Good afternoon and let me warmly welcome my good friend, Prime Minister Edi Rama, in Brussels.

I am happy that the context in which we are meeting is both positive and promising. It is only a few weeks ago that the Council decided to set out the path towards opening accession talks with Albania in June 2019. And the Commission has already started the preparatory work. A decision that has been unanimously endorsed by all EU heads of state and government.

This progress would not have been possible without your country’s delivering steady and irreversible progress in reforms. And without your personal engagement and positive energy, thank you very much Edi, great job. I have no doubt that if Albania keeps up the reform momentum, it will be able to deliver the necessary results by next June. Because Albania’s place is in the EU, and Albania will become a member of the EU. There is no doubt about this.

It is my hope and my wish that all pro-Western political forces in Albania will work towards the same goal.

Your efforts to settle remaining differences with Greece are the best proof of Albania’s commitment to the EU and good neighbourly relations.

Finally, let me recall that Albania remains a good partner and a friend of the European Union. On security and migration, we have a strong and well-established cooperation. Today, we also discussed and agreed the need to step up efforts to end the new route for illegal migration through Albania. Thank you.

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President Juncker travels to Beijing for EU-China Summit and to Tokyo to sign landmark EU-Japan trade and strategic partnership agreements

The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker will, alongside the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk represent the European Union at the 20^th EU-China Summit and the 25^th EU-Japan Summit on Monday 16 July in Beijing and Tuesday 17 July in Tokyo respectively. The two Summits will allow EU Leaders, who will be accompanied throughout by Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen and in Beijing also by Commissioners Cecilia Malmström and Violeta Bulc, to assess with their counterparts – President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang of the People’s Republic of China and Prime Minister Shinzō Abe of Japan – developments in the respective bilateral relationships as well as regional and global challenges. In China, discussions are expected to focus on the expansion of the EU-China strategic relationship, on trade and investment, on their commitment to combating climate change and investing in clean energy, and on foreign and security issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the joint commitment to preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – the Iran nuclear deal. In the margins of the Summit, President Juncker will also deliver the keynote speech at the EU-China business roundtable. While in Beijing, Commissioner Bulc will chair the EU-China Connectivity Platform, while Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Creţu, who will also be in China, will speak at the EU-China High Level Forum on sustainable urban development and, in the context of the EU’s International Urban Cooperation programme, witness the signature of a joint declaration between Chinese and European cities. In Japan, the Leaders will sign two landmark agreements. The Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Japan is the biggest ever negotiated by the European Union. It will create an open trade zone covering over 600 million people and nearly a third of global GDP, and bring vast benefits both to EU consumers and EU exporters. The Strategic Partnership Agreement will provide an overarching framework for the EU and Japan to reinforce and enhance their relationship, building on existing cooperation both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, for example the United Nations and the G7. Discussions at the EU-Japan Summit are also expected to cover investment protection, and regional and global challenges. More information on the EU-China and EU-Japan summits is available online. Press conferences following the Summits are foreseen and coverage will be available on EbS. (For more information: Margaritis Schinas – Tel.: +32 229 60524; Mina Andreeva – Tel.: +32 229 91382; Maja Kocijancic – Tel.: +32 229 86570; Daniel Rosario – Tel.: +32 229 56185; Adam Kaznowski – Tel.: +32 229 89359)

Employment and Social Developments in Europe: 2018 review confirms positive trends but highlights challenges, in particular linked to automation and digitalisation

Today, the Commission has published the 2018 edition of its yearly Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) review. This year’s edition confirms the ongoing positive labour market trends as well as an improving social situation. The numbers of people in employment reached new record levels. At the same time we witness rising disposable incomes and lower levels of poverty. Severe material deprivation has receded to an all-time low, with 16.1 million fewer people affected, compared with 2012. But looking at the impact of technological developments, there are uncertainties about the future effects of automation and digitalisation. This is why the 2018 ESDE review is dedicated to the changing world of work. Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, said: “The European economy is growing faster and more evenly than before. This favours employment, props up household incomes, and improves social conditions. Technological change has a high potential to boost growth and jobs, but only if we shape this change. The European Pillar of Social Rights provides a compass for getting everyone ready for this transformation. Our proposals turn the Pillar into practice, by equipping people in Europe with better education and skills throughout their life and by ensuring that all workers are covered by basic rights in this fast changing world of work, with our proposals on transparent and predictable working conditions and access to social protection.” The annual Employment and Social Developments in Europe review provides up-to-date economic analysis of employment and social trends in Europe. This year’s edition of the report aims to analyse opportunities and risks linked to technological innovation, demographic change and globalisation. The review shows what needs to happen so that everybody can benefit from these developments. More information on the outcome of the review can be found in this press release and memo. The following factsheet gives an overview of certain key figures. (For more information: Christian Wigand– Tel.: +32 229 62253; Sara Soumillion – Tel.: + 32 229 67094)

Better access to finance for Maltese small businesses thanks to the SME initiative

The Commission, the European Investment Bank Group and the Maltese government have agreed to increase the financing available under Malta’s SME initiative programme. The SME invests Cohesion Policy funds via financial instruments and provide SMEs with better access to financing, with advantageous conditions. New resources from Cohesion Policy funds will top-up the programme’s budget, bringing it from €15 million from Malta’s Cohesion Policy envelope to up to €22 million. Three years after its launch in 2015, the programme has already triggered €60 million of financing for Maltese businesses. With this increase in the budget, overall the programme is expected to deliver €90 million of SME financing in the country. Commissioner for Regional policy Corina Crețu said: “I welcome Malta’s decision to increase the available financing under its SME initiative programme. This is a smart move that will directly benefit Maltese small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs. It will give them the financial boost they need to turn their ideas into concrete projects or expand beyond their local markets. (For more information see the EIB Group press release or contact Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr – Tel.: +32 229 56169)

Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of LaudaMotion by Ryanair

The European Commission has approved unconditionally under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of LaudaMotion by Ryanair. LaudaMotion is the company through which Mr Niki Lauda re-acquired in January 2018 the assets of NIKI, the leisure air carrier he founded in 2003 and was then later integrated into Air Berlin. The assets of NIKI were for sale because in December 2017 Lufthansa decided to withdraw from a deal to buy the company, leaving NIKI to enter into insolvency proceedings in Austria. The Commission investigated the impact of the proposed transaction on (i) the market for air transport of passengers on the routes where the activities of Ryanair and LaudaMotion overlap and (ii) examined whether LaudaMotion’s portfolio of airport slots to be acquired by Ryanair at different airports would allow Ryanair to prevent competitors from entering or expanding their presence at these airports. The Commission found that  Ryanair will continue to face strong competition from other carriers on the routes to and from airports where the activities of both airlines overlap and that the increase in the slot portfolio of Ryanair is unlikely to have a negative effect on passengers. The Commission therefore concluded that the proposed transaction would raise no competition concerns in any of the relevant markets. The full press release is available online in EN, FR, DE, GA. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves Dutch support to compensate damage linked to gas extraction in the province of Groningen

The European Commission has found that the support put in place by the Netherlands to compensate damage to real estate caused by earthquakes induced by drilling in the Groningen gas field is in line with EU State aid rules. The Dutch authorities notified to the Commission a plan to set up a non-profit foundation to manage real estate activities related to the repair and sale of buildings in the area concerned. This is required because the province suffers from earthquakes caused by gas extraction in the Groningen gas field. Three quarters of the activities of the foundation will be financed by Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschapij, a company involved in gas extraction at the Groningen gas field, while the remaining quarter will be financed in part by the State through a €10 million grant. The Commission is satisfied that the repair activities are ultimately funded by Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschapij, in line with the polluter pays principle. The Commission found that the financing by the State ensures the continuity of real estate transactions in the area and does not confer an advantage to Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschapij. The Commission therefore concluded that the measure does not constitute State aid. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the State Aid register under the case numberSA.47866. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS

European Aviation: No more delays, the time for action is now

Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc and Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism Karima Delli todayissued a joint statement calling for action to tackle delays in air traffic in Europe. In it, they note that “2018 is expected to be the busiest year so far in terms of air traffic, with 11 million flights forecast. On top of that the summer holiday season is upon us, which is the busiest period for air travel. The bleak reality is that around 50,000 passengers will face delays – every day – of up to 2 hours in airports across Europe, leading to missed connections and unforeseen costs. Our current air traffic system is struggling to cope with the ever increasing volume of traffic, and other disruptions which contribute to these delays. The system needs an urgent upgrade. Now is the moment to be bold – we need a more genuine cooperation between national air navigation service providers, and we need to work with Eurocontrol to create a more effective management of the European network.” The full version can be found here.(For more information: Enrico Brivio – Tel.: +32 229 56172; Alexis Perier – Tel.: +32 229 6 91 43)

Calendar

The Commissioners’ weekly activities

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

What is the focus of the 2018 Employment and Social Developments review?

This year’s Employment and Social Developments review focuses on the changing world of work, contributing to research and public debate on the topic  of academic research, public authorities and international institutions including the ILO, OECD and the World Bank.

Dedicated chapters in this report examine:

1. Main employment and social developments in the EU
2. A new labour market with new working conditions: future jobs, skills, and earnings
3. Equal opportunities: skills, education and overcoming the disadvantages of socio-economic background and gender
4. Inequality of outcomes
5. Access and sustainability of social protection in a changing world of work
6. Social dialogue for a changing world of work

The findings affirm the importance of the Commission’s commitment to strengthen the social dimension of Europe and the relevance of the European Pillar of Social Rights. They also underpin the priorities outlined in the European Commission’s proposal of 2 May 2018 for the EU’s post-2020 Multi-Annual Financial Framework.

Why does the 2018 Employment and Social Developments in Europe review focus on the changing world of work?

Globalisation, technological and demographic developments increasingly influence working, living and social conditions. The labour markets have become more dynamic. People work very differently than 15 years ago. Robots, artificial intelligence and digital technologies are revolutionizing the way products are fabricated and services provided. These technologies can make routine tasks in traditional jobs obsolete, raising concerns of job loss. These are key concerns of EU citizens that the Commission addresses through two strands by investing in people’s skills through lifelong learning and modernising labour market legislation and social protection systems to respond to the new world of work.

How is the labour market and social situation in the EU developing?

The improving macroeconomic environment has had a positive impact on the labour market. With almost 238 million people in jobs, employment reached new record levels. At the same time, while the number of hours worked per person employed has grown in recent years, they are still below 2008 levels. The unemployment rate stands at 7% in the EU, the lowest rate since August 2008. Long-term unemployment continued to decline, too, but still accounts for nearly half of overall unemployment. The number of unemployed young people (aged 15-24) decreased to 3.37 million, below the pre-crisis (2008) level of 4.2 million. If these positive trends continue, the EU is likely to reach the Europe 2020 target of a 75% employment rate.

Chart 1: EU unemployment rate keeps declining

Source: Eurostat & Commission Forecast

Economic growth also benefited the income situation. Disposable incomes of households in the EU and in a large majority of Member States increased. In 2016 (latest data available), there were 5.6 million fewer people at risk of poverty or social exclusion than at the peak of 2012. The figure has been decreasing year after year, but standing at 117 million people, it is still off the Europe 2020 targets.   Severe material deprivation declined in almost all Member States, falling to 33.4 million persons in 2017 (roughly 16.1 million fewer than the peak of 49.4 million in 2012).

 

Chart 2: Fewer people in severe material deprivation

Source: Eurostat, Commission calculations

What is the impact of automation on jobs?

While there is no definite conclusion regarding the possible extent of technology’s impact on jobs, studies show that repetitive routine tasks are the most prone to full or partial automatisation. This ongoing process is accompanied by job polarisation: the incidence of high- and low-paying jobs has increased, whereas the number of middle income jobs is declining.

Furthermore, certain technological developments have supported the increase in non-standard forms of employment[1], such as platform work and self-employment. This has brought gains for both businesses and workers, in terms of increased flexibility and a better work-life balance. It has also offered new opportunities to people, including people with disabilities and older people, to enter or remain in the labour market. However, non-standard work may affect working conditions and job quality. The emergence of non-standard work forms has the potential to amplify inequalities, including the gender gap.

In addition, some new forms of work blur the distinction between employment and self-employment, challenging the capacity of European social protection systems to provide adequate coverage to all workers. Distinctions made by the social protection systems need to be rethought in order to provide inclusive protection and ensure long-term sustainability of the social welfare systems. In this light, the Commission has presented in March 2018 a proposal to ensure access to social protection for all workers and the self-employed, including by promoting the transferability of social security rights between jobs and employment statuses.  

Technological changes bring about opportunities, too: innovative technologies increase productivity, create new jobs, facilitate inclusiveness on the labour market, and allow for more work-life balance. In light of these developments, education and skills upgrading play an increasingly important role in helping European workers and entrepreneurs to adapt. With the Skills Agenda for Europe, the Commission has prepared the ground to equip people in Europe with better skills at all levels throughout their lives, and in close cooperation with Member States, training providers and companies. The social partners are also adapting to the developments in the labour market and could play a positive role in adjusting the existing legal framework to the new forms of work.

 

Chart 3: State-of-the-art science and technology increases automation in production

Source: Lordan and Josten (2017)

What is the impact of automation on inequalities of income?

Both income level and income inequality depend on hours worked and hourly wages. Therefore the changing world of work can influence incomes to the extent that new forms of work influence either of these factors. Automation impacts the low-skill routine jobs and thereby also the low income-earners. New forms of work often favour non-standard work contracts over standard full-time open ended employment. Non-standard work may increase reliance on certain types of flexible work arrangements, such as solo self-employment and temporary work. This tends to lead to greater income volatility, which could, in turn, increase the vulnerability of workers in non-standard forms of employment. To address this situation, the Commission has proposed a Directive for more transparent and predictable working conditions, including new minimum standards for all workers, also those in non-standard forms of employment.

Chart 4: Risk of poverty by type of contract

Source: EU-SILC, Commission calculations

To what extent will labour be replaced by technology? And is it possible to avoid this?

Automation does not necessarily lead to job destruction. Member States where automation in production is most widespread, for example Germany and the Czech Republic, are also those that are registering the lowest unemployment rates in the EU right now. Germany for example has the highest share of robots in the EU, yet there is little evidence of robots having a negative impact on jobs.

Generally, the extent to which labour can be replaced by technology depends on the level of skills required by the tasks to be performed in each job. This explains the relatively high replacement rate of repetitive low-skill tasks. In contrast, skilled labour is needed to fully exploit the potential of modern technologies by operating, maintaining, repairing, and improving them. Whether or not labour is substituted by technology ultimately depends on the ability of education and training systems to adapt to the fast-changing technological opportunities. This is why it is so important to invest in people’s skills, so they remain employable, regardless of the technological evolution.

How do changes such as automation and non-standard forms of work affect the existing social protection systems?

Current social security systems are primarily developed for and geared towards persons working full-time in a long-term relationship with usually one employer. Other groups, such as the self-employed or casual and seasonal workers might be formally excluded from protection coverage. To the extent that the changing world of work increases the number of non-standard work contracts, many will not be covered by social security schemes. This implies growing pressure on the financing base of the social welfare systems, as the contribution base shrinks –an effect which is reinforced by demographic ageing. Future-proof, fit-for purpose social welfare systems would need to deliver life-long key social services, an individualised approach to professional development and employability support.

Do the social partners play a role in managing these changes in the organisation of work?

The social partners at European and national, at cross-industry and sectoral level can help to shape the future of work in a sustainable way. This being said, many new non-standard forms of work are more difficult to organise. The representation of workers’ interests in the current, more individualised labour market is increasingly problematic and trade union membership has declined. The representation of employers also stumbles on some new forms of work. In fact, in certain cases it is no longer clear who the employers are. The social partners are already making efforts to adapt to these challenges through:

• up-skilling and re-skilling strategies and actions, such as the set-up of funds to encourage enterprises to facilitate skills development of their employees;
• shaping the increased flexibility in terms of working time and methods made possible by new technology, for instance by supporting the ‘right to disconnect’;
• maintaining collective bargaining coverage, by finding ways to better include non-standard employment contracts into collective agreements; and
• organising more inclusively the representation of workers’ interests in the new labour markets, through targeted campaigns to approach younger workers and workers in the platform economy.

What is Commission doing in order to address the challenges emerging in the context of the changing world of work?

In the context of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Commission launched several important initiatives, for example:

The Skills Agenda for Europe shows the high priority the Commission places on ensuring that education and training provide people with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive personally, socially and professionally. Each of the 10 actions of the Skills Agenda is now underway. Actions such as the Upskilling Pathways, the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition and the Blueprint for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills, target up-skilling, cross-sectoral co-operation and identification of future skills needs as well as improving skills intelligence.

The Commission also supports skills development in Europe through EU funds (e.g. the European Structural and Investment Funds, Horizon 2020 and the forthcoming Horizon Europe, the Employment and Social Innovation programme and the “Erasmus+” programme).

The Multiannual Finanical Framework post-2020 will continue to provide financial support. The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) will be the main EU financial instrument to invest in people, and a key vector to strengthen social cohesion, improve social fairness and increase competitiveness across Europe. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) will be revised so that it can intervene more effectively to support workers who have lost their jobs – focusing on improving the skills and employability of these workers and facilitating the general up-skilling of the European workforce.

For More Information

Press release: Employment and Social Developments in Europe: 2018 review confirms positive trends but highlights challenges linked to automation and digitalisation

[1]Standard employment refers to persons working full-time in a long-term relationship with usually one employer.

This year’s edition confirms the ongoing positive labour market trends as well as an improving social situation. The numbers of people in employment reached new record levels. With almost 238 million people having a job, employment has never been higher in the EU. In 2017 over three and a half million more people were in employment, compared with 2016. However, while the number of hours worked per person employed has grown in recent years, they are still below the 2008 levels. At the same time we witness rising disposable incomes and lower levels of poverty. Severe material deprivation has receded to an all-time low, with 16.1 million fewer people affected, compared with 2012. But looking at the impact of technological developments, there are uncertainties about the future effects of automation and digitalisation. This is why the 2018 ESDE review is dedicated to the changing world of work.

Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, said: “The European economy is growing faster and more evenly than before. This favours employment, props up household incomes, and improves social conditions. Technological change has a high potential to boost growth and jobs, but only if we shape this change. The European Pillar of Social Rights provides a compass for getting everyone ready for this transformation. Our proposals turn the Pillar into practice, by equipping people in Europe with better education and skills throughout their life and by ensuring that all workers are covered by basic rights in this fast changing world of work, with our proposals on transparent and predictable working conditions and access to social protection.” 

This year’s edition of the report aims to analyse opportunities and risks linked to technological innovation, demographic change, and globalisation. The review shows what needs to happen so that everybody can benefit from these developments.

As outlined in the review, technological progress is key to increasing overall productivity. But it is also replacing low-skill routine tasks and raising the skill threshold of employability: While there is no definite conclusion regarding the possible extent of technology’s impact on jobs, studies show that repetitive routine tasks involved in current jobs are the most prone to full or partial automation; according to a study 37% to 69% of jobs could be partly automated in the near future. Better education and life-long learning as well as ensuring that our labour market and social protection institutions are fit for purpose are key to adapt to this changing world of work.

With the Skills Agenda for Europe and EU funding, the Commission has prepared the ground to equip people in Europe with better skills at all levels, and in close cooperation with Member States, training providers and companies. Also social partners have an important role in the up-skilling and re-skilling of the labour force and in managing the increased flexibility in the changing world of work. They contribute to the design of training programs and identify opportunities and downsides of the rapid changes affecting labour markets.

New technologies contribute to the increase in the number of non-standard workers and self-employed. The ESDE review finds that new forms of work bring gains for both workers and business, in terms of increased flexibility, improved work-life balance while they offer new opportunities to people, including people with disabilities and older people, to enter or remain in the labour market. However, the ESDE review also finds a correlation between the growing incidence of non-standard work and a deterioration of working conditions, with higher income volatility, lower job security and insufficient access to social protection, as observed in the case of platform workers. The Commission is addressing this situation with proposals to modernise labour market legislation and social protection systems to respond to the new world of work. With the proposal for a Directive on more transparent and predictable working conditions, new minimum standards are included for all workers, also those in non-standard forms of employment. And with the proposal for a Recommendation on access to social protection, we encourage Member States to provide access to social security coverage to all employees and the self-employed, including transferability of rights between jobs and employment statuses.

Finally, the 2018 ESDE review also points to certain remaining structural challenges, for instance in the area of inequality, such as income and gender inequality, as well as skills development and education.

Background

The annual Employment and Social Developments in Europe review provides up-to-date economic analysis of employment and social trends in Europe. In light of these trends, the review points out potential challenges and highlights potential policy responses to face these. It is the main report in the European Commission’s hands for analysing evidence and reviewing trends and upcoming challenges on the labour markets.

There are many examples in which the Commission focuses on addressing the challenges raised in the yearly ESDE reports. For instance, the Commission’s recent proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework earmarks more funds for investments into people, including through the new European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and an improved European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). Initiatives and tools such as the Skills Agenda for Europe, the Youth Guarantee and Youth Employment Initiative, the further strengthening of the Erasmus programme, and the European Solidarity Corps will all contribute to pursuing these goals, as well as the Commission’s proposals on access to social protection and transparent and predictable working conditions.

For More Information

Memo: 2018 review of Employment and Social Developments in Europe – Questions and Answers

Factsheet: Annual review 2018 – Employment and Social Developments in Europe. The changing world of work: beyond digitalisation

2018 Employment and Social Developments Review

Employment and Social Analysis section on the EMPL website

Follow Marianne Thyssen on Facebook and Twitter

Subscribe to the European Commission’s free e-mail newsletter on employment, social affairs and inclusion

(Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine)

Déplacements et visites

 

Lundi 16 juillet 2018

EU-China Summit

Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (Internal market and industry), in Vienna, Austria

Agriculture and Fisheries Council

Foreign Affairs Council

16-17/07 EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC) Ministerial meeting

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Beijing, China: participates in the EU-China Summit with Mr Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Mr Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, and accompanied by Mr Jyrki Katainen, Ms Cecilia Malmström and Ms Violeta Bulc; participates in the EU-China Business Summit; participates in a working lunch hosted by Mr Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China; meets Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, together with Mr Donald Tusk, President of the European Council; and participates in a working dinner hosted by Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.

Mr Frans Timmermans in The Haag, the Netherlands: meets Mr Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands; and Mr Arno Visser, President of the Court of Audit of the Netherlands.

Ms Federica Mogherini co-chairs the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC) Ministerial meeting, in Brussels.

Mr Jyrki Katainen in Beijing, China: meets with Mr Liu He, Chinese Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China.

Mr Neven Mimica in New York, the United States: participates in the ministerial meeting of the 2018 High-Level Political Forum – co-hosts the High-Level Luncheon on “Accelerating SDG7 Achievement in support of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” together with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA); co-hosts the EU side-event “A global circular economy for an inclusive and sustainable future: People and Planet in Partnership (for Prosperity and Peace)” together with Mr Karmenu Vella, and Ms Stientje van Veldhoven, Minister for the Environment of the Netherlands; and meets Mr Alpha Conde, President of Guinea.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Madrid, Spain: meets Ms Teresa Ribera, Minister for Ecologic Transition of Spain.

Mr Karmenu Vella in New York, USA (until 17/07): participates in the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (UN HLPF) on Sustainable Development; meets Mr Sergio Bergman, Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development of Argentina. He also participates in the EU side event “Global circular economy for inclusive and sustainable future”; in the high-level dinner “Innovations and Solutions for Safeguarding Life on Earth”, organised by UN Biodiversity Convention, UN Environment, UN Development Programme, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis receives Mr Jan Krzysztof Ardanowski, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis receives Mr Petre Daea, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis meets Mr Gian Marco Centinaio, Minister for Agriculture of Italy, in Brussels.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Tyrol, Austria: meets with industry representatives and local authorities and takes part in a dinner-debate with local Business leaders in Innsbruck.

Mr Tibor Navracsics receives representatives from World Footballers’ Association (FIFPro).

Ms Corina Creţu in Beijing, China (until 18/07): participates in a High-Level Meeting with Mr Lin Nianxiu, Vice-Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of the People’ Republic of China; as well as in the Signing Ceremony of International Urban Cooperation (IUC) city-to-city joint declarations.

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Sofia, Bulgaria: meets participants in the Traineeship Program of the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria.

Mr Julian King delivers a speech at the Austria’s EU Council presidency Cyber Security Conference on “Finance 5.0 – a challenge for cyber security”; and attends a lunch organised by the National Bank of Belgium on the occasion of the conference, in Brussels.

 

Mardi 17 juillet 2018

EU-Japan Summit

EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC) Ministerial meeting

Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (Research), in Vienna, Austria

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Tokyo, Japan: participates in the EU-Japan Summit with Mr Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Mr Shinzō Abe, Prime Minister of Japan.

Mr Frans Timmermans receives Mr Thomas Leysen, Chairman of KBC Group.

Ms Federica Mogherini co-chairs the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC) Ministerial meeting, in Brussels.

Ms Federica Mogherini co-chairs the Somalia Partnership Forum, in Brussels.

Mr Andrus Ansip receives Mr Francisco Polo, Secretary of State of Information Society and Digital Agenda of Spain.

Mr Jyrki Katainen in Tokyo, Japan: attends the EU-Japan Summit.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič in Berlin, Germany: chairs the Trilateral Gas Talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Mr Johannes Hahn in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania: on official visit.

Mr Neven Mimica in New York, the United States: participates in the ministerial meeting of the 2018 High-Level Political Forum.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Madrid, Spain: meets Mr Antonio Erias, President of Mercado Ibérico del Gas (MIBGAS); and Mr Ignacio Larracoechea, President of PROMARCA.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis receives representatives of Medicines for Europe.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis receives representatives of the European Trade Association representing the medical imaging, radiotherapy, health ICT and electromedical industries (COCIR).

Mr Karmenu Vella in New York, the USA: participates in the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (UN HLPF) on Sustainable Development; meets Mr Thomas Remengesau, President of Palau. He also participates in the Ministerial breakfast “Achieving SDG12 with the One Planet Network”, organised by Germany and UN Environment/10YFP Secretariat; as well as in the launch of “High Ambition Alliance on Chemicals and Waste”, organised by Ms Karolina Skog, Minister for the Environment of Sweden.

M. Pierre Moscovici rencontre le Comité exécutif d’EuroCommerce, à Bruxelles.

Mr Christos Stylianides participates in the Somalia Partnership Forum, in Brussels.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Tyrol, Austria: visits the Virtual Alpine Observatory in the Zigspitze Summit; and meets Mr Bernhard Schretter, CEO of the Planseewerke.

Ms Mariya Gabriel receives Mr Francisco Polo, Secretary of State of Information Society and Digital Agenda of Spain.

Ms Mariya Gabriel receives representatives from the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFFRO).

Ms Mariya Gabriel receives Ms Louise Mushikiwabo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Rwanda.

Mr Julian King in Nicosia, Cyprus: meets Mr Ionas Nicolaou, Minister for Justice and Public Order of Cyprus; Mr Yiorgos Lillikas, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs; Mr Demetris Demetriou, Deputy Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Legal Affairs; and Mr Zacharias Chrysostomou, Chief of Cyprus Police of Cyprus; and makes a visit to the Cybercrime Centre.

Mercredi 18 juillet 2018

College meeting

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Mr Wilhelm Molterer, Managing-Director of the European Fund for Strategic Investments.

Mr Frans Timmermans receives Mr Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and founder of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

Ms Federica Mogherini hosts a meeting in the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue with Mr Hashim Thaçi, President of Kosovo and Mr Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia.

Mr Jyrki Katainen in Pori, Finland (until 20/07): attends SuomiAreena public debate forum; participates in a Citizens’ Dialogue on European Defence; meets Mr Kai Mykkänen, Minister for the Interior of Finland; Mr Timo Ritakallio, President and Executive Chairman of OP Financial Group; Mr Seppo Parvi, Deputy CEO of Stora Enso, and Mr Timo Heikka, Vice-President for Stakeholder Relations Finland and EU Affairs of Stora Enso; and participates in working dinners with Mr Risto Siilasmaa, Chair of the Board of Directors of Nokia Corporation, and Finnish political leaders.

Ms Corina Creţu in Zhengzhou, China: meets Mr Huang Qiang, Executive Deputy Governor of Henan; delivers closing remarks at the EU-China Regional and Urban Cooperation Seminar. She also visits the EU-China Exhibition on Urbanisation-GIZ Booth as well as meets with local official representatives.

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos receives Mr Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB); and Mr Wilhelm Molterer, Managing Director of the European Fund for Strategic Investments of European Investment Bank (EIB).

Mr Carlos Moedas receives Ms Martina Munch, Minister for Science, Research and Culture of Brandenburg.

M. Julian King reçoit M. Frédéric MacKain, Secrétaire Général de la préfecture des Alpes Maritimes chargé d’une mission pour l’académie du renseignement.

 

Jeudi 19 juillet 2018

19-20/07 Informal meeting of employment and social policy ministers, in Vienna, Austria

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Madrid, Spain (until 20/07): attends an audience with His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain; together with the board of trustees and sponsors of the Carlos de Amberes Foundation, attends an audience with His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain; and delivers a keynote speech on “New perspectives for the future of Europe” at the Carlos de Amberes Foundation.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis receives Mr Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia.

MsCecilia Malmström receive Mr Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete receives Mr Zygimantas Vaiciunas, Minister for Energy of Lithuania.

Mr Karmenu Vella receives Ms Vivian Motzfeldt, Minister for Education, Culture, Church and Foreign Affairs of Greenland.

Mr Karmenu Vella receives Mr Jürgen Resch, Managing Director of Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH, Environmental Action Germany).

Ms Marianne Thyssen in Vienna, Austria (until 20/7): attends the Employment, Social Policy, Health and consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council; meets Mr Heinz Faβmann, Federal Minister for Education, Science and Research of Austria. She also meets Mr Eityvidas Bingelis, Vice-Minister for Social Security and Labour of Lithuania.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Paris: est auditionné par la mission d’information de l’Assemblée nationale intitulée “L’avenir de la zone euro”; et par la mission parlementaire sur le cadre financier pluriannuel.

Ms Vĕra Jourová in Prague, the Czech Republic: meets Mr Dan Ťok, Minister for Transport, and Ms Libuše Šmuclerová, CEO and Chair of the Board of the Czech News Center, publisher.

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Veszprém, Hungary: delivers a speech at the twin-cities conference on ‘Education and Culture: driver of innovation in Central Europe’.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Lisbon, Portugal: attends the presentation of the book “Etica Apilicada: Novas tecnologias” and delivers a keynote speech at the dinner-debate organised by the think tank Portugal XXI.

Mr Julian King in London, the United Kingdom: meets Ms Chloe Smith, Minister for the Constitution; and attends a reception for the 20th anniversary of the Centre for European Reform.

Vendredi 20 juillet 2018

Informal meeting of employment and social policy ministers, in Vienna, Austria

General Affairs Council (Art. 50)      

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Madrid, Spain: receives the “Marqués de Villalobar” Award granted jointly by the Chamber of Commerce of Belgium and Luxembourg in Spain and by the Spanish-Dutch Entrepreneurial Forum.

Mr Johannes Hahn receives Mr Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia.

Mr Neven Mimica receives Ms Vivian Motzfeldt, Minister for Education, Culture, Church and Foreign Affairs of Greenland.

Ms Marianne Thyssen in Vienna, Austria: attends the Employment, Social Policy, Health and consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Bohumin, the Czech Republic: takes part on the first Train ride from the Czech Republic to Poland, the first international open access passenger carrier on the Polish railways.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Lisbon, Portugal: delivers a keynote speech at the Fernando de Sousa Journalism 2018 Award ceremony and visits the Museum of Portuguese Decorative Arts and Workshops.

 

Samedi 21 juillet 2018

M. Pierre Moscovici à Buenos Aires, Argentine (jusqu’au 22 juillet): participe aux réunions G20 des ministres de finance et des chefs des banques centrales.

 

Prévisons du mois de juillet:

24/07 Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Budget)

Permanence DG COMM le WE du 14 juillet au 15 juillet 2018:

Anca PADURARU: +32 (0) 498 96 64 30

 

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

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