The Newsletter n°752 — 20 mars 2017
La Lettre
Corinne Deloy
—
20 March 2017
In spite of the victory of the head of government's party, the outgoing government coalition suffered a defeat, notably due to the collapse of the social democrats of the Labour Party (PvdA), led by Lodewijk Asscher, who won 5.7% of the vote and 9 seats (-29). "A dramatic loss" stressed the latter. The slow death of social-democracy is a strong trend across all of Europe.
Front page!
The Schuman Report on Europe, State of the Union 2017 has now been published
20 March 2017
The 11th edition of the "Schuman Report on the State of the Union" has just been published by Lignes de Repères". You can purchase this book that is vital in order to understand Europe from bookshops and on the Foundation's site. Order it?
Elections
Janos Ader re-elected as President of Hungary
19 March 2017
Outgoing head of State Janos Ader, supported by the Alliance of Young Democrats-Civic Union (FIDESZ-MPP), the party of the Prime Minister Viktor Orban, was re-elected as President of Hungary by the Orszaggyules, the only chamber in Parliament, on 13th March in the second round of voting.
Foundation
"A new wave" after the French elections
20 March 2017
The Martens Centre and the Foundation are organising a conference on 22nd March on the issues at stake in the French presidential election: "A new wave" after the French elections? Enrol now!
Commission
New action pan to counter drug trafficking
19 March 2017
On 15th March the European Commission put forward a new EU plan of action regarding drugs over the period 2017-2020.
Towards a common market in the Balkans
19 March 2017
On 16th March the European Commission encouraged the Western Balkans to create a regional common market during a meeting with the Prime Ministers of the six countries in Sarajevo.
Parliament
Strengthening of shareholders' rights
20 March 2017
According to a resolution approved by MEPs on 14th March shareholders will have their word to say about the payment of leaders and businesses to facilitate the identification of their shareholders.
Update of 1991 directive on fire arms
20 March 2017
Stricter controls on arms as well as the obligation on the part of Member States to introduce a system to assess the delivery and renewal of permits are part of measures adopted on 14th March by MEPs.
Lifting obstacles to the freedom of movement and work
20 March 2017
On 15th March MEPs adopted a text on free movement workers in the Union. They are worried about practices which infringe this right after the expiry of work contracts.
Budgetary Priorities 2018
20 March 2017
Growth and employment, particularly for young people must remain budgetary priorities just like migration and climate change, declare MEPs in the budgetary guidelines 2018 adopted on 15th March.
Protection of the Arctic
20 March 2017
Climate change is leading to new environmental and security challenges in the Arctic because the ice-cap is opening up new navigation and fishing paths and competition for its natural resources is growing maintained MEPs in a resolution that was approved on 16th March.
Council
Eurogroup Meeting
1 January 1970
During the Eurogroup Meeting on 20th March Ministers deemed that discussions between Greek and its creditors were going to gather pace over the next few day in order to come to an agreement on progress on the aid plan.
Diplomacy
European Union Strategy for Syria: consolidating peace work
19 March 2017
The European Commission and the Vice-President Federica Mogherini, the EU's High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy adopted a joint communication on 14th March proposing an EU strategy regarding a Syria that is oriented towards the future.
Declarations on Crimea
20 March 2017
Three years after the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the town of Sebastopol by the Russian Federation, the European Union is still firmly attached to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Court of Justice
Decision on the display religious symbols at work
19 March 2017
On 14th March the Court of Justice delivered an opinion which stipulates "an internal regulation of a business banning the display of all political, philosophical and religious symbols was not direct discrimination."
Germany
Meeting between the Finance Ministers of the G20
20 March 2017
On 17th and 18th March the Finance Ministers of the G20, who were meeting in Baden Baden spoke of the future and looked in greater depth into the issues of climate change, trade and fate of the free-trade agreements.
Meeting between Angela Merkel and Donald Trump
20 March 2017
Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor and Donald Trump, the American President met on 17th March in the USA to discuss trade relations, their role in NATO, their position regarding Russia as well as the EU.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier takes office as Federal President
20 March 2017
On 18th March Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the new German President elected on 12th February took office officially as he succeeded Joachim Gauck.
Angela Merkel and Shinzo Abe inaugurate CEBIT
20 March 2017
On 19th March German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated "free-trade" and "free, open markets" during the inauguration of the CEBIT fair in Hannover.
Spain
Economic Study of Spain by the OECD forecasts growth of 2%
19 March 2017
According to an economic study of Spain by the OECD on 14th March, growth will be over 2% covering the period 2017-2018.
France
Meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel
19 March 2017
The candidate in the French presidential election, Emmanuel Macron travelled to Berlin on 16th March to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel. They discussed relations between France and Germany and of the future of the European project.
List of candidates in the presidential election
19 March 2017
The official list of candidates in the French presidential election was decided by the Constitutional Council on 18th March. 11 candidates will be standing.
Ireland
Constitutional referendum in view
20 March 2017
On 12th March the Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny announced that a referendum would be organised to amend the Constitution to allow Irish citizens living outside of its territory including in Northern Ireland, to vote in the presidential election.
Italy
Meeting of EU Parliaments in Rome
20 March 2017
On 17th March the leaders of the national parliaments of the Union's Member States met in Rome to discuss the future of Europe.
UK
The British Parliament gives the greenlight to trigger article 50
19 March 2017
On 16th March British Secretary of State for Brexit David Davis announced that Queen Elizabeth II had given her greenlight to the draft bill on article 50. On 20th March the British government announced the triggering of article 50 on 29th March thereby opening the official procedure to the UK's exit of the European Union.
The Scottish First Minister announces a referendum for independence
19 March 2017
On 13th March the Scottish First Minister Nicolas Sturgeon announced that she would ask to organise a referendum on Scotland's independence between the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 whilst the launch of Brexit is imminent.
Sweden
The Swedish government unveils its priorities for the EU
19 March 2017
On 15th March the Swedish government published a report on which it highlights its three priorities for the EU: employment and growth, a more ambitious climate, energy and environment policy and a policy regarding migrants and refugees based on solidarity.
Iceland
Lifting of the control of capital
20 March 2017
On 12th March Iceland announced that it was doing away with capital controls which had been introduced during the financial crisis in 2008 to stabilise the currency and the economy.
Ukraine
Ratification of the free-trade agreement between Canada and Ukraine
20 March 2017
The Ukrainian Parliament ratified the free-trade agreement concluded with Canada on 15th March. This agreement should enable the removal of customs duties within the next 7 years.
Payment of 600 million € to Ukraine
20 March 2017
On 16th March the European Commission approved a payment of 600 million € in aid to Ukraine. This brings the total amount of assistance granted by the EU to Ukraine to 2.81 billion € ie the biggest amount ever granted by the Union to a third country in this context.
Migration
Requests for Asylum in 2016
19 March 2017
According to a study by Eurostat on 16th March 1,204,300 primo-asylum seekers lodged a request for international protection in the Member States of the European Union in 2016.
Provision of emergency aid
20 March 2017
On 15th March the Commission delivered a report on progress and the path to follow regarding humanitarian aid logistics notably granted to Greece to manage the influx of refugees.
NATO
Annual Report
19 March 2017
On 13th March NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg published his annual report which describes the new measures adopted by NATO in 2016 to ensure the security of citizens and member states.
Studies/Reports
Fewer dangerous products thanks to the rapid alert system
19 March 2017
On 16th March the European Commission presented its report on the rapid alert system regarding dangerous products. With this system, more dangerous products were withdrawn from sale, notably from on-line sales sites.
Report on the Representation of women in politics
19 March 2017
Published on 15th March the UN-Women report and Parliamentary Union's report indicates that the number of women present in the executive branches of government and in parliament is stagnating across the world.
General report on the EU's activities
19 March 2017
The General Report on the Activities of the European Union presented on 15th March provides an overview of the major events and the main initiatives in the Union in 2016.
Eurostat
Employment rising
19 March 2017
The number of people in work increased by 0.3% in the euro zone and by 0.2% in the Union European in the 4th quarter 2016 in comparison with the previous quarter according to estimates published by Eurostat on 15th March.
Annual inflation rising
19 March 2017
According to a Eurostat study on 16th March the annual inflation rate of the euro zone lay at 2% in February 2017, against 1.8% in January, that of the EU lay at 1.9% in February 2017 against 1.7% in January.
Culture
International exhibition of flowers in the Netherlands
20 March 2017
From 23rd March to 21st May the floral park, the Keukenhof in the Netherlands is hosting thousands of visitors who come to admire the immense floral exhibition.
Exhibition "Pissarro in Eragny"
20 March 2017
Until 9th Juy the Museum of Luxembourg in Paris is hosting the exhibition "Pissarro in Eragny: Nature Regained", comprising around 100 pictures, drawings and prints made by the painter in the village of Eragny between 1884 and 1903.
International Church Music Festival in Oslo
20 March 2017
Until 26th March the city of Oslo in Norway is hosting the international church music festival where national and international choirs and musicians perform.
Exhibition of French paintings in Copenhagen
20 March 2017
Until 31st December the Glyptoteket Museum in Copenhagen is hosting an exhibition of French paintings covering the period 1809-1950.
"Francophonie" Week
20 March 2017
Until 26th March Francophonie Week (focused on the French language) is taking place. Many events are being organised across the work as part of this 22nd event.
Monstra Festival in Lisbon
20 March 2017
The 16th edition of the Monstra Cartoon Film Festival is taking place in Lisbon until 26th March.
Ai Weiwei Exhibition in Prague
20 March 2017
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei unveiled his biggest work of art to date in the grand gallery of the Palace of Veletrzni in Prague. "The Law of the Journey" represents a giant boat of refugees, devoted to recent migratory events. It is on show until 7th January 2018.
Paris Book Fair
20 March 2017
From 24th to 27th March Paris is hosting the 37th edition of the Book Fair which brings together French and international editors and authors and more than 150,000 visitors.
Agenda
20th March
Eurogroup Meeting (Brussels)
21st March
Economic and Monetary Council (Brussels)
25th March
European Council - 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaties (Rome)
26th March
General Elections (Bulgaria)
27th and 28th March
Justice and Internal Affairs 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 ,Laurent Boulay, Hanna Létang, Béatrice Manole,Elise Mathevon, Lorène Weber.
N°ISSN : 2729-6482
Editor-in-Chief :
Eric Maurice
Director of Publication :
Pascale Joannin
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