European Union

The recovery in the euro area is expected to continue at a moderate and steady pace, but slower than envisaged in June due to a lower foreign demand outlook, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi told Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee members on Monday. On the positive side, he said that the euro area economy showed resilience to global and political uncertainty, notably following the UK referendum outcome.
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Plans to waive visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens entering the Schengen area were approved by the Civil Liberties Committee on Monday. If approved by Parliament and Council, it will allow Ukrainians who have a biometric passport to enter the EU area without a visa for 90 days in any 180-day period, for business, tourist or family purposes.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Plans to waive visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens entering the Schengen area were approved by the Civil Liberties Committee on Monday. If approved by Parliament and Council, it will allow Ukrainians who have a biometric passport to enter the EU area without a visa for 90 days in any 180-day period, for business, tourist or family purposes.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

In the wake of this summer’s terrorist attacks in Europe, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove debated trends revealed by such attacks and EU counter-terrorism measures with Civil Liberties Committee MEPs on Monday afternoon.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

In the wake of this summer’s terrorist attacks in Europe, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove debated trends revealed by such attacks and EU counter-terrorism measures with Civil Liberties Committee MEPs on Monday afternoon.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : Parliament's inquiry committee investigating the Panama papers starts its work on Tuesday 27 September with a hearing featuring the journalists behind the initial revelations. These members of the International Consortium for Investigative Journalism will discuss their work on the files. In addition the committee's working programme will be presented after the hearing. Follow the hearing and the presentation of the working programme live on our website.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : Parliament's inquiry committee investigating the Panama papers starts its work on Tuesday 27 September with a hearing featuring the journalists behind the initial revelations. These members of the International Consortium for Investigative Journalism will discuss their work on the files. In addition the committee's working programme will be presented after the hearing. Follow the hearing and the presentation of the working programme live on our website.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The European Union and the government of Afghanistan will co-host the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan on 4-5 October 2016, bringing together more than 70 countries and 20 international organisations and agencies.

The aim of the conference is to endorse a realistic programme of reforms to bring about the Afghan government's vision and to ensure continued international political and financial support for political and economic stability, state-building and development over the coming four years.

The conference is taking place under the patronage of President of the European Council Donald Tusk and President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani, who will open the event.

Securing financial support over the course of the next four years and increasing the effectiveness of aid, on the basis of a new national development framework, is crucial for the stabilisation of the country. Development and security remain interdependent challenges and need to be underpinned by genuine political support. This will involve the international community, and in particular Afghanistan's neighbours, building on an emerging regional consensus oriented towards peace and cross-border economic cooperation. 

"The Afghans need peace and stability, and we all, the European Union included, have a strong interest in supporting them", said the High Representative of the Union for foreign affairs and security policy, Federica Mogherini. "Afghanistan has shown its determination, in the face of considerable challenges, to continue on the path to democracy and development. The international community, starting with our European Union, needs to keep supporting the efforts of the Afghan people towards prosperity and peace, not only financially but also politically. Our conference is the moment to do just that."

The High Representative will co-chair the conference on behalf of the EU along with Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for Development Cooperation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Salahuddin Rabbani and Minister of Finance Eklil Hakimi will co-chair on behalf of Afghanistan. Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah will also be present. Minister Eklil Hakimi said "The Government of Afghanistan is looking forward to sharing our plans to achieve self-reliance for our people with our international partners. We are also pleased to let them know about our achievements since 2014. The Brussels Conference is an opportunity for Afghanistan and its partners to reaffirm their commitments to a shared vision of peace, stability and prosperity for Afghanistan."

High level events focusing on women's empowerment and regional integration will take place on the margins of the conference, on 4 October.  

After months of infighting Jeremy Corbyn has been re-elected as the leader of the Labour Party with 61.8 percent of the vote. Corbyn had come under pressure from within his party among other things because he didn't endorse the UK remaining in the EU. Commentators speculate on how his re-election will influence the Brexit negotiations.

Close borders, ramp up Frontex - at a refugee summit in Vienna eleven EU member states have agreed on measures aimed at stopping irregular migration along the Balkan route for good. Some journalists see the decisions as progress, while for others closing more doors is tantamount to capitulation.

After the most devastating bomb attacks on Aleppo since the start of the war in Syria, Russia and the states of the West are blaming each other for the escalating violence in the country. While some commentators accuse Moscow of seeking a military solution to the conflict, others blame the US and Europe for remaining idle for too long.