European Commission

A Syrian refugee family walks at the head of a column organised by the Croatian police, one kilometre from the border crossing with Serbia. They are being moved to buses that will take them to Opatovic Transit Center.

UNHCR works to support vulnerable families on the move, especially the many unaccompanied or separated children at risk of sickness, trauma, violence, exploitation and trafficking.

We are particularly concerned about the welfare of unaccompanied boys and girls on the move and unprotected across Europe, many of whom have experienced the horrors of war and considerable hardship in making these journeys alone, says UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Volker Türk. ; More than 643,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean sea this year, including 502,500 in Greece only. Many of the refugees and migrants are desperate to move quickly onwards to Western Europe, fearing that borders ahead of them will close.

Commission will publish 5th Report on progress of EU-Turkey Statement

17/02/201717/02/2017 ENstaff EU, Europe, European Commission, European Union, Greece, refugee crisis, Turkey

In March 2017, the European Commission will present the 5th Report on the progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement.

society

The European Commission on International Migrant Day

18/12/2016 ENstaff European Commission, International Migrant Day

Today, more than 65.3 million people worldwide are displaced from their homes by conflict, persecution or poverty.

econ/biz european union

Growth to return to Greece in second half 2016 – EU forecasts

10/11/201610/11/2016 ENstaff Autumn 2016 Economic Forecasts, crisis, debt, economy, EU, European Commission, GDP, Greece, growth, labour market, recovery

The second half of 2016 will see an economic recovery and stabilisation of growth in Greece, according to the European Commission’s Autumn 2016 Economic Forecasts report.

EU flags Berlaymont_EC AV Service_embassynews

european union

European Commission issues economic forecasts

10/11/2016 ENstaff crisis, Dombrovskis, economy, EU, Europe, European Commission, forecasts, growth, Moscovici, politics

According to Autumn 2016 Economic Forecast, economic growth in Europe is expected to continue at a moderate pace, as recent labour market gains and rising private consumption are being counterbalanced by a number of hindrances to growth and the weakening of supportive factors.

european union

EU Environmental Council agrees to speed up Paris Agreement

03/10/2016 ENstaff climate change, Environmental Council, EU, European Commission, Paris Agreement, Sólymos

The Council agreed to speed up the process of ratification of the Paris Agreement. This agreement sets the framework for global action on climate change.

econ/biz european union

Ireland, Apple and the EU

31/08/201631/08/2016 ENstaff Apple, business, Cook, corporate tax, EU, European Commission, European Court, European Union, investigation, Ireland, Noonan, taxation

The European Commission has concluded that Ireland granted undue tax benefits of up to €13 billion to Apple. Irish government disagrees profoundly with the Commissions’ analysis.

european union society

Earthquake in central Italy: EU stands ready to help

24/08/2016 ENstaff #EarthquakeItaly, earthquake, EU, European Commission, Italy, Juncker, Renzi, Stylianides

The European Union stands in full solidarity with the Italian people and national authorities, President Juncker and Commissioner Stylianides said.

society

Asylum: End of large scale pre-registration on mainland Greece

02/08/2016 ENstaff asylum, Asylum Service, EASO, EU, European Commission, European Union, refugee crisis, UNHCR

The Asylum Service announces that the operation to pre-register applications for international protection on mainland Greece, through the dedicated registration centres that were temporarily set up, has now come to an end.

On 26 January 2016, a young boy is carrying a large bundle of warm blankets on his shoulders. He is in the Miratovac Refugee Aid Point where, along with his family members, he can access support services and have an opportunity to rest before continuing his journey.

In 2015, more than one million refugees and migrants crossed the Mediterranean, arriving on Europeís shores, of which an estimated 253,700 ñ or one in four ñ were children. Latest trends show that children now make up 36 percent of the migration flow coming through the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Woman and children now make up 57 percent of the refugee and migrants with the majority from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Children arriving into a harsh winter in southeastern Europe are physically exhausted, scared, distressed and often in need of medical assistance, UNICEF warned.The recent sub-zero temperatures and sometimes snowy conditions is exacerbating the childrenís poor physical condition as many children on the move do not have adequate clothing, or access to age-appropriate nutrition. This has been worsened by the lack of shelter and inadequate heating in some reception centres as well as buses and trains. UNICEF said the issue was pressing as the proportion of children amongst refugees and migrants ñ now more than one in three ñ has continued to increase. According to national sources, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the ratio was 37 per cent in December, compared to 23 per cent in September, while in Serbia, 36 per cent were children in December compared to 27 per cent in September. In December most children transiting through UNICEF child-friendly spaces in Serbia were young children, including babies and infants and those between 5 to 9 years old.

european union

Immigration, terrorism are EU’s major challenges – Eurobarometer

30/07/201630/07/2016 ENstaff EU, Eurobarometer, European Commission, European Union, immigration, people, public opinion, terrorism

Europeans see immigration and terrorism as the major challenges facing the EU at the moment, and they support the political priorities of the European Commission. These are two key results of the latest Standard Eurobarometer survey published last week.

european union

MEPs call for swift Brexit to end uncertainty

28/06/2016 ENstaff Brexit, Britain, EU, European Commission, European Parliament, Juncker, referendum

The UK must respect the wish of a majority of its citizens, entirely, fully and as soon as possible, by officially withdrawing from the EU before any new relationship arrangements can be made, says the European Parliament in a resolution voted after an extraordinary plenary debate.

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interviews people

Ambassador of Norway:”The challenge for the Greek economy is its competitive edge and its business climate” [interview]

07/06/2016 ENstaff

The Ambassador of Norway in Athens, His Excellency Jørn Eugene Gjelstad, spoke to EmbassyNews.net and commented on the current developments in Greek and European politics, the economy and the refugee crisis.