digital Clearinghouse are also covered.

Read the newsletter

Annual Privacy Forum 2017

21/06/2017

The Annual Privacy Forum took place on 7 June 2017. Wojciech Wiewiórowski focused his speech on cybersecurity and Wannacry attack.
Read blogpost by Wojciech Wiewiórowski

41st EDPS-DPO meeting, Tallinn

02/06/2017

The EDPS and the DPOs from the EU institutions and bodies met yesterday at eu-LISA to discuss, among others, about individuals’ rights under the revised Regulation on data protection.

Read blogpost by Wojciech Wiewiórowski.

First meeting of the Digital Clearinghouse

29/05/2017

Read blogpost by Giovanni Buttarelli and the statement from the participants at the meeting.

IPEN Workshop, Vienna

15/05/2017

On 9 June 2017, the EDPS is hosting an IPEN workshop in Vienna.

The GDPR will become fully applicable less than a year after the workshop, and it will make data protection by design and by default a legal obligation for data controllers. Several presentations will address conceptual issues of privacy engineering.

The IPEN initiative was founded in 2014. It supports the creation of engineer groups working on (re)-usable building blocks, design patterns and other tools for selected internet use cases where privacy is at stake.