The priorities of the incoming Dutch presidency of the EU Council
The priorities of the incoming Dutch presidency of the EU Council are being outlined to parliamentary committees by Dutch ministers at a series of meetings this week.
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European Union
Alternate FM Xydakis meets with Netherlands Foreign Minister Bert Koenders
Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis, met with Netherlands Foreign Minister Bert Koenders in Amsterdam today, within the framework of his short tour of Europe.
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Progress following Western Balkans Route Leaders’ Meeting
Senior officials from the countries and agencies present at the Western Balkans Route Leaders’ Meeting had a detailed discussion on recent trends concerning external borders and reception capacity.
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The Netherlands: Europe’s Middleman [analysis]
With the European Union threatened by waves of immigration and economic turbulence, the Dutch have a key role to play in maintaining the fundamental balance and structure of the EU. – Stratfor Global Intelligence
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EU calls for ceasefire in the southeast of Turkey
EU :”To avoid further escalation of violence, all political leaders need to call for an immediate ceasefire and to return urgently to the Kurdish Peace Process.”
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EU leaders discuss migration crisis, fight against terrorism, and Britain’s reform demands
European Council agreed to speed up actions on the operation of hotspots, the implementation of the relocation decisions and returns, the control of the EU’s external borders and cooperation with countries of origin and transit.
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Number of migrants arriving in Greece dropped by half in November – Frontex
The number of migrants arriving in Greece in November fell by more than half from the previous month to 108,000, recording its first month-on-month drop this year. However, this was still the highest number of arrivals in Greece in the month of November.
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European Council president Tusk invites EU leaders to discuss migratory crisis
Tusk: “Our goal is clear: we must regain control over our external borders to stem migratory flows and to preserve Schengen. This is why at our October meeting we put the above issue at the top of our agenda and asked the Commission to table proposals aimed at enhancing the mandate of Frontex and improving the management of the EU’s external borders.”
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‘More Europe’ – EU Commissioner Avramopoulos’ speech
Commissioner Avramopoulos: “We are proposing a targeted modification of the Schengen Border Code to introduce the obligation to carry out systematic checks against relevant databases at the external borders on everyone.”
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EU General Affairs and Foreign Affairs Councils discuss terrorism and gun trafficking
In the wake of the recent terrorists attacks on Paris, discussion will also focus on the EU strategy for combating terrorism, particularly through severing the international funding flows of the terrorist organizations and breaking up illegal gun trafficking networks, as well as through optimal exchange of information between member states.
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