European Union

Wednesday 8 June 2016
11.30 Meeting with President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili (photo opportunity - press statement ±12.00) - 6-month badge/special accreditation will be required to access the Justus Lipsius VIP entrance

19.00 Working dinner with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

Friday 10 June 2016
15.30 Meeting with Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen and the steering committee of the liberal party in Denmark

On 6 June 2016, the Council increased the budget of EUCAP Sahel Mali by EUR 4 925 000, bringing the total budget of the mission for 2016 to EUR 19 million. This EU civilian mission supports the three Malian internal security forces: police, gendarmerie and national guard.

Following security incidents in Bamako, notably the November 2015 attack against the Radisson Hotel, and the March 2016 attack against the EUTM Mali compound, the Council decided to increase the budget of EUCAP Sahel Mali. This will enhance the ability of the mission to support Malian security sector reform and ensure the mission' staff are protected by appropriate security measures.  

EUCAP Sahel Mali supports the Malian state to ensure constitutional and democratic order and the conditions for lasting peace as well as to maintain its authority throughout the entire territory. The mission provides training and strategic advice to the Malian police, gendarmerie and national guard as well as relevant ministries in order to support reform in the security sector. The mission is part of the EU's comprehensive approach to security and development in the Sahel. Two other CSDP missions are in place in the region: EUTM Mali which contributes to the restructuring and the reorganisation of the Malian Armed Forces through training and advice and EUCAP Sahel Niger which supports the fight against organised crime and terrorism.

EUCAP Sahel Mali was launched on 15 April 2014. The Head of mission is Mr. Albrecht Conze, from Germany. His mandate was recently extended to 14 January 2017. The headquarters of the mission are located in Bamako, Mali.

The 31st plenary session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) will take place in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, in Southern Africa, from June 13 to 15 2016. The session will be opened formally by its Co-Presidents Louis Michel for the European Parliament, and Netty Baldeh (Gambia) for the ACP.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

CoderDojo is among the 50 winners of the European Citizen's Prize 2016 of the European Parliament. Since 2008, the prize has been awarded to citizens or organisations that contributed to promoting better mutual understanding and closer integration between citizens or to facilitating cross-border or transnational cooperation within the EU. The winners will receive a medal of honour at an award ceremony in their country and will be invited to a joint event in Brussels in October.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The 31st plenary session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) will take place in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, in Southern Africa, from June 13 to 15 2016. The session will be opened formally by its Co-Presidents Louis Michel for the European Parliament, and Netty Baldeh (Gambia) for the ACP.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

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EU Ministers for Transport, Infrastructure and Communications meet in Luxembourg on 6-7 June 2016 to discuss an information exchange mechanism for intergovernmental agreements between member states and third countries in the field of energy. They also discuss measures to safeguard the security of gas supply.  Regarding Transport, a general approach on new rules on the recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation will be debated. The Council is also expected to consider launching negotiations on comprehensive air transport agreements with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. In addition, ministers discuss nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by diesel cars.

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The German parliament on Thursday condemned the murder of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire around 100 years ago as a genocide, prompting angry protests from Turkey. Some commentators welcome the resolution, saying it was long overdue. Others see it as an affront to Ankara.

The European Commission has spoken out against putting the sharing economy at a disadvantage. In new guidelines it urged member states to give companies like Uber and AirBnB which compete with traditional businesses a chance and not curtail their activities with restrictive laws. How will the sharing economy affect Europe's economy?

German security forces on Thursday arrested three men who according to the authorities were planning an attack in Düsseldorf on behalf of the IS terrorist organisation. Some commentators express relief and praise the work of the security services. Others complain that we are too quick to forget the threat of terrorism.