European Union

At almost 24 percent Greece's unemployment rate remains the highest in the EU, the European statistics agency Eurostat reported on Thursday. According to a new IMF study there is little hope of these figures improving substantially in the decades to come. While some Greek commentators see the situation as hopeless others call on those seeking jobs to adjust to market requirements.

Rome's mayor Virginia Raggi is facing a crisis of government: close confidants in the city council as well as the managers of the rapid transit and waste disposal systems resigned on Thursday. The new mayor, who was swept into office last June with the electoral breakthrough of the Movimento Cinque Stelle, has been overwhelmed by the demands put on her by the former protest movement, commentators believe, noting that the party has now lost its allure.

The European Commission ruled on Tuesday that US company Apple must pay Ireland up to 13 billion euros in back taxes after receiving illegal tax benefits from Dublin. Apple and Ireland have both announced they will appeal the decision. The ruling will boost the citizens' confidence in the international tax system, some commentators write. Others fear it will only create more legal uncertainty.

The citizens of Hungary will vote in a referendum on October 2 on whether to accept mandatory quotas for the distribution of refugees among EU member states. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán rejects the quota system approved by Brussels. The leftist opposition is in disarray over the issue, commentators note, and fear that the government is manipulating voters with unfounded panic-mongering.

The Brazilian Senate voted on Wednesday in favour of impeaching President Dilma Rousseff. After a power struggle that went on for months former vice president Michel Temer has now taken over as head of state. The political crisis is far from over, some fear, while others see a major opportunity opening up for the Brazilian left.

On 5 September, the Subcommittee will exchange views on the outcome and main decisions of the NATO Summit in Warsaw with representatives from NATO and the EEAS. The Alliance is faced with an evolving complex threat environment. NATO reaffirmed that its countries are united in protecting and defending their indivisible security and common values by fulfilling effectively all three core tasks: collective defence, crisis management and cooperative security.
At the same meeting the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, and the Secretary General of NATO have issued a joint declaration to give new impetus and new substance to the EU-NATO strategic partnership.
Further information
Draft agenda and meeting documents
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

On 5 September, the Subcommittee will consider the draft report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy by Ioan Mircea PAŞCU, S&D. The draft report advocates a thorough revision of the CSDP to better equip Europe in an increasingly unstable and volatile internal and external security environment.
Further information
Draft agenda and meeting documents
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

On 5 September, the Subcommittee will consider the draft report on the European Defence Union by Urmas Paet, ALDE. This draft advocates the progressive framing of the European Defence Union, with a view to its establishment under the next multiannual political and financial framework of the EU. It also elaborates on the process and the contents of the EU White Book on security and defence and describes preparatory activities which should be launched immediately.
Further information
Draft agenda and meeting documents
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Committee and political group meetings, Brussels

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP