European Union

AMENDMENTS 1 - 334 - Draft report on the review of the European Neighbourhood policy
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

In the latest short film from the #mindpower project, lines written by the Latvian poetess Aspazija travel to the cradle of European culture – Greece – where the musician Psarantonis affirms that culture can unite nations.

Today, the 4th Eastern Partnership (EaP) Summit – a high-level meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the EU countries and six partner countries organised within the framework of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union – ended in Riga with the adoption of the Summit Declaration.

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EU Development and Cooperation Ministers meet at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 26 May 2015. The topics of discussion focus on poverty eradication and sustainable development, the relationship between gender and development, migration, and the Joint Communication by the HR Federica Mogherini  and the EU Commission on Capacity building. 

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Location : Brussels, JAN 2Q2
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Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Plenary and committee meetings, Brussels

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Plenary sessions : MEPs approved measures to prevent proceeds from conflict minerals being used to fund armed conflicts and called on governments to break the deadlock on plans to harmonise maternity leave across Europe. They also debated measures to tackle irregular migrants coming to the EU during the plenary in Strasbourg on 18-21 May as well as green-lit tougher rules to prevent money laundering. Read on for an overview of the plenary.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Plenary sessions : MEPs approved measures to prevent proceeds from conflict minerals being used to fund armed conflicts and called on governments to break the deadlock on plans to harmonise maternity leave across Europe. They also debated measures to tackle irregular migrants coming to the EU during the plenary in Strasbourg on 18-21 May as well as green-lit tougher rules to prevent money laundering. Read on for an overview of the plenary.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

On Tuesday 19 May, the guest performance by the Latvian National Opera (LNO) of Arturs Maskats’ opera Valentina hosted by the Deutsche Oper Berlin earned rapturous applause from the German audience.

Although the European Union's (EU) Eastern Partnership (EaP) policy is not directly related to EU enlargement, the EU's doors remain open for the EaP countries. This was the opinion voiced today by the Latvian Foreign Minister, Edgars Rinkēvičs, at the close of the EU's EaP Civil Society Conference. It is important that the EaP countries continue to carry out reforms, even when these can be painful, the Foreign Minister pointed out.

I have come to Riga with three simple and very clear messages.

First, the European Union stays the course. Despite the intimidation, aggression and even the war of the last year, the European Union is as committed to our Eastern partners as ever. The record presence of 25 out of 28 EU leaders proves this point. Today I am absolutely sure that the Eastern Partnership is our shared priority - across Europe, not only for the eastern and central parts of our continent as it was five years ago.

Second, the European Union wants to advance its relations with all of our partners of the Eastern Partnership. This means tailoring our cooperation, in line with their needs, readiness and of course their sovereign choices. We want to help them to help themselves to transform their societies to the benefit of their citizens, which also means that they become more resilient towards outside pressure.

Third, the European Union is a trusted partner for the long haul. I know very well that we are all impatient for change, but we need to exercise our strategic patience. The Riga Summit is not about announcing giant steps forward. No: our partnership will go forward step-by-step,  just like the European Union was built and in this context step-by-step means real progress in trade, energy, mobility and reforms which is also in the best interest of our partners and Europe as a whole.

As a very last comment let me reply to those who claim that the Eastern Partnership is directed against Russia. It is not. The Eastern Partnership is not a beauty contest between Russia and the European Union. But, let me be frank, beauty does count. If Russia was a bit softer, more charming, more attractive, perhaps it wouldn't have to compensate its shortcomings by its destructive and aggressive bullying tactics against its neighbours. Thank you.

This morning I expressed my condolences to President Aliyev and to the families and friends of the victims of the deadly apartment fire in Baku. My heart goes out to all of them. While I regret that this tragic event prevents President Aliyev from attending the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga today and tomorrow, I understand his need to be with his people at this difficult moment.  

During our phone call we also discussed the Eastern Partnership and the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. We reconfirmed the mutual strong commitment to the Partnership and to continue developing EU-Azerbaijan relations. We welcomed the fact that negotiations on a new agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan are about to begin.

Finally, I was happy to accept President Aliyev's invitation to visit Azerbaijan.