European Union

EU budget 2014-2020: Council agrees to put greater focus on new priorities

09/03/2017 ENstaff EU budget, European Council, European Union, MFF

The European Council agreed to adjust the EU’s multi-annual financial framework (MFF) for 2014-2020 to bring it in line with new priorities.

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.

foreign affairs

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.

european union

Parliament sets out its vision for the future of Europe

17/02/201717/02/2017 ENstaff economy, EU, European Parliament, European Union, governance, Lisbon Treaty, resolutions

If the EU is to boost its capacity to act, restore citizens’ trust and make the euro zone economy more resilient to outside shocks, it needs to make full use of the Lisbon Treaty. But to go further, it needs to reform itself more fundamentally.

european union

Robots and artificial intelligence: MEPs call for EU-wide liability rules

17/02/201716/02/2017 ENstaff artificial intelligence, code of ethics, EU, European Parliament, European Union, robots

EU-wide rules are needed for the fast-evolving field of robotics, e.g. to enforce ethical standards or establish liability for accidents involving driverless cars, say MEPs in a resolution.

foreign affairs

EU: Debate on migration, security, Russia, Brexit and employement

14/12/2016 ENstaff Brexit, European Union, migration, refugee crisis, Russia

Political group leaders on Wednesday discussed how to relieve the humanitarian tragedy in Aleppo, sanctions against Russia and ways to boost European defence capacities ahead of the European Summit.

On 24 September 2015, migrants and refugees from countries including Iraq, the Syrian Arab Republic, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, as well as regions of the Balkans and Africa arrive by special train in Berlin.

In September 2015, around 600 refugees and migrants arrive daily to be registered and receive legal documentation to remain in Germany. The exodus of people from Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East to Europe is the largest movement of people since World War II. In industrialized countries such as Greece and Germany, UNICEF stands ready to provide assistance requested by governments and has already undertaken a number of assessments to support local authorities facing unprecedented numbers of refugees and migrants. As these assessments are concluded, UNICEF is ready to provide further assistance as required, in line with its expertise.

european union

25 million children in the EU at risk of poverty or social exclusion

17/11/2016 ENstaff EU, European Union, EUROSTAT, households, poverty, social exclusion, society

In 2015, around 25 million children, or 26.9% of the population aged 0 to 17, in the European Union (EU) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

mediterranean-eu-countries-summit_twitter_embassynews

european union foreign affairs

Athens Declaration of the 1st Mediterranean EU Countries’ Summit

11/09/2016 ENstaff 1st Mediterranean EU Countries’ Summit, Anastasiades, Costa, Cyprus, EU, European Union, France, Greece, Hollande, Italy, Muscat, Portugal, Renzi, Spain, Tsipras

“We underline our strong commitment to European unity and our firm conviction that, by acting together, our countries are stronger and European citizens in a better position to control their future,” EU Mediterranean leader said.

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.

opinion

Gloomy new statistics signify no end to Eurozone’s economic misery – opinion

16/08/2016 Dennis Kefalakos crisis, economy, EU, European Union, EUROSTAT, Eurozone, GDP, inflation, unemployment

The economic misery of the Eurozone doesn’t seem to have an end. According to a preliminary estimate by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical service, GDP growth in the 19 member state monetary zone during the second quarter of this year was as miser as ever. On top of that, inflation continues to oscillate around zero, while unemployment is always in the double digit region.

Serbian-Hungary borders_UNHCR_embassynews

european union

Border security

16/08/2016 ENstaff borders, EU, Eurobarometer, European Parliament, European Union, FRONTEX, security, terrorism

The migration crisis showed that EU couldn’t have a Schengen zone of free movement without strong external borders. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, 71% of Europeans want the EU to do more to protect these borders. Parliament is working on a range of initiatives to beef up those controls.

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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.