Serbie : l'autoroute des bonnes affaires pour l'entourage du Premier ministre Vučić
Chemin de fer Belgrade-Budapest : un train chinois à grande vitesse
Sarajevo Business Forum : « nous et les Chinois »
Grèce : Syriza brade ses promesses et le port du Pirée aux Chinois
Serbie : les noces chinoises des aciéries de Smederevo
Bulgarie : Bourgas, bientôt port d'entrée des smartphones et ordinateurs chinois en Europe
Serbie : l'autoroute des bonnes affaires pour l'entourage du Premier ministre Vučić
Chemin de fer Belgrade-Budapest : un train chinois à grande vitesse
Sarajevo Business Forum : « nous et les Chinois »
Grèce : Syriza brade ses promesses et le port du Pirée aux Chinois
Serbie : les noces chinoises des aciéries de Smederevo
Bulgarie : Bourgas, bientôt port d'entrée des smartphones et ordinateurs chinois en Europe
Place: European Convention Centre Luxembourg (ECCL)
Chair(s): Sharon Dijksma, the Dutch Minister for the Environment
All times are approximate and subject to change
+/- 08.30
Arrivals (live streaming)
+/- 09.25
Doorstep by Minister Dijksma
+/- 10.00
Beginning of the meeting (roundtable)
Adoption of agenda
Adoption of non-legislative A items
+/- 10.10
Emissions trading system (ETS) (public session)
+/- 11.50
Paris agreement (public session)
+/- 12.15
Air quality (NEC directive) (public session)
+/- 13.15
Any other business: emissions by cars and endocrine disruptors
+/- 15.30
EU action plan for circular economy (public session)
+/- 16.30
EU action plan against wildlife trafficking (public session)
+/- 16.55
Any other business
+/- 18.00
Press conference (live streaming)
“Which debt relief agreement are you talking about?”
If anyone had any doubts that Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, doesn’t think much of the debt relief deal for Greece that was struck last month by the Eurogroup, these should have been firmly laid to rest by her comments at a press conference in Luxembourg on Thursday.
Asked about what she thought of the outcome of euro area finance ministers’ marathon meeting last month on Greece, which reached some tentative agreements on easing Athens’ massive debt burden, Ms Lagarde appeared to question whether it amounted to a meaningful breakthrough at all.
“Which debt relief agreement are you talking about?,” Lagarde said, before smiling conspiratorially. “I think you have my response in my question actually.”
The issue of debt relief has become central to the roll out of the €86bn euro area bailout of Greece that was agreed on by euro area leaders last summer. The IMF has refused to take part in the programme unless relief is granted, and has challenged what it says are over optimistic EU predictions for the recovery of the Greek economy.
Read morePlace: European Convention Centre Luxembourg (ECCL)
Chair: Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
All times are approximate and subject to change
from 08.00
Arrivals (live streaming)
+/- 09.20
Doorstep by High Representative Mogherini
+/- 09.30
Beginning of Foreign Affairs Council meeting (roundtable)
Adoption of the agenda
Adoption of A Items
+/- 09.35
The Arctic
The Sahel
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
+/- 13.00
Working lunch on Middle East Peace Process
+/- 15.00
Visa liberalisation in the context of EU-Georgia relations
AOB
+/- 16:30
Press conference (live streaming)
17.30
Beginning of the meeting (roundtable)
(tbc) 19.30
Press conference (live streaming)
It’s a cliché, but time really does fly when you’re having fun. I arrived in Brussels last September, one of nine hopeful (and nervous) undergraduates embarking on a ten-month internship at FleishmanHillard. It’s been a year full of new experiences, big and small – everything from attending COP21 in Paris to getting lost (a little too often) in the corridors of the European Parliament. I’ve worked with some great people and learnt a lot about EU policy, public affairs and what it‘s like to live and work in the heart of the European project, Brussels.
My fellow interns and I are almost at the end of our time in Brussels, but for anyone considering doing a similar internship, here are five insights into the “Brussels Bubble” and EU public affairs to help you on your way.
By: Louise Olander
On 16 June, the European Parliament subcommittee on security and defence (SEDE) held an exchange of views on the EU-NATO capability development cooperation with Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency, and General Denis Mercier, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. The NATO-EU Capability Group was established in May 2003 to address common capability shortfalls and to ensure the coherence and mutual reinforcement of NATO and EU capability development efforts.
Jorge Domecq highlighted in his speech the partnership between the EU and NATO, “Twenty two EU Members are Allies. We need to ensure that the differences in membership do not become more significant than the similarities. There is a need to continue our close dialogue to ensure complementarity of work. Due to our single set of forces, we cannot afford unnecessary duplication – especially in the field of programmes.” Mr Domecq furthermore stressed the significant strategic overlap between the two organisations, especially regarding crisis management, conflict prevention and peacekeeping. However, while complementarity was important, the EU needed sufficient freedom of action in defence. “That is why EU Member States should support initiatives in EDA to support the development of capabilities to face the whole spectrum of challenges we face in the changing security environment, including the protection of EU citizens.”
General Mercier stressed in his intervention that cooperation between NATO and the EU was "no longer a question of choice, but a question of will", and continued, "I believe we have no other choice but to leverage the competencies of each organisation and make the most of limited resources." Regarding cooperation with the EDA, General Mercier noted that closer collaboration could bring tangible proposals: "I can assure you that ACT and EDA have already started working together and intend to deliver practical areas of cooperation in the coming months." General Mercier concluded his intervention considering "The collaboration of our two entities could also help synchronise national innovation efforts, including those developed in the United States, in order to keep the highest level of interoperability in the future."
More information:
La Cour de Justice de l’Union européenne vient de rappeler que la « directive retour », qualifiée au moment de son adoption de « directive de la honte », s’oppose à ce qu’un ressortissant d’un pays non UE puisse, avant d’être soumis à la procédure de retour, être mis en prison au seul motif de son entrée irrégulière sur le territoire d’un Etat membre via une frontière intérieure de l’espace Schengen. Il en va ainsi également lorsque ce ressortissant, qui se trouve en simple transit (cas de Selima Affum, objet de l’arrêt) sur le territoire de l’Etat membre concerné, se fait intercepter lors de sa sortie de l’Espace Schengen et qu’il fait l’objet d’une procédure de réadmission vers l’Etat membre d’où il vient.
En effet il ne faut pas perdre de vue que la directive sur le retour des ressortissants des pays tiers en pays tiers en séjour irrégulier établit des normes et procédures applicables dans les Etats membres pour l’éloignement de leur territoire de ressortissants de pays non UE en séjour irrégulier. La directive prévoit qu’une décision de retour doit être adoptée à l’égard de tout ressortissant d’un pays non UE en séjour irrégulier. Cette décision ouvre, en principe, une période de retour volontaire suivie, si nécessaire, de mesures d’éloignement forcé ». En cas de défaut de départ volontaire, la directive impose aux Etats membres de procéder à l’éloignement forcé en employant les mesures les moins coercitives possible. Ce n’est que si l’éloignement risque d’être compromis que l’Etat membre peut procéder à la rétention de la personne concernée, rétention dont la durée ne peut dépasser en aucun cas 18 mois . Or la directive étant applicable à Selima Affum, celle-ci ne pouvait pas être mise en prison au seul motif de son entrée irrégulière sur le territoire français avant d’avoir été soumise à la procédure de retour. Or les autorités française souligne la Cour n’avaient même pas initié cette procédure.
Une peine de prison ne peut être prévue que si le migrant commet d’autres délits que ceux tenant à la seule circonstance d’une entrée irrégulière. La France va donc devoir modifier sa législation qui prévoit aujourd’hui qu’un migrant peut être puni d’une peine d’emprisonnement d’un an s’il entre irrégulièrement sur le territoire français.
La Directive retour au moment de son adoption avait été qualifiée de Directive de la honte, eulogos avait alors écrit qu’il lui semblé que cette directive était surtout un directive pour des juristes très avertis, tant le texte paraissait complexe. Au bout du compte cette directive protège, nous venons de le voir et permet de s’opposer aux Etats membres quand ils s’éloignent des dispositions de la Directive. Ce n’est pas la première fois, déjà la Cour de Justice a rendu un arrêt selon lequel on ne pouvait mettre en prison un migrant du seul fait qu’il était sans papiers. (Cf.infra, « pour en savoir plus ») .
Pour en savoir plus : principales sources de l’information
(FR)http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2016-06/cp160058fr.pdf
(EN) http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2016-06/cp160058en.pdf
http://www.eu-logos.org/eu-logos_nea-say.php?idr=4&idnl=3855&nea=174&lang=fra&arch=0&term=0
(EN) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=URISERV:jl0014&from=FR
(FR) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/HTML/?uri=URISERV:jl0014&from=FR
Westminster is in mourning. Campaigning is on hold. The grief over the murder of Jo Cox MP is raw and palpable. The implications for Britain at this historic juncture are hard to predict. Six days out from the referendum, in the midst of an angry and shrill campaign, politics has suddenly taken a different hue. This was a dark moment for democracy in Britain and an unbearable tragedy for one young family. Start your reading with Alex Massie of the Spectator on a day of infamy.
Read moreBy Steve Paterno
In theory, the war in South Sudan ended with the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity. However, the recent deadly skirmishes, particularly in the towns of Kajo-Keji and Raja, will make one think otherwise.
There are several compounding reasons for such sad events, which often result into lost of lives, destruction of properties, and destabilization of the country.
First, Dr. Riek Machar, a militia leader, currently First Vice President, after committing mass murder, hyped his rebellion of two years old by over promising his supporters with most upper positions in government, since he believes he would be automatically the president through his tribal magician prediction of twentieth century.
Unfortunately, amidst the hype, he is being glorified by the international community, praised by his tribal loyalty, and overly misunderstood by the opportunists.
So, when the South Sudanese Compromised peace was signed, the reality began to show. The tribal rebellion of militant Dr. Riek Machar that was centred and was so confined and was on a verge of defeat in the so-called Greater Upper Nile is now popping up in Greater Bahr-el-Ghazel and Greater Equatoria.
Machar never fulfil the pledge he made to his opportunistic supporters. He is accused of being not just tribalistic, but practicing nepotism into the core; in a country that needs unity so much at the moment. In simple words, his opportunistic supporters are saying: he is running the militia outfit as a family affair. His Ex-wife, Angelina Teny, is the top adviser. The one called Gen. Taban Deng Gai, who is Angelina's cousin is top political leader, and he is the overall boss. It must be noted that the trio grew up in the same household of Angelina's father, who was a teacher and undertook Machar under his armed when Machar came from the village for studies.
Since, then, Machar has subjected the people of Nassar and the whole Nuer tribe for senseless war for his ascendancy to power. There is now ongoing serious talks among Nuer intellectuals who recognize the sovereignty of South Sudan to stop Machar antagonism and sense of betrayal.
Another issue that is needed to be underlined is that since Machar declared cantonment of his troops in Greater Bahr-el-Ghazel and Greater Equatoria, the sleeper cells ignited in these regions, but unfortunately for them, they have no positions or they actually lost the positions which Machar once promised them. Now they are continuing with the war, while peace is given a chance.
It is now the responsibility of the government to deal with such outlaw groups, for Machar to contain them, and then for the so proposed hybrid court to note their atrocities; under whose command they are operating, and take actions or there will never be justice and accountability or peace in the country.
South Sudan stability is within grasp of its people, but it is time to identify the spoilers, especially those with long track record and stem them out. And the South Sudanese people, with their determination will fulfil such a long-lived dream of freedom, equality and prosperity.
June 16, 2016 (KHARTOUM)- The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir Thursday arrived in unannounced visit to Doha where he held talks on bilateral relations with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani .
Al-Bashir is accompanied in his two-day visit to Doha with a high-level delegation including the ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance.
Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour told the official news agency SUNA that al-Bashir and Tamim discussed the bilateral relations and regional issues, especially in the Arab region.
Ghandour further said the Sudanese ministers held bilateral meetings with their Qatari counterparts, where they tackled ways to improve bilateral relations.
Head of the Information Department at the Sudanese Presidency Obai Izz-al-Din said the visit of President al-Bashir to Doha during the month of Ramadan reflects the deeply-rooted ties between the two countries.
The visit is also recognition to the continuous Qatari efforts to support the peace process in Sudan, he added.
Qatar supported the peace process to end Darfur conflict and facilitated the two-year process with the armed groups that ended by the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) with the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in July 2011, and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)-Dabajo in April 2013.
Doha which chairs the International Follow-up Committee for DDPD Implementation continue to facilitate talks with the holdout groups and seeks to bring them to join the framework document.
However, Khartoum still seeks Doha financial support to its economy and hopes to see more Qatari investments in the east African country.
The spokesperson of the Sudanese presidency said the talks will review joint coordination on regional issues, peace process and the development in Sudan.
The Qatari Ambassador to Khartoum Rashid al-Nuaimi said the visit comes in the context of the distinguished relations between Sudan and Qatar.
Al-Nuaimi has referred to the Qatari efforts to support peace in Darfur through the committee of follow-up the implementation of the Doha Peace Document besides the efforts to persuade the non-signatory movements to join the peace process.
Al-Nuaimi has described the Sudanese-Qatari relations as distinguished and witnessing big progress in terms of bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian fields.
On his part, the Sudanese Ambassador to Qatar, Yasir khidir, said the Sudanese-Qatari relations will discuss pushing these ties ahead, promoting the joint cooperation and coordination on all regional and international arenas.
The talks reviewed the significant Qatari investments in Sudan in areas of agriculture, mining and infrastructure, Khidir said, adding that the parties will also review the signed agreements and Qatari investments in Sudan.
Last April, Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid met in Doha with Qatari investors and called to invest in agriculture, mining, oil and tourism sectors.
Also Qatar in the past pledged to invest up to $2 billion in Sudan, including purchase of government bonds issued by the African nation. But it only received one billion.
The Qatari investments in Sudan worth 1.7 billion dollars and include, real estates, agriculture and the banking.
(ST)