EU NEWS YOU CAN USE - Southern Regional Assembly
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
If you cannot see this newsletter, read the online version.
EU NEWS YOU CAN USE
European Commission in Ireland
In this issue - 25 June
Top News Public consultations
Other news Calls for Tender/Proposals
Agenda Competitions
Top News
Ireland in 9th place on this year’s European
Innovation Scoreboard
Ireland was again classed as a "Strong Innovator" on this
year's European Innovation Scoreboard with a score of 122
compared to an EU average score of 112. It was in 9th
place overall behind Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands
and Luxembourg who are all classified as “Innovation
Leaders”, and Belgium, Germany and Austria who are also
classed as “Strong Innovators”. Of the ten specific
dimensions covered by the Scoreboard, Ireland was the
overall leader in two: Employment Impacts and Sales
Impacts. Intellectual assets, Finance and support and
Linkages are Ireland's weakest innovation dimensions.
Read more...
EU leaders discuss recovery fund to
respond to the COVID-19 crisis
EU leaders met last Friday via video conference when they
discussed the proposal for a new recovery instrument and
for the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for
2021-2027, presented by the European Commission in
May. European Council President Charles Michel will now
start negotiations with the Member States and will
convene an in-person summit on 17 July in Brussels to
focus on concrete proposals. "We are aware that it is
essential to take a decision as soon as possible," he said.
Read more...
EU-China Summit: Defending EU interests
and values in a complex and vital
partnership
European Council President Charles Michel and European
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met this week
via video conference with the Chinese Prime Minister Li
Keqiang and the Chinese President Xi Jinping. At the end
of the meeting President Michel and President von der
Leyen issued a joint press release setting out the direction
for EU-China relations in a number of areas. President
Michel said: "Engaging and cooperating with China is both
an opportunity and necessity. But, at the same time, we
have to recognise that we do not share the same values,
political systems, or approach to multilateralism. We will
engage in a clear-eyed and confident way, robustlydefending EU interests and standing firm on our values." Read more... European Commission presents draft budget for 2021 The European Commission has proposed an EU budget of €166.7 billion for 2021, to be complemented by €211 billion in grants and approximately €133 billion in loans under Next Generation EU, the temporary recovery instrument aimed at mobilising investments and kick-starting the European economy. Together, the annual budget and Next Generation EU will mobilise significant investments in 2021 to address the immediate economic and social damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, kick-start a sustainable recovery and protect and create jobs. The budget is also fully in line with the commitment to invest in a greener, more digital and resilient Europe. Read more... Other news Coronavirus Global Response: world leaders summit and concert line-up announced for 27 June The ‘Global Goal: Unite For Our Future' campaign launched on 28 May by the European Commission and the international advocacy organisation Global Citizen will culminate in a global pledging summit and concert on Saturday evening 27 June. The concert will be hosted by actor Dwayne Johnson and co-hosted by President von der Leyen. It will include performances by Shakira, Coldplay, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and Quavo, J Balvin, Chloe x Halle, Yemi Alade, and Christine and the Queens. It will be broadcast on the Coronavirus Global Response's website and on the European Commission's social media accounts. Read more... More protection for our seas and oceans is needed, report finds The European Commission has adopted a report on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive which reveals that, while the EU's framework for marine environmental protection is one of the most comprehensive and ambitious worldwide, persistent challenges remain, such as excess nutrients, underwater noise, plastic litter, and other types of pollution as well as unsustainable fishing. EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius said: "The Commission will launch a review of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, to see what has worked and what has not, and act upon the shortcomings identified." Read more... Ireland signs Memorandum of Understanding on the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative Ireland was one of 14 EU Member States to this week sign
Ireland was one of 14 EU Member States to this week sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative. The Memorandum establishes a long-term framework for cooperation to help islands generate their own sustainable, low-cost energy. The MoU also calls for the continuation of the Islands Secretariat and supports cooperation to identify common solutions and best practices helping islands facing common challenges that cannot be addressed simply at island-level. Cape Clear and the Aran Islands are among the islands taking part in this initiative. Read more... New EU Strategy on Victims' Rights The European Commission this week presented its first ever EU Strategy on victims' rights. The strategy sets a number of actions for the next five years, focusing on two objectives: first, to empower victims to report crime, claim compensation and ultimately recover from consequences of crime; second, to work together with all relevant actors for victims' rights. Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders said: "A Union of equality that protects its citizens must ensure the necessary support, protection and non-discriminatory access to justice to all victims of crime." Read more... EU data protection rules empower citizens: new Commission report The European Commission has published an evaluation report on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The report shows that, two years after its entry into application, GDPR has met most of its objectives, in particular by offering citizens a strong set of enforceable rights and by creating a new European system of governance and enforcement. Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, said: "Europe's data protection regime has become a compass to guide us through the human-centric digital transition and is an important pillar on which we are building other polices, such as data strategy or our approach to AI." Read more... EU Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online continues to deliver results the European Commission released the results of its fifth evaluation of the 2016 Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online. The results are overall positive with IT companies assessing 90% of flagged content within 24 hours and removing 71% of the content deemed to be illegal hate speech. However, the platforms need to further improve transparency and feedback to users. They also have to ensure that flagged content is evaluated consistently over time. Read more... EU mobilises €52.5 million to support the Sahel and Lake Chad region The European Union is mobilising an additional €52.5 million to support new and ongoing programmes
The European Union is mobilising an additional €52.5 million to support new and ongoing programmes in the Sahel and Lake Chad region under the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said: "The new programmes approved under the Trust Fund for Africa, worth €52.5 million, will focus on increasing resilience, employment and stability in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, while also contributing to the response to the coronavirus pandemic." Read more... Consumer prices second highest in Ireland: Eurostat Ireland had the 2nd highest price levels for consumer goods and services in the EU in 2019 at 134% of the average according to new Eurostat figures. Only Denmark was higher at 141% of the EU average. Prices were lowest in Bulgaria (53%) and Romania (55%). The figures also show that Ireland had the highest prices for housing (176.9%) and for alcohol and tobacco (188%). The cost of hotels and restaurants in Ireland was also amongst the highest in Europe at 128%. The only area where prices in Ireland were below the EU average was for furniture and carpets (91.3%). Read more... Peak in deaths due to Covid-19 in late March/early April: Eurostat New Eurostat figures show that the number of deaths due to Covid19 peaked in late March-early April 2020. On average, among the 21 countries for which data are available (Ireland not included), there were about 140,000 more deaths during weeks 10-17 (March - April) in 2020 than the average number of deaths during the same period over the four years 2016 to 2019. The figures also show a rise of 40% in the deaths of men aged 70 years and over during March and April and a rise of 30% in the deaths of women aged 70 and over during the same period in the countries for which data are available. Read more... Agenda Friday 26 June: Webinar on Brexit and the Island of Ireland The European Parliament Liaison Offices in Dublin and in London are holding an online event on Brexit and the Island of Ireland on 26 June (12pm – 1.30pm). Key political figures will take stock of the Brexit process and give their thoughts on the challenges outstanding for the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. Joining the discussion are Mairead McGuinness, MEP and First Vice-President of the European Parliament, the Earl of Kinnoull, Chair of the EU Select Committee, House of Lords, Naomi Long Mla, Leader of the Alliance Party, Northern Ireland Justice Minister, Northern Ireland Assembly, and moderated by Dr. Kathy Hayward, Queen’s University Belfast. Read more... Friday 26 June: Webinar with RTE Europe Editor Tony Connelly on "Brexit and the Future Relationship – the View from Brussels" On Friday lunchtime 26 June, RTE Europe Editor Tony Connelly will address an IIEA webinar on "Brexit and the Future Relationship – the View from Brussels". In his presentation to the IIEA, Tony Connelly will offer his insights on the latest state of play in the negotiations between the EU and the UK, in which the two parties continue to differ on a number of key issues. He will examine some of the sticking points in the negotiations and assess the prospects of reaching an agreement before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020. Read more... Saturday 27 June: Coronavirus Global Response concert The Global Goal: Unite for our Future Concert will air on Saturday evening (27 June) and will be
The Global Goal: Unite for our Future Concert will air on Saturday evening (27 June) and will be hosted by actor Dwayne Johnson. It will include performances by Shakira, Coldplay, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and Quavo, J Balvin, Chloe x Halle, Yemi Alade, and Christine and the Queens. Co-hosted by President Ursula von der Leyen, the concert will also include appearances by Chris Rock, Hugh Jackman, Kerry Washington, Charlize Theron, Forest Whitaker, David Beckham, Salma Hayek Pinault, Billy Porter, Diane Kruger, Antoni Porowski, Ken Jeong, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Olivia Colman. Read more... Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July: Restricted round of UK-EU Future Relationship negotiations The EU and UK negotiating teams will meet next week for a restricted round, with meetings between Chief Negotiators Michel Barnier and David Frost, as well as specialised sessions. Click on the link below for the agenda. Read more... Monday 29 June: Video conference of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers EU agriculture and fisheries ministers will hold a video conference to discuss the recent Commission communication on sustainable fishing and the state of play of some legislative proposals in the policy areas of agriculture and fisheries. The Commission will present its communication 'Towards more sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2021' released on 16 June 2020. An exchange of views among ministers will follow. This launches the yearly exercise establishing quotas for fishing opportunities for the year 2021. Read more... Tuesday 30 June: Webinar - Investing to Connect Ireland and Europe: The Celtic Interconnector The European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland and the European Movement Ireland are co-organising an online webinar on the Celtic Interconnector Project on Tuesday morning, 30 June. Led by Eirgrid and its French counterpart RTE (Réseau de Transport d’Électricité), this project will be the first direct energy link between Ireland and France, which will see a 575km undersea cable connecting the energy networks of both countries. The online event will discuss the role of European investment and the cross-border benefits for Ireland and France in terms of energy security, employment and the environment. Speakers include: Seán Kelly, MEP, Marie Donnelly, Chair of Renewable Energy Ireland and Mark Foley, CEO EirGrid. Read more... Tuesday 30 June: Republic of Korea- EU leaders' video conference meeting The Republic of Korea-EU leaders' video conference will bring together the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the Republic of Korea, Jae-in Moon. On the agenda: the COVID-19 outbreak and the EU-Republic of Korea strategic partnership. Read more... Tuesday 30 June: Conference - Supporting the future of Syria and the region, Brussels The European Union and the United Nations will co-chair the fourth Brussels Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region”, which will take place on 30 June 2020. In light of the necessary social distancing measures, the Conference will be held in a virtual format. Read more... Wednesday 1 July: Germany takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union On 1 July, Germany will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for its six-month term. This date will also mark the start of the so-called trio presidency of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia: Portugal will take over from Germany in January 2021 and then hand over to Slovenia six months later. The three nations will work closely together in a group of three known as the presidency trio. Read more...
Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July: Extraordinary European Council EU leaders will meet in Brussels to discuss the Commission's proposal for a new recovery instrument and for the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. More information on the meeting will be available at the link below. Read more... Public consultations Digital Education Action Plan The consultation seeks the views of respondents on the overall impact of the COVID-19-provoked disruption on education and training systems, their expectations until the end of the crisis and in the recovery period. The consultation is open until 4 September 2020. Read more... Digital for Cultural Heritage The aim of this consultation is to gather views on the importance of digitisation and digital transformation in the cultural heritage sector and on the ways of supporting such processes. The consultation is open until 14 September 2020. Read more... EU's accession to the 2019 Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters The European Commission has launched a public consultation to gather views on possible EU accession to the Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters. The aim of the Convention is to facilitate the recognition and enforcement of judgments by the courts of signatory countries. The public consultation is part of a comprehensive impact assessment on EU accession to the Convention, based on which the Commission will prepare a proposal for accession, should the results be favourable. The consultation will run until 5 October. Read more... Calls for Tender/Proposals Call for Tenders Concerning Multiple Framework Contracts for Impact Assessments, Evaluations and Evaluation-related Studies and Services in the Field of Communication A new call for tenders for the provision of impact assessments, evaluations and evaluation-related studies and services in the field of communication have just been launched by the European Commission. More specifically, the Commission will award three framework contracts, each concluded for 4 years, with a total estimated value of €37 million with reopening of competition, meaning that the selected contractors will be allowed to submit an offer to all new calls for service. All the information concerning the call, including the associated documentation can be accessed on the eTendering platform of the Official Journal of the European Union (click link below). Tenders must be submitted by 3 pm on 22 July 2020. Read more... Competitions European Heritage Awards 2021 - Call for Entries The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2021 are now open for submissions! The Awards recognise outstanding conservation projects, innovative research, the long-standing dedication to heritage on the part of professionals and volunteers, and exceptional initiatives in awareness-raising, training and education. They are Europe's top honour in the heritage field. Up to 30
remarkable heritage achievements from all over Europe will be awarded in 2021. Of those, up to 4 winners will receive a Grand Prix with a monetary award of €10,000. One winner will also receive the Public Choice Award. The deadline for submissions is 1 October 2020. Read more... This is the Newsletter of the Representation of the European Commission in Ireland. If this Newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to receive it directly you can subscribe here. You can unsubscribe from this newsletter from your profile or by contacting us at this address: Functionnal mailbox .
You can also read
