The Newsletter n°773 — 25 sept. 2017
La Lettre
Thierry Chopin
—
25 September 2017
The reform of the European political system and of the euro zone a minima supposes the prior clarification of the goals that are to be reached: is it a question of "simply" reforming the present institutional system whilst retaining the community rationale on which the Union's institutions are based – i.e. according to a rationale of a balance of interests and not of power? Or is it a question of going further and of transforming the European political system into one that is truly parliamentary, with a government that is accountable to parliament, or even into a presidential system, with its corollary, the introduction of a regime and the effective separation of powers?
Front page!
Brexit: Theresa May between the lines
23 September 2017
Jean-Dominique Giuliani delivers an initial analysis of the British proposals to revive negotiations over the UK's exit of the EU (Brexit) which have been made possible by Theresa May's speech in Florence on 22nd September.
Elections
4th Term in Office for Angel Merkel
25 September 2017
The German general elections on 24th September were marked by a smaller victory than expected for Angela Merkel's CDU, who did however win her fourth term in office with 33%. The election was also marked by a breakthrough by the nationalist rightwing (AfD), which came third behind the SPD, which achieved its lowest result ever. Angela Merkel must now form the only coalition possible after the SPD's decision to no longer take part in the government, i.e. a unique, so-called Jamaican coalition with the liberals of the FDP and the Greens.
Foundation
Geopolitics Nantes
23 September 2017
The 5th edition of Geopolitics Nantes is taking place from 29th to 30th September 2017. Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Foundation is speaking on the theme "Brexit, Trump, Putin China: what does the future hold for Europe?"
Commission
For a smart, innovative and sustainable industry
23 September 2017
On 18th September the European Commission reiterated the principles of its industrial strategy.
Responding better to cyberattacks
23 September 2017
On 19th September the European Commission announced further measures to rise to the challenge of cyberattacks. It is suggesting the strengthen the Union's Cybersecurity Agency, the creation of a dedicated Research Centre and the introduction of a European framework facilitating a rapid response to attacks.
Stimulating growth of the EU's border regions
23 September 2017
On 20th September the European Commission published a communication aiming to stimulate growth and cohesion of the Union's border regions by introducing "the border point of contact" who will be responsible for facilitating access to work, trade, and to improve public services.
Entry into force of the EU-Canada trade agreement
23 September 2017
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada entered temporarily into force on 21st September in advance of ratification by all of the Member States.
Plan to reform corporate tax in the Union
23 September 2017
On 21st September the Commission presented its project for a "fair taxation of the digital economy" and notably the major web companies (GAFA). It is notably offering a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) for companies with a turnover higher than 750 million €.
For a true Capital Markets Union
23 September 2017
On 20th September the European Commission proposed reforms to deepen financial integration and to promote "employment, growth and investment" in Europe. These measures will strengthen mandates, governance and the financing of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) and will place emphasis on the development of sustainable finance and FinTech.
Brexit: Barnier welcomes the "constructive" speech by Theresa May
25 September 2017
Michel Barnier, the Union's negotiator in chief spoke immediately after the speech delivered by Theresa May on 22nd September in Florence. Although he acknowledged the "constructive" spirit shown by the British Prime Minister he did however ask for details about the "real implications" of her commitments, notably regarding European citizens' rights in the UK.
Parliament
Meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Antonio Tajani
23 September 2017
During a joint press conference on 22nd September the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani announced that French President Emmanuel Macron would present his proposals for reform to the European Parliament "in October or November."
Council
Towards a unified European electricity market?
23 September 2017
The 28 European energy ministers who met in Tallinn on 20th September discussed the Energy Union and notably a unified electricity market. On 19th during the Conference on the future of the electricity market the "e-Energy Declaration" was signed.
Improving air links and transport networks
23 September 2017
On 20th and 21st September the 28 European Transport Ministers discussed in Tallinn making safe air traffic in Europe as well as the Trans-European Transport Network (RTE-T).
End of excessive deficit procedure against Greece
25 September 2017
Estonian Finance Minister Toomas Tõniste announced the end of the excessive deficit procedure undertaken against Greece since 2009, when the Greek deficit represented 15% of its GDP. The European Commission forecasts an excess of under 3% in 2017 and 2018, after the budgetary excess of 0.7% of 2016.
Conclusions of the General Affairs Council
25 September 2017
On 25th September the 28 European Affairs Ministers prepared the European Council of 19th and 20th October, which in theory is meant to conclude negotiations between the EU and the UK on the issue of citizens' rights, Ireland and the exit bill due by the British to the EU. Ministers also discussed the Commission's priorities for 2018.
ECB
Countering youth unemployment to defence the European project
24 September 2017
ECB President Mario Draghi said on 22nd September that mass unemployment that is affecting young Europeans might threaten "social cohesion" and "confidence in the institutions." Youth unemployment is indeed twice as high as the global average of the euro zone with peaks at 40% in Greece and Spain.
Spain
Absolute resolution on the part of the government in the face of the Catalan project for a referendum
25 September 2017
On 20th September the head of the Spanish government Mariano Rajoy called on the Catalan separatists to put an end to "an escalation in radicalisation and disobedience" maintaining that the referendum on 1st October was an "illusion" after the twenty raids and seizure of millions of voting slips and convocations by the Spanish police.
France
Part renewal of the French Senate
25 September 2017
The part renewal of the French Senate on 24th September strengthened the right wing majority with 159 elected for the Republicans (LR) against 81 for the Socialist Party (PS) and 28 for the "Republic Onwards" (LREM).
Lithuania
Publication of White Paper on Defence
23 September 2017
The Lithuanian Defence Ministry published a new White Paper on the Defence Policy on 18th September.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands: Speech from the Throne
23 September 2017
The King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander spoke on 19th September during the "States General". The speech aimed to set the tone for the government's main orientations, but the political stalemate in which the country has found itself since the general election on 15th March last means that no coalition agreement, on which four political parties are working, has yet been found.
UK
The British government's position on security and defence
23 September 2017
The British government would like to maintain as close a link as possible in terms of security and defence with the EU, according to a document published on 18th September. The British are prepared to copy the existing cooperation models between the EU and third countries for a certain time, as for example with the USA, which are part of Europol. Long term the UK would like to sign a global agreement with the Europeans.
Theresa May: speech on the UK's relations with the EU
24 September 2017
On 22nd September the British Prime Minister delivered a speech on the future relationship between the EU and the UK in which she called for an "innovative partnership". She also asked for a two year transition period post-Brexit.
Sweden
The 2018 defence budget increases
23 September 2017
As part of the 2018 budget the Swedish government provided on 20th September that it would increase civil and military defence credits by 2.7 billion SEK per year as of next year.
Iceland
General Elections on 28th October
23 September 2017
After the withdrawal of one of the parties in the coalition which placed the government in a minority, a further election is now due to take place on 28th October in Iceland. The Icelandic Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson announced this is request for a snap election had been accepted by the President of the Republic.
Norway
Sovereign wealth fund rises to 1,000 billion $
23 September 2017
Norway's sovereign wealth fund (Statens pensjonsfond Utland), the biggest in the world, rose on 19th September for the first time over 1,000 billion $, announced the Norwegian Central Bank.
Migration
On million € for a joint force for the G5 Sahel
23 September 2017
The Danish Foreign Minister announced on 19th September that the fight to counter terrorism and illegal migration in the Sahel region would be stepped up. Denmark decided to finance a joint force of 5 member States of the G5 Sahel to a total of one million € (Mauritania, Chad, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso).
Council of Europe
Implementation of the decisions of the ECHR (European Court of Human Rights)
24 September 2017
The Committee of Ministers, which met on 21st September adopted 39 decisions regarding 21 Member States regarding the implementation of the decrees and decisions taken by the ECHR. Final resolutions were also adopted by the Committee for 267 decrees and decisions taken by the Court.
UN
Eradicating violence towards women
23 September 2017
The EU and the UN announced the launch of the "Spotlight" initiative on 20th September. This fund has been provided with 500 million € to enable the strengthening of legislative and political framework and the introduction of preventive measures against all types of violence against women and girls.
WTO
2017 forecasts revised upwards
23 September 2017
The WTO has revised world growth upwards and announced on 21st September that merchandise trade is due to increase by 3.6%, notably thanks to Asia and North America. However trade growth is due to slow to 3.2% in 2018.
OECD
Acceleration in the world's economic growth
23 September 2017
On 20th September the OECD published its economic outlook and interim assessment. It also revised its world growth figures upwards that are due to be 3.5% in 2017 and 3.7% in 2018 against 3.1% in 2016.
IMF
France has to clarify its public spending reductions
23 September 2017
The conclusions of the annual review of the French economy by the IMF were published on 20th September. Although the IMF has reviewed its growth forecasts up by 0.1 points in comparison with July (to 1.6% this year and 1.8% next year), the IMF differs from the French Finance Ministry regarding the deficit forecasts.
Studies/Reports
Reducing CO2 emissions to fulfil 2030 objectives
23 September 2017
The European Court of Auditors said on 19th September that the EU's annual reductions of CO2 should will have to increase by 50% to achieve the goals set for 2030. The Court also stressed that energy production and its use are responsible for 79% of the Union's greenhouse gas emissions.
Culture
Exhibition Maria by Callas
23 September 2017
Until 14th December, the Seine Musical is paying tribute to the singer Maria Callas, on the 40th anniversary of her death (16th September 1977) with an exhibition devoted to one of the main legends of opera.
Vienna Design Week
23 September 2017
From 29th September to 8th October the 11th Vienna Design Week is opening its doors to the public. More than 100 events, exhibitions, installations, guided tours are planned together with the museums of Vienna and designers from the world over.
Festival by the Sea
23 September 2017
The pop rock music festival By the Sea, is taking place in Margate in the UK, from 29th September to 1st October. For this third year many groups will be performing live.
Book Fair of Göteborg
23 September 2017
The Centre of Swedish exhibitions of Göteborg, Sweden is hosting the biggest book fair in Scandinavia from 28th September to 1st October. The Göteborg Book Fair promotes Scandinavian authors and is typified by a great opening to the world.
International Film Festival - Bergen
23 September 2017
From 26th September to 4th October, the Norwegian town of Bergen is hosting the annual Film Festival (BIFF). The festival is presenting as many Norwegian as international films and provides a view of many Scandinavian films.
Exhibition on Pop Art at the Maillol Museum Paris
23 September 2017
Until 21st January 2018 the Maillot Museum is running an exhibition on the "Pop Art - Icons that Matter" from the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. This exhibition offers an anthology of American art including emblematic pieces of Pop Art.
Paul Klee Exhibition at the Beyeler Foundation
23 September 2017
From October 1st to 21st January 2018 the Beyeler Foundation is hosting an exhibition devoted to Paul Klee, notably the artist's abstract art. This retrospective includes around 100 pieces of work from all of the stages of his career - as of 1913 - and brings together some precious loans from many establishments and private, renowned collections from Europe and elsewhere.
Jean Fouquet. The Diptyque of Melun at the Gemäldegalerie of Berlin
25 September 2017
Until 7th January 2018 the Gemäldegalerie of Berlin is showing the Dyptique of Melun painted by Jean Fouquet in the middle of the 15th century and whose various parts belong to the Museums of Antwerpen, Louvre and the Gemäldegalerie. This altarpiece was ordered by Etienne Chevalier, the treasurer of King Charles VII.
Agenda
25th September
"General Affairs" Council (article 50) (Brussels)
29th September
Digital Summit (Tallinn)
les 2nd-5th October
European Parliament Plenary Session (Strasbourg)
Newsletter Archives
António Costa, a Socialist from the South, to preside over the European Council
The path to controlled immigration
A review of the Von der Leyen I Commission (2019-2024)
Central Asia: a player still largely unknown in Europe
Digital legislation: convergence or divergence of models? A comparative look at the European Union, China and the United States
The Editors of the Newsletter :
Charles de Marcilly, Helen Levy ,Vincent Le Méau, Félicia Schröder,Romain Vadans, Jean-Baptiste Welschinger
N°ISSN : 2729-6482
Editor-in-Chief :
Eric Maurice
Director of Publication :
Pascale Joannin
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