European Union

Cuba's 86-year-old President Raúl Castro will step down today. In 2006 he took over government duties from his ailing brother Fidel Castro, who died in 2016. Castro's current Vice-President Miguel Díaz-Canel is the most likely successor. How long will "tropical socialism" survive under the new leadership?

RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of a Protocol to the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and the Republic of Korea, on the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Tokia Saïfi

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

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Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, travels to the Western Balkans from 17 to the 19 April. She visits Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

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EU Ministers of Foreign and European Affairs meet on 17 April 2018 in Luxembourg to discuss amendments to the 1976 Electoral Act and the state of play regarding the rule of law in Poland. The Commission is presenting its enlargement package to the ministers.

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Egenberger
Principles of Community law
The requirement of religious affiliation for a post within the Church must be amenable to effective judicial review

Krüsemann and Others
Transport
A ‘wildcat strike’ by flight staff following the surprise announcement of a restructuring does not constitute an ‘extraordinary circumstance’ , releasing the airline from its obligation to pay compensation in the event of cancellation or long delay of flight

Commission v Poland
Environment and consumers
The forest management operations concerning the Puszcza Białowieska Natura 2000 site that have been undertaken by Poland infringe EU law

B
Citizenship of the Union
It is a prerequisite of eligibility for enhanced protection against expulsion that the person concerned must have a right of permanent residence

This note seeks to provide an initial analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the above-mentioned impact assessment (IA), which originally accompanied the joint communication on a renewed partnership with the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, published on 22 November 2016. Subsequently, on 12 December 2017, the Commission adopted a recommendation for a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations with the countries of the Cotonou Agreement, which was referred to Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). The Commission considers the analysis and conclusions of the impact assessment conducted in 2016 for the joint communication to be valid for the December 2017 recommendation for the opening of negotiations, which are to begin officially before 1 September 2018.
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

DRAFT RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Iraq, of the other part
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Tokia Saïfi

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

DRAFT REPORT on the state of EU-China relations
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Bas Belder

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

DRAFT REPORT containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Iraq, of the other part
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Tokia Saïfi

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

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EU Foreign Affairs ministers meet on 16 April 2018 in Luxembourg to discuss Russia, the Western Balkans, Iran (including the Iran nuclear deal, the JCPOA) and the future of external financing instruments. The Council is expected to adopt a number of decisions and conclusions without debate, including Council conclusions on Syria, ahead of the second Brussels conference on Supporting the future of Syria and the region (24-25 April 2018).

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EU Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries meet on 16 and 17 April 2018 in Luxembourg to discuss ways to reduce food waste in the EU and a new plan for the management of fish stocks in the Western Waters. They are also hearing a presentation on a draft directive to fight unfair trading practices in the food supply chain.

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The EU is supportive of all efforts aimed at the prevention of the use of chemical weapons.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.