The Newsletter n°748 — 20 févr. 2017
La Lettre
Bernard Bourget
—
20 February 2017
Just as the European Commission has launched a consultation on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the EU'a future budgetary planning (post 2020), it seems appropriate to look into the reasons for the mistrust surrounding this policy, which is inceasingly a mystery to any farmers and the population. We should also consider the constraints weighing on the CAP before exploring ways that might, as meaning is given to it, lead to a return of confidence on the part of the Europeans in this policy.
Elections
General election in the Netherlands on 15th March
20 February 2017
On 15th March next 12.9 million Dutch citizens will be called to renew the 150 members of the lower house of parliament (Tweede Kamer). In all 28 parties will be taking part in the elections. The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the Freedom Party (PVV) are running neck and neck in the polls.
Foundation
Meetings between debt market and exchange professionals
20 February 2017
Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Foundation, is taking part on 21st February in the 8th meeting of debt market and exchange professionals. He is speaking during the third round table "The European Union and the United Kingdom: what needs to be negotiated? An overview of the issues at stake".
Commission
Comitology: greater transparency and accountability
20 February 2017
On 14th February the Commission proposed the modification of the regulation on comitology and measures aiming to increase transparency and accountability in the implementation procedures of European legislation.
444 million € investment in energy infrastructures
19 February 2017
On 17th February the 28 EU Member States approved the Commission's proposals to invest 444 million € in major European energy infrastructure projects. The latter will help to achieve the Union's energy goals.
Parliament
Speech by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
19 February 2017
A "strong European Union is profitable to the whole world" deemed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on 16th February as he spoke to MEPs in support of the EU-Canada free-trade agreement (CETA) which was ratified on 15th February.
Vision of the future of Europe
20 February 2017
MEPs adopted three resolutions exploring future developments of the EU on 16th February. The first focuses on which might be done to take best advantage of the Lisbon Treaty. The second analyses the possibility of going beyond the present tools available to us. The third suggests greater rapprochement by the euro zone economies.
Visit by Austria President Alexander van der Bellen
19 February 2017
On 14th February the Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen addressed European Members of Parliament. He stressed the success of European integration and called for a solution to be brought to the present challenges together; at the same time he repeated his support to the European project, "the idea of Europe is marvellous, it is unique and it is worth it."
Ratification of the EU-Canada trade agreement
20 February 2017
On 15th February the economic and trade agreement between the EU and Canada which aims to stimulate the trade of goods and services as well as investment flows was adopted by MEPs, 408 votes in support 254 against and 33 abstentions. The agreement will temporarily come into force in April 2017.
Council
Mobility of online content
19 February 2017
On 15th February the Council approved new rules to enable consumers who have paid for online services in their own country to access the same services when they travel to another Member State.
"Education, Youth, Culture and Sports" Council
20 February 2017
On 17th February the 28 Education Ministers discussed the procedures whereby education and training might help towards forming social cohesion and strengthening common European values.
Meeting between Donald Tusk and Mike Pence
20 February 2017
The USA are determined to "continue cooperation and the partnership with the EU" said American Vice-President Mike Pence on 20th February on the occasion of his first official visit to Brussels.
Eurogroup Conclusions
1 January 1970
On 20th February in Brussels the 19 Finance Ministers of the euro zone welcomed the convergence of Greece's positions with those of the institutions (ECB, IMF, European Commission and the European Stability Mechanism) which should lead to the launch of the country's third economic adjustment programme. They also looked at the Commission's economic forecast for 2017-2018.
Conclusions of the Competitiveness Council
1 January 1970
On 20th February the 28 Ministers responsible for Trade, Industry, Research and Innovation exchanged views on the new initiative in support of start-ups and scale-ups and also on cooperation in terms of consumer protection.
ECB
The ECB presents its annual accounts 2016
19 February 2017
On 16th February the ECB's Board of Governors approved an audit of its 2016 accounts. The ECB recorded a net profit of 1.19 billion € against 1.08 in 2015 and net interest revenues of 1.648 billion € against 1.475 billion the previous year.
European Agencies
77th successful launch of Ariane 5
19 February 2017
On 14th February the European Space Agency's (ESA) launcher Ariane 5 successfully lifted off from the space centre in Kourou in French Guyana, launching two telecommunications satellites, Sky Brasil 1 and Telkom-3S into orbit.
Germany
Germany, one of the five most innovative countries in the world
19 February 2017
In its 10th annual report published on 15th February the panel of experts on research and innovation lauded the government's innovation policy. Germany is one of the five most innovative countries in the world with 3% of the GDP being devoted to research and development.
Meeting of G20 Foreign Ministers
20 February 2017
On 16th and 17th February the G20 Foreign Ministers stressed the importance of a stronger cooperation in terms of countering poverty and crisis and risk management (climate change, terrorism, migration, conflict etc...) The partnership with Africa was deemed primordial.
Munich Security Conference
20 February 2017
On 17th February during the Munich Security Conference German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen asked the USA not to "go it alone" with Russia whilst the "Europeans and the USA have a joint interest in finding a tension-free relationship with Russia."
France
French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve visits Berlin
19 February 2017
On 13th February French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve travelled to Berlin to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel. He indicated that Franco-German solidarity was vital more than ever before for the future of Europe.
Meeting between Bernard Cazeneuve and Theresa May
20 February 2017
On 17th February Theresa May hosted her French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve in London. The British Prime Minister said that the UK would still be a strong ally for France after Brexit recalling notably that trade between the UK and France had made a surplus of 50 billion €.
Report by the information committee on the consequences of the British referendum
20 February 2017
French MPs want a short negotiation and a vote on the future relationship between the EU and the UK said the report by the information committee on the consequences of the British referendum, which was approved unanimously less one vote on 15th February.
Ireland
Enda Kenny's speech on Brexit
19 February 2017
On 15th February Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny spoke in support of a post-Brexit transition period, covering the time needed to rebuild a legal framework for a new relationship between the UK and the EU.
Italy
The OECD publishes a study on reform and growth in Italy
19 February 2017
On 15th February the OECD published an Economic Study of Italy. Although structural reforms such as the Jobs Act helped it emerge from a long recession the country must reform the labour market, vocational training and improve the efficacy of its civil service and the business environment in order to strengthen its growth.
Poland
NGO open letter to the Commission asking for sanctions against Poland
19 February 2017
On 16th February NGOs including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International addressed an open letter to the European Commission in which they ask for sanctions to be taken against Poland deeming that the latter is undermining the rule of law.
Romania
Referendum on Corruption
20 February 2017
Following the constant demonstrations across all of the country, the Romanian government accepted on 13th February to organise a referendum on corruption on the president's request and under popular pressure.
Visit by the Romanian Prime Minister in Brussels
20 February 2017
On 17th February the Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeau met with the President of the Council Donald Tusk in Brussels to discuss the priorities of the Romanian government from the points of view of economic growth and also the fight to counter corruption.
UK
What will the environmental impact of the Brexit be?
20 February 2017
On 14th February the British Parliament's Environment Sub-Committee published a report stressing the environmental impact of Brexit.
Tony Blair calls on the British to resist
19 February 2017
On 17th February former Prime Minister Tony Blair called on Britons who want the UK to remain in the EU to resist and try to convince Brexit supporters to change their minds.
Sweden
Presentation of Foreign Policy Guidelines 2017
19 February 2017
On 15th February the Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström presented the direction the government wanted to take in terms of foreign policy in 2017 to the Riksdag (Parliament).
Council of Europe
Call for the re-establishment of the freedom of expression in Turkey
19 February 2017
On 15th February the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muiznieks called on the Turkish authorities to reform legislation in force and take new steps that aim both the guarantee the independence of the judicial system as well as the country's commitment to protecting the freedom of expression.
NATO
Strengthening NATO
20 February 2017
The Defence Ministers of NATO's member countries, who met on 15th to 17th February approved the creation of a Regional Hub for the South, the next stages in the modernisation of NATO's command structure...
WTO
World Trade Outlook in the first quarter of 2017
20 February 2017
The World Trade Outlook published on 14th February seems to suggest a moderate increase in pace in world trade in the first quarter of 2017.
Eurostat
GDP rise
20 February 2017
According to Eurostat estimates published on 14th February the GDP rose by 0.5% in the EU and by 0.4% in the euro zone in the 4th quarter of 2106 in comparison with the 3rd quarter (+1.8% and +1.7% respectively over one year).
International goods trade surplus
19 February 2017
According to statistics published by Eurostat on 15th February, the EU recorded a international goods trade surplus of 20.9 billion € and the euro zone 28.1€ billion in December 2016.
Culture
International Contemporary Art Fair in Madrid (ARCO)
20 February 2017
From 22nd to 26th February the International Contemporary Art Fair (ARCO) is taking place in Madrid. Nearly 160 galleries from 30 different countries will be presenting the latest trends in contemporary art.
"Egon Schiele" at the Albertina of Vienna
20 February 2017
As part of the commemoration celebrating the death of Egon Schiele in 1918, the Albertina in Vienna is showing all of the painter's career from 22nd February to 18th June.
International Cinema Festival Porto
20 February 2017
From 24th February to 4th March the international cinema festival in Porto, "Fantasporto" runs a competition between Portuguese and other films from the world over - short and full feature. Conferences and exhibitions are also on the programme.
Rembrandt's Century
20 February 2017
The Dutch masterpieces of the 17th century, part of the Thomas Kaplan collection, are on show at the Louvre in Paris from 22nd February to 22nd May, including the greatest collection of works by Rembrandt. Another exhibition devoted to the Golden Century is on show until 7th May at the Custodia Foundation.
Exhibition devoted to Venetian painting in Hamburg
20 February 2017
From 24th February to 21st May the "Poetry of Venetian Painting" is taking place at the Hamburger Kunsthalle. Work by great Venetian artists such as Titian, Palma the Old and Lorenzo Lotto are on show.
Journey to Edo Exhibition in Warsaw
20 February 2017
From 25th February to 7th May the National Museum of Warsaw is organising an exhibition entitled "Journey to Edo" which allows visitors to explore the ukiyo-e woodblock prints from the collection of Jerzy Leskowicz.
Exhibition Maarten Baas at the Groningen Museum
20 February 2017
The Groninger Museum (Netherlands) is showing work by Dutch designer Maarten Baas in an exhibition entitled "Hide and Seek" until 24th September.
Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting
20 February 2017
The Louvre is creating an event as it puts on show 11 canvasses by the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer from 22nd February to 22nd May for the first time in 50 years,, as part of an exhibition "Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting".
Agenda
20th February
"Competitiveness" council (Brussels)
20th February
Eurogroup (Brussels)
21st February
Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Brussels)
27th February
Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Brussels)
28th February
Environment Council (Brussels)
Newsletter Archives
Ukraine's accession negotiations with the European Union: reforms undertaken in ten years and the challenges ahead
Draghi Report: as strategic a guide as it is diplomatic for Europe
A Union of criminal law - the vital European area of freedom, security and justice.
General elections 26 October in Georgia: a referendum on Europe
What the European Parliament should ask of future Commissioners
The Editors of the Newsletter :
Charles de Marcilly, Helen Levy ,Léa Degorre, François Frigot, Hanna Létang,Elise Mathevon, Athina Reuter, Lorène Weber
N°ISSN : 2729-6482
Editor-in-Chief :
Eric Maurice
Director of Publication :
Pascale Joannin
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