The Newsletter n°741 — 19 déc. 2016
La Lettre
Antonio Missiroli, Florence Gaub, Nicu Popescu, John-Joseph Wilkins
—
19 December 2016
Strategic communication includes elements of public diplomacy and "image management", media relations, advertising, recruitment and training, and of course, an excellent understanding of the situation. In operational terms strategic communication involves both the defensive and the offensive. The idea of strategic communication is applicable to Russia and to the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or Daesh), in other words the two external players which have acted in terms of destabilising the neighbouring countries of the European Union the most over the last few years.
Foundation
Foundation hearings on the follow-up to the UK's withdrawal from the EU
19 December 2016
Jean-Dominique Giuliani, the Chairman of the Foundation was interviewed by the information mission on the consequences of the British referendum and on the monitoring of negotiations at the National Assembly on 15th December. On 14th December Jean-Claude Piris, former legal director of the Council and member of the Foundation's Scientific Committee, was given an audience by the Senatorial Group on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
Migration
Report on the framework partnership on migration with third countries
18 December 2016
On 14th December the Commission presented the second report on the first results of the framework partnership on migration with third countries; there are notably five priority countries, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal.
The number of primo-asylum requests rising
18 December 2016
According to figures published by Eurostat on 15th December over the third quarter of 2016 the number of primo-asylum requests in the EU rose by 17% in comparison with the second quarter of 2016 totalling 358,300 requests.
First agreement with an African countries on the return of asylum seekers
19 December 2016
The EU signed an agreement on 11th December with Mali, the first of its kind, with the aim of countering the "deep cause of illegal migration" and to "foster the return of Malian migrants from Europe."
European Council
Conclusions of the European Council
18 December 2016
The 28 heads of State and government of the European Union adopted conclusions on 15th December on migration and security as well as on Ukraine which thereby enabled the Netherlands to ratify the EU-Ukraine agreement. They approved the principle of extending sanctions against Russia for a further six months until 31st July 2017. During an informal meeting between the 27 they adopted a declaration on negotiations with the UK.
Commission
Joint declaration on legislative priorities 2017
18 December 2016
On 13th December in Strasbourg the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, the President of the Presidency, Robert Fico and the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker signed the first joint declaration of goals and priorities in the EU's legislative process 2017.
Parliament
Nadia Mourad and Lamiya Aji Bachar, winners of 2016 Sakharov prize
18 December 2016
Nadia Mourad Bassi Taha and Lamiya Aji Bachar, two young Yazidi survivors of Daesh were awarded the Sakharov Prize 2016 on 13th December in Strasbourg. The European Parliament lauded their bravery and their determination to defend the Yazidi community that has been repeatedly targeted by Islamic State, and to highlight the fate of female victims of sexual violence perpetrated by terrorist organisations.
Revision of the European Parliament's Rules of Procedure
18 December 2016
On 13th December MEPs adopted a major revision of the European Parliament's rules of procedure. They mainly focus on greater transparency within the Parliament and on the organisation of the plenary session and include measures that target greater efficiency and even the possibility for groups to put forward some topical debates.
Further progress in the reform of trade defence tools
18 December 2016
On 14th December MEPs adopted new rules which means that public contracts to supply domestic passenger rail services in EU countries will normally have to be put out to tender. These rules also aim to boost investment and the development of new commercial services.
Council
Conclusions of the General Affairs Council
18 December 2016
On 13th December the 28 European Affairs Ministers adopted a negotiation position regarding the Europeans sustainable development funds.
Conclusions of the Fisheries and Agriculture Council
18 December 2016
On 12th and 13th December the 28 Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers adopted conclusions regarding the strengthening of farmers' positions in the food supply chain and the fight to counter unfair competition. They came to a political agreement on a regulation regarding fishing quotas for 2017 regarding the main stocks in the Atlantic and the North Sea.
5G Internet: Agreement between Parliament and the Council
18 December 2016
EU Member States will make 700 MHz wavelength available for wireless broadband by 2020 enabling mobile 5G internet declared an informal agreement that was concluded between the negotiators of the Parliament and the Council on 14th December.
Further progress in the reform of trade defence tools
18 December 2016
On 13th December ministers validated their joint position after three years of negotiation. This will enable them to launch discussions with Parliament in view of concluding a legislative agreement.
Environment Council Conclusions
20 December 2016
On 19th December the 28 Environment Ministers discussed the CO2 emissions reductions and the legislation on chemical products. Although they did not adopt a general approach regarding the revision of the emission quota exchange system they did adopt conclusions on the protection of human health and the environment thanks a rational management of chemical substances.
Economic sanctions against Russia extended by 6 months
20 December 2016
On 19th December the Council extended the economic sanctions against specific sectors in the Russian economy until 31st July 2017. The duration of the measures is linked to the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements. They target the finance, energy and defence sectors as well as the area of dual-use technology.
Diplomacy
Stabilisation and Association Council with Montenegro and Serbia
18 December 2016
The 3rd Stabilisation and Association Meetings between EU and Serbia as well as 8th meeting with Montenegro took place on 13th December. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss progress achieved by both countries in their preparations to join the EU.
EU-Ukraine Association Council
19 December 2016
On 19th December the 3rd Meeting of the Association Council between the EU and Ukraine took place. The Union welcomed the reforms undertaken by Ukraine in spite of the economic difficulties that it is experiencing.
ECB
The Central Bank adopts the priorities of banking supervision in 2017
18 December 2016
On 15th December the European Central Bank adopted three major priorities in terms of banking supervision for 2017. It will concentrate mainly on business models and profitability drivers, on risk credits, placing emphasis on bad debts, the concentrations and supervised bank risks.
European Agencies
Galileo up and running
18 December 2016
On 15th December after 17 years of work the European satellite navigation system, Galileo started offering its initial services to public authorities, businesses and citizens. In four years time this competitor of the American GPS will be totally operational and will be of benefit to all citizens with its data services.
Germany
Franco-German Digital Conference
18 December 2016
François Hollande travelled to Berlin on 13th December for the second Franco-German digital conference. With Angela Merkel he put forward a monitored digital market that is governed by its own tax system. Both leaders hope to take on a leading role worldwide.
Germany: the Bundesrat approves the 2017 budget
19 December 2016
On 16th December the German Bundesrat approved the German budget for 2017. This decision comes after that of the Bundestag on 22nd November 2016. The Federal State will therefore have 329.1 billion € next year.
Croatia
Meeting between Angela Merkel and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic
18 December 2016
German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on 12th December. They discussed German-Croatian relations and the need to strengthen support for countries in South Eastern Europe which are aiming to join the EU.
Denmark
Denmark prepares its withdrawal from Europol
18 December 2016
On 15th December the President of the European Commission, that of the European Council, Donald Tusk and the Danish Prime Minister Mr Lars Løkke Rasmussen published a joint declaration setting a timetable preparing Denmark's exit from Europol following the referendum on 3rd December 2015 in order to reduce the negative effects of this development.
Spain
IMF: end of the consultation mission in Spain
18 December 2016
On 13th December the IMF published the conclusions of its consultation mission in Spain. On 14th December the Bank of Spain revised its GDP growth forecast slightly upwards for 2017 to 2.5%.
Greece
Alexis Tsipras in Berlin
19 December 2016
On 16th December German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Berlin. They discussed the migratory issue, the reunification of Cyprus but also Greece's economic situation after Germany advocated the suspension of the relief of its debt.
Italy
New Italian government
18 December 2016
On 12th December the President of the Italian Council Paolo Gentiloni announced the composition of his new government of 18 ministers of whom five are women. Most ministers will be retaining their posts. Angelino Alfano will be taking over as head of Italian diplomacy. Alfano is being replaced by Domenico Minniti detto Marco.
Lithuania
New Lithuanian Government
18 December 2016
On 13th December the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) approved the government's programme 86 votes in support, 3 against and 40 abstentions. Led by Saulius Skvernelis, the government comprises 16 ministers three of whom are women.
UK
Report on the future trade basis between the EU and the UK
19 December 2016
On 13th December the House of Lords published a report on the future trade base between the UK and the EU.
report on the future of the financial sector after Brexit
19 December 2016
On 15th December the House of Lords published a report on the future of the British financial services after the Brexit. The report stresses the importance of concluding a transition agreement for financial services to protect this sector that is both vital for the UK and the EU.
Report on the future Anglo-European cooperation in the area of security and police
19 December 2016
In its report published on 16th December the House of Lords maintained that access to the EU's tools and agencies in the area of security is a vital element in Britain's ability to counter crime.
Ukraine
Commission report on economic reform
18 December 2016
On 13th December the European External Action Service and the European Commission published a joint report in view of the third meeting of the EU-Ukraine association council which will take place on 19th December 2016. It stresses the unprecedented nature of the reforms made to the economic and political systems in Ukraine.
Meeting between Lithuanian and Ukrainian Presidents
18 December 2016
On 12th December Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko hosted the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaité. The meeting was marked by the signature of several bilateral agreements in the economic, energy and transport sectors.
UN
The next UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres sworn in
18 December 2016
On 12th December Antonio Guterres was sworn in as the next Secretary General of the UN as of January 1st. On this occasion he declared that the UN had to change in order to be more effective regarding the various challenges that it is facing.
WTO
China files a complaint with the WTO against the EU and the US
18 December 2016
On 12th December China filed a complaint with the WTO in protest against the so-called substitution method used by the US and the EU in the calculation of anti-dumping measures applied to Chinese exports.
Eurostat
Increases in Inflation
18 December 2016
According to data published by Eurostat on 16th December the EU's annual inflation rate and that of the euro zone lay at 0.6% in November 2016 against 0.5% in October.
Surplus in international goods trade in the euro zone
18 December 2016
According to Eurostat estimates published on 16th December in October 2016 the euro zone recorded a trade surplus of 20.1 billion €. That of the EU is estimated at 2.7 billion.
Culture
Exhibition: L.A. Ring between Light and Darkness" in Copenhagen
18 December 2016
Until 26th February 2017 an exhibition is running in Charlottenlund, Denmark, entitled "L.A. Ring between Light and Darkness" devoted to the work by Danish realist painter L.A. Ring and his wife, Sigrid Kähler's work.
Southbank Centre: Adventures in Moominland
18 December 2016
From 19th December 2016 to 23rd April 2017 the Southbank Centre in London is organising an exhibition with Finnish artist Tove Jansson and his creations, the Moomins.
"Gingerbread Mania" 2016 in Tallinn
18 December 2016
Until 4th January 2017 an exhibition of gingerbread creations is running at the Design and Architecture Gallery Parnü in Tallinn in Estonia.
Exhibition "Magical Tale in Grandfather's Beard" in Riga
18 December 2016
Until 27th February a jewellery exhibition is running in Riga, Latvia entitled "Magical Tale in Grandfather's Beard". It can be seen at the Putti Gallery where the work by European and international artists is on show.
"Paolo Monti. Photographs 1935-1982 at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan
18 December 2016
Until 12th March 2017 an exhibition is being held on the Italian photographic artist Paolo Monti at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan.
"Treasures of the Rhine" exhibition in Berlin
19 December 2016
As of 20th December the exhibition "Schätze aus dem Rhein. der Barbarenschatz von Neupotz" is being held at the Museum for Pre-and Proto-history in Berlin. It will be devoted to all of the objects found over time in the Rhine.
The Museum of Perfume in Paris
19 December 2016
The new perfume museum in Paris at 73 Faubourg St-Honoré in Paris at the heart of the luxury and fashion quarter opens its doors to the public on 22nd December. The institution aims to be scientific, creative and open to the general public.
Agenda
19th December
"Environment Council" (Brussels)
19th December
EU-Ukraine Association Council (Brussels)
Newsletter Archives
"We need to find the 'coalition of the willing' capable of overcoming current differences."
The European Union and national sovereignty: a new democratic challenge?
Europe appears to be the solution, not the problem
The end of the energy price crisis must not mean the end of the energy transition
Hybrid threats: the new horizons for a "Europe of internal security"?
The Editors of the Newsletter :
Charles de Marcilly, Helen Levy ,Ester Bonadonna, Léa Degorre, François Frigot,Lucas Mehler, Benjamin Penassou, Athina Reuter
N°ISSN : 2729-6482
Editor-in-Chief :
Eric Maurice
Director of Publication :
Pascale Joannin
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