European Union

The new EU Strategy for Africa attempts to reflect the continent’s growing relevance within a partnership rather than through a donor-recipient framework. However, this leads to a prioritisation of the formal, productive and technology sectors as well as climate mitigation at the expense of agriculture, informal sector, human development and climate adaptation. With such skewed priorities, this Strategy is ill-adapted for the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Institutionally, political will is needed to ensure that the continent-to-continent approach is not hampered by parallel, contradictory and fragmenting forces within the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) governance frameworks. Financially, mutual accountability must be strengthened by joint funding of joint actions. An inclusive institutional mechanism is also needed to promote political and civil society participation as well as policy coherence for sustainable development beyond migration and climate. More generally, the Strategy advances a government-to-government type of partnership at the expense of a more people-centred approach that is more in line with the ‘principled pragmatism’ of the EU.
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The new European Commission (EC) is putting EU-African relations to the fore. A Joint Communication of the EC towards a comprehensive Strategy with Africa stresses the African Continent’s strategic importance and the EU’s need to strengthen its partnership with (and not for) Africa. Proposals in the Joint Communication maintain promotion of sustainable investments with Africa on top of the EU’s agenda. Partnership with Africa to attract investors and boost regional as well as continental integration are specific actions aimed to attain sustainable growth and jobs in African countries. This emphasis is not new, being in line with a geopolitically oriented Commission and the European Union’s (EU) trend of shifting from a Donor-recipient model to a relationship based on mutual cooperation, pursuing common interests and mutual benefits. As the COVID-19 pandemic takes hold in Africa during 2020, it is becoming more urgent that EU and African relations post COVID-19 be tailored to a new scenario and show tangible action using partnership rhetoric.
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The Subcommittee on Security and Defence will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the European defence industry on 25 June, with Internal Market Commissioner Breton. The debate will focus on ways of improving Europe's resilience and develop credible defence capabilities that would allow Europe to tackle similar situations in the future. The question of adequate financial support needed to achieve a genuine Defence Union, and improve the EU's strategic autonomy, will also be addressed.
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Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The Council adopted conclusions on the future evolution of administrative cooperation in the field of taxation and the structure and rates of excise duty on tobacco.

A press conference held following the video conference of sport ministers, 2 June 2020.

Overview of the main subjects to be discussed at meetings of the Council of the EU over the next two weeks and upcoming media events.

The EU issued a declaration expressing its grave concern at the steps taken by China on 28 May, which are not in conformity with its international commitments and the Hong Kong Basic Law.

The Council adopted conclusions reaffirming the EU's political commitment to support the people of Afghanistan on their path towards peace, security, stability, democracy, prosperity and self-reliance.

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel 31 May - 7 June 2020

The Council approved the appointment of two Force Commanders for Operation IRINI.

The Council decided to extend the restrictive measures on the Syrian regime until 1 June 2021.

An online press conference heldy by High Representative Josep Borrell after the video conference of foreign affairs ministers, 29 May 2020

A press briefing held ahead of the video conference of foreign affairs ministers of 29 May 2020.

European Council President Charles Michel comments on the European Commission’s proposal for the Recovery Fund and the Multiannual Financial Framework.

The visa facilitation agreement will make it easier and cheaper for citizens to obtain a visa for short term travel. This is accompanied by an agreement on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation.

A press conference held following the video conference of ministers for space, 29 May 2020

A press conference held following the video conference of ministers for research, 29 May 2020

Technical briefing on Syria sanctions will be held on 27 May 2020.