European Union

Universal Music International Holding
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
The occurrence of purely financial damage in a Member State does not justify in itself the jurisdiction of the courts of that State

Universal Music International Holding
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
The occurrence of purely financial damage in a Member State does not justify in itself the jurisdiction of the courts of that State

Vereniging Openbare Bibliotheken
Freedom of establishment
In the view of Advocate General Szpunar, the lending of electronic books is comparable to the lending of traditional books

Vereniging Openbare Bibliotheken
Freedom of establishment
In the view of Advocate General Szpunar, the lending of electronic books is comparable to the lending of traditional books

One of the most striking quotes ahead of Britain’s referendum was Michael Gove’s claim that “people in this country have had enough of experts”. As this polling data shows, the Brexit backing justice secretary was on to something, at least when it comes to Leave supporters.

The YouGov pollsters gauged public trust in the views of “experts” and politicians when they speak about the EU referendum. It is no surprise that both Leave and Remain supporters are wary of politicians – both at home and abroad – albeit by different margins.

When it comes to experts, though, there is an chasm. Remain supporters tend to believe academics, economists and people from the Bank of England. Leave backers mistrust them all, especially if they come from Threadneedle Street (net trust minus 45 per cent). You can add business leaders to that list too (plus 28 per cent trust among Remainers, and minus 28 for Leavers).

There is a paradox to this. As the FT’s Chris Giles notes today, there has rarely been such “expert” consensus on an issue. While economists argue over how harmful Brexit would be, there is near unity that it would be harmful to the economy. The dismal science is in speaking in concert for once and the public just don’t seem to be listening. As Tobias Buck found in a report from revolutionary Bracknell, middle England is in an iconoclastic mood.

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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, 2016 - EP

On 17 June 2016, the Council extended the restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia until 23 June 2017.

The measures apply to EU persons and EU based companies. They are limited to the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol. The sanctions include prohibitions on:

• imports of products originating in Crimea or Sevastopol into the EU;
• investment in Crimea or Sevastopol, meaning that no Europeans nor EU-based companies can buy real estate or entities in Crimea, finance Crimean companies or supply related services; 
• tourism services in Crimea or Sevastopol, in particular, European cruise ships cannot call at ports in the Crimean peninsula, except in case of emergency;  
• exports of certain goods and technologies to Crimean companies or for use in Crimea in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors and related to the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources. Technical assistance, brokering, construction or engineering services related to infrastructure in these sectors must not be provided either.

As stated in the declaration by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs And Security Policy on behalf of the EU on 13 March 2016, the EU continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and remains committed to fully implement its non-recognition policy.

Thursday 23 June
Justus Lipsius building - Brussels

12.45 Arrival of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
Welcome by the President of the European Council Donald Tusk
(VIP entrance, level 02 - photo/TV opportunity)

+/- 13.15  Press statements
(VIP entrance, level 02 - photo/TV opportunity)

Access to the VIP entrance (level 02) for the photo opportunity and the press statements will be granted to all journalists holding a 6-month badge.

Journalists without the above badge must send a written request by mail - deadline Friday 17 June 2016, 17.00 - to press.centre@consilium.europa.eu, with a copy of their ID, press card (if available), or a signed letter from their media confirming their professional status and that they are assigned to cover this event.

Important: If you have never attended a summit organised by the Council, you must provide a signed letter from your media even if you hold a press card.

Original documents need to be produced when collecting the badge.

Photos and video coverage of the event will be available for preview and download on http://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu
Livestream on http://video.consilium.europa.eu

General : Agriculture faces many challenges ranging from climate change to rising food demand due to population growth. On 7 June MEPs adopted an own-initiative report on how technological innovation could help to increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable way. Report author Anthea McIntyre, a UK member of the ECR group, answered questions about it during a live broadcast on the Parliament's Facebook page.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : Agriculture faces many challenges ranging from climate change to rising food demand due to population growth. On 7 June MEPs adopted an own-initiative report on how technological innovation could help to increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable way. Report author Anthea McIntyre, a UK member of the ECR group, answered questions about it during a live broadcast on the Parliament's Facebook page.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Plans for stricter monitoring and certification procedures to ensure full compliance and traceability of medical devices, such as breast or hip implants, were backed by Health Committee MEPs on Wednesday. MEPs also approved legislation to tighten up information and ethical requirements for diagnostic medical devices used for example in pregnancy or DNA testing. Both files were informally agreed with the Dutch Presidency of the Council.
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Plans for stricter monitoring and certification procedures to ensure full compliance and traceability of medical devices, such as breast or hip implants, were backed by Health Committee MEPs on Wednesday. MEPs also approved legislation to tighten up information and ethical requirements for diagnostic medical devices used for example in pregnancy or DNA testing. Both files were informally agreed with the Dutch Presidency of the Council.
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Sugary drinks and energy drinks containing caffeine should not display claims that they help increase alertness or concentration, as this would encourage high consumption of sugar among adolescents, who are the largest group of energy drink consumers, said Health committee MEPs in a resolution voted on Wednesday.
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP