European Union

European Ceremony of Honour for Dr. Helmut Kohl on 1 July 2017

To honour the legacy of Dr. Helmut Kohl, Honorary Citizen of Europe, the three European institutions are co-organising a European Ceremony of Honour on 1 July in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

This will be followed by a ceremonial event in the cathedral in Speyer (Germany).

Further information will follow soon.

Press contacts:

For the European Council
Preben AAMANN (+32 2 281 20 60; +32 476 85 05 43)

For the European Parliament
Jaume DUCH GUILLOT (+32 2 284 30 00; +32 496 59 94 76)

For the European Commission
Margaritis SCHINAS (+ 32 2 296 05 24; +32 496 58 38 26)
Mina ANDREEVA (+32 2 299 13 82; +32 498 99 13 82)

Cérémonie d'hommage européen en mémoire d'Helmut Kohl, le 1er juillet 2017

Afin d'honorer la mémoire d'Helmut Kohl, citoyen d'honneur de l'Europe, les trois institutions européennes organisent une cérémonie d'hommage européen le 1er juillet, au Parlement européen, à Strasbourg.

Elle sera suivie par un événement solennel à la cathédrale de Speyer (Spire, Allemagne).

Des informations complémentaires suivront dès que possible. 

Personnes de contact pour la presse:

Pour le Conseil européen
Preben AAMANN (+32 2 281 20 60; +32 476 85 05 43)

Pour le Parlement européen
Jaume DUCH GUILLOT (+32 2 284 30 00; +32 496 59 94 76)

Pour la Commission européenne
Margaritis SCHINAS (+ 32 2 296 05 24; +32 496 58 38 26)
Mina ANDREEVA (+32 2 299 13 82; +32 498 99 13 82)

Europäischer Trauerakt für Dr. Helmut Kohl am 1. Juli 2017

Zu Ehren des Vermächtnisses des europäischen Ehrenbürgers, Dr. Helmut Kohl, richten die drei europäischen Institutionen am 1. Juli im Europäischen Parlament in Straßburg einen europäischen Trauerakt aus.

Daran schließt sich eine Trauerfeier im Dom zu Speyer (Deutschland) an.

Weitere Informationen folgen in Kürze.

Kontakt für die Medien:

Für den Europäischen Rat
Preben AAMANN (+32 2 281 20 60; +32 476 85 05 43)

Für das Europäische Parlament
Jaume DUCH GUILLOT (+32 2 284 30 00; +32 496 59 94 76)

Für die Europäische Kommission
Margaritis SCHINAS (+ 32 2 296 05 24; +32 496 58 38 26)
Mina ANDREEVA (+32 2 299 13 82; +32 498 99 13 82)

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Today, the European Union remains a steady and significant supporter of Kenya’s economic and social development, and a major partner in the country’s integration into the global marketplace. The entry into force of the Cotonou Agreement on April 1st 2003 provides a framework for the continuation of this partnership.

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1.             The EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council (SA Council) held its eighth meeting on 20 June 2017. This meeting was chaired by Mr Aleksandar Andrija PEJOVIĆ, Minister of European Affairs of Montenegro. Ms Helena DALLI, Minister of European Affairs and Equality of Malta, led the European Union delegation (on behalf of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini). Mr Christian DANIELSSON, Director General for Enlargement Negotiations and European Neighbourhood Policy, represented the European Commission.

2.             The SA Council meeting provided a timely opportunity to review Montenegro's progress in its preparations for accession and to consider priorities for further work within the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

3.             In the context of the accession negotiations, the SA Council welcomed the opening of a number of negotiating chapters since its last meeting. It also looked forward to the opening of another two chapters, namely chapter 1 (Free movement of goods) and chapter 22 (Regional policy and coordination of structural instruments), as well as to the provisional closure of chapter 30 (External relations) at the subsequent Accession Conference. The SA Council encouraged Montenegro to continue its work on meeting all benchmarks and to continue focusing on the fundamentals of the accession process: rule of law, economic governance and public administration reform. It welcomed the inclusion of civil society representatives in preparations for EU accession and of related reforms, and encouraged Montenegro to continue improving consultation mechanisms with civil society.

4.             Concerning the Copenhagen political criteria, the SA Council took note of the parliamentary elections held in Montenegro on 16 October 2016 which were conducted under a substantially revised legal framework and, in general, in a more participatory and transparent manner. Given the ongoing boycott of parliamentary work by the opposition, the SA Council encouraged all relevant actors to return the political debate to the democratic institutions, notably to Parliament, where it belongs. The SA Council took note of the investigations and ongoing legal proceedings regarding the events on and around election day.

5.             The SA Council welcomed the continued implementation by Montenegro of the action plans for chapters 23 and 24. It recalled that it remained essential for the overall pace of the negotiating process that the entire rule of law system delivers more concrete results and a strengthened and sustainable track record, in particular in the fight against corruption and organised crime, including effective investigations, prosecutions and final convictions. In this regard, the SA Council took positive note of the significant progress achieved in legislative reform and institution-building and acknowledged progress in establishing an initial track record in the repression of high-level corruption and some forms of organised crime. The SA Council noted that track records remained limited in some areas of prevention of corruption, seizure and confiscation of criminal assets, human trafficking and money laundering. This also applied to violence against journalists.

6.             With further regard to the political criteria, the SA Council recalled the importance of media freedom and encouraged the authorities to step up their efforts in creating an environment conducive to investigative journalism and media freedom in general.

7.             With regard to public administration, the SA Council welcomed the adoption of the 2016-2020 public administration reform strategy and encouraged the timely implementation of its action plan. The SA Council reiterated the importance of addressing remaining capacity issues in Montenegro's public service, with a view to the future effective implementation and enforcement of the acquis.

8.             The SA Council commended Montenegro for its continued commitment to regional cooperation and its constructive role in maintaining regional stability. It welcomed the active participation in numerous regional initiatives in South Eastern Europe and the good neighbourly and bilateral relations it entertains with other enlargement countries and EU member states. The SA Council welcomed the continuity of meetings in the format of joint committees established under the bilateral agreements in accordance with the SAA.

9.             The SA Council strongly commended Montenegro for its consistent cooperation with the EU on foreign policy issues, in particular its full alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy.

10.         The SA Council took note of Montenegro's recent completion of a major step towards further Euro-Atlantic integration, as recognition of the country's reform efforts, especially in the area of rule of law.

11.         Concerning the economic criteria, the SA Council welcomed the submission by Montenegro of its third economic reform programme in January 2017. The SA Council invited Montenegro to ensure a close and timely follow-up to the policy guidance provided in the joint conclusions of the economic and financial dialogue between the EU and the Western Balkans and Turkey adopted on 23 May 2017. The SA Council encouraged Montenegro to make further efforts to ensure fiscal sustainability, to control public debt, to improve the business environment and to diversify the economy. The SA Council noted that the draft medium term fiscal consolidation package, presented in early June, would address the issue more comprehensively and now needed to be approved and implemented, in order to achieve fiscal sustainability.

12.         The SA Council examined the state of bilateral relations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). It welcomed Montenegro's positive track record in implementing its obligations under the SAA, including its trade-related provisions, since its entry into force on 1 May 2010, while encouraging Montenegro to strengthen its efforts to fully comply with the provisions on state aid.

13.         The SA Council also held an exchange of views on developments in the Western Balkans.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

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Formal relations between the European Union and the United Arab Emirates developed in the framework of the 1988 EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cooperation Agreement

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On 21 June, EU Ambassadors agreed on the Council's negotiating position to extend existing provisions covering  aviation activities in the EU emissions trading system (ETS) regulation beyond 2016, and to prepare for the implementation of the global market-basedmeasure as of 2021. The Council is now ready to start negotiations with the European Parliament.

The Commission proposal for a new regulation comes as a response to the agreement reached in October 2016 by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to introduce a global market-based measure from 2021 in order to regulate international aviation emissions through an offsetting system, also referred as CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation). The EU supports this measure and aims to join the first phase, which is voluntary.

The agreement found within the Council supports the main elements of the Commission proposal:

• maintain current limitations within the scope of the EU ETS, particularly by prolonging the  derogation for non-intra EEA flights;
• set out provisions for a review in view of the implementation of the global market-based measure within the EU, particularly in the ETS directive, once all ICAO decisions are taken;
• subject to this review, foresee the application of the Linear Reduction Factor (LRF) to aircraft operators from 2021 onwards in the aviation sector.

In addition, the text of the Commission proposal has been amended, in particular to clarify the review process.

The  proposal must be adopted by the end of this year in order to avoid a legal gap with regard to compliance with the current ETS regulation in 2017 and to ensure certainty for aircraft operators and managing authorities. The dates for reporting and surrendering allowances from emissions in 2017 would be 1 April and 1 May 2018 respectively.

Next steps and background

In the European Parliament, the vote in the ENVI Committee on the draft report of the proposal is scheduled for 11 July and a plenary vote is not expected until September.

The Commission submitted the proposal on 3 February 2017 and presented it to the Environment Council on 28 February.

ETS and ICAO - background

The emissions trading scheme (ETS) was launched in 2005 to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at EU level. The aviation sector is part of the existing ETS regulation. Emissions from aviation also contribute to the EU goal to cut 20% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.

It is recalled that in 2014, the EU decided to reduce the scope of the ETS scheme to apply only to flights within the European Economic Area (EEA) in order to facilitate  progress in the negotiations within the ICAO, and in the hope of achieving clarity as regards emissions from international flights connecting the EEA and third countries. The derogation for non-intra EEA flights was then made time-limited until the end of 2016.

The ETS reform is currently under negotiation for the 2021-2030 period. A review of the reform is planned for when ICAO legal obligations become clear for the implementation of the global market-based measure. Consistency will also be ensured with the EU's commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions by at least 40% compared to 1990 levels by 2030.

The ICAO global market-based measure aims to slow the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector and stabilise the numbers at 2020 levels. The application of the measure will be compulsory for major aviation countries in 2027, but an initial phase will be launched in 2021, allowing countries to start participating early on a voluntary basis.

AMENDMENTS 1 - 157 - Draft report Arms export: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP
Committee on Foreign Affairs

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Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Today, the Council adopted a decision to support the regionalisation of EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions in the Sahel region, namely EUCAP Sahel Mali, EUCAP Sahel Niger and EUTM Mali.

The Council decision allows for the establishment of a regional coordination cell based within one of the EU civilian missions, EUCAP Sahel Mali. The regional coordination cell include internal security and defence experts in G5 Sahel countries, deployed in Mali but also in EU delegations in other G5 Sahel countries, namely Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad.

In a first phase, the regional coordination cell will conduct an assessment of G5 Sahel countries' security and defence needs and gaps with a view to the development of a CSDP regional implementation plan that will make recommendations for any subsequent phase. It will also facilitate the organisation of training courses by the EU CSDP Missions in the Sahel for G5 Sahel countries security and defence trainees.

The objectives of reinforcing a regional approach in the EU work in the region is to support cross-border cooperation in the Sahel and regional cooperation structures, and to enhance national capacities of the G5 Sahel countries.

The EU supports the efforts the G5 Sahel countries and will work together against terrorism and any other threat to security and peace. On 19 June, the Council adopted conclusions on Mali and the Sahel which, in particular, strongly condemn the terrorist attack of 18 June in Bamako (Mali). The conclusions recall that the EU has a strong integrated approach towards achieving stabilisation of the region, including a full range of relevant instruments in the field of diplomacy, long-term development cooperation, support to human rights, stabilisation efforts, resilience building, humanitarian assistance, migration management and security, including CSDP missions.

It is fair to say that we will meet in a different political context from that of a few months ago, when the anti-EU forces were on the rise. The current developments on the continent seem to indicate that we are slowly turning the corner. In many of our countries, the political parties that have built their strength on anti-EU sentiments are beginning to diminish. We are witnessing the return of the EU rather as a solution, not a problem. Paradoxically, the tough challenges of the recent months  have made us more united than before. But it is also thanks to your determination, that we have preserved this unity. I thank you for this, and I ask for more. Our unity is precisely the reason why we are in a much better place today, with the new-found optimism for the future.

However, we cannot be complacent or naïve. We have to prove to the people that we are capable of restoring control over events which overwhelm and sometimes even terrify. Last year we agreed that the EU will protect our people against security threats, illegal migration and uncontrolled globalisation, and we must continue to deliver. Therefore, during the upcoming European Council, I want us to move further on our policy response in these three areas.

Firstly, security. Terrorism remains a major threat. The recent attacks highlight the new wave of home-grown radicalisation. Let me be honest: the EU will not replace national states in this fight, because the policy response depends mainly on governments. But the EU can help to win this fight. So far we have made progress on foreign fighters and returnees. Now it is time to step up cooperation with the online industry. Terrorist propaganda makes its biggest impact within the first few hours of being posted. We should therefore encourage the industry to develop tools that will automatically detect and remove content that spreads terrorist material or incites to violence.

Given that Europe's security is our common responsibility, I would also like us to agree on the need to launch Permanent Structured Cooperation in defence. For it to succeed, we will need your ambitious commitments: from projects that develop our defence capabilities, to more demanding tasks such as military operations. Decisions in this respect will demonstrate not only our determination to invest more in Europe's security and defence, but also our responsibility for transatlantic relations, at a time when it is needed on our side of the Atlantic as never before. Every Member State should be invited to participate in the newly emerging defence cooperation and no-one should be excluded. This cooperation can be the best example that we are not promoting "different" speeds, but setting up a work method that should allow the whole EU to gain the "right" speed.

Secondly, on illegal migration, we need to review the situation on the Central Mediterranean route. The number of illegal arrivals of primarily economic migrants to Italy has increased by 26% compared to last year; around 1 900 people have lost their lives at sea, and the smuggling business is taking on a new dimension. Some operational results of our decisions have been achieved, namely the training of Libyan Navy Coastguards, the arrests of more than 100 smugglers and the neutralisation of more than 400 of their vessels. But this is clearly too little, and I don't see why we cannot bear greater financial responsibility for the functioning of the Libyan Navy Coastguards. They are our allies in the fight against smugglers. I am drawing your attention to this, because at the working level some of your representatives are not taking the necessary decisions in this regard.

Finally, on uncontrolled globalisation. In order to protect our free trade agenda at home, we must prove that we can defend Europe against those who want to abuse our openness. To that end, we must ensure that our Trade Defence Instruments are efficient. We need to have a serious debate on how to enhance reciprocity and screen investments from countries that impose unfair restrictions. People need to know that we can protect them from unfair trading practices.

As for the meeting agenda, we will start our proceedings with the traditional exchange of views with the European Parliament President Tajani, at 15.00 on Thursday. Following this exchange, Prime Minister Muscat will update us on where we stand in implementing our previous conclusions. Our first working session will be dedicated to internal security, counterterrorism and defence. After the adoption of our conclusions on these points, we will suspend our work to meet the press. We will reconvene for a working dinner dedicated to external relations. Chancellor Merkel and President Macron will first present the state of play as regards the implementation of the Minsk Agreements. Then I will share with you my reflections after the recent international summits and meetings, including with Presidents Trump and Erdoğan. In that context I would like us to recall that we stand united behind the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. At the end of the dinner, Prime Minister May will inform us on her intentions as regards the negotiations on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. After dinner, I will invite the 27 leaders to stay for a brief update on the negotiations, and to endorse the procedure for the relocation of the UK-based agencies.

On Friday, we will start at 10.00 with ECB President Draghi, who will present the current economic situation. Following that, we will move on to trade and adopt the relevant conclusions. We will then tackle conclusions on migration, where Prime Minister Muscat will inform us on the follow-up to the Malta Declaration. Before concluding, we will briefly turn to the concept of Digital Europe with Prime Minister Ratas, in view of the incoming Presidency's work programme. Our meeting should end around lunchtime. I look forward to seeing you all in Brussels.

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Mengesteab
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Advocate General Sharpston considers that an applicant for international protection can challenge a Member State’s decision to transfer him to another Member State on the basis that the ‘take charge request’ sent by the first Member State was not made within the time limits set out under EU law

On 22 June, SEDE will welcome Canadian MPs and Senators, travelling as part of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association of the Parliament of Canada, to discuss European defence policy, EU-Canada cooperation in CSDP and Canada's participation in NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence. Gabor Iklody, Director Crisis Management and Planning Directorate, EEAS and Gabriel Bernier, Head of the Defence Policy Section, NATO will give opening presentations to kickstart the debate.
Further information
draft agenda
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

On 20 June 2017 the Council reached a political agreement with the European Parliament on new rules for the sustainable management of external fishing fleets. 

The agreed regulation will modernise the regime of authorisations for fishing vessels and will apply to all EU vessels fishing outside EU waters, and to third-country vessels fishing in EU waters. 

Hon. Clint Camilleri, Maltese Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal rights welcomed the agreement and said that 'thanks to these new and more transparent rules the EU will be better equipped to monitor its external fleet, and to fight against illegal fishing. We are proud to end our fisheries semester with such an important achievement'. 

The reformed Common fisheries policy (CFP) promotes a sustainable, ecosystem-based and precautionary approach to fisheries management, emphasising the coherence between its internal and external dimension. An overhaul of the previous regime of authorisations was therefore needed to make sure that EU fishing activities outside Union waters respect the same principles and standards as those applicable in EU waters. 

The various authorisation procedures are improved to limit the administrative burden, increase legal certainty, ensure equal treatment between internal and external fleets, and shorten the time of response to applicants. 

Furthermore, the new framework will strengthen the rules against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), which are key implementing pillars of the CFP. 

Background and next steps

Today's agreement still needs to be approved by the Council's Permanent RepresentativesCommittee (Coreper). After formal endorsement by the Council, the new legislation will be submitted to the European Parliament for a vote at first reading and to the Council for final adoption. 

This should enable the new regulation to enter into force by the end of 2017. 

The Commission proposal for a regulation on the sustainable management of external fishing fleets was submitted to the Council on 11 December 2015. On 28 June 2016, the Council agreed on a general approach, on the basis of which a mandate for negotiations with the EP was agreed in Coreper on 8 March 2017.

Three informal political trilogues with the EP took place between April and June 2017.

The EU has played a leading role in the process that led to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015. It is now determined to take the lead in its implementation. 

The  conclusions adopted by the Council today reiterate the strong commitment of the EU and its member states to  implement in full the 2030 Agenda and accomplish the 17 SDGs. The conclusions set out the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda and its approach to how it is implemented at EU level. They cover next steps, the means and resources required, how multilateral stakeholders can be involved, and measures on future monitoring and review. 

The conclusions underline the importance of achieving sustainable development across  the three dimensions (economic, social and environmental), in a balanced and integrated way. It is vital that  sustainable development is mainstreamed into all policy areas, and that the EU is ambitious in the policies it uses to address global challenges. 

The Council calls on the Commission to set out by mid-2018 an implementation strategy with timelines, objectives and concrete measures to implement the 2030 Agenda in all EU policies. The Commission should also identify by mid-2018 gaps where the EU needs to do more by 2030 in the areas of policy, legislation,  governance structures for horizontal coherence and implementation. 

The EU calls on other UN member states and all stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector, to contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 

More needs to be done to promote  the 2030 Agenda. In its conclusions the Council emphasises the lack of public engagement and calls for action to raise awareness among EU citizens. 

Background 

The conclusions are based on the recent Commission communication on the 'next steps for a sustainable European future' presented in November 2016, which links the sustainable development of the 2030 Agenda to the EU policy framework and the Commission's priorities. It provides an insight into where the EU stands on addressing the sustainable development goals and identifies the most relevant sustainability gaps and concerns. 

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 'Transforming our World' was adopted at the UN Sustainable Development Summit (New York, 25-27 September 2015). It includes a set of global sustainable development goals that replaced the millennium development goals as from 1 January 2016. 

The 2030 Agenda responds to global challenges by addressing poverty eradication and the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in a comprehensive way. The 17 new sustainable development goals and the 169 associated targets cover key areas such as poverty, human rights, food security, health, sustainable consumption and production, growth, employment, infrastructure, sustainable management of natural resources, oceans, climate change and gender equality. 

On 20 June 2017, the Council adopted a regulation amending regulation (EC) No1683/95 laying down a uniform format for visas. 

This regulation establishes a new common design for the visa sticker to update its security features in order to prevent forgery. The current visa sticker, which has been in circulation for 20 years, has been compromised by serious incidents of counterfeiting and fraud. 

The regulation is likely to be signed in early July by the Council and the European Parliament before its publication in the EU Official Journal. 

Ireland and the United Kingdom will not be subject to the application of the new measures, in accordance with the protocols annexed to the EU treaties. However, upon a request from these member states, the Commission shall enter into arrangements with them to exchange technical information in relation to the format for their national visas.

As the saying goes, “what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic”. And even though the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has said that the country will withdraw from the Paris climate change agreement, no one can escape the effects of global warming.

If there were ever a time for the European Union to assume leadership, this is it. Finland, as the Chair of the Arctic Council for the next two years and the northernmost EU member state, is trying to achieve just that. We want to turn the focus of the EU to the Arctic, and for the EU to assume leadership in tackling the challenges of climate change.

We in Finland are fully aware that this will not be easy. We can’t, and won’t, tackle the issue alone.

Our Arctic Council chairmanship slogan ‒ ‘Exploring Common Solutions’ ‒ reflects the need for constructive cooperation between all Arctic stakeholders. At the same time, we ambitiously want to take Arctic cooperation to the next level.

Our four priorities include environmental protection, connectivity, meteorological cooperation and education.

“It is in the interests of the EU, and the whole world, that that solutions to complicated Arctic questions are resolved peacefully together”

Environmental protection remains a key task for Arctic cooperation. As for connectivity, economic development is directly linked to the adoption of modern communications technology.

Meteorological cooperation is a new focus of the Arctic Council, and work is carried out jointly with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Meteorological cooperation is becoming increasingly important for the development of ice and weather services, as well as for the real-time assessment of scientific research on climate change. And last but not least, education is the key to sustainable development. The Arctic region is no exception in this respect.

For Finland, the Arctic Council chairmanship and the new focus of the EU on the Arctic, are opportunities to showcase our world leading expertise ‒ known as ‘snow-how’ ‒ and technology.

The objective of the Finnish government is that Finland provides practical solutions to Arctic challenges. Two-thirds of the world´s icebreakers have been designed in Finland, and as our Foreign Minister Timo Soini has joked, “all the best ones” are of Finnish making.

The High North and Arctic are the ultimate testbeds for anything and everything functional, and therefore one can well say, “if it works in Finland, it works anywhere”. To work here, ideas must be Arctic-proof – and withstand the challenges of the changing seasons. Finns are born with an Arctic attitude and Finland is one of the leading countries in the world because we have to cope with, and get to enjoy, an Arctic climate.

As the EU as a whole holds a leading position in science, it should increase its participation in large-scale scientific cooperation. Research and education are central to the EU’s Arctic Programme.

“Environmental protection remains a key task for Arctic cooperation”

When it comes to project funding, the EU should put its money where its mouth is. The objectives of Finland for the Arctic Council chairmanship are supported by the EU’s growing interest in northern investment, infrastructure development and innovation. But more funding is needed for projects that focus on the connectivity and logistics in the North, thereby improving the lives of the people and giving an economic boost to the region.

Engagement of all stakeholders, both public and private, is needed. A high-level event, entitled ‘A Sustainable Arctic – Innovative Approaches’, was co-hosted by the Finnish foreign ministry, the European Commission and the European External Action Service, in the city of Oulu on 15-16 June.

Timo Soini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella all stressed the importance of deepening the cooperation in the Arctic region between local, regional and national authorities and with the representatives of the indigenous peoples.

Despite geopolitical tensions rising in the last years, the Arctic region has remained one of peaceful cooperation.  We must continue to ensure cool heads prevail in the future as well.

It is in the interests of the EU, and the whole world, that the Arctic remains a region where constructive international cooperation is conducted and that solutions to complicated Arctic questions are resolved peacefully together.

IMAGE CREDIT: CC/Flickr – NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

The post Time for the EU to act in the Arctic appeared first on Europe’s World.

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Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP