European Union

1/ Schutz der Schengen Außengrenzen
Gewährleistung der Kontrolle der grünen Außengrenze gemäß des Schengen Borders Code und der Frontex-Verordnung (HU-SRB, HU-CRO): ca. 270 Mio. € im Jahr 2015, das entspricht 0,2 % des ungarischen BIP. Nur 1 % dieser Summe wurde von der EU kofinanziert, hier die im Stabilitäts- und Wachstumspakt vorgesehenen Flexibilität anzuwenden war nicht möglich)
Grenzpolizisten: 102 in Slowenien, 31 in Mazedonien und 30 in Serbien, Angebot für Bulgarien
Angebot über 85 Grenzpolizisten für Frontex in Griechenland und 3 Beamte (einschl. Fahrzeugen) für das EASO

2/ Ursachenbekämpfung
fast 1.000 Soldaten dienen in NATO-, UN- und EU-Missionen, mehrheitlich in Krisenregionen oder an Transportrouten
125 Soldaten sind im Irak im Einsatz (globale Koalition gegen ISIS) * 106 Soldaten sind im Einsatz in Afghanistan (NATO Resolute Support)
Teilnahme an anderen Missionen mit 2 bis 10 Soldaten und Beamten: EUNAVFORMED Sophia; EUTM Mali etc.

3/ Humanitäre Hilfe
Beteiligung am EU-Türkei Paket I bis 2019: 14,6 Mio. € frontloading, davon 2016 bereits 10 Mio. € (statt der vorgesehenen 4,3 Mio.)
Syria Recovery Trust Fund: bilaterales Angebot 3.000.000 € + 200.000 €
Africa Emergency Trust Fund: 700.000 €
Krankenhausprojekt in der Kriegszone: 5.000.000 € (Syria Pledging Conference) * World Food Programme: 377.000 € (eingezahlt)
andere UN und internationale Programme: ca. 1.200.000 € (z.B.: Peace Oasis youth center in Jordanien);
1.000 Betten für Griechenland
bilaterale Sachleistungen für Serbien, Mazedonien und Slowenien: 1.906.500 €
(+ 350.000 € humanitäre Hilfe für die Ukraine)

BOTSCHAFT VON UNGARN IN BERLIN·MARDI 24 MAI 2016
Stand: 24. Mai 2016
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Tag: FRONTEXHungary

http://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/uploads/council-images/thumbs/uploads/council-images/remote/http_c96321.r21.cf3.rackcdn.com/16273_169_full_129_97shar_c1.jpg

Mexico was the first Latin American country to sign a partnership agreement with the EU (in 1997). The EU-Mexico Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement, entered into force in 2000 and has considerably strengthened bilateral relations.

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Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought embodies Parliament's support for human rights. Throughout the year the Sakharov Prize network of former laureates meets to highlight issues. On 23 and 24 May nine former Sakharov laureates met in Brussels to discuss, among others, how to adapt to the challenges facing human rights defenders in the digital era.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought embodies Parliament's support for human rights. Throughout the year the Sakharov Prize network of former laureates meets to highlight issues. On 23 and 24 May nine former Sakharov laureates met in Brussels to discuss, among others, how to adapt to the challenges facing human rights defenders in the digital era.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : Every day 315 million Europeans use the internet, but challenges still remain for consumers and companies alike. The European Commission presented its strategy for a digital single market in 2015. In addition Parliament and the Council agreed to ban roaming fees in 2017 and guarantee equal treatment for all internet traffic. On 25 May MEPs debate new Commission proposals to further boost e-commerce in plenary. Read our digital glossary to get up to date with the terminology ahead of the debate.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

General : Every day 315 million Europeans use the internet, but challenges still remain for consumers and companies alike. The European Commission presented its strategy for a digital single market in 2015. In addition Parliament and the Council agreed to ban roaming fees in 2017 and guarantee equal treatment for all internet traffic. On 25 May MEPs debate new Commission proposals to further boost e-commerce in plenary. Read our digital glossary to get up to date with the terminology ahead of the debate.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

It is my pleasure to extend my wholehearted congratulations to you on your election as Federal President of the Republic of Austria. On behalf of the European Council and personally, I wish you every success in your endeavours.

I trust that under your term, Austria will benefit from the political stability and social cohesion that are necessary to respond to the challenges lying ahead. Maintaining Austria's productive contribution to supporting EU efforts has been, and will remain, essential in seeking common European solutions.

As part of the EU institutions' open day, the headquarters of the European Council and the Council of the European Union, the two institutions representing the member states of the EU, is opening its doors from 10.00 to 18.00 on Saturday 28 May, offering guided tours, activities and information stands.

Guided tours of the building

Guided by members of staff, visitors will be able to walk in the footsteps of the presidents and prime ministers of the 28 member states by following a route through the Council building from their arrival at the VIP entrance to the meeting rooms. Tours are organised from 10.00 to 17.00 in French, Dutch, German and English.

Member states' stand

The 28 member states will be represented at a joint stand, where visitors can learn how each country participates in the Union's work, discover their cultures and landscapes, and even taste some traditional dishes. Some member states, such as Cyprus, Slovenia and Hungary, will also put on traditional dance and/or music sessions. For the full list, see the open day website (link at the bottom of the page).

Central archives/Agreements office

The staff of the Council's central archives will tell visitors how and where the treaties and other major European agreements were signed. Visitors will also have the chance to see the originals or facsimiles of some of these historic documents, such as the original of the Convention between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Economic Community, signed in 1975, or a certified copy of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, signed in Rome in 1957.

Council online: visitors will be encouraged to take part in interactive games, discover surprising facts about Europe, take photos and share their impressions about the Council with their friends on social media.

Finally, the Council will house information stands of other EU institutions and bodies such as the European Central Bank (ECB), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Frontex. EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA, which operates against human smuggling and trafficking networks in the Mediterranean, will also be present.

Practical information

The open day will take place in the Justus Lipsius building, 175 rue de la Loi/Wetstraat, Brussels.

Due to the alert level currently in place in Belgium, additional security checks will be set up around the institutions. To facilitate these checks, visitors are encouraged not to bring luggage or other bulky objects.

Visitors are also encouraged to use public transport. A small train will circulate all day between the institutions in the European quarter.

Press contact and access

Media wishing to access the Justus Lipsius building on open day are asked to contact the press office if they have any questions and to obtain easy access.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The European Commission's proposal for an EU anti-tax avoidance directive was welcomed by Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in a resolution voted on Tuesday. MEPs nonetheless advocated stricter limits on deductions for interest payments and an effective corporate tax rate of 15%.
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The European Commission's proposal for an EU anti-tax avoidance directive was welcomed by Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in a resolution voted on Tuesday. MEPs nonetheless advocated stricter limits on deductions for interest payments and an effective corporate tax rate of 15%.
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

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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, 2016 - EP

1.           WELCOMES the publication of the Commission's country reports analysing the economic policies for each of the Member States, including the in-depth reviews (IDRs) in the context of the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure (MIP), as well as the accompanying Communication summarising the main results of the IDRs. 

I - IN-DEPTH REVIEWS 

2.           CONSIDERS that the IDRs are well structured as a key part within the country reports and NOTES the importance of presenting a thorough analysis of the imbalances in each of the Member States under review as the basis for multilateral surveillance, enhanced domestic ownership of reforms and effective policy adjustment. RECOGNISES that the analysis covers possible spillover effects to other countries and the euro area where relevant, differentiates between the adjustments driven by cyclical factors and those resulting from structural changes, and takes country-specific circumstances into account. Relevant analytical tools are also applied in view of the specific challenges of each economy and complemented by qualitative analysis where needed. 

3.           WELCOMES the Commission's effort to improve the transparency of the MIP, including streamlining and stabilisation of the categories of macroeconomic imbalances, the publication of a compendium bringing together relevant information on the implementation of the MIP, and the inclusion of new summary tables in the IDRs (MIP assessment matrices). NOTES Commission's plans with regard to specific monitoring of recommendations by the Council to all Member States concerned by imbalances and excessive imbalances, to ensure enhanced surveillance of the policy response to the imbalances identified. INVITES the Commission to outline a proposal for the concrete timing and content of this monitoring, including plans to differentiate with respect to the severity of imbalances, as well as the articulation with other surveillance procedures, notably post programme surveillance for countries concerned to avoid duplication and in line with established practice. EMPHASISES the importance of efficiency, transparency and predictability in assessing macroeconomic imbalances in the MIP. In light of this, UNDERLINES the importance of presenting both the country analysis and the conclusions on the assessment of imbalances together in line with the European Semester Roadmap.  

4.           AGREES that 13 of the examined Member States (Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden) are experiencing macroeconomic imbalances of various nature and magnitude. 

5.           AGREES with the view of the Commission that excessive imbalances exist in 6 Member States (Bulgaria, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, and Portugal). The Council will carefully assess the Commission's further review for Croatia and Portugal presented in late May, which should take into account the policy measures outlined in their National Reform Programmes to assess whether further steps are needed. UNDERLINES that the MIP procedure should be used to its full potential, with the corrective arm applied where appropriate.   

 6.           AGREES that 6 of the examined Member States (Belgium, Estonia, Hungary, Austria, Romania and the UK) do not experience macroeconomic imbalances in the sense of the MIP. 

7.           UNDERLINES the continued need for policy action and strong commitment to structural reforms in all Member States, in particular when they face macroeconomic imbalances affecting the smooth functioning of EMU. Imbalances should be addressed in a durable manner focusing on key challenges, reducing risks, facilitating the rebalancing of the EU economies and creating conditions for sustainable growth and jobs. 

8.           RECOGNISES the continued progress achieved by Member States in correcting their external and internal imbalances, thus contributing to the rebalancing in the EU and within the euro area. However, UNDERLINES that there are still sizeable risks in certain Member States. While current account deficitis of the pre-crisis period have been considerably reduced or have moved to surplus, large stocks of external liabilities remain a vulnerability in some net debtor countries. ACKNOWLEDGES that cost competitiveness has generally improved in countries that exhibited large external deficits, with more limited evidence pointing to improvements in non-cost competitiveness. At the same time, elevated current account surpluses in some Member States with relatively low deleveraging needs persist and could under some circumstances indicate large savings and investment imbalances deserving progress on policy actions. 

9.           UNDERLINES that high levels of private and government debt remain an important challenge in a number of Member States in the context of low inflation and growth rates. Despite notable progress, further structural reforms are needed to enhance the growth potential and to tackle high unemployment, in particular among the youth and long-term unemployed. 

II - IMPLEMENTATION OF COUNTRY SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS (CSRs)

10.         WELCOMES progress made in addressing the 2015 CSRs. The streamlined set of 2015 CSRs allowed for greater focus on tackling pressing challenges and persistent macroeconomic imbalances. TAKES NOTE that reform implementation has been uneven across policy areas and countries and that in only a few cases has substantial progress been made in addressing the CSRs. STRESSES that reform implementation needs to be stepped up to address the policy challenges outlined below and RECALLS the importance of a timely assessment of the implementation of CSRs in the Council prior to the proposal of new CSRs, in order to draw conclusions, increase national awareness and implement reforms effectively in each country. 

11.         STRESSES that further structural reforms to services, product and labour markets, alongside responsible, sound fiscal policies are needed to strengthen and sustain the economic recovery, correct harmful imbalances, achieve fiscal sustainability, improve the conditions for investment, and reinforce the single market, unleashing the growth potential of Member States' economies.     

12.         RECOGNISES the progress made by Member States in implementing CSRs in the areas of improving the business environment and in fighting against tax avoidance and improving its administration. Member states concerned should continue their efforts.  STRESSES that more progress could be achieved in generating a business and employment friendly regulatory environment, increasing female labour force participation, cutting red tape, strengthening both administrative efficiency and regulatory quality, and reducing the number of restrictions in the service sector, particularly by making it significantly easier for service providers to operate across borders. Progress in addressing existing gaps and weaknesses in some national fiscal frameworks has been made but are still limited in some Member States, and efforts should focus on ensuring their effective functioning to support the conduct of responsible fiscal policies. National fiscal frameworks should be brought in line with EU requirements. 

13.         AGREES that there is an urgent need to improve investment conditions in order to attract increased private investment in the real economy and ensure high quality public investment and infrastructures. Reform progress has been slow in tackling problems regarding sector specific regulation and other impediments to investment and in reforming public administration, judicial systems, insolvency frameworks and the business environment, including access to finance. Despite some progress, barriers to investment persist in some key sectors in many Member States. This is particularly the case for services, network industries and construction. 

14.         WELCOMES progress in reforming labour markets, but notes that significant challenges and implementation gaps remain. There remains potential to broaden tax bases and reduce the tax burden on labour. The successful integration of migrants and refugees in some Member States requires particular attention. While progress has been made in bringing back to the labour market the unemployed, further structural reforms to support employment and active labour market policies are needed. 

Ahead of the University of Edinburgh’s free online course Towards Brexit? The UK’s EU Referendum and one month before the referendum, here are five things you need to know about the Brexit debate:

European Flag, European Parliament, CC-BY-NC-ND-2.0

1. We’ve been here before

In 1975, the UK held its first-ever nationwide referendum on whether to stay in the European Economic Community (the precursor to the EU). The result was a two-thirds majority in favour of remaining in the Common Market. That said, it’s very unusual for a country to hold a vote directly on the question of EU membership. Most past referendums on the EU in member states have been about ratifying new treaties.

2. The UK’s not so different

Over the years, the difficult relationship between the UK and the EU has become legendary. For instance, it has opt-outs from a number of European policies, like the euro or borderless travel (Schengen). This reputation can sometimes give the impression that the UK is particularly alone or different. However, that’s not really the case. In reality, every member has its own issues with the EU – some are just more obvious than others.

3. Global interest is high

Although the referendum will be decided by UK voters, many countries, along with companies and organisations around the world, have a substantial interest in the outcome. For this reason, a number have broken with the convention of not engaging in a country’s internal debates and have expressed their views on the UK’s EU membership. However, it’s not clear what impact these interventions actually have on public opinion.

4. The facts? It’s not as easy as that

The EU can be quite complicated and the referendum debate has featured topics such as the economy, migration, security and democracy. Many people will be looking for information before the vote. However, most of the questions around these issues come down to personal opinion, rather than factual answers. While facts and evidence do naturally exist, they can only inform. In the end, voters will have to make up their own minds on whether EU membership is worthwhile or not.

5. The referendum won’t end the debate

This June’s vote is just the latest landmark in the UK’s history with the European Union. Whatever the outcome on 23 June, the referendum won’t settle the issue. If the result is to leave, the negotiations that follow will focus on what kind of relationship the UK will have with the EU going forward. If the result is to remain, the debate on EU membership will continue and calls for a second referendum will likely materialise. Either way, the saga will carry on.

Find out more – join the free online course: 
Towards Brexit? The UK’s EU Referendum

This article was originally published on the FutureLearn blog.

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Shortened link: britainseurope.uk/22

How to cite this article:

Salamone, A (2016) ‘Five Things You Need to Know About Brexit’, Britain’s Europe (Ideas on Europe), 24 May 2016, britainseurope.uk/22

The post Five Things You Need to Know About Brexit appeared first on Ideas on Europe.