European Union

US President Barack Obama will meet with Donald Trump at the White House today to discuss the plan for handing over power to his designated successor. Commentators are still perplexed by Donald Trump's victory against Hillary Clinton, who was considered the favourite. Many see the election result as a protest vote against the establishment.

Using her Twitter account, Marine Le Pen was one of the first to congratulate Donald Trump. Like other far-right politicians in Europe she sees her chances as having improved after his victory. Does she now stand a better chance of becoming the next president of France? Or will she be unable to emulate Trump's success?

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EU Foreign Affairs ministers meet in Brussels on 14 November 2016 to discuss the Eastern Partnership, taking stock of the current multilateral and bilateral relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Foreign ministers are having an exchange of views on the Southern Neighbourhood, including the latest developments in Syria.

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Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

On 14 November 2016, the Council adopted an amending regulation concerning goods that can be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The agreement will enable regulation 1236/2005 to be amended in the light of developments since it entered into force in 2006. It provides for modifications to the current rules on export controls, for new controls on brokering services and technical assistance, for a ban on advertising of certain goods and for amendment of the definition of other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The aim is to prevent EU exports from contributing to human rights violations in third countries.

A ban on torture and ill-treatment is enshrined in United Nations conventions on human rights. At EU level, the Charter of Fundamental Rights prohibits capital punishment and provides that "no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". The EU also promotes respect for fundamental rights around the world.

2005 regulation on torture goods

Regulation 1236/2005 bans the export and import of equipment/goods that can only be used for torture or capital punishment. Such goods are listed in annex II to the regulation.

The regulation requires specific licences for exports of equipment/goods that could have such uses but which also have legitimate applications. Such goods are subject to a case-by-case assessment and are listed in annexes III and IIIA to the regulation.

In December 2011, the regulation was amended to control the export of drugs that could be used in executions by lethal injection.

Amendments

The new regulation allows for exports to countries that are parties to international conventions on capital punishment to be covered by a general authorisation. The country must have abolished the death penalty for all crimes and the goods must not be re-exported to other countries.

The new regulation also imposes a ban on the brokering of equipment that is subject to an import and export ban as listed in annex II, so as to cover transfers of goods that are not located in the EU. It additionally bans the provision of brokering services by any broker who is aware that goods listed in annex III or IIIA may be used for torture or capital punishment.

The regulation bans the supply of technical assistance (concerning goods listed in annex III or IIIA) by anyone who is aware that the equipment in question may be used for torture or capital punishment.

It also adjusts the definition of other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the light of case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.

It furthermore provides for an urgency procedure in case rapid amendment of the regulation's annexes is necessary when new goods enter the market.

Under the agreement with the European Parliament, the agreed text:

• introduces a prior authorisation regime for brokering services and technical assistance for goods listed in  annex III and IIIA
• prohibits the transport of goods in transit if they are listed in annex II, and of those listed  in annex III or IIIa if the economic operator has information about their use in the country of destination
• prohibits the advertising and promotion at exhibitions and trade fairs of goods listed in annex II
• establishes a coordination group, which will serve as a platform for member state experts and the Commission to exchange information on administrative practices and which will also discuss questions of interpretation, developments and implementation of the regulation

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EU Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries meet in Brussels on 14-15 November 2016 to focus on 2017-18 fishing opportunities for deep-sea stocks, the multi-annual plan for demersal stocks in the North Sea, the recommendations of the Agricultural Markets Task Force and the impact of trade on EU agriculture.

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The gold gilded door, the grins, the open neck shirt. This was a chilling sight for the EU establishment. Donald Trump, the US president-elect, had made his first big overture to a politician on the continent. . . and his name was Nigel Farage.

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The Council endorsed the joint communication "Elements for an EU-wide strategic framework to support Security Sector Reform (SSR)". The Council called on all EU actors for a swift implementation of the EU SSR framework.

SSR provides foundations contributing to the establishment of effective democratic control and accountability of the security sector and is therefore relevant in all contexts - including stable ones - to improve governance and human security, and throughout the whole conflict cycle.

SSR is a key component of conflict prevention by addressing potential crisis factors, as well as of crisis management and conflict resolution, post-conflict stabilisation, peace-building and state-building by reinstating accountable security institutions and restoring effective security services to the population, thus providing the environment for sustainable development and peace.

Foreign affairs ministers and defence ministers held a joint session on the implementation plan on security and defence.

The implementation plan on security and defence was presented by the High Representative, taking into account her roles as  Vice-President of the European Commission and Head of the European Defence Agency, to member states at the Council meeting.

The Council adopted conclusions on implementing the EU global strategy in the area of security and defence. These conclusions set out the level of ambition as well as concrete actions. These actions will assist the EU and its members states in addressing further Europe's current and future security and defence needs.

The implementation plan on security and defence is part of the follow-up to the EU global strategy on foreign and security policy. The High Representative presented the EU global strategy "Shared vision, common action: a stronger Europe" to the European Council on 28 June. The strategy is intended to guide EU foreign and security policy in the years to come. The Council adopted conclusions on the global strategy on 17 October 2016.

Security and defence is one of the priority areas for the work on implementation of the EU global strategy, which also includes resilience building and integrated approach to conflicts and crises, strengthening the nexus between internal and external policies, updating existing or preparing new regional and thematic strategies and stepping up public diplomacy efforts.

The work on security and defence is conducted in synergy with the work on the Commission European Defence Action Plan as well as in regards to the implementation of the joint declaration by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of NATO. The implementation plan, together with the Council conclusions, is expected to be presented at the European Council meeting of December.

The Council adopted conclusions welcoming the upcoming fifth review conference of the Convention on prohibitions or restrictions on the use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects (CCW) taking place in Geneva from 12-16 December 2016.

The Council confirmed that the conference represents an opportunity to keep the Convention responsive to new developments and strengthen its implementation.

The CCW is a unique international forum gathering diplomatic, legal and military expertise. It offers a flexible way to respond to new developments in weapons technologies and to support the implementation of an essential part of international humanitarian law which contributes to preventing and reducing the suffering of both civilians and combatants.