European Union

Montenegro is the most advanced EU accession candidate country, which in 2016 had to face Russian attempts to discredit its achievements, noted Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs on Tuesday. They also reviewed last year’s reform efforts in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, urging the future government to step up the pace of reform and stay on the EU track.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Montenegro is the most advanced EU accession candidate country, which in 2016 had to face Russian attempts to discredit its achievements, noted Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs on Tuesday. They also reviewed last year’s reform efforts in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, urging the future government to step up the pace of reform and stay on the EU track.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

The recent progress in normalising relations between Belgrade and Pristina, after months of little or none, was welcomed by MEPs on Tuesday. However, in two resolutions they call on both countries to show more commitment and sustained political will to achieve this goal, which is a condition for their accession to the EU.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

The recent progress in normalising relations between Belgrade and Pristina, after months of little or none, was welcomed by MEPs on Tuesday. However, in two resolutions they call on both countries to show more commitment and sustained political will to achieve this goal, which is a condition for their accession to the EU.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

The recent progress in normalising relations between Belgrade and Pristina, after months of little or none, was welcomed by MEPs on Tuesday. However, in two resolutions they call on both countries to show more commitment and sustained political will to achieve this goal, which is a condition for their accession to the EU.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

EU citizens could access registers of beneficial owners of companies without having to demonstrate a “legitimate interest,” and trusts would have to meet the same transparency requirements as firms, under amendments, agreed by MEPs on Tuesday, to the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

EU citizens could access registers of beneficial owners of companies without having to demonstrate a “legitimate interest,” and trusts would have to meet the same transparency requirements as firms, under amendments, agreed by MEPs on Tuesday, to the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

1.             In accordance with its conclusions of 16 December 2014, the Council has assessed the overall state of EU relations with the Swiss Confederation. The Council will reassess the state of these relations, as well as those with the other Western European countries that are not members of the EU, by the end of 2018, as appropriate.

2.             The EU and Switzerland are key economic partners and our societies are highly interwoven. In this regard, good and reliable mutual relations are to the benefit of both sides. The Council takes note of the letter of 27 July 2016, by which Switzerland informs the EU that its application for EU membership should be considered withdrawn. In this regard, the Council welcomes the confirmation by the Swiss Federal Council of its firm commitment to preserve and further strengthen its cooperation with the EU and encourages the development of that cooperation, including on key foreign policy issues.

3.             The Council considers that the free movement of persons is a fundamental pillar of EU policy and that the internal market and its four freedoms are indivisible. The Council paid close attention to the legislative process in Switzerland which took place following the result of the popular initiative 'Against Mass Immigration' of 9 February 2014. The resultant text adopted on 16 December 2016 by the Swiss Federal Assembly can be implemented in a manner compatible with the rights of EU citizens under the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (FMPA) if the necessary implementing ordinance clarifies outstanding open issues, such as the right to information as regards vacancies, and the procedure for the adoption of further measures, in particular with a view to guaranteeing respect for frontier workers' rights. The Council is encouraged by Switzerland's readiness to discuss any such matters that could arise within the context of the EU-Swiss Joint Committee as set up by the said Agreement.

4.             The Council welcomes the extension of the FMPA to Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia, providing their citizens with unrestricted free movement rights in Switzerland. With regard to Croatia, the Council acknowledges that Switzerland fulfilled its commitments on 16 December 2016 and deposited the instrument of ratification. However, the Council notes that the delayed ratification of Protocol III by Switzerland postponed the start of the transitional periods applied to Croatian nationals. This should be addressed in the new implementing legislation on the free movement of persons and reviewed regularly. The Council welcomes the resulting full association of Switzerland to the Horizon 2020 programme and the prospects of continuing negotiations on its participation in the Erasmus programme.

5.             The Council takes note of the reconfirmation by Switzerland of its attachment to the sectoral approach. However, the Council recalls that a precondition for further developing the sectoral approach remains the establishment of a common institutional framework for existing and future agreements through which Switzerland participates in the EU's Single Market, in order to ensure homogeneity and legal certainty for citizens and businesses. The Council stresses the common understanding between the EU and Switzerland about the need to finalise the negotiations on the institutional framework agreement as soon as possible. Its conclusion will allow the EU-Swiss comprehensive partnership to develop to its full potential.

6.             Switzerland is the EU's third largest economic partner and the EU is Switzerland's main trading partner. While today the bilateral trade relationship generally works smoothly to the benefit of both partners, there are a number of restrictions on access to the Swiss market for operators from the EU, notably in the agri-food and services sectors. These restrictions need to be addressed in order to remedy asymmetries in bilateral economic relations. The Council is concerned by an inconsistent application of certain agreements and the introduction by Switzerland of subsequent legislative measures and practices, at federal or cantonal level, that are incompatible with those agreements, in particular the FMPA. The Council calls upon Switzerland to abrogate such flanking measures and to refrain from adopting new measures incompatible with the Agreement.

7.             The Council takes note of the adoption of a new legal basis for the financial contribution of Switzerland on 30 September 2016. This financial contribution is intended to reduce economic and social disparities in the EU and should be proportionate to the substantial benefits Switzerland draws from its participation in the Single Market. The Council encourages Switzerland to engage in the necessary discussions with the EU with a view to agreeing on the renewal of the financial contribution as soon as possible.

8.             The Council welcomes the ratification and timely entry into force from the agreed date of 1 January 2017 of the Amending Protocol signed on 27 May 2015, to the Agreement between the European Community and Switzerland, providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments.

9.             The Council takes note of the negative outcome on 12 February 2017, of the vote on the Swiss legislation aiming to replace with a new set of measures certain preferential tax regimes and practices that constitute harmful tax competition. The Council stresses the need for fair tax competition and strongly encourages Switzerland to adhere to its international commitments and look for alternative solutions to effectively and swiftly remove the five tax regimes concerned, in line with the 2014 Joint Statement between EU Member States and Switzerland on company tax issues. The Council will continue to follow the matter closely.

10.         The Council welcomes the significant progress made by Switzerland in the construction of the new rail link through the Alps (NRLA), in accordance with Article 34 of the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Carriage of Goods and Passengers by Rail and Road. The opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel (the longest railway tunnel in the world) on 1 June 2016 is a major milestone that will further contribute to the development of efficient and environmentally sustainable transport in Europe.

11.         Switzerland is a close partner in the area of justice and home affairs, especially in relation to applying the Schengen acquis. In the context of the unprecedented migratory flows to Europe, the Council acknowledges Switzerland's contribution, as well as its constructive and positive cooperation, notably in the context of the implementing of the European Agenda on Migration.

12.         The Council appreciates the continued cooperation between the EU and Switzerland in the area of CFSP, in particular the positive participation of Switzerland in CSDP missions and its close cooperation in the areas of humanitarian aid and civil protection, and looks forward to enhancing the existing cooperation. The Council welcomes the recent conclusion of two agreements on the participation of Switzerland in the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine and in the EU CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali). Furthermore, the Council notes Switzerland's voluntary alignment to restrictive measures of the EU on a case-by-case basis. The Council encourages Switzerland to remain close and consistent in the application of the restrictive measures including preventing their circumvention. The Council invites Switzerland to maintain and further improve its alignment with the EU's restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, and in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.

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Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

On 28 February the Council agreed its negotiating position (general approach) for the review of the emission trading system (ETS). The ETS is one of the main tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The review will contribute to the EU's goal of cutting its emissions by at least 40% by 2030, as committed under the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Now that the Council has agreed its position, negotiations with the European Parliament can start with the aim of reaching an agreement on the final text.

"This is important for us, for our planet and for future generations. The Paris Agreement was a landmark achievement, but we need to put words into action. A better functioning ETS will reduce emissions further. The EU is delivering on its promises, because it cares about a better future for all."

Jose A. Herrera, Minister for the Environment of Malta and President of the CouncilThe EU ETS

The emissions trading system, launched in 2005, works by putting a limit on the total of emissions from high-emitting industry sectors and power plants. Within this limit, which is reduced each year, companies can buy and sell emission allowances. Each allowance gives them the right to emit one tonne of CO2, the main greenhouse gas, or the equivalent of another greenhouse gas. This helps create incentives for companies to cut their emissions in a cost-effective way.

Although auctioning is the default method for allocating emission allowances to companies, some sectors of industry receive a share of allowances for free. Free allocation is carried out on the basis of performance benchmarks, which reward best practice in low-emission production.

Timeline and next steps

The European Council, in its conclusions of October 2014, established the main elements of the review of the EU ETS. Based on these agreed guidelines, the Commission presented its proposal for a directive in July 2015.

As the proposal is subject to an ordinary legislative procedure, it needs to be discussed by the Council and the European Parliament to agree on a final text. The European Parliament voted its amendments in plenary on 15 February 2017. Now the Council has agreed on a general approach, negotiations can start.

All over Europe populist parties oppose immigration, Islam, Europe and established politics.

Although these parties are nationalist, they have many things in common. This is what Marine Le Pen of France’s National Front, Frauke Petry of Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) and Geert Wilders of the Netherlands’ Party for Freedom (PVV) wanted to show by meeting together in Koblenz this January.

Yet Wilders stands out in at least two respects.

First, he is the only one of the three party leaders who is completely dependent on the national parliament. He has hardly any party organisation to speak of; everything revolves around him. He tweets regularly, but people listen only because he is an influential parliamentarian.

Many of other populist leaders do not even have a seat in their country’s assembly, but Wilders has always been in and around the national parliament. He started as an assistant to the Dutch conservative-liberal party, the VVD, and became an MP for the party before he broke away and started the PVV. Parliament is also the place where Wilders honed his rhetoric: his second salient feature.

People vote for him because they agree with his views about immigration and Islam, but mostly because of the way he puts these views forward. The minister had gone “stark raving mad”. The Netherlands is threatened by a “tsunami of Islamisation”. The socialist opposition leader is the “company lap dog” of the conservative government. A left liberal leader is a “pitiful dwarf”.

“Doesn’t democracy imply almost absolute freedom of speech and shouldn’t even offensive language be acceptable?”

Whereas in some parliaments most people would scarcely blink an eye at such language, it was unheard-of in Dutch parliament. There has been a long Dutch tradition of consensus-seeking; of managerial and administrative politics. That tradition has, of course, been attacked many times before – but until now, it has proved to be very persistent.

This time politics really seems to be changing. Wilders is using the changing mood of the Dutch parliament to his advantage. It is so unusual to hear his kind of language – simple, clear, violent – and so unusual for a Dutch politician to block every compromise and still be popular.

At first nobody knew how to respond, but this was just a portent of bigger changes in Dutch politics. Parliament used to be mainly concerned with coalition politics, government oversight and making laws. But now its representative function has become much more important. Political parties have been losing their grip on their members, but parliament is on the news bulletins every night.

Most parliamentarians now agree that they should listen to the people, be the voice of the people, or at least they try to be in the public eye all the time. That is only partly down to Wilders alone.

Alexander Pechtold, leader of the left-liberal D66 party and Wilders’ fiercest opponent in parliament, also plays the national audience, albeit with another purpose. By opposing Wilders he has considerably increased the number of seats for his own party. However, most leaders in parliament now prefer transparency and simple language to old-fashioned ideas about the dignity of parliament and administrative politics and they, in fact, condone abusive or unparliamentary language.

Doesn’t democracy imply almost absolute freedom of speech and shouldn’t even offensive language be acceptable? The Prime Minister, the VVD’s Mark Rutte, is Wilders’ competitor for right-wing votes and even he seems to be trying to piggy-back on Wilders’ success.

“Growing political polarisation leads to more abusive language in politics”

Rutte has said that young Dutch citizens from Moroccan origin who do not follow Dutch rules should “sod off”. But his electoral and parliamentary rhetoric differ: he does not use such language inside parliament and says that they reflect his “personal views”. He does not overtly confront the norms, but pragmatically tries to use Wilders’ tactics in his advantage.

Growing political polarisation leads to more abusive language in politics. This is partly a process of ‘normalisation’ of Dutch politics and the Dutch parliament, an adjustment of tone to what has been common in many other countries. But the growing importance of the representative role of parliament as a megaphone for the ‘voice of the people’ has also changed the concept of how a parliamentarian should behave.

Hans Janmaat, a Dutch right-wing politician who used discriminatory language, was convicted in court in the 1980s and 1990s. One of the reasons was that, as an MP, he was supposed to play an exemplary role. Today, it is the other way round: it has often been argued that Wilders should have more liberty to say what he wants than ordinary people, because he is a politician who should be able to freely express the views of his party.

It is very hard to predict how Wilders and his party will perform at the 15 March elections. Wilders is not new anymore, there is very little chance that he will become part of the next government, and he is increasingly locking himself in his own paranoid world. The polls predict a victory, but not a huge one – he will probably not gain more than about a fifth of the seats in parliament.

However, his influence on political language will remain, because he was the first one to see the window of opportunity opened by the changing role of parliament. As long as parliament is seen as a forum to voice the complaints of the people, there will be the temptation to use the megaphone.

IMAGE CREDIT: CC / Flickr – Roel Wijnants

The post Wilders’ way with words is here to stay appeared first on Europe’s World.

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As you tuck into your pancakes, spare a thought for the competition officials locked in their offices until Easter finishing investigations into three complicated, politically-charged mega-mergers that all need to be settled in weeks.

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Last year, I spent some days in the UN archives in New York to find out more about the topic of my current research on budgeting in the United Nations.

As I am going through the material (hundreds of photos of archive documents), I stumbled over a document that is only incidentally relevant to my research: a summary of a meeting of then-US-President Bill Clinton with then-UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali (who died while I was in New York last year). The meeting took place on 27 September 1993, so in the first year of Clinton’s first term, and the second year of Boutros-Ghalis single term.

This is how the 4-page meeting summary (written by the UN Secretariat and now archived) starts:

Well, starting a meeting that goes on afterwards with topics Somalia, Bosnia, UN reform and the Middle East – this sounds like a classic Bill Clinton, doesn’t it?

I guess today, it would rather be on the Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, to make the “hopefully nobody shouts ‘Fire’” joke.

Today, the USA threatened to leave the UN Human Rights Council, which will probably not the last time the Trump administration will start laying actual fire.

But, to be fair to Trump: looking through the archive material on budget politics in the UN during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, this administration and the present Congress would not be the first who try to mess with the United Nations – it’s actually a pretty common patterns coming from the US.

 

 

The post The President’s joke: Bill Clinton shouts ‘Fire’ at the United Nations appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

Civil Liberties MEPs voted on Monday for stronger protection and a shorter retention period for data stored in the new EU entry/exit system, which is designed to modernise and step up checks on non-EU nationals travelling to the European Union.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Civil Liberties MEPs voted on Monday for stronger protection and a shorter retention period for data stored in the new EU entry/exit system, which is designed to modernise and step up checks on non-EU nationals travelling to the European Union.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Civil Liberties Committee MEPs discussed the fundamental rights situation in Hungary with Justice Minister László Trócsányi and civil society representatives on Monday afternoon.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Civil Liberties Committee MEPs discussed the fundamental rights situation in Hungary with Justice Minister László Trócsányi and civil society representatives on Monday afternoon.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : Parliament President Antonio Tajani discussed Europe's future and EU-Germany relations during meetings with chancellor Angela Merkel and president Joachim Gauck during a vsit to Berlin on 23-24 February. "It's important to look after the interests of Europeans," said Tajani at the end of his visit. "It is important that Europe stands together and not allows itself to be torn apart."

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : Parliament President Antonio Tajani discussed Europe's future and EU-Germany relations during meetings with chancellor Angela Merkel and president Joachim Gauck during a vsit to Berlin on 23-24 February. "It's important to look after the interests of Europeans," said Tajani at the end of his visit. "It is important that Europe stands together and not allows itself to be torn apart."

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

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EU relations with Armenia are governed by the EU -Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed in 1996 and entered into force in 1999. On 12 October 2015 the Foreign Affairs Council authorised the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new, legally binding and overarching agreement with Armenia, and adopted the corresponding negotiating mandate. The new agreement will replace the current EU-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation agreement.

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