Feed aggregator

On 28 May 2017, European Council President Donald Tusk participated in a panel debate called "European (Dis)Union?"  during the Globsec forum in Bratislava with Robert Fico, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, and Bohuslav Sobotka, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.

Below you can find some of President Tusk's main quotes from the debate. At the bottom is also a link to the full recording of the debate.

On the G7 Summit and transatlantic relations

"I think that our meeting in Taormina as G7 is the best evidence that rumours about the decline of the west is a clear exaggeration. "

"I feel more optimistic now after the G7 meeting than I had personally  expected, and this optimism includes relations with our new partners around the table and I mean especially with President Trump."

"My impression after this meeting is that cooperation among G7 members, including the transatlantic cooperation between Europe and the United States, can be easier than what we expected immediately after the elections in the United States."

On multi-speed Europe

"There is nothing new and nothing extravagant in talking about specific and different political or legal formats in the EU. First of all, the possibility of enhanced cooperation among a group of member states is foreseen by the treaties and the most spectacular examples of this enhanced cooperation could be the Eurozone or Schengen. It is quite natural for such a very complex political system like the EU to have differences and different levels of integration.  We also have different political clubs like the Visegrad group, the Weimar triangle, the Benelux or the Nordic countries.  My previous experience as PM is that they were and are very useful in the process when we are looking for a compromise."

"In fact, the real threat to the European Union today is not the different speeds, being two or multi-speeds, or the different levels of integration - this is already our political reality,  it was always our reality and it will remains our reality in the EU. The real threat is the different destinations or different directions. For me the biggest problem in Europe is that we today have some political parties, some governments, politicians, media etc. who are questioning the essence of the EU, the essence of Europe. By essence, I mean the values of liberal democracy, freedom, tolerance, freedom of speech."

On the migration crisis and terrorism

"Europe is still the most open continent or the most open place in the world for refugees and migrants. We have thousands and thousands of people, organisations, and institutions deeply engaged in humanitarian assistance. Europe, of course, is not perfect but is still the best example in the world when it comes to the readiness to sacrifice something, not only money but also our time and emotions."

"When it comes to the Muslim minority, I see a very visible risk that some political elites and political groups are ready to claim that in fact Islam is the synonym of terrorism. We can't agree with this kind of simplification."

"On the other hand, we should understand also the emotions especially after such an event like Manchester or other attacks in Europe. My advice or rather suggestion is that we have to start a genuine discussion with the Muslim minorities representatives on how we can cooperate together to exclude Islamic radicals from our societies. I think it is not enough today to show Muslim solidarity after the attacks. Without a deep engagement from the Muslim communities in our countries, we have no chance to eliminate this radical part of the Islam world."

On leaks from meetings

"As you know, I am not here to be part of this new culture of permanent leaks. From time to time we also need some discretion and personal encounters."

Link to full video of the debate

La cellule de communication de la Gendarmerie nationale a rendu public un communiqué faisant état d’un dispositif établi durant le mois de Ramadhan, en vue de la protection des biens et des personnes à travers le territoire de la wilaya de Tipasa.
A ce titre, ce communiqué précise que plus de 2 400 gendarmes, 250 véhicules et
200 motocycles, type motard, ont été déployés sur l’ensemble des axes routiers, en vue de sécuriser la mobilité citoyenne et l’activité des personnes au niveau de l’activité religieuse au sein et à proximité des lieux de culte, ainsi qu’au niveau des marchés, des lieux de divertissement, des lieux et moyens de transport, de jour comme de nuit.
Cette opération vise également à sécuriser les axes routiers et le déplacement des citoyens lors de ce mois du Ramadhan.
Le communiqué précise que plusieurs mesures sont prises en vue d’assurer le confort des citoyens, lors de ce mois sacré du Ramadhan, à travers notamment l’instauration de points fixes et mobiles de contrôle, lors de l’entrée des visiteurs et estivants, particulièrement avant, pendant et après le petit-déjeuner et lors des prières du Maghrib et des Tarawih.
Des patrouilles fixes et mobiles de sécurisation et de contrôle sont programmées pour la protection des lieux de culte, notamment lors des prières de l’aube et du Maghrib, en particulier lors de la prière des Tarawih, à travers l’intensification des opérations, pour l’identification des personnes suspectes à travers aussi l’usage de moyens scientifiques et des technologies modernes, pour prévenir tous types d’infiltration destinée à des projets de malfaiteurs, de banditisme et terroristes. A ce titre, il a été précisé que le centre d’appels dédié aux citoyens, le 10 55, a été renforcé pour une réponse immédiate aux doléances et préoccupations citoyennes.

Des citoyens indiquent qu’ils doivent attendre parfois pendant toute une matinée pour l’activation de la carte Chifa ou le retrait d’une attestation de non-affiliation.
Les affiliés à la Caisse nationale d’assurance sociale (CNAS) de Daksi doivent faire preuve de beaucoup de patience, car l’attente devant les guichets débordés de l’antenne en question est très longue. Des citoyens indiquent qu’ils doivent attendre parfois pendant toute une matinée pour obtenir la moindre prestation, particulièrement pour ceux qui doivent activer leur carte chifa ou retirer une attestation de non-affiliation.
C’est le cas d’un retraité habitant Sidi Mabrouk.

Diabétique et insuffisant respiratoire, ce dernier, soutient que se rendre à la CNAS de Daksi constitue un véritable calvaire pour les citoyens, notamment ceux dont l’état de santé défaillant rend pénible une attente prolongée. Des propos que nous avons pu vérifier lors de notre déplacement, lundi passé, sur les lieux. Le service en question, dont les locaux sont situés au rez-de-chaussée de la CNAS de Daksi et dont l’espace est trop exigu pour contenir le flux incessant de citoyens, était vers onze heures débordé, à telle enseigne que la file d’attente s’étirait jusqu’aux couloirs de l’agence.

Une dame qui attendait de réactiver sa carte chifa nous a affirmé d’ailleurs qu’elle était là depuis neuf heures et qu’elle ne savait pas combien de temps il lui faudra attendre encore. Nous avons tenté d’approcher le chef de service de l’antenne afin d’obtenir des explications sur cette situation, mais l’on nous a dit qu’il était absent pour la journée.

Nous avons donc, faute de mieux, interrogé un agent de la CNAS, lequel a reconnu que la situation était réellement pénible pour les affiliés, mais qu’il était difficile d’améliorer, selon lui, la qualité des prestations fournies actuellement par l’agence, en raison d’un manque cruel de personnel. Il nous dira à ce propos : «Notre antenne fonctionne avec très peu de personnel. Plusieurs de nos agents ont fait valoir ces dernières années leur départ à la retraite. Les responsables nous répètent depuis des mois que ces difficultés ont été portées à la connaissance de la direction et que celle-ci devait procéder au renforcement de l’agence par de nouveaux éléments, mais jusqu’à ce jour rien n’a été fait.»

Après les ports bretons et méditerranéens, la 2e session nationale « Enjeux et stratégies maritimes » a fait escale dans les ports de la Côte d’Opale les 19 et 20 mai... 

en lire plus

Les habitants des 125 chalets en amiante de la cité Aboud Hayoune, dans la commune de Didouche Mourad, située à 15 km au nord de Constantine, ne cessent de crier leur détresse, depuis plusieurs années, face au danger de mort qui les guette au quotidien.

Ce dernier n’est autre que le cancer, qui touche une bonne partie des résidents, habitant des chalets contenant de l’amiante depuis 1984. Leur malheureuse histoire est révélée dans les nombreuses requêtes adressées à toutes les autorités nationales et locales, dont le wali de Constantine, le P/APC de Didouche Mourad, le DG du groupe des cimenteries (GICA), dont le siège est situé à Blida, et même le Premier ministre et le ministre de l’Industrie et des Mines.

Toutes ces requêtes, dont nous détenons des copies, sont restées sans lendemain. Ceci se passe, alors que la mort n’a pas besoin de requêtes pour stopper ses ravages parmi une population qui continue de recenser en silence ses victimes. Documents et dossiers médicaux à l’appui, des membres de l’association du quartier dénommée Ecologia, ayant pris contact avec El Watan, dénoncent le mutisme des autorités face à leur souffrance. «Nous sommes 125 familles habitant depuis 1984 des constructions contenant de l’amiante dépendant de la société de la cimenterie de Hamma Bouziane, réalisées pour une durée n’excédant pas 10 ans, mais que nous continuons à occuper à ce jour.

L’amiante a fini par emporter une vingtaine de personnes atteintes de cancer, alors que 18 autres, souffrant encore, sont sur la liste d’attente de la mort en raison de leur état, sans parler des cas d’allergies respiratoires et d’asthme. Nous avons sollicité toutes les parties concernées à Didouche Mourad, ainsi que le groupe GICA, propriétaire de l’assiette foncière, pour trouver une issue à notre problème, mais aucune réponse n’est venue nous rassurer», déplore Abdelmadjid Chiheb, président de l’association Ecologia.

«Ces vieilles constructions réalisées depuis plus de 30 ans, contenant un matériau toxique interdit par la loi, sont dans un état délabré, où les conditions de vie deviennent insupportables», poursuit-il. Ce dernier affirme que son association avait saisi le wali par plainte officielle en 2014 pour demander une intervention urgente. «Nous avons été orientés vers le chef de la daïra de Hamma Bouziane pour trouver une issue définitive à notre cauchemar, mais nous n’avons eu droit qu’à des promesses non concrétisées», regrette notre interlocuteur. A ce jour, les habitants des 125 logements de la cité Aboud Hayoune à Didouche Mourad en appellent au wali de Constantine pour une décision salutaire, qui va les libérer de la hantise de voir d’autres morts s’ajouter à la liste macabre de leur quartier.

Zoran Vukotic, a Kosovo Serb extradited from Montenegro last year and charged with war crimes against ethnic Albanian civilians in 1999, pleaded not guilty at the first hearing on Monday in Mitrovica Basic Court.

Le parti qui a succédé à «En marche!» est désormais en tête des sondages en France. Les bons débuts d’Emmanuel Macron à l’Elysée pourraient se refléter dans les urnes. Avec une opposition de droite dans le viseur. C’est parti pour la seconde étape du grand bouleversement politique français. Avec l’ouverture ce lundi de la campagne […]

Cet article La «République en marche», favori des législatives est apparu en premier sur Fondapol.

Un article portant sur les donateurs du mouvement fait l’objet d’une plainte pour « recel ».

Après avoir demandé l’interdiction de cette manifestation en partie réservée aux femmes noires, la maire de Paris a annoncé que les ateliers non mixtes se dérouleront dans un cadre privé.

Les élections législatives se dérouleront dans moins d'un an en Hongrie. Viktor Orbán sera défié par László Botka et Gábor Vona

Comprendre l'Europe centrale pour 6€/mois Je m'abonne Je me connecte

Magyarország következetesesen ellenez minden olyan kísérletet, amely megpróbálja fellazítani a létező jogi kereteket, különösen az illegális migráció tekintetében, és ellene van minden olyan próbálkozásnak is, amely megpróbálja átértelmezni a létező szabályokat - mondta Kovács Zoltán kormányszóvivő.

Ma kellemes kétharmad üzemnapot sikerült eltölteni a kecskeméti tengelyben – és a korai kezdés miatt a RP-k felőli oldalon is, lásd első kép – a Load Diffuser 2017 miatt felpezsdült forgalom fotózásával. Volt itt az Alföldre, a Dunántúlra igyekvő amerikai-magyar vegyes raj, lérak-alájátszás, horvát forgószárnyas, Herky, stb.

Az első sor első gépe, Buckeye 13, a szívócsatorna oldalán precíziós vésőt is visz magával. Az ANG különutas modernizációja az ohiói gépekre nem érvényesül: vélhetően CCIP-n mentek át ezek a Block 42-esek is, mint az aktív állomány 40-50-esei. Míg az ANG Block 30-asai izraeli DASH sisakcélzóval és a hozzá szükséges, dekkre ragasztott pozíciószenzorral, itt az aktív csapatoknál alkalmazott JHMCS-t láthatunk.

Indulnak a Dunántúlra Rexék.

Spontán-kényszeres, de semmiképpen sem tervezett-tudatos 2xFox3 konfigurációs fixáció Titánéknál :-) A csörgőkígyók közben hanyagolásos tüneteket mutatnak, látleleteként a válsághelyzetben lévő egészségügynek. Hiába, a légierő indikációs potenciálja ágazaton kívüli degradációs jelenségek felfedésére is kiterjed.

Haslövés: futó, féklapok nyitva. Ez az a pozíció, ahonnan úgy hallani, mintha a P&W erőforrású F-16-osokban R2D2 füttyögne. Mindenkit bátorítok, hogy a következő két hétben legyen tanúja!

Ez a perspektíva arra is jó, hogy illusztrálja a Stonefort által először még 1999-ben Cerviában identifikált kétféle AMRAAM-radom variációt, a karcsúbbat és a teltebbet.

112. század némelyik gépén bevetés/bombaoldás jelvények is felfedezhetőek az iraki (ONW, OSW, OIF) települések idejéből. Ezen a példányon 12. Jól látszik a JHMCS a pilótán, illetve a Block 40/42-esek eredeti LANTIRN-rendszeréhez fejlesztett holografikus HUD, mely a kivetített FLIR-képpel az éjszakai kis földközeli repülést volt hivatva támogatni a navigációs konténerbe ugyancsak elhelyezett terepkövető lokátor mellett.

A Mansfieldből érkezett Herculesek földi előkészítése zajlik. DIRCM-előbeépítés: üresen. MWS-szenzorok előbeépítése: üresen. Ohióban sincs kolbászból a kerítés, pláne nem egy magyarországi gyakorlat erejéig.

Zord

Russia still has a strong ambition of a superpower. In the past, the USA and the USSR had comparable military potentials. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia was nearly destroyed. The country's defense spending was cut considerably, defense companies found themselves in a deep crisis. The Soviet power of the USSR declined in an instant

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Le parti fondé par Emmanuel Macron s’est vu attribuer douze minutes pour la diffusion des clips de campagne contre deux heures pour le PS et une heure et quarante-quatre minutes pour LR.

In the western Mediterranean we encounter a paradox: there is the reality of the strength of relations formed between Europe and the Maghreb countries of North Africa (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia); then there is the perception of a growing gap between the two sides. To bridge this gap and achieve greater harmony, we need to change our perspective. We need to replace Eurocentric ideas of ‘cultural integration’, and instead focus on ‘cultural convergence’.

This will not be easy: the religious fault line between the Judeo-Christian northern Mediterranean and the majority Islamic southern Mediterranean is particularly acute, not least against the backdrop of multiple inequalities in the region, the post-9/11 security deterioration (the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, and the rise of extremist groups ‘reclaiming’ Islam), and the rise in anti-Muslim populism in Europe.

The poor results of political and economic partnerships have also contributed to the perception of a widening gap. The Euromed partnership – also known as the Barcelona process – is more than two decades old. But the dream of the transformation of Arab societies, democracy and open economies, all to be achieved with structural support from Europe, has faded with the Arab Spring uprisings, which were perceived as evidence of the failure of Europe’s policies to support the region. Now Euromed is often condemned – especially from the European side – as having produced mediocre results or even having ground to a halt.

Euromed’s objectives were ambitious, but the strategies and funding were inadequate and the process unbalanced: for example, a free trade area where almost anything can move except people from Maghreb countries is not a partnership of equals. The new European Neighbourhood Policy – essentially a strategy to secure the frontiers of ‘wider Europe’ – seems to mark the end of perceptions of the Mediterranean as an autonomous geopolitical entity. The policy – including its post-2011 amendments – is based on a pre-Arab revolts mindset and puts in doubt Europe’s stated aim of democratisation of the southern Mediterranean.

“The growing frustration of young people makes them easy prey for radical preachers and extremist propaganda”

Working with its Maghreb partners, Europe must learn lessons from Euromed to create a long-term strategic vision and an improved, more equal partnership. We can achieve greater cultural convergence; reduce disparities; establish a better dialogue. This important work can start by taking four steps.

First, we must counter negative perceptions. Swallowing the narrative of extreme-right parties, many Europeans see Islam as an enemy and immigrants as the source of all problems. These are ideas that have now taken root in the collective European consciousness, fuelled by unprecedented numbers of refugees and terrorist attacks. For Maghreb societies, the European model has lost its appeal, with a breakdown in integration and perceived hostility to Islam and Arabs. In searching for a different modernity, Maghreb societies seek to challenge the dominant paradigm, whereby modernity equals Westernisation.

At the same time Maghreb societies are undergoing a period of great change and increasing polarisation. Political one-upmanship has helped widen existing divides between conservatives and progressives, and between Islamists and ‘secular infidels’. Arguments and controversies radicalise positions and threaten social cohesion, without producing any real constructive debate.

Second, it is vital to improve the situation for ordinary people on the ground. The Arab uprisings, which began in Tunisia, were a call to all countries in the region to pursue aspirations for economic improvement, social justice and political participation. Morocco is moving towards democracy and modernisation, a process that is far from complete. Aided by its strong leadership and clear vision, the Kingdom has consolidated, extended and implemented reforms. As the Maghreb’s main partner, the EU must offer support for such reforms, including regional integration that could boost gross domestic product by two percentage points.

Education is the basis of socio-economic development and open-mindsets. Both Europe and the Maghreb agree that the growing frustration of young people makes them easy prey for radical preachers and extremist propaganda. In Morocco, educational reform constitutes a central axis of its global strategy to fight against extremism and to promote moderate Islam.

In short, we need to give people a real stake in their own societies. Women, in particular, must be involved and valued equally (Morocco changed its constitution to ensure gender equality in 2011). But so too, in Europe, must young people with immigrant backgrounds benefit from equal treatment. Reducing their feelings of being second-class citizens would help prevent delinquency and radicalisation.

“We can build a sustainable, structured and equal Europe-Maghreb partnership that benefits everyone”

Third, we need to rebalance the cultural scales. There is currently great asymmetry in the cultural exchanges between North and South, partly due to the size of western intellectual and artistic output and its powers of outreach and communication. Reducing this asymmetry is vital in breaking down negative perceptions. Islam is a religion of peace, but that message is inaudible to a European public that remains reluctant, scared, or even hostile.

Erudite European specialists on the Arab and Muslim worlds remain silent, wheeled out by the media only to comment on terrorist attacks, where they are given a couple of minutes to explain a hyper-complex part of the world. And few European countries have had the courage to ‘decolonise’ their educational outlook and revise their history textbooks. Here, the cultural services and ambassadors of Maghreb countries must play their own role, increasing their efforts and inventiveness.

The Maghreb diaspora in Europe has the potential to serve as a bridge, but is hamstrung by its limited influence over policy and, in some cases, the absence of voting rights. And, naturally, the cultural gap must be spanned online and on social networks.

Fourth, we need a permanent and constructive dialogue between equal partners and a method to achieve cultural convergence. We need to encourage the growth of research platforms, of think-tanks (such as EuroMeSCo), and of spaces to facilitate understanding and solidarity. The Anna Lindh Foundation, which aims to bring people together from across the Mediterranean to improve mutual respect between cultures and to support civil society, needs much better funding to renew intercultural dialogue, making it an everyday reality. We should make more of the cultural and artistic boom being experienced in the countries of the Maghreb: seminars, forums, festivals, fairs, exhibitions and concerts abound, vying for public and private sponsorship. But above all we need mobility: freedom of movement between countries north and south of the Mediterranean is a must.

By taking these four steps, we can start to build a new bridge across the Mediterranean. We can realise that both sides have much in common, ending what Freud called ‘the narcissism of minor differences’. And we can build a sustainable, structured and equal Europe-Maghreb partnership that benefits everyone.

IMAGE CREDIT: saiko3p/Bigstock

The post Cultural convergence is the key to rebuilding EU-Maghreb relations appeared first on Europe’s World.

Emmanuel Macron veut mettre en œuvre sa réforme du droit du travail par ordonnances. C’était l’une de ses principales promesses de campagne, qui a effrayé beaucoup de monde. Pas forcément à raison.

L'éphémère secrétaire d'État de François Hollande et son épouse ont été sanctionnés par la justice pour avoir déclaré en retard leurs revenus entre 2009 et 2013, et même ne pas les avoir déclarés du tout en 2012.

On 30 May 2017, the presidency reached agreement with European Parliament representatives on proposals aimed at facilitating the development of a securitisation market in Europe. 

A framework for securitisation is one of the main elements of the EU's 2015 plan to develop a fully functioning capital markets union by the end of 2019. Developing a securitisation market will help create new investment possibilities and provide an additional source of finance, particularly for SMEs and start-ups. 

“This initiative will encourage financial market integration in Europe and make it easier to lend to households and businesses", said Edward Scicluna, minister for finance of Malta, which currently holds the Council presidency. "Tonight's agreement with MEPs will allow us to relaunch the securitisation market, defining a model for simple, transparent and standardised securitisations."

The agreement will be submitted to EU ambassadors for endorsement on behalf of the Council, following technical finalisation of the text. Parliament and Council will then be called on to adopt the proposed regulation at first reading.

Securitisation is the process by which a lender - typically a bank - refinances a set of loans or assets, such as mortgages, automobile leases, consumer loans or credit card accounts, by converting them into securities. The repackaged loans are divided into different risk categories, tailored to the risk/reward appetite of investors. 

Following the US subprime cirisis of 2007-08, public authorities took steps to make securitisation transactions safer and simpler, and to ensure that incentives are in place to manage risk. As a result of these reforms, all securitisations in the EU are now strictly regulated. However, in contrast to the United States where markets have recovered, European securitisation markets have remained subdued. This despite the fact that EU securitisation markets withstood the crisis relatively well. 

Building on what has been put into place to address risk, the proposals differentiate simple, transparent and standardised (STS) products. The concept of 'simple, transparent and standardised' refers not to the underlying quality of the assets involved, but to the process by which the securitisation is structured. 

Issues resolved 

One of the main political issues resolved relates to a so-called risk retention requirement. This refers to the interest in the securitisation that originators, sponsors or original lenders of securitisations need to retain themselves. The requirement will ensure that securitised products are not created solely for the purpose of distribution to investors. 

The negotiators agreed to set the risk retention requirement at 5%, in accordance with existing international standards and in line with the Council's negotiating position. 

Other elements agreed with the Parliament include: 

• the creation of a data repository system for securitisation transactions, which will increase market transparency;
• a light-touch authorisation process for third parties that assist in verifying compliance with STS securitisation requirements. The aim is to prevent conflicts of interest. The text makes clear that, even when a third party is involved in the STS certification process, liability for compliance with the rules remains completely with originators, sponsors, original lenders and securitisation special purpose entities.

Two regulations 

The agreement with the Parliament covers two draft regulations: 

• one setting rules on securitisations and establishing criteria to define STS securitisation;
• the other amending regulation 575/2013 on bank capital requirements. 

The first brings together rules that apply to all securitisations, including STS securitisation, that are currently scatttered amongst different legal acts. It thus ensures consistency and convergence across sectors (such as banking, asset management and insurance), and streamlines and simplifies existing rules. It also establishes a general and cross-sector regime to define STS securitisation. 

The text amending regulation 575/2013 sets out capital requirements for positions in securitisation. It provides for a more risk-sensitive regulatory treatment for STS securitisations.

The regulations require a qualified majority for adoption by the Council, in agreement with the European Parliament. (Legal basis: article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.)

EU rules on venture capital and social enterprises are to be adjusted with the aim of boosting investment in start-ups and innovation.

On 30 May 2017, representatives of the Council and the European Parliament agreed on amendments to rules governing investment funds in this sector.

The proposed regulation is part of the EU's plan to develop a fully functioning capital markets union, diversifying funding sources for Europe's businesses and long-term projects. It is also linked to the EU's investment plan for Europe.

"If European SMEs are to grow and develop, it is indispensable that financing - both bank and capital market financing - is readily available",said Edward Scicluna, minister for finance of Malta, which currently holds the Council presidency. "This regulation will help stimulate market financing and thereby boost economic growth."

The EU has been falling behind the United States in this sector. According to the Commission, an extra €90 billion would have been available between 2009 and 2014 for financing European companies if venture capital markets had been as developed as in the US.

The proposal adjusts rules adopted in 2013 to encourage investment in European venture capital funds (Euveca) and European social entrepreneurship funds (Eusef).

Amending regulations 345/2013 and 346/2013, it makes those funds available to fund managers of all sizes and expands the range of companies that the funds can invest in. It also makes the cross-border marketing of such funds cheaper and easier.

Regulations 345/2013 and 346/2013 lay down requirements for investment in Euveca and Eusef funds, which relate respectively to:

• young and innovative companies;
• enterprises whose aim is to achieve a positive social impact.

Presidency and Parliament representatives agreed on the following amendments:

• larger fund managers, i.e. those with assets under management of more than €500 million, will henceforth be able to market and manage Euveca and Eusef funds;
• the range of companies in which Euveca funds can invest is expanded to include unlisted companies with up to 499 employees (small mid-caps) and SMEs listed on SME growth markets.

Next steps

The agreement will be submitted to EU ambassadors in the coming days for endorsement on behalf of the Council. The Parliament and the Council will then be called on to adopt the regulation without further discussion.

The regulation will start to apply three months after its entry into force.