Agrégateur de flux

Ministers of Defence today met in the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board, under the chairmanship of Federica Mogherini in her capacity as Head of the Agency.

The EDA presented among other things progress of the four cooperative capability programmes, the interim report on the implementation of the Policy Framework for Systematic and Long-Term Defence Cooperation as well as a preliminary implementation roadmap for a dual-use strategy on RPAS regulation.

Furthermore the Agency highlighted the key findings of the hybrid threats table-top exercise it conducted last month. The exercise involved some 80 experts from Member States, EU institutions and NATO. It underlined for example the critical importance of strategic awareness to allow Member States to detect and identify hybrid threats. The detection of hostile hybrid threats is the most challenging and yet most important aspect of an effective defence posture in this context. Greater levels of information and intelligence and close cooperation between civil and military actors were identified as important. Additionally, rapid decision-making and deployment of the necessary capabilities needs are necessary. While in a hybrid threat scenario civil actors might be in the lead, the military must stand ready and provide decision-makers with the full scope of military capabilities if necessary. Specific focus should be given to the ability to communicate. Therefore the resilience, redundancy and protection of CIS networks remains vital and the contribution of more secure defence systems (including those using satellites) is important.

“The exercise was very useful as it allowed us to stress-test military capabilities in a hybrid threat environment. It also underlined the importance of close co-operation between military and civilian stakeholders in a hybrid threat scenario. However, we also saw that existing military capabilities should not be completely reoriented towards countering hybrid threats as the full spectrum of military missions must be considered”, Jorge Domecq, the Chief Executive of the EDA said. A second exercise in June will focus on the way ahead in different capability areas.

Ministers of Defence were also presented with an interim report on the implementation of the Policy Framework for Systematic and Long-Term Defence Cooperation. The interim report – which was compiled on the basis of questionnaires sent to and completed by the Member States – highlights that the policy framework is well supported. The focus on information-sharing through the Agency’s Capability Development Plan as well as the Collaborative Database is deemed crucial by a large majority of Member States.

Defence Ministers endorsed a preliminary implementation roadmap for a dual-use strategy on RPAS regulation involving questions of rulemaking, standardisation, technological solutions and issues of cyber security. The EDA will now start consolidating the roadmap with the European Commission and other relevant actors. 

The Steering Board tasked the Agency, in close coordination with Member States, to engage with the Commission in the preparation of the Space Strategy for Europe, to ensure that common military views of Member States are taken into account. Furthermore, the EDA will support Member States’ dialogue and consultation with the Commission in order to contribute to the European Defence Action Plan.

Jorge Domecq, the EDA Chief Executive, also informed Defence Ministers of recent activities in R&T. Between 2004 and the end of 2016, the Agency will have managed research projects with a total value of around € 1 billion in contributions by the Member States.  Mr Domecq also stressed that the EDA will continue to actively support Member States in their discussions with the European Commission in view of defining and agreeing on the research topics and priorities, the rules as well as the working modalities of the Preparatory Action (PA) on defence-related research scheduled to be launched in 2017.

More information:

• Council conclusions on Countering Hybrid Threats

OPINION on a new forward-looking and innovative future strategy on trade and investment
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Tokia Saïfi

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

OPINION on a new forward-looking and innovative future strategy on trade and investment
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Tokia Saïfi

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Le 16 avril 2016, deux Mirage 2000D de la 3e escadre de chasse ont rallié la Base aérienne projetée (BAP) en Jordanie pour remplacer deux appareils déployés depuis le mois de février 2016.

[يلعب أكراد سورية دوراً يزداد بروزاً في الصراع الذي تشهده البلاد؛ وفي السنوات الأخيرة بسطت قوات حزب الاتحاد الديمقراطي PYD سيطرتها الفعلية على معظم الأراضي الواقعة في شمال سورية التي يشكل الأكراد جزءاً كبيراً من سكانها. في آذار/مارس 2016، وبعد فترة قصيرة من استبعاد الحزب الديمقراطي الكردي من المشاركة في المحادثات الدبلوماسية التي تستضيفها الأمم المتحدة في جنيف، أعلن الحزب الكردي السوري أن المناطق الخاضعة للإدارة الذاتية التي كان الحزب قد أسسها ستشكل من ذلك الوقت فصاعداً إقليماً فيدرالياً داخل سورية. في هذه الأثناء، تعهدت تركيا، التي ترى في حزب الاتحاد الديمقراطي امتداداً لحزب العمال الكردستاني الذي تخوض صراعاً معه منذ ثمانينيات القرن العشرين، بمنع المزيد من توسيع قوة حزب الاتحاد الديمقراطي في شمال سورية. للتوصل إلى فهم أفضل للسياسات الكردية السورية وعلاقة الأكراد بالصراع الأوسع في سورية، وكجزء من سلسلة من الأفكار السريعة مع محللي مجموعة الأزمات لشؤون الشرق الأوسط، التقت جدليةبماريا فانتابييه، كبيرة المحللين لدى المنظمة، والتي قادت الأبحاث حول القضية الكردية منذ بداية الصراع وقامت بزيارة مطوّلة مؤخراً للجيوب الكردية في سورية].

Az Oktatási, Audiovizuális és Kulturális Végrehajtó Ügynökség (EACEA) közzétette a Kreatív Európa program Európai Együttműködési Projektek területének eredményeit!

Europol, Frontex und die Europäische Verteidigungsagentur sind Ausdruck des Trends im europäischen Regieren, weitreichende Aufgaben an unabhängige Agenturen zu delegieren. Vor allem bei der Bewältigung der Flüchtlingskrise und bei der Terrorismusbekämpfung stehen EU-Agenturen im Fokus. Sie verwalten größere Forschungs- und Rüstungsprogramme, koordinieren Einsätze nationaler Sicherheitsbehörden, sammeln Informationen oder tauschen sensible personenbezogene Daten aus. Angesichts dieser äußerst grundrechtssensiblen und weit in nationale Souveränität hineinwirkenden Tätigkeiten bedarf die Delegation solcher Befugnisse im Bereich innere und äußere Sicherheit einer besonderen Legitimation. Vier EU-Agenturen (Europol, EU-Satellitenzentrum, Europäische Verteidigungsagentur, Frontex) werden in dieser Studie daraufhin untersucht, welche Kompetenzen sie besitzen, wie sie kontrolliert werden sollen und tatsächlich werden und wie sie ihre Aufgaben erfüllen. Die Analyse zeigt, dass gerade umstrittene Agenturen wie Frontex intensiver politischer Kontrolle und Steuerung unterliegen. Ebenso klar wurde, dass die politischen Entscheidungsträgerinnen und Entscheidungsträger im Rat, in den Mitgliedstaaten, in der Kommission und zum Teil auch im Europäischen Parlament aktiv dafür gesorgt haben, dass die Aufgabenfelder der Agenturen in der Praxis beträchtlich ausgeweitet werden konnten.

Die Studie ist Ergebnis des von der Fritz-Thyssen-Stiftung geförderten Projektes »Sicherheit delegieren? EU-Agenturen im Bereich innerer und äußerer Sicherheit« an der SWP.

Allgemeines : Die Wirtschaftskrise hat die Zahl der Menschen in Armut ansteigen lassen. Vor allem Frauen sind betroffen. Am 19.4. hat der Ausschuss für die Rechte der Frau einen Bericht zum Thema Frauenarmut angenommen. Vor der Abstimmung haben wir mit der belgischen EU-Abgeordneten und Berichterstatterin Maria Arena (S&D) über die Ursachen der Frauenarmut gesprochen sowie über die zu ergreifenden Maßnahmen, um die Chancengleichheit in unserer Gesellschaft zu gewährleisten. Sehen Sie dazu auch unser Video.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2016 - EP

Hier, les militants du mouvement de gauche Podemos étaient appelés à se prononcer sur un soutien à un éventuel gouvernement socialiste alliés aux centristes de Ciudadanos. Pablo Iglesias, figure de proue du parti, qui avait appelé à rejeter un tel accord, a sans surprise été entendu. La balle est désormais dans son camp, mais il est fort à parier qu'il ne parviendra pas à former un gouvernement avec les socialistes et que le pays se dirige vers des élections anticipées en juin prochain.

A légierő berkeiben gyakran utalnak egy fényképre, melyen katonák és civilek állnak a korábbi légierő-parancsnokság épületébe vezető lépcsőkön, illetve képletesen szólva: egy út kezdetén.

Forte d’une petite dizaine de synagogues réparties dans toute la ville, la communauté juive de Budapest vient d’annoncer l’ouverture d’un nouveau lieu de culte dans le treizième arrondissement, au bord du Danube. Les travaux devraient s’achever en 2017.

Projet (crédit : EMIH).

C’est un petit événement qui ne passe pas tout à fait inaperçu : dans un an devraient ouvrir à Budapest une synagogue et un centre culturel juif de plus de plus de 2000 m². Outre son dimensionnement, ce qui fait date, c’est qu’il s’agira de la première synagogue inaugurée dans la capitale hongroise depuis la Seconde guerre mondiale. La nouvelle ne devrait pas pour autant modifier le paysage de la ville, dans la mesure où le Zsilip, d’après le nom donné au projet, devrait trouver sa place dans un édifice existant : l’îlot regroupant les « maisons Palatinus », à deux pas de Jászai Mari tér et du pont Marguerite.

Le projet de synagogue sur Markó utca (1901)

Le choix de cette implantation n’est pas le fait du hasard. Le quartier d’Újlipótváros, situé dans la partie sud du treizième arrondissement, est connu pour héberger une communauté juive historique, sauvée en grande partie de la déportation par l’activisme des diplomates Raoul Wallenberg, Giorgio Perlasca et Carl Lutz. Malgré l’importance numérique des Juifs, on n’y dénombrait jusqu’à présent que deux petites synagogues, celles de Hegedűs Gyula utca et de Visegrádi utca. A la fin du XIXe siècle, c’est d’ailleurs à quelques rues de Jászai Mari tér qu’aurait due être bâtie la Grande synagogue de Markó utca, laquelle aurait pu, par son gigantisme, damner le pion à l’actuelle Grande synagogue de Dohány utca, pourtant déjà la plus vaste d’Europe !

Le projet de nouveau de lieu de culte est porté par l’EMIH, acronyme de la Communauté israélite unie de Hongrie, une organisation d’obédience Status quo ante, située quelque part entre les libéraux néologues et les Juifs ultra-orthodoxes. Si l’ouverture d’une synagogue dans le treizième arrondissement semble relever de la logique des choses, l’implantation d’un lieu de culte tenu par un courant traditionaliste dans un bastion libéral pose en revanche question. L’EMIH semble en tout cas avoir le vent en poupe, si l’on en croit la rénovation récente de la synagogue d’Óbuda, dirigée par Slomó Köves, par ailleurs à la tête de l’organisation. La nouvelle de la future synagogue doit sans doute faire les affaire du Fidesz, dans la mesure où la proximité entre les organisations est ancienne et faite de renvois d’ascenseurs.

Les travaux d’aménagement devraient commencer sous peu. Prévue à l’horizon 2017, l’ouverture de la synagogue s’accompagnera de l’installation d’un glacier-pâtissier et d’un restaurant casher, comme le relèvent nos confrères d’Index.hu.

1. The increasing use of hybrid strategies and operations by state and non-state actors in the immediate and wider EU neighbourhood requires swift and appropriate action to prevent and counter hybrid threats to the Union and its Member States as well as partners. The Council underlines the need to mobilise EU instruments to this end, in line with the Conclusions by the European Council of June 2015 and the Council Conclusions on CSDP of May 2015, while recognising the primary responsibility of Member States for security and defence and taking into account relevant ongoing work as regards both internal and external policies.
2. In this context, the Council welcomes the Joint Communication on countering hybrid threats and fostering resilience of the EU and its Member States as well as partners. It invites the relevant Council instances, the European Defence Agency and other relevant bodies to examine, in a timely and coherent manner, the proposed actions, with due respect for respective procedures and the competences of the Member States, the Commission and the High Representative, ensuring a cross-sectoral approach and appropriate follow-up. The Council also invites Member States to consider establishing a European Centre of Excellence.
3. The Council welcomes the intention of the High Representative to create an EU Hybrid Fusion Cell, and highlights the possible CSDP contributions to countering hybrid threats and the need for closer dialogue, cooperation and coordination with NATO, respecting the principles of inclusiveness and autonomy of decision-making of each organisation, as well as with other partner organisations.
4. The Council invites the Commission and the High Representative to provide a report by July 2017 to assess progress.

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The list of big American tech companies being investigated by Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition chief, for either antitrust violations or sweetheart tax deals already reads like a “who’s who” of Silicon Valley: Google, Amazon, Apple. Her proclivity for going after US companies, particularly in her tax investigations (American non-tech groups like McDonald’s and Starbucks have also been targeted), has already raised eyebrows in Washington, where Treasury officials and members of Congress have accused her of an anti-American bias.

Ms Vestager has denied singling out US firms, and if she is at all chastened by the American criticism, she’s not showing it: as early as tomorrow, she is expected to roll out a second antitrust case against Google, this time accusing the California company of abusing its dominant position in smartphone operating systems to foist its suite of apps on unsuspecting consumers.

In a speech yesterday, the former Danish economy minister compared Google’s practices to the mother of all EU-US tech antitrust cases, the 1990s-era battle with Microsoft. The comparison is apt for two reasons. First is for the reason Ms Vestager intended: during the time when computing was dominated by PCs, desktops running Microsoft’s ubiquitous Windows operating systems would come “bundled” with a wide range of other Microsoft software, most importantly its Explorer internet browser. Such bundling gradually destroyed browser inventor (and onetime market leader) Netscape, since nobody needed its Navigator browser if your PC came with Explorer.

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On 19 April 2016, the Council approved the establishment of a military training mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) to contribute to the country's defence sector reform. 

The mission will be based in Bangui and operate for an initial period of two years. Following up an EU military advisory mission (EUMAM RCA), it will work towards a modernised, effective, inclusive and democratically accountable Central African Armed Forces (FACA). It will provide strategic advice to the CAR's Ministry of Defence and the general staff, as well as education and training to the FACA. 

EUTM RCA will operate in accordance with political and strategic objectives set out in the crisis management concept approved by the Council on 14 March 2016. 

EUMAM RCA was established on 19 January 2015. In close cooperation with the United Nations multidimensional integrated stabilization mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), EUMAM RCA advises the military authorities of the CAR on the reforms necessary to transform the country's armed forces into a professional, democratically controlled and ethnically representative army. Its mandate expires on 16 July 2016.

Am 23. Juni 2016 wird das Vereinigte Königreich über den Verbleib in der Europäischen Union abstimmen. Ministerpräsident David Cameron hatte im Februar die britischen Forderungen an die Adresse Brüssels in einem Sonderabkommen konkretisiert, um auf dieser Grundlage in das Referendum gehen zu können. Die Eckpunkte waren der Verzicht auf eine immer weiter gehende EU-Integration, die Ausrichtung der europäischen Politik auf De-Regulierung und Wachstum, die Stärkung des Einflusses nationaler Parlamente in der europäischen Gesetzgebung sowie die Aussetzung von Sozialleistungen für nicht-britische EU-Bürger während einer Ansparphase von vier Jahren.

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Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP