European Union

A delegation of AFET Members will travel to the UK from 18 to 19 September 2023. This will be the first time that the committee travels to the UK since 31 January 2020 when the United Kingdom officially left the EU. The AFET delegation will discuss possibilities for strengthened partnership and deepening dialogue on issues of importance in relevant areas of bilateral cooperation, including in foreign and security affairs.
This visit will also be an opportunity to exchange views on issues of significance to Northern Ireland, particularly in the context of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol and the Windsor Framework.
Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

MEPs backed the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA) on Tuesday.
Subcommittee on Security and Defence

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

This blog post is a follow-up to the presentation “The Aspiration Towards Centrality in the European Research Area: The European Interest in Bringing the Southern Neighbourhood Into the Picture,” given on 11 September 2023, during the virtual panel 104 “The EU as an External Actor I” of the UACES 2023 Conference.

The presentation highlighted some of the main content lines of the forthcoming publication, which examines how research cooperation serves the goals of the European Southern Neighbourhood Policy and the European Research Area. This topic is addressed through the lens of the motivations and pursuits of Europe-based project managers. Following insight obtained from interviews with Europe-based managers funded by EU Framework Programmes, the presentation outlined that many Europe-based project coordinators welcomed Moroccan and Tunisian institutions to the consortium because this would enhance their position of centrality and point of expertise intersections in the European Research Area. Narrative analysis guides multifaceted conclusions. Agency strategies pursued through a scientific focus on the projects serve the overall goals of the European Research Area and the Southern Neighbourhood Policy. European project coordinators function as enablers of the EU’s structural diplomacy. The science diplomacy considerations are secondary and not unified across the examined projects.

Looking beyond this specific presentation, the multiple forms of EU actorness, actorship, and actorhood deserve more attention to acquire a more complete picture of the multiple ways in which the EU engages with the rest of the world. There are many blind spots waiting to be discovered and properly addressed in future research. The EU’s external action toolbox remains to be fully evaluated and its full resonance properly explained. A more in-depth study of several thus far neglected areas is instrumental to making EU engagement more purposeful and targeted and constructing complementarities with higher-value deliverables. This is not meant as a criticism of the existing policy planning, programming, and implementation practices. It is guided by an aspiration to never stop seeking room for improvement and to set even higher sights on research excellence.

Additionally, these follow-up remarks prove the topicality of the panel title “The EU as an External Actor”. This title will remain pertinent for the foreseeable future. The EU open access data repositories offer plenty of options to discover new patterns and less studied constellations of EU-supported encounters across the world that deserve to be more thoroughly examined and discussed during the forthcoming UACES conferences. The lively debate throughout the online session was an opportunity to introduce attendants to other recent scholarly publications addressing contemporary engagement of the EU with various domain-specific diplomacies, such as knowledge diplomacy and connectivity matters.

To conclude, the panel “The EU as an External Actor I” attests that several highly engaged scholars are working towards starting to fill this gap with promising theoretical, conceptual, and empirical choices. The study of perceptions of the EU is on the rise. The way the EU is perceived is of interest to early-career and senior researchers who study diverse regional and geopolitical heavyweight constellations.

 

Blog post author: Zane Šime

The post Aspiration Towards Centrality in the EU External Action Context appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

Ministers are holding a series of meetings in parliamentary committees to present the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council.
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Committee on International Trade
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Committee on Fisheries
Committee on Regional Development
Committee on Transport and Tourism
Subcommittee on Security and Defence

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

EUHealthGov is delighted to have been involved in this week’s annual conference of the University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES). We have hosted three panels at the event at Queen’s University Belfast on 4, 5 and 6 September. 

On Monday morning, we gathered for a panel on EU governance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mina Hosseini (University College Dublin, Ireland), introduced an evaluation of the EU’s use of advance purchase agreements (APAs) to procure COVID-19 vaccines. Utilising the lens of competition law, Mina’s work explores challenges to transparency and accountability in the APA process, and how the EU might use its wider Vaccine Strategy to address such challenges in future. Our second presenter, Francis Jacobs (also UCD), presented a paper on how the European Parliament responded, in its day-to-day functioning, to the challenges presented by the pandemic. This work explores how the Parliament adapted its rules of procedure and working methods to enable it to keep its legislative agenda moving, and how it is contributing to debates on how to increase the resilience of institutions. 

On Tuesday morning, we turned our attention to the European Health Union (EHU). Louise Bengtsson (Swedish Defence University, Sweden) opened the panel with her work on the securitisation of EU global health policy. Comparing the new global health initiatives published by the Commission as part of the EHU with the older, existing elements of EU global health policy, Louise’s work explores a shift in narrative framing and underlying logic. Next, Georgiana Ciceo (Babeș-Bolyai University, Romania) presented a paper that uses the experimentalist governance framework to assess changes in the EU’s cross border health threats legislation within the EHU. Georgiana argues that the EU has been able to expand its authority in public health by amending the high level goals and iterative feedback stages of the governance process in cross border threats. Finally, Mary Guy (Liverpool John Moores University, UK) introduced a new project mapping solidarity in European healthcare. In this panel Mary focused on the role and place of solidarity within the EU’s response to COVID-19, arguing that there remains potential for solidarity logics to inform the development of EU vaccine policy, fiscal governance and the EHU. 

On Wednesday morning, for our final panel, we gathered to discuss law-making and legislation in EU health governance. Hannah van Kolfschooten (University of Amsterdam, Netherlands) presented a paper on the EU’s artificial intelligence (AI) legislation and its less-known implications for third countries. Drawing on a concept of ‘data colonialism’ and a comparison to clinical trials legislation, Hannah outlined some of the wider impacts of EU law and offered some early thoughts on how the EU might act to take account of these impacts. Second, Eleanor Brooks (University of Edinburgh, UK) presented a paper on the role of stakeholder consultation in the EU policy process. Using a case study from EU pharmaceutical law, Eleanor’s work examines the existence of participation bias in the consultation process, and explores the challenges in identifying, measuring and analysing such bias. Finally, Katrina Perehudoff (University of Amsterdam, Netherlands) introduced a new project exploring the EU’s responsibilities towards low and middle income countries in the area of pharmaceuticals. Drawing inspiration from across international, EU and national legal frameworks, Katrina’s work seeks to develop a framework for EU action on global access to medicines, exploring the potential for positive duties towards health beyond the EU’s territorial borders. 

Between and across panels, we’ve had fruitful discussions about the scope and future of the EHU, the EU’s role in global health governance, and the potential of its legal frameworks to contribute to health equity. With thanks to all of our presenters, chairs, discussants and audience participants, as well to UACES for the invitation and financial support. Here’s looking forward to #UACES2024!

The post EUHealthGov at UACES 2023 appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

On 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation carried out a further military invasion of Ukraine, violating the UN Charter. The ongoing international armed conflict in Ukraine raises concerns about harm and impact caused to the civilian population, and the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure which are affected by both kinetic and cyberattacks. This report analyses the magnitude of the cyber dimension of the war in Ukraine, its impact, and the lessons learned with the aim to increase understanding about the threat environment, and strengthen cyber resilience and defence capabilities across the EU and in neighbouring countries.
Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

 

Far from taking downtime, summer has been a busy period for the Graduate Forum. This short update contains important information about what we have been up to as a community in the past few months and all of our upcoming events.

A Successful Conference in Barcelona

In June, we gathered in Barcelona for our annual conference at the Institut Barcelona Estudis Internacionals (IBEI). It was fantastic to meet so many emerging scholars and delve into the research being undertaken in European studies. We are really grateful to the UACES staff for their help organising the conference, to IBEI for their support in hosting it, and to all the discussants and panelists who contributed their valuable time — a big thanks to all attendees who provided feedback, which we will incorporate into our future events.

Upcoming Doctoral Training Academy in Brussels

Behind the scenes, we have been planning our next event – the Doctoral Training Academy – in Brussels on 24 November. This year’s theme is professional skills, and we have sessions on publishing, engagement, and academic applications with leading scholars in European studies. Check out the schedule and sign up here!

Our Communications Strategy

With the grateful assistance of the UACES admin team and two graduate placement students, we have been refreshing our communications strategy and updating our brand identity. We have released two podcasts and published several short pieces from attendees at the conference on our Crossroads Europe blog. We have more to come shortly.

If you would like to highlight your research through our channels, on our blog or our podcast, get in touch with me at nrobb03(at)qub.ac.uk!

We have also launched an Instagram account and will shortly be starting a Telegram channel to make networking with other European Studies scholars easier!

UACES Conference in Belfast

If you’re coming to the UACES Conference in Belfast, add our panels on Careers Beyond Academia and Academic Careers to your conference agenda.

We are also going for drinks on Monday 4th September at The Sunflower Pub in Belfast at 8pm, following the drinks reception in Belfast City Hall. We look forward to seeing you there!

The post UACES Graduate Forum Committee – Summer Update appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

On 7 September the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, will address Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and its Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE). The discussion will come shortly after the NATO Summit in Vilnius where Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Alliance have again reaffirmed the enduring transatlantic bond, unity, cohesion, and solidarity at a critical time for international peace and stability.
Allies also committed to continue cooperating closely with the European Union in order to make the Euro-Atlantic area and the broader neighbourhood more secure. The exchange will allow Members to discuss with the Secretary General the latest developments in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and highlight the importance of the EU's strategic partnership with NATO.
Meeting agenda
AFET Committee
Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

Between April and June 2023, I had the chance to conduct the RENPET bursary at the ARENA Centre for European Studies at the University of Oslo under the supervision of Dr. Helene Sjursen. As I began the first half of my second year, I was hoping that a stay at ARENA would allow me to establish the theoretical foundations of my research for the rest of my PhD while receiving some useful feedback from peers and more senior academics. My stay there was worth it since it allowed me to achieve these goals while also allowing me to get in contact with other researchers and practitioners residing in Oslo.

 

The Benefits for My Research

My PhD project tries to breach the traditionally established gap between the national and the international by considering under what conditions the actions that national actors (radical right populist parties) take affect the EU’s most international policy: its external action. While I stayed at ARENA, I was able to develop an elaborate framework for the concept of influence, which is key in my research. I built upon previous conceptualisations by ARENA scholar Guri Rosén to include elements from both the national and international levels while also considering approaches to influence from other disciplines such as lobby research. Coincidentally, I had the chance to listen to one of the leading authors in this field, Andreas Dür, in the first Tuesday Seminar I attended. These seminars proved to be highly beneficial for me since they put me in contact with realities beyond the ones a PhD candidate in the EU’s external action experiences. On the one hand, I was able to learn from peers working in other fields linked to the EU. On the other hand, I had the chance to see how bigger administrative projects, such as the establishment of a new research centre: the Research Centre on the European dimension of Norwegian Law (EurNorLaw). These experiences helped me understand the wider aspects of an academic career.

 

Oslo and its perks

My research went beyond the walls of the University of Oslo, and I conducted some interviews with other researchers and practitioners living in Oslo. These included researchers from the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) which was particularly useful for the “China aspect” of my research as well as a former Norwegian minister. Similarly, I also had the chance to enjoy the city of Oslo itself and visit its fjord, its recently built National Museum, and witness the celebrations of the Norwegian Constitution Day on the 17th of May.

 

About RENPET

All in all, the RENPET bursary was an excellent opportunity to advance my research, learn from a network of more experienced academics, while discovering other realities and other ways of research. For that, I am grateful to the whole RENPET network that finances the bursary and, particularly, to Helene Sjursen and all the ARENA staff for providing academic guidance during my stay.

 

 

More about the author

Unai Gómez-Hernández is a second-year joint PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh and KU Leuven. His research revolves around under what conditions European radical right populist parties influence the EU’s external action vis-à-vis China. His fields of interest involve populism, EU foreign policy, as well as EU-China relations both widely and with a specific focus on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Unai holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science (University of the Basque Country); a bachelor’s degree in International Relations (London School of Economic and Political Science), and a master’s in international relations and diplomacy of the European Union (College of Europe). Before beginning his PhD, he worked in the private and public sector, in the Basque Environmental Cluster as well as in the Delegation of the Basque Country to the EU.

 

 

 

The post RENPET Network Residency at ARENA Centre for European Studies (University of Oslo) appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

The European Parliament launched a process of monitoring possible future risks for the EU during the COVID-19 crisis, and has developed this further during Russia's war on Ukraine. The annual 'Future Shocks' series provides up-to-date, objective, and authoritative information on global risks through a 360° survey based on risk literature from a broad range of sources. Future Shocks 2023: Anticipating and weathering the next storms discusses 15 risks related to geopolitics, climate change, health, economics and democracy that could occur in the coming decade, and 10 policy responses to address both existing governance capacity and possible ways to enhance risk-response capabilities within the EU.
Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

Length of video : 81'

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, 2023 - EP

In 2022, the EU Strategic Compass included space as a strategic domain, and called for a dedicated European strategy. In the meantime, Russia's invasion of Ukraine confirmed the key role of space for defence and resilience, but also highlighted vulnerabilities related to space systems. Another 'wake-up call' came from a different direction; SpaceX's advances in reusable rocket technology leading to Starship's first orbital flight test turned the spotlight onto launch providers and access to space. Space is a critical infrastructure issue with growing economic significance. It is also an increasingly contested arena between competing geopolitical interests. To address these rising challenges, in March 2023 the European Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President presented their first joint communication on a European space strategy for security and defence.
Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

L'UE a publié une déclaration sur la crise au Niger.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1500 of 20 July 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1504 of 20 July 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1502 of 20 July 2023 amending Decision 2013/184/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar/Burma.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 of 20 July 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The EU issued a statement on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples where it reiterates its firm and continued commitment to the respect, protection and fulfilment of indigenous peoples’ rights.

The EU issued a statement on the occasion of the third anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus.

The EU issued a statement on Russia and the most recent politically motivated ruling against Alexei Navalny.