European Union

A reform of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), informally agreed with the Latvian Presidency of the Council of Ministers, was backed by the Environment Committee on Tuesday. The reform aims to reduce the surplus of carbon credits available for trading in order to support the price of the emission rights. The scheme would start operating in 2019.
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : The Parliament is updating its position on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), outlining what issues are important to MEPs. The international trade committee, which is the committee in charge, will on Thursday decide on a draft report, providing guidelines to the current negotiations. MEPs will then vote on it during the June plenary. The European Commission conducts the talks on behalf of the EU, but do you know what role the Parliament plays? Read on to find out.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : The Parliament is updating its position on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), outlining what issues are important to MEPs. The international trade committee, which is the committee in charge, will on Thursday decide on a draft report, providing guidelines to the current negotiations. MEPs will then vote on it during the June plenary. The European Commission conducts the talks on behalf of the EU, but do you know what role the Parliament plays? Read on to find out.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Plenary sessions : Children are eating fewer and fewer fruit, vegetables and dairy products in Europe, but a new proposal could help them to adopt a healthier diet. Under the plan two existing EU schemes for handing out fresh milk, fruit and vegetables to pupils would be combined, reducing the administrative burden and creating more opportunities for teaching children about balanced diets. MEPs debate the plans during the plenary session on Wednesday 27 May from 17.00 CET, which will be followed by a vote.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Plenary sessions : Children are eating fewer and fewer fruit, vegetables and dairy products in Europe, but a new proposal could help them to adopt a healthier diet. Under the plan two existing EU schemes for handing out fresh milk, fruit and vegetables to pupils would be combined, reducing the administrative burden and creating more opportunities for teaching children about balanced diets. MEPs debate the plans during the plenary session on Wednesday 27 May from 17.00 CET, which will be followed by a vote.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

On 27-28 May under the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council, the 15th European Diplomatic Programme (EDP) organised annually by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the rotating EU Presidency will be held in Riga in parallel with an informal meeting of the Training Directors of EU Foreign ministries.

On 27-28 May under the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council, the 15th European Diplomatic Programme (EDP) organised annually by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the rotating EU Presidency will be held in Riga in parallel with an informal meeting of the Training Directors of EU Foreign ministries.

The Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union presents a great opportunity for Latvia to show other countries what kind of a country it really is – not by citing population figures and economic indicators, but by laying bare its soul and depicting the emotions that typify the country.  To do so, there is no more potent tool than film. As part of the Latvian EU Council Presidency cultural programme, the National Film Centre of Latvia (NKC) has thus compiled a comprehensive collection of films, ranging from the classics to contemporary masterpieces.

The Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union presents a great opportunity for Latvia to show other countries what kind of a country it really is – not by citing population figures and economic indicators, but by laying bare its soul and depicting the emotions that typify the country.  To do so, there is no more potent tool than film. As part of the Latvian EU Council Presidency cultural programme, the National Film Centre of Latvia (NKC) has thus compiled a comprehensive collection of films, ranging from the classics to contemporary masterpieces.

On 26 May the EU and Timor-Leste signed a short-stay visa waiver agreement at a ceremony that took place in Brussels. On behalf of the EU, the agreement was signed by H.E. Ilze Juhansone, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Latvia, Chairman of the Permanent Representatives Committee, and by Yolanda Gallego-Casilda Grau, Head of Unit "Visa Policy", European Commission. For Timor Leste, Roberto Sarmento de Oliveira Soares, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, signed the agreement.  

On 26 May the EU and Timor-Leste signed a short-stay visa waiver agreement at a ceremony that took place in Brussels. On behalf of the EU, the agreement was signed by H.E. Ilze Juhansone, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Latvia, Chairman of the Permanent Representatives Committee, and by Yolanda Gallego-Casilda Grau, Head of Unit "Visa Policy", European Commission. For Timor Leste, Roberto Sarmento de Oliveira Soares, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, signed the agreement.  

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP