AGENDA/08/22
Brussels Friday 13 June
Top News from the European Commission 16 June to 13 July 2008
Background notes from the Spokesperson’s service for journalists
The European Commission reserves the right to make changes
Tuesday 17 June:
Policy Plan - Raising refugee protection standards, combating asylum shopping
Tuesday 17 June:
EU principles to better cooperate in the migration policy
Wednesday 18 June:
'Growing regions, growing Europe'- Commission adopts progress report on economic and social cohesion
Saturday 21 June:
Launch of the 'For Diversity - Against Discrimination' truck tour in Prague
Monday 23 June:
Register of lobbyists opens for business
Tuesday 24 June:
The EU Internal Market for Postal Services – Creating it together
Tuesday 24 June:
EU OPEC Energy Dialogue in Brussels
Tuesday24 June:
Thalys partner of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue
Tuesday 24 June (tbc):
First Europass evaluation
Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June:
Commission launches first global campaign against torture
Friday 27th June:
EU Budget 2007 Financial Report
Friday 27 June:
Taxation Trends in the EU, period 1995-2006
End of June (date to be confirmed):
2008 Public Finances Report
Tuesday 1st July:
European Customs Union celebrates its 40th Anniversary
Thursday 3 July:
Who will feed the world?
Tuesday 8 July:
Increasing the share of fruit and vegetables in the diets of children
Friday 11 July:
Donors Conference for Kosovo
Thursday 11 July:
Multilingualism – Recommendations aiming to improve the competitiveness of companies, the employability and mobility of workers, and awareness-raising
Tuesday 17 June: Policy Plan - Raising refugee protection standards, combating asylum shopping
The news:
The objective of the policy plan is to outline a possible "blueprint" for the Common European Asylum System (ECAS), depending largely on the outcome of the discussions on the Green Paper published on 6 June 2007.
It will include proposals for the relevant long term components of the CEAS as described in the Hague Programme, inter alia the common asylum procedure, the uniform status for refugees and for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and the European support office for all forms of cooperation between Member States.
The background:
The Common European Asylum System (CEAS), as defined in the Tampere and the Hague Programmes, has two phases. The first phase - the harmonisation of Member States' legal frameworks based on common minimum standards - is now complete.
The Hague Programme states that the second phase should be adopted by the end of 2010. Before presenting its new proposal for a Policy Plan on Asylum, the Commission had launched, with its Green Paper, a broad debate on the future architecture of the Common European Asylum System.
The second phase envisages further approximation of national asylum procedures, legal standards and reception conditions. This will promote EU solidarity and reduce the phenomenon of 'asylum shopping' where applicants move around the EU mainly because of the diversity in Member States' applicable rules. Keywords of the whole process are equal treatment and solidarity. Solidarity that all Member states will build among themselves also via common practical cooperation and other implementing measures. These could include operational assistance through joint asylum experts' teams or agreed common standards in dealing with vulnerable asylum seekers such as women children or victims of torture.
The event:
16 June: Technical briefing, at 11:00, in the Press Room of the Berlaymont, Brussels
17 June: Press conference by vice-president Barrot, in the press room of the European Parliament, in Strasbourg at 3 pm
- EbS coverage
The sources:
IP/07/768- Designing the future Common European Asylum System - increasing efficiency, protection, solidarity and facilitating integration
MEMO/07/229 - Green Paper on the future Common European Asylum System
MEMO/07/228 - Proposal for a Council Directive aimed at extending to beneficiaries of international protection the possibility to obtain Long-Term Residence status
MEMO/07/227 - Report on the evaluation of the Dublin system
The contacts:
Michele Cercone+32 2 298 90
Riccardo Mosca+32 2 296 14
Tuesday 17 June: EU principles to better cooperate in the migration policy
The news:
In this Communication to the MemberStates and the European Parliament, the Commission proposes a set of basic common principles and measures organised around three policy pillars: prosperity, solidarity and security.
These proposed common principles should serve as the platform to continue building a comprehensive EU migration policy. This will also guarantee that actions will be based on full respect for the rights, freedoms and principles that are enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The common principles on migration policy will then form the basis for closer cooperation both internally in the EU and vis-à-vis partner countries.
This Communication addresses legal immigration, integration, visas, border control and management, illegal immigration, trafficking of human beings, undeclared work and relationship with third-countries. The Communication also deals with cross-cutting issues such as the need for increased political, operational and financial solidarity and burden-sharing among MemberStates, as well as the necessity to increase coordination between different levels of governance (EU, MemberStates and local level) and between different policy areas involved in migration management.
For each common principle, a series of measures, to be implemented at EU and/or MemberState level, are proposed for discussion. These – together with the Policy Plan on Asylum, presented in parallel – will be further developed and rendered more operational during the course of next year's debate on a new 5-year Programme in the Justice, Freedom and Security area. They will thereby also contribute to the definition and implementation of other policy areas, such as the renewed EU Social Agenda.
The background:
Heads of State and Government have repeatedly called on the EU to respond to immigration challenges and opportunities with a common voice and a common set of instruments. In December 2007, they explicitly requested a renewed political commitment in order to continue to develop a comprehensive European migration policy complementing those of the Member States and based on common political principles and on a genuine partnership with countries of origin and transit of immigrants.
With rapidly ageing societies Europe has reached a point where it has to take bold decisions, including on immigration, to ensure economic growth and wealth also for future generations. Demographic forecasts foresee that the size of the working-age population in the EU will decrease by 48 million by 2050 and that the dependency ratio (the proportion of the non-working part of the population) is set to double and to reach 51% by 2050; even though not all Member States will be affected to the same degree. To ease this situation and to better cope with the challenges of demographic ageing, the EU will have to attract more immigrants in the future, at all levels of skills and qualifications.
Due to the fact that the EU today is an area without internal border controls, national immigration policies have indeed become strictly interrelated; a very restrictive migratory policy in one Member State may deviate migration flows to its neighbours and a regularisation procedure may attract illegal immigration into a Member State, from which regularised migrants easily move afterwards to other Member States.
This EU action is only meant to complement, not to replace, national policies in this field; MemberState competences – for example in determining the number of immigrant workers to be admitted – will remain unaffected.
The event:
Press conference by vice-president Barrot, in the press room of the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, 3 pm.
- EbS coverage
The sources:
Site of the European Commission "Towards a Common European Migration Policy":
- I-047743: Asylum and Immigration - 2005 - this stockshotsincludeillustrate the asylum procedures, the Eurodac programme, Biometric passport controls at Frankfurt Airport, the fight against illegal immigration in Spain and the fight against trafficking and exploitation of human beings in Ukraine, the different support and integration measures for immigrants in EU countries (work orientation, language courses, etc), the issue of uniting families and the work of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia.
- I-057469:Morocco: Management of Seasonal Migration
- I-053777: Integration of immigrants - 2007
The contacts:
Michele Cercone+32 2 298 90
Riccardo Mosca+32 2 296 14
Wednesday 18 June: 'Growing regions, growing Europe'- Commission adopts progress report on economic and social cohesion
The news:
The Commission will adopt the "Fifth progress report on economic and social cohesion: Growing regions, growing Europe".
This includes two parts: the results of a public consultation on the future of cohesion policy and an in-depth analysis of major regional trends. An accompanying staff working document analyses sectors with high growth in Europe.
The background:
Ideas for the future: The first part of this report concerns a follow-up to the public consultation on the challenges with which cohesion policy will be confronted in the coming years to collect ideas on the priorities, organisation and governance of the policy. It provides a synthesis of the contributions received between September 2007 and February 2008. This first phase of the debate helps to identify issues for discussion and direction for reflection, which the Commission will take into serious consideration in the context of the budget review.
Trends – growth sectors:The second part of the report provides a more in-depth analysis of major regional trends. The theme of this progress report is European growth sectors, whose performance in the regions will, to a large degree, determine the level of regional economic development in the years to come.
The event:
Commissioner Hübner will hold a press conference at 11.30 in the Berlaymont's Press room.
- EbS coverage
The sources:
4th Cohesion Report:
IP/07/721Commission assesses impact of funding for regions, launches debate on next round of cohesion policy
European Commission's website, Regional Policy DG:
- I-053850: Enlargement: 1/5/2004-1/5/2007
Commissioner Hübner's website:
The contacts:
Eva Kaluzynska+32 2
Constantina Avraam+32 2 29
Saturday 21 June: Launch of the 'For Diversity - Against Discrimination' truck tour in Prague
The news:
The launch event of the ‘For Diversity. Against Discrimination.’ European Truck tour will take place in Prague (Czech Republic) during the UnitedIslands of Prague Festival with the participation of Commissioner Špidla. It will take place on the stage of the truck and include a debate on discrimination issues and music performances.
20,000 visitors are expected to attend this international multi-genre music festival. The truck will be located near the entrance of the festival.
The background:
The truck tour is a popular activity of the ‘For Diversity. Against Discrimination.’ Campaign – an EU-wide information campaign which began in 2003 and aims to raise awareness of discrimination and the legislation which exists to combat it, as well as to promote the benefits of diversity across the EU.
The campaign aims in 2008 to build on the success of the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All to which its activities last year were closely linked. The truck tour will visit ten EU Member States: Bulgaria, CzechRepublic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia. Stopping in two cities per country, the truck will visit music, youth and film festivals, sporting events, universities and employment fairs, and bring together business, NGOs, musicians, artists and the general public to explore discrimination and diversity issues.
This year’s tour follows four previous tours organised every summer since 2004. In total the truck has visited 78 cities in all 27 EU Member States and over half a million people have taken part in its activities. Campaign activities in 2008 also include the Journalist Award which will be launched in early summer. This award recognises the work ofonline and print journalists in the EU who, through their work, contribute to a better public understanding of the benefits of diversity and the fight against discrimination.
The event:
A press conference with Commissioner Špidla will take place on the truck stage at 11.30 on 21 June. Journalists are also welcome to attend the formal launch at 12.00 and the panel debate between Commissioner Špidla and representatives of NGOs.
- EBS coverage.
The sources:
Website of the campaign:
- Footage on last years' tours:
- I-053188: 2007 - European Year of Equal Opportunities for All
- I-047996: Employment: intergeneration solidarity and equal opportunities - 2005
Commissioner Špidla's website:
The contacts:
Katharina von Schnurbein +32 2 298 14 08
Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94
Monday 23 June: Register of lobbyists opens for business
The news:
The European Commission will inaugurate its register of interest representatives, i.e. organisations involved in influencing the policy formulation and decision making of the European institutions.This register will be available online and can be freely consulted by the public. Linked with this register, the Commission has adopted a code of conduct setting out clear and precise rules to guide the activities of lobbyists in their dealings with the Commission. Acceptance of the code of conduct is a requirement for entry in the register.
The background:
In 2005, the European Transparency Initiative (ETI) started taking steps to enhance public trust in the EU institutions by making them more open and accessible, and by increasing the accountability of EU policymaking. There are four concrete objectives of the ETI: 1) publication of the beneficiaries of EU funding, 2) standards for public consultation, 3) professional ethics for EU office-holders and staff, and 4) a structured framework for the activities of interest representatives (lobbyists, etc.). A Green Paper was published in May 2006 to spark a public debate with stakeholders on these issues. It identified the need for a more structured framework for the activities of lobbyists.
In its communication "Follow-up to the Green Paper 'European Transparency Initiative'", the Commission proposed, among other things, the creation of a voluntary register for lobbyists. In the interest of full transparency, organisations that register will be asked to disclose information about what their mission is, who they represent, and how they are funded, thus ensuring that both policymakers and the public can assess the strength of the interests promoting a particular policy option.
The Commission recognises that lobbying is a legitimate, even essential part of democratic decision making, whether it is carried out by consultancies, private companies, NGOs, law firms, think tanks or trade associations. The Commission needs and appreciates the input it gets from such organisations, but in return asks their cooperation in showing the public that the relationship is based on high standards of probity and transparency.
The events:
12:30: Press conference by Commissioner Kallas in the Berlaymont's press room, Brussels + Technical briefing
- Available on EbS
- Infoclip
The sources:
Green paper European Transparency initiative COM(2006) 194 final:
Follow up to the Green paper on European Transparency initiative COM(2007) 127 final:
Website of Vice-President Siim Kallas — European Transparency Initiative:
Transparency at the Commission:
Register of interest representatives:
The contacts:
Valérie Rampi + 32 2 296
Dale Kidd+ 32 2 295
Tuesday 24 June: The EU Internal Market for Postal Services – Creating it together
The news:
The "High level Conference on postal market reform" will mark the start of the final and decisive phase of EU postal market reform and is the Commission's immediate follow-up on the adoption of the new Postal Directive 2008/6/EC earlier this year. After gradual market opening in recent years, remaining legal monopolies on postal markets are set to be abolished by 31 December 2010. The vision of sustainable and open postal markets with high-quality postal services that contribute effectively to growth, employment and competitiveness can now become a reality.
Commissioner McCreevy will deliver a strong message at the conference that creating a sustainable postal internal market is a joint responsibility and that it takes more than the abolishing of the legal monopolies to meet this target. Key-note speakers at the conference include Competition Commissioner Kroes, MEP Ferber, Portuguese Minister Lino and Greek Minister Hatzidakis. All relevant players in the postal sector from Member States to operators will be represented at high level.
The background:
Postal services are at the cross roads of the communication and e-commerce sectors, and as such they are a cornerstone of the internal market. Overall in the EU, postal services are estimated to handle 135 billion items per year, reflecting a turnover of about € 88 billion or about 1% of Community Gross Domestic Product (GDP). About two-thirds of this turnover is generated by mail services. The reminder is generated by parcels and express services which are already in the competitive area (i.e., the market is fully open to competing operators).
The Commission's aim is to accomplish the Single Market for postal services and ensure a high quality universal service, by opening up the sector to competition in a gradual and controlled way on the basis of the regulatory framework of the Postal Directive (Directive 97/67/EC as amended by Directive 2002/39/EC). The improvement of the quality of service, in particular in terms of delivery performance and convenient access are fundamental aspects of this policy.
The event:
The conference starts at 10.00, in the Centre Borschette, Rue Froissart 36, Brussels Conference.
- Available on EbS – Info clip
The sources:
IP/08/323: Publication of Postal Directive marks start date for real market opening
IP/08/163:Postal services: Commission welcomes the adoption of the EU Postal Directive. Market Opening brings clear benefits for postal users
IP/06/1419: Postal services: Commission proposes full market opening by 2009
MEMO/06/383:Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Postal Services
For more informations on postal services:
Commissioner McCreevy's website:
The contacts:
Oliver Drewes Tel. +32 2 299 24 21
Catherine Bunyan Tel. + 32 2 299 65 12
Tuesday 24 June: EU OPEC Energy Dialogue in Brussels
The news:
Oil prices have been recently trading up to $135.09 a barrel so this Dialogue meeting attended by Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs will be a very useful platform for discussion.