European Union

In an interview at the European Development Days in Brussels, Perez underlined Coca-Cola's hopes to work with the EU on its flagship External Investment Plan that seeks to build partnerships between local communities, governments, and the private sector.

The United States and Canada swung sharply on Sunday toward a diplomatic and trade crisis as top White House advisers lashed out at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a day after US President Trump called him "very dishonest and weak."

With Europe’s relative weight diminishing on the world stage, it becomes easier and easier for outside parties to play divide and rule and take advantage of European disunity, says Alexander Mattelaer.

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for Bird watchers.

Like many of us, you may derive great pleasure and inspiration from watching wild birds and listening to their song. Birds are also an essential element of our ecosystems, which provide us with clean water, pure air, food, medicines and important raw materials.

For these reasons, the European Union protects the 500 wild bird species naturally present in Europe. Through a law adopted in 1979 (the oldest EU law on the environment), the European Union protects bird species in two ways. On the hand, it created protected areas to maintain habitats for 194 species that are particularly threatened (these nature protected areas are part of the wider Natura 2000 network of wild spaces). On the other hand, it bans most activities that directly threaten wild birds, like killing them deliberately, capturing or trading them.

© Jesus / Fotolia

BirdLife, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) developed, with European Union financial support, a system to collect information on threats to and plans for conservation of about 50 bird species. Projects protecting 54 bird species also have priority access to European funds under the LIFE programme.

You may have noticed that numbers of common farmland birds in Europe, such as sparrows and swallows, have fallen recently. However, EU action has helped to protect Europe’s most threatened birds from further decline. One example is the Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila Adalberti), whose population has recovered from 50 pairs in 1974 to about 150-160 pairs today.

Further information

• EPRS publication on ‘Safeguarding biological diversity: EU policy and international agreements’ http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_IDA(2016)582020
• European Commission’s Directorate General for the environment website, http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature

The leaders of the G7 gathered in Charlevoix, Canada, agreed the summit communique.

https://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/uploads/council-images/thumbs/uploads/council-images/remote/http_7e18a1c646f5450b9d6d-a75424f262e53e74f9539145894f4378.r8.cf3.rackcdn.com/jordan-map_thumb_169_1386236350_1386236338_129_97shar_c1.png

The Association Agreement between Jordan and the EU entered into force in May 2002. Beyond this agreement, cooperation with Jordan has been regulated since 2005 by an action plan within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).

Download this video here.

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for young people not in education, employment or training (NEETS).

Many Europeans aged between 15 and 24 years are likely to have experienced difficulties in finding a job and becoming independent, largely due to the 2008 economic and financial crisis. In 2015, 12 % of young Europeans (6.6 million individuals) were not in work, education or training – a social phenomenon known as the NEETs (young people who are ‘not in education, employment or training’).

© Kar Tr / Fotolia

In response to the poor outlook for young people, all EU countries committed to implement a Youth Guarantee in April 2013. The Guarantee promises a good quality offer of employment, further education, an apprenticeship or traineeship to all young people under the age of 25 years, within a period of four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education. To help European countries to fulfil this commitment, the EU is spending €6.4 billion on the Youth Employment Initiative (2014-2020), with an extra €1.2 billion in 2017.

Up to now, much effort has been made to reintegrate young people in short term unemployment. European countries also frequently focus on helping young people with disabilities or illnesses. Other strategies that foster equality between young Europeans and boosting female employability include assisting young people who are NEET due to family responsibilities, enhancing young people’s skill sets (basic or digital skills, entrepreneurship), and matching their skills to job market needs.

Further information

• EPRS publication on NEETs: who are they? Being young and not in employment, education or training today
• Eurostat publication on Statistics on young people neither in employment nor in education or training
• Eurofound publication on Exploring the diversity of NEETs

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for undergraduate students.

If you are studying your first degree or are considering in enrolling for one, you may think about going abroad for a part of those studies. In that case, your university’s international office will have information about the possibility of an Erasmus exchange. As an Erasmus student, you do not have to pay registration or tuition fees to your host university, your studies count for your degree, and you receive an EU grant.

You should also know that as an EU citizen, you are entitled to study in any other EU country under the same conditions as nationals. The Your Europe website has information on admissions, fees, financial help, or working while studying to help you plan for your degree abroad.

© kasto / Fotolia

However, the recognition of academic diplomas in different EU countries is not yet automatic. By supporting the development of the European higher education area, the EU is promoting a process that gradually makes this simpler. In the meantime, centres exist in all EU countries that assess the comparability of diplomas. Once you obtain your degree you can also ask your university for a Diploma Supplement to ease recognition.

One of the EU’s targets is for over 40 % of young people to complete higher education by 2020. To this end, the EU brings together policy-makers from the Member States to exchange experiences on updating higher education in terms of attractiveness, accessibility and relevance to contemporary realities. The EU also ensures that graduates receive a quality job offer or an opportunity to further their studies by means of its Youth Guarantee programme.

Further information

• Erasmus+, http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/
• Your Europe: Education & Youth: University, https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/education/university/index_en.htm
• The Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area, http://ec.europa.eu/education/policy/higher-education/bologna-process_en
• Enic-naric.net, http://www.enic-naric.net/
• Diploma Supplement, http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/european-skills-passport/diploma-supplement
• Attainment : raising graduate numbers, http://ec.europa.eu/education/policy/higher-education/attainment_en
• Working Group on the Modernisation of Higher Education, https://ec.europa.eu/education/policy/strategic-framework/expert-groups/modernisation-higher-education_en
• Youth Guarantee, http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1079

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for secondary school students.

How many years young people spend in school, the subjects they study, the exams they take – all of this varies from country to country, and sometimes even from region to region. In some countries, pupils wear school uniforms while in others, they don’t; in some, everyone has the same basic education, while in others, there’s a choice between grammar schools and vocational schools. There can be no question of replacing this diversity with a standardised European school system – after all, every country has its own traditions.

Having said that, there are many challenges that schools from different parts of Europe share. The EU is bringing together teachers and other people involved in education to discuss how to deal with problems like pupils dropping out of school early, or ensuring that school leavers are equipped with the right skills to find work. For example, the EU is supporting initiatives to teach programming skills in schools.

© pressmaster / Fotolia

Most people have heard of Erasmus, the EU’s successful university exchange programme. The programme also offers exchanges for secondary school pupils lasting up to a year. In 2016 around 100 000 took part – a relatively small number compared to the EU’s 40 million secondary pupils, but a growing one. And, for those who don’t take part in an exchange, the EU has set up websites such as eTwinning enabling schools from different countries to organise joint projects; these can be a great opportunity for teenagers from all over Europe to get to know one another by working together on joint tasks.

Further information

• E twinning portal 1, https://www.etwinning.net/en/pub/index.htm
• Erasmus+ report, https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/resources/documents/erasmus-annual-report-2016_en
• Coding – the 21st century skill: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/coding-21st-century-skill

EXCLUSIVE / An EU proposal to impose export controls on technology products that can be used as spyware is at risk of being delayed as a group of nine countries have pushed back against the overhaul.

President Donald Tusk presented his expectations ahead of a challenging G7 summit in Canada, and highlighted how crucial G7 unity is for Europe and for the whole world.

The Council adopted conclusions on the third progress report on the implementation of common proposals endorsed by EU and NATO Councils on 6 December 2016 and 5 December 2017.

The Council agreed its general approach on a draft Cybersecurity Act.

The Council adopted a revised mandate for EULEX Kosovo that will run until 14 June 2020. It also allocated a budget of EUR 169.8 million to the mission.

Written by Marcin Grajewski,

© lermont51 / Fotolia

In June, the Heads of State or Government of the countries sharing the euro currency will discuss ways to improve the functioning of the euro area. French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed an ambitious reform plan, but Germany, the euro area’s economic powerhouse, is more cautious. Despite continued growth, after years of stagnation, the euro area needs better governance to meet future challenges, economic analysts say. They add that recent political developments in Italy may complicate the drive for reform, as could unstable political situations elsewhere.

This note brings together commentaries, analyses and studies by major international think tanks and research institutes on challenges facing the euro area and related issues. Earlier publications on the topic can be found in a previous edition of ‘What Think Tanks are Thinking’ published in December 2017.

Why Italy will confront the EU, but stay in the euro
Centre for European Reform, June 2018

Italy’s hazardous new experiment: Genetically modified populism
Brookings Institution, June 2018

The EU must realize that populism is a symptom of real policy failure
Chatham House, May 2018

How to exit the euro in a nutshell ‘Il Piano Savona’
Centre for European Policy Studies, June 2018

Mattarella’s line in the sand
Bruegel, June 2018

Italy heads for confrontation with itself, financial markets, and Europe
Peterson Institute for International Economics, May 2018

Quit kicking the can down the road: A Spanish view of EMU reforms
Real Instituto Elcano, May 2018

Turmoil in euro area spreads as Rajoy’s government is ousted in Spain
Atlantic Council, May 2018

Italy is too big to fail
Atlantic Council, May 2018

Does the euro area need a safe or a diversified asset?
Centre for European Policy Studies, May 2018

Are SBBS really the safe asset the euro area is looking for?
Bruegel, May 2018

Capital position of banks in the EMU: An analysis of Banking Union scenarios
Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, May 2018

Fiscal rules and the role of the Commission
Bruegel, May 2018

Tackling non-performing loans in the euro area
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft, May 2018

Completing Europe’s Banking Union means breaking the bank-sovereign vicious circle
Peterson Institute for International Economics, May 2018

EFN report: Economic outlook for the euro area in 2018 and 2019
Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, April 2018

Macron, Merkel and the new European sovereignties
Real Instituto Elcano, April 2018

Convergence in the European Union: Inside and outside the euro
Centre for European Policy Studies, April 2018

Should Bulgaria join the euro now?
Jacques Delors Institut Berlin, April 2018

Une finance au service du développement de long terme en Europe
Confrontations Europe, April 2018

Quelles perspectives pour renforcer la zone euro?
Confrontations Europe, April 2018

The European ETF market: What can be done better?
Centre for European Policy Studies, April 2018

Making a reality of Europe’s capital markets union
Bruegel, April 2018

State contingent debt as insurance for euro-area sovereigns
Bruegel, April 2018

Economic recovery and inflation
Center for Social and Economic Research, April 2018

Reforming the European Monetary Union: The challenge of reconciling risk sharing with market discipline
Istituto Affari Internazionali, April 2018

How to solve the Greek debt problem
Peterson Institute for International Economics, April 2018

Debt mutualisation, inflation and populism in the euro zone
Real Instituto Elcano, April 2018

Market discipline and liquidity key issues in the EMU reform
Research Institute of the Finnish Economy, April 2018

The fallacy of fiscal discipline
LUISS School of European Political Economy, April 2018

No escape from politics: Four tests for a successful fiscal instrument in the euro area
Notre Europe, Bertelsmann Stiftung, March 2018

Cash outflows in crisis scenarios: Do liquidity requirements and reporting obligations give the SRB sufficient time to react?
Bruegel, March 2018

Domestic banks as lightning rods? Home bias during the euro zone crisis
Centre for European Policy Studies, March 2018

Is the bank-sovereign link truly severed?
College of Europe, March 2018

The search for a euro area safe asset
Peterson Institute for International Economics, March 2018

Enhancing credibility and commitment to fiscal rules
Center for Social and Economic Research, March 2018

The new global economic governance: Can Europe help win the peace?
LUISS School of European Political Economy, March 2018

Macron’s plans for the euro
Centre for European Reform, February 2018

The missing third leg of the euro architecture: National wage negotiations
Peterson Institute for International Economics, February 2018

ECB interventions in distressed sovereign debt markets: The case of Greek bonds
Institut für Weltwirtschaft Kiel, February 2018

The effects of unconventional monetary policy in the euro area
Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, February 2018

The euro paradox: Explaining the resilience of the single currency
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, January 2018

Tales from a crisis: Diverging narratives of the euro area
Bruegel, February 2018

Some unpleasant euro arithmetic
Centre d’études prospectives et d’informations internationales, January 2018

Bank liquidation in the European Union: Clarification needed
Bruegel, January 2018

Risk reduction through Europe’s distressed debt market
Bruegel, January 2018

Reconciling risk sharing with market discipline: A constructive approach to euro area reform
Centre for Economic Policy Research, January 2018

Reconciling risk sharing with market discipline
LUISS School of European Political Economy, January 2018

Oil price shocks, monetary policy and current account imbalances within a currency union
Centre for European Policy Studies, January 2018

Low interest rate environment amplifies negative effects of austerity policy
Deutsche Institut für Entwicklungspolitik, January 2018

Read this briefing on ‘Challenges for the euro area‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

EUobserver asked the parliament for minutes of the meeting where the details of the hearing with Facebook CEO were determined. The format - later heavily criticised - had not been discussed.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte will debate the future of the EU with MEPs and with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasburg on Wednesday.

Poland's power behind the throne, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, is unwell, but the ageing party chief's successor could be even worse for Warsaw's EU relations.

Most people gain weight because of the lifestyle and measures like plain packaging will not provide the solutions we need, conservative MEP Daniel Hannan said.

How many times have you actually read the entire 17,000-word privacy notice before agreeing to share your data? Do you feel more or less protected by clicking 'yes'?