European Union

On 19 April 2016 the Netherlands presidency reached an informal agreement with the European Parliament regarding the opening of the domestic rail passenger markets in the member states and the strengthening of the independence of rail infrastructure managers to ensure effective and non-discriminatory access to infrastructure. The agreement is provisional and subject to approval by the Council.

The negotiators reached agreement on all three proposals of the 'market' pillar of the 4th railway package: a revised regulation governing public service contracts, a revised directive on establishing a single European railway area and a regulation repealing the regulation on the normalisation of accounts of railway undertakings. 

The new rules aim to improve the quality and efficiency of rail services in Europe. They should encourage investment and innovation as well as fair competition in the rail market. Together with the technical pillar of the 4th railway package, they are an important step towards the completion of the single European rail area. 

The Dutch State Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, Sharon Dijksma, said: "Thanks to the cooperation and the flexibility of all parties involved, we have reached an ambitious provisional agreement. When this agreement is endorsed by the member states, it will improve the quality and efficiency of railway services in Europe". 

The presidency will submit the outcome of the negotiations for approval by member states at a meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee on 27 April. 

OPINION on a new forward-looking and innovative future strategy on trade and investment
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Tokia Saïfi

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

1. The increasing use of hybrid strategies and operations by state and non-state actors in the immediate and wider EU neighbourhood requires swift and appropriate action to prevent and counter hybrid threats to the Union and its Member States as well as partners. The Council underlines the need to mobilise EU instruments to this end, in line with the Conclusions by the European Council of June 2015 and the Council Conclusions on CSDP of May 2015, while recognising the primary responsibility of Member States for security and defence and taking into account relevant ongoing work as regards both internal and external policies.
2. In this context, the Council welcomes the Joint Communication on countering hybrid threats and fostering resilience of the EU and its Member States as well as partners. It invites the relevant Council instances, the European Defence Agency and other relevant bodies to examine, in a timely and coherent manner, the proposed actions, with due respect for respective procedures and the competences of the Member States, the Commission and the High Representative, ensuring a cross-sectoral approach and appropriate follow-up. The Council also invites Member States to consider establishing a European Centre of Excellence.
3. The Council welcomes the intention of the High Representative to create an EU Hybrid Fusion Cell, and highlights the possible CSDP contributions to countering hybrid threats and the need for closer dialogue, cooperation and coordination with NATO, respecting the principles of inclusiveness and autonomy of decision-making of each organisation, as well as with other partner organisations.
4. The Council invites the Commission and the High Representative to provide a report by July 2017 to assess progress.

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The list of big American tech companies being investigated by Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition chief, for either antitrust violations or sweetheart tax deals already reads like a “who’s who” of Silicon Valley: Google, Amazon, Apple. Her proclivity for going after US companies, particularly in her tax investigations (American non-tech groups like McDonald’s and Starbucks have also been targeted), has already raised eyebrows in Washington, where Treasury officials and members of Congress have accused her of an anti-American bias.

Ms Vestager has denied singling out US firms, and if she is at all chastened by the American criticism, she’s not showing it: as early as tomorrow, she is expected to roll out a second antitrust case against Google, this time accusing the California company of abusing its dominant position in smartphone operating systems to foist its suite of apps on unsuspecting consumers.

In a speech yesterday, the former Danish economy minister compared Google’s practices to the mother of all EU-US tech antitrust cases, the 1990s-era battle with Microsoft. The comparison is apt for two reasons. First is for the reason Ms Vestager intended: during the time when computing was dominated by PCs, desktops running Microsoft’s ubiquitous Windows operating systems would come “bundled” with a wide range of other Microsoft software, most importantly its Explorer internet browser. Such bundling gradually destroyed browser inventor (and onetime market leader) Netscape, since nobody needed its Navigator browser if your PC came with Explorer.

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On 19 April 2016, the Council approved the establishment of a military training mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) to contribute to the country's defence sector reform. 

The mission will be based in Bangui and operate for an initial period of two years. Following up an EU military advisory mission (EUMAM RCA), it will work towards a modernised, effective, inclusive and democratically accountable Central African Armed Forces (FACA). It will provide strategic advice to the CAR's Ministry of Defence and the general staff, as well as education and training to the FACA. 

EUTM RCA will operate in accordance with political and strategic objectives set out in the crisis management concept approved by the Council on 14 March 2016. 

EUMAM RCA was established on 19 January 2015. In close cooperation with the United Nations multidimensional integrated stabilization mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), EUMAM RCA advises the military authorities of the CAR on the reforms necessary to transform the country's armed forces into a professional, democratically controlled and ethnically representative army. Its mandate expires on 16 July 2016.

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Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

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EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs meet on 18 April in Luxembourg to discuss the external dimension of migration.

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1. The EU welcomes the arrival of the Presidency Council in Tripoli on 30 March 2016 and commends the courage and determination of Prime Minister Serraj, the other members of the Presidency Council and supporting actors on the ground. This move helps pave the way for the effective government of the country by the Government of National Accord (GNA) and for addressing the needs of the Libyan people.
2. The success of the GNA will depend on the collective efforts and cooperation of the Libyan people and their leaders. The EU underlines the Libyan ownership of the political process and the importance of its inclusiveness, notably through the continued participation of political and local actors, women and civil society. The EU, alongside Libya's neighbouring countries, the UN and the international community, stands ready to support the GNA, at its request, to help it restore peace and stability in Libya.
3. The Libyan Political Agreement, signed in Skhirat on 17 December 2015, endorsed by the UN Security Council through Resolution 2259 adopted unanimously on 23 December 2015, remains the basis for political progress in Libya. The Libyan Political Agreement has been fully supported by the EU, which considers the GNA as the sole legitimate government in Libya. The EU calls upon all stakeholders, particularly those in the region, to continue to urge all parties in Libya to engage constructively with the GNA and all other institutions included in the Libyan Political Agreement. The EU stresses that UNSCR 2259 includes a call to cease support to and official contact with parallel institutions that claim to have legitimate authority but are outside the Agreement.
4. The EU welcomes the acknowledgement of the authority of the GNA by various national institutions, including the Central Bank, the National Oil Company, and the Libyan Investment Authority, as well as Libyan municipalities. It looks forward to the immediate, orderly and peaceful transfer of power to the GNA, and urges existing militias and armed groups to respect its authority. In this respect, the EU urges the House of Representatives and other institutions, including the nascent State Council, to fulfil the roles assigned to them under the Libyan Political Agreement.
5. The EU reaffirms its full support to the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Martin Kobler in their efforts to ensure the full implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement by all parties, and will continue to actively support their work.
6. The EU has implemented restrictive measures against three individuals who have obstructed the implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement and the political transition. The EU will review its restrictive measures should their behaviour change and, if necessary, may introduce additional restrictive measures against other individuals who threaten the peace, stability or security in Libya, or who undermine its political transition.
7. The EU reiterates its commitment to fully provide a package of immediate and substantial measures in support of the GNA and the Libyan people totalling €100m in a number of different areas, to be defined and prioritised in close cooperation with the GNA and in coordination with UNSMIL. The EU welcomes the meeting co-chaired in Tunis on 12 April by UNSMIL and the UK on how the international community can support the priorities set out by the GNA to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity to the Libyan people. In this respect, the newly established Stabilisation Facility for Libya will be an important tool. The EU continues to provide short-term assistance through various funding instruments, including via support to municipalities and the provision of essential services to the Libyan population in need. Improved security conditions on the ground would facilitate the effective delivery of EU assistance. The EU stands ready to support the GNA in managing migration and asylum, in close coordination with UNHCR and IOM, taking into account the outcome of the Valletta Summit.
8. The EU strongly condemns all attempts to disrupt the stabilization of Libya and reiterates its grave concern at the growing threat of terrorism including by Daesh and affiliates. This threat highlights the urgent need for the GNA to unite Libyan forces from all regions as the only way for Libya to take the path of peace, stability and prosperity, while preserving its unity and territorial integrity.
9. The EU stands ready to offer security sector support in response to possible GNA requests. Should a Libyan request be forthcoming and following consultations with the Libyans, a possible civilian CSDP mission could support Libyan efforts inter alia through advice and capacity building in the fields of police and criminal justice including on counter-terrorism, border management, countering irregular migration and smuggling of migrants and trafficking of human beings, as part of broader Security Sector Reform support. This possible mission could draw upon the existing planning capacity of EUBAM Libya. In addition to the possible civilian mission, further consideration will also be given to support that can be provided through EUNAVFOR MED Sophia, by enhancing  its capacity to disrupt the business model of human smugglers and trafficking networks and to contribute to broader security in support to the legitimate Libyan authorities, for example through potential capacity building for the Libyan Coastguard, and the implementation of international law. The EU will ensure that its contribution responds to the requests and needs of the Libyan authorities guaranteeing full Libyan ownership, and is coordinated and coherent with other international support under the overall coordination of UNSMIL. Furthermore, the EU recognises the importance of the security of Libya's borders for regional and European security. In this regard, the EU will consider ways of enhancing its regional support, including through existing CSDP activities in the Sahel.
10. The EU reaffirms its strong condemnation of all human rights violations and abuses in Libya. The EU will strongly support the GNA in the protection and the promotion of human rights.
11. The EU is deeply concerned with the deteriorating humanitarian situation and calls for urgent efforts to address the situation in the most affected areas, including Benghazi. In this regard, the EU welcomes the UN humanitarian response plan and stands ready to provide further assistance. The EU calls on all parties in Libya to ensure unhindered humanitarian access and security of humanitarian aid workers in order to facilitate the assistance and protection of civilians in need.