The Commission seeks to ensure that, if built, Nord Stream 2 operates in a transparent and non-discriminatory way with an appropriate degree of regulatory oversight, in line with key principles of international and EU energy law.

The Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič said: “Creating a well-diversified and competitive gas market is a priority of the EU’s energy security and Energy Union strategy. As we have stated already several times, Nord Stream 2 does not contribute to the Energy Union’s objectives. If the pipeline is nevertheless built, the least we have to do is to make sure that it will be operated in a transparent manner and in line with the main EU energy market rules.“

Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete said: “As any other infrastructure project in the EU, Nord Stream 2 cannot and should not operate in a legal void or according to a third country’s energy laws only. We are seeking to obtain a Council mandate to negotiate with Russia a specific regime which will apply key principles of EU energy law to Nord Stream 2 to preserve the functioning of the European internal energy market”.

The Commission is committed to the Energy Union objectives, including energy security. The priority is to create a well-diversified and competitive gas market. The work to consequently dismantle barriers to trade and supporting critical gas infrastructure is ongoing.

The Energy Union diversification strategy develops around priorities such as the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor, the development of a liquid gas hub in the Mediterranean and through promoting access to Liquefied Natural Gas and gas storage for which the Commission adopted a strategy in February 2016.

The preference is a strong regional cooperation between the Member States and it is delivering concrete results: key gas infrastructures in the Baltic region are being implemented with financial support of the European Union, such as the Gas Interconnectors between Poland and Lithuania or the Balticconnector between Finland and Estonia. The Commission is also actively facilitating the establishment of a new northern corridor linking Norway to Poland through Denmark. Likewise the Commission is helping to abolish all barriers for the free flow of gas in Central and South East Europe and is supporting the construction of the necessary gas infrastructure in this region.

The Commission considers that the Nord Stream 2 project does not contribute to the Energy Union objectives of giving access to new supply sources, routes or suppliers and that it could allow a single supplier to further strengthen its position on the European Union gas market and lead to a further concentration of supply routes. There is existing, well-functioning gas transportation infrastructure in place to ensure Europe’s energy supply. Building Nord Stream 2, would, at the same time, endanger existing transport routes, notably via Ukraine.

While any on-shore pipeline to transport the gas coming through Nord Stream 2 in Europe would have to be in full compliance with the EU energy rules under the so-called Third Internal Energy Market legislative package, the off-shore section of the pipeline is in a specific situation given that part of it, including its only entry point lies outside the EU jurisdiction. Therefore the Commission asks the Council of Ministers for a mandate to negotiate a special legal framework, which would take into account fundamental principles stemming from international and EU energy law.

These principles include:

• transparency in pipeline operation,
• non-discriminatory tariff-setting,
• an appropriate level of non-discriminatory third party access and
• a degree of separation between activities of supply and transmission.

For More Information

DG ENER website: imports and secure supplies

(Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine)

Déplacements et visites

 

Lundi 12 juin 2017

12-15/06 European Parliament Plenary Session in Strasbourg

12-13/06 Agriculture and Fisheries Council

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France (until 14/06):receives Mr Nicolas Schmit, Minister for Labour of Luxembourg; Mr Sergei Stanishev, President of the Party of European Socialists (PES); Ms Pervenche Berès, Member of the European Parliament; and Ms Maria João Rodrigues, Member of the European Parliament, for an exchange of views on the European Commission’s proposal for a European Pillar of Social Rights; and receives Mr Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party (EPP) Group in the European Parliament.

Ms Federica Mogherini receives Mr Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Mr Andrus Ansip receives Mr Markus Borchert, President of Digitaleurope and Senior Vice-President, Market Europe at Nokia.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič in Astana, Kazakhstan: meets Mr Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan; and Mr Kanat Bozumbayev, Minister for Energy of Kazakhstan.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis in London, the United Kingdom: delivers a keynote address at the 2017 International Monetary Conference.

Mr Johannes Hahn receives Mr Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives Mr Axel Eggert, Director-General of the European Steel Association (EUROFER); and CEOs from the European steel industry.

Mr Neven Mimica in Atlanta, the United States: participates in two panel discussions at the 108^th Rotary International Convention; and meets Mr Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Mr Karmenu Vella in Bologna, Italy: participates in G7 Environment Ministerial Meeting.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Luxembourg (until 13/06): meets Mr Jacques Mézard, Minister for Agriculture and Food of France.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Berlin, Allemagne (jusqu’au 17/06): rencontre M. Sigmar Gabriel,  Ministre fédéral des Affaires étrangères et Vice-chancelier d’Allemagne; et M. Martin Schulz, Président du Parti social-démocrate d’Allemagne; et participe à la conférence “Africa Partnership : Investing in a Common Future” organisée par la présidence allemande du G20.  

Mr Phil Hogan in Luxembourg: meets Mr Jacques Mézard, Minister for Agriculture and Food of France; Mr Tarmo Tamm, Minister for Rural Affairs of Estonia; and Mr Andrew McDowell, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Mr Carlos Moedas delivers a keynote speech at the European Open Science Cloud Summit, in Brussels.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Strasbourg, France: participates in the European Parliament Plenary debates on the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), the FP7 cost-effectiveness and the Midterm review of H2020.

 

Mardi 13 juin 2017

College meeting

European Parliament Plenary Session in Strasbourg

Agriculture and Fisheries Council

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France: addresses the plenary of the European Parliament on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the Erasmus+ programme;receives Mr Ximo Puig, President of the regional Government of Valencia, Spain;andparticipates in the meeting of the European People’s Party (EPP) Group in the European Parliament.

Ms Federica Mogherini in Oslo, Norway: attends the Oslo Forum co-hosted by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Norway and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis in Strasbourg, France: meets Mr Joseph Daul, President of the European People’s Party (EPP).

Mr Karmenu Vella in Strasbourg, France: meets Mr Jacques Mézard, Minister for Agriculture and Food of France; and Mr Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, Minister for Plantation Industries and Commodities of Malaysia.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Luxembourg: meets leading representatives of European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare (EDQM).

Ms Vĕra Jourová in Strasbourg, France: signs the accession of the EU to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Strasbourg, France: addresses the plenary of the European Parliament on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the Erasmus+ programme; and inaugurates the Erasmus+ Exhibition.

Ms Corina Creţu in Greece (until 16/06): in Athens: participates in event on Resilience Cities, together with Mr Yiorgos Kaminis, Mayor of Athens; and meets representatives of the Romanian community in Athens.

Ms Margrethe Vestager in Copenhagen, Denmark: meets Mr Kristian Jensen, Minister for Finance of Denmark.

 

Mercredi 14 juin 2017

European Parliament Plenary Session in Strasbourg

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France: addresses the plenary of the European Parliament on the preparations of the upcoming European Council; and attends the speech by Mr Alassane Ouattara, President of Ivory Coast, to the plenary of the European Parliament

Mr Frans Timmermans receives Mr Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis in Luxembourg: meets Mr Rimantas Šadžius, Member of the European Court of Auditors (ECA); and participates in a working dinner with Mr Jānis Reirs, Minister for Welfare of Latvia.

Mr Günther Oettinger in Warsaw, Poland: attends the V4+4 conference on future of EU Budget.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis delivers a speech at the meeting of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste, in Brussels.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Rome, Italy (until 15/06): visits Fucino Space Centre.

Ms Vĕra Jourová delivers a keynote speech at a conference for the Launching of the European Barnahus Movement on innovative ways to support child victims of violence, in Brussels.

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Varna, Bulgaria (until 15/06): meets Ms Lilyana Pavlova, Minister for the EU Presidency of Bulgaria; Mr Krasen Kralev, Minister for Youth and Sports; Mr Ivan Portnih, Mayor of Varna; Mr Krasimir Valchev, Minister for Education and Science; and representatives of Varna universities; delivers an opening speech at the Annual meeting of the youth organisations under the theme “Youth Spaces”; and participates in a Citizens’ Dialogue.

Ms Corina Creţu in Chios, Greece: meets Ms Christiana Kalogirou, Governor of North Aegean region; and mayors of the North Aegean islands; and visits two EU-funded projects “Mastiha Museum” and “Nea Moni (New Monastery)”.

Ms Margrethe Vestager in Leiden, the Netherlands: delivers a “Europa Lecture” at Leiden University.

Mr Carlos Moedas receives Ms Sue Desmond-Hellmann, CEO of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

 

Jeudi 15 juin 2017

European Parliament Plenary Session in Strasbourg

15-16/06 EU – US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Geert Bourgeois, Minister-President of Flanders, Belgium.

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Belœil, Belgium: delivers a speech entitled “L’avenir de l’Europe” at a conference organised by the “Cercle de Belœil”.

Mr Frans Timmermans in Prague, the Czech Republic: delivers a keynote speech at the Prague European Summit; and meets Mr Lubomír Zaorálek, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

Ms Federica Mogherini in Oulu, Finland: participates in the high-level event on EU Arctic Policy “A sustainable Arctic – innovative approaches”.

Mr Andrus Ansip in Valletta, Malta: participates in the Digital Assembly conference organised by the European Commission and the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Mr Jyrki Katainen delivers a keynote speech at the 2017 Water Innovation Europe conference, in Brussels.

Mr Neven Mimica meets the National Authorising Officers of Western Africa, in Brussels.

Mr Karmenu Vella in Oulu, Finland (until 16/06): participates in the 2nd “Top of the World Arctic Broadband Summit” in the panel “Visions for the Future”; and in the high-level event on EU Arctic Policy “A sustainable Arctic – innovative approaches”.

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos, Ms Vĕra Jourová and Mr Julian King in Valetta, Malta (until 16/06): participate in the EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting.

Ms Marianne Thyssen in Luxembourg: participates in the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council; and in meeting of the Council on the Pillar of Social Rights.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Luxembourg: participe à la réunion annuelle du Conseil des gouverneurs du mécanisme européen de stabilité (MES).

Ms Violeta Bulc in Arnhem-Nijmegen, the Netherlands (until 16/06): participates in the global cycling summit Velo-City 2017; and delivers keynote speeches during the plenary and Mayors’ sessions of the summit.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Rome, Italy: delivers a speech at high-level conference “Space Policy for EU Integration”.

Ms Corina Creţu in Leros, Greece: meets Mr George Hadjimarkos, Governor of the South Aegean region; and mayors of South Aegean islands; and visits an EU-funded project: “Artemis Leros Boatyard”.

Ms Margrethe Vestager in Bornholm, Denmark (until 16/06): attends “Folkemøde” – Denmark’s Political Festival.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Paris, France:delivers a keynote speech at Viva Technology Conference on “Tech & Politics”.

Vendredi 16 juin 2017

Economic and Financial Affairs Council in Luxembourg

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

EU – US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Yves Pozzo di Borgo and Mr Simon Sutour, Members of the French Senate.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič delivers a keynote speech at “Tackling energy poverty in Europe – What more needs to be done?” event, organised by the European Policy Centre, in Brussels.

00:00 Mr Valdis Dombrovskis

Mr Jyrki Katainen receives Mr Christian Thimann, Chairperson of the High-Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance and Group Head of Regulation, Sustainability and Insurance Foresight at the AXA Group.

Mr Johannes Hahn in Azerbaijan: on official visit.

Mr Karmenu Vella in Oulu, Finland (until 16/06): participates in the Arctic Stakeholder Forum “European investment priorities for the Arctic” as part of the high-level event on EU Arctic Policy “A sustainable Arctic – innovative approaches”.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Luxembourg: meets Mr Florian-Dorel Bodog, Minister for Health of Romania; Mr Juha Rehula, Minister for Family Affairs and Social Services of Finland; Ms Ellen Trane Nørby, Minister for Health of Denmark; and Ms Edith Schippers, Minister for Health, Welfare and Sports of the Netherlands.

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos, Ms Vĕra Jourová and Mr Julian King in Valetta, Malta: participate in the EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting.

Ms Marianne Thyssen receives Mr Herman Van Rompuy, President Emeritus of the European Council.

Mr Christos Stylianides in Nicosia, Cyprus: meets Mr Demetris Syllouris, President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus; presents the White Paper on the Future of Europe to the House of Representatives of Cyprus; and holds a speech at the Association for Social Reforms (OPEK).

Ms Corina Creţu in Athens, Greece: delivers a keynote speech at event on entrepreneurship, innovation and smart specialisation, organised by Attica region; visits an EU-funded project “State Museum of Modern Art”, accompanied by Ms Rena Dourou, Governor of Attica region; an EU-funded project: “Institute of Geodynamics National Observatory of Athens“; and meets Mr Dimitri Papadimitriou, Minister for Economy and Development of Greece; and Mr Alexis Charitsis,  Alternate Minister for Economy and Development.

 

Samedi 17 juin 2017

M. Frans Timmermans participe au colloque “Demain, une Union dans la fraternité” organisé par La Grande Loge de Belgique, à Bruxelles.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Berlin, Allemagne: rencontre M. Wolfgang Schäuble, Ministre fédéral allemand des Finances; et participe au Körber History Forum “Connecting Politics and History”, organisé par la Fondation Körber.

Ms Violeta Bulc in Florence, Italy: participates in the Executive Symposium on European Regulation of Airport Charges.

 

Prévisions du mois de juin:

12-13/06 Agriculture and Fisheries Council

12-15/06 European Parliament Plenary Session in Strasbourg

15/06 Eurogroup

15/06 Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

15-16/06 EU – US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting

16/06 Economic and Financial Affairs Council

16/06 Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

19/06 Foreign Affairs Council

19/06 Environment Council

20/06 General Affairs Council

23/06 European Council

 

Permanence DG COMM le WE du 10 au 11 juin 2017:

Alexander WINTERSTEIN: +32 (0) 460 79 32 65

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

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

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is an essential EU policy and any changes need to strongly support the European model of agriculture and family farming. A reshaped CAP must support farm incomes, deal with market volatility and preserve European agricultural production, also in light of any new trade deals. The income inequality both between rural and urban areas and within the agricultural sector itself should be overcome. The future CAP must also deliver on Europe’s international commitments regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 21^st climate conference in Paris (COP21). 

These are the main conclusions from an exploratory opinion on A possible reshaping of the CAP  that the European Economic and Social Committee adopted at its plenary session on 1 June. Specific proposals are made on the CAP model, the delivery of public goods, supporting active farmers, funding, generational renewal, simplification, rural development and market measures, all focused on upgrading the CAP.

In the opinion, which was drawn up at the request of EC Vice-President Frans Timmermans, the EESC places emphasis on strengthening and reshaping the CAP in a positive way in order to meet the future needs of EU consumers, taxpayers and producers.

CAP two pillar model to support farmers and strengthen rural areas.

Maintaining the European model of agriculture, with its sustainable family farms, farming cooperatives and companies, must be a key focus of the CAP. The EESC therefore strongly supports maintaining the two-pillar model of the CAP: “Direct payments in pillar I are an essential support to farm incomes, play a key role in the financing of market management measures and the delivery of public goods”, said John Bryan, rapporteur of this opinion. He added “Rural development payments in pillar II are critically important and should focus on economic, environmental and social programmes based on the objectives set down in the Cork 2.0 declaration to support vulnerable regions and sectors.” The opinion makes specific proposals on increased CAP pillar II measures targeted at the delivery of enhanced ecosystem services by farmers.

Delivering public goods and enhancing the environment

The CAP must better reflect the valuable contribution agriculture makes to the environment with carbon sinks such as grassland, forestry, peatlands and hedgerows. Farmers and foresters manage over 82% of the EU land area and are an essential element of a sustainable agricultural economy.

A reshaped CAP needs to accommodate the critical challenges of environmental protection, climate change mitigation and biodiversity protection. In order to support and protect strong CAP direct payments, under a reshaped CAP, active farmers would work to a programme focusing on the measurable deliverables of public goods in these important areas.

On funding, it is proposed that the CAP budget post 2020 must be sufficient to address the financial demands resulting from Brexit, farm income pressure and the increase in demand for public goods.

Generational renewal

Strong targeted programmes are proposed to encourage young farmers and retirement to address the important issue of generational renewal. In addition, programmes aimed at enhancing the role of women in agriculture are to be adopted.

Simplification

Specific proposals on simplification include the greater use of technology and moving away from the audit/inspection approach, an extension of the yellow card system, a reduction in SRM (statuary management measures), a right to rectify without penalty, increased tolerances and a system whereby inspections or penalties will not hold up payments.

Imbalance of power in the Food chain

The opinion highlights the major imbalance of power in the food supply chain between large retailers and processors and farmers, resulting in downward pressure on prices. It is proposed that the key recommendations from the EU Agricultural Markets Task Force are advanced. “The farmer’s position in the food chain must be strengthened. Moreover, unfair trading practices and below cost selling must be banned”, insisted Mr. Bryan.

EU food for EU citizens

A reshaped CAP should also maintain the principle of community preference and territorially balanced food sovereignty with EU food for EU citizens. A key principle of this policy must be the maintenance and protection of EU standards on traceability, food safety, animal and plant health controls and environmental protection.  “In any trade negotiations, it is essential for EU consumers that the EU requires all imported food meet these same standards. In addition, in any future negotiations it is essential that the EU maintains strong and adequate tariff protection for sensitive sectors and vulnerable areas.” underlined John Bryan.

In conclusion John Bryan said “The forthcoming CAP negotiations will shape the future of agriculture in the EU for decades to come. I am pleased that civil society through the EESC has put forward a clear and comprehensive set of proposals on shaping the next CAP, which will deliver a strong policy with robust pillar 1 and pillar 2 payments targeted at active farmers. – In the upcoming negotiations, significant focus needs to be placed on finding the right balance between reducing the current bureaucratic burden on farmers, which has increased dramatically in recent years, without compromising the high levels of food safety, environmental, and sustainability standards in the EU. The need for simplification in the agricultural sector must be achieved in a sustainable manner, and it is vital that in any reshaping of the CAP the correct measures are taken to protect the EU model of agriculture, CAP direct payments and the public goods delivered by this sector.”