Category Archives: Politics

Political Press Releases & News distributed via EuropaWire

Irish Defence Minister seeks enhanced participation from the EU and EU member States in United Nations Peacekeeping and Crisis Management operations

1-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D., today outlined one of Ireland’s EU Presidency priorities, on increasing the level of participation by EU member States in UN peacekeeping operations and the important contribution … Read the full press release

On an Arctic Policy for the EU

On 31 January 2013 in Rovaniemi (Finland), the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a joint hearing with the Arctic Centre (University of Lapland) on the EU’s Arctic policy. Participants included representatives of civil society, academia, local authorities and … Read the full press release

Digital Future discussed at Brussels event

A report on Ireland`s digital future was launched at a Presidency supported event in Brussels on 31 January. The report provided the backdrop for a discussion on the importance of the digital sector to European jobs and growth. 1-2-2013 — … Read the full press release

Speech: “Regulatory burden: why Europe needs to get smarter to do better”

Maroš Šefčovič – Vice-President of the European Commission International Regulatory Reform Conference (IRRE) / Berlin Berlin, 1-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Minister, ladies and gentlemen I want to talk to you today about being smart, and I hope you’ll forgive me if I start … Read the full press release

CoR proposes concrete actions to boost EU citizenship

Brussels, 1-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — As part of its contribution to the current European Year of Citizens, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) proposed concrete measures to strengthen EU citizenship and foster the development of a European dimension within regional and local … Read the full press release

Council and European Parliament reach agreement on new mandate for the EU

Brussels, 1-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Council and the European Parliament, with the help of the Commission, successfully concluded their negotiations on a new mandate for the European Union Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA). Today, the member states’ Permanent Representatives … Read the full press release

RegioStars 2013: Commission awards flagship projects

Brussels, 1-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Innovative projects which will contribute to creating jobs for the future will tonight take centre stage as Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn presents the RegioStars 2013 Awards. With the President of the Jury, Luc Van den Brande, Commissioner … Read the full press release

Speech: State aid reform and the new Regional State Aid Guidelines

Joaquín Almunia – Vice President of the European Commission responsible for Competition Policy Committee of the Regions plenary session Brussels, 1-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Ms President Bresso, Distinguished members, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is always a pleasure for me to meet the … Read the full press release

Ombudsman encourages Commission to issue guidelines on dialogue with religious and non-religious organisations

P. Nikiforos Diamandouros – European Ombudsman 1-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has encouraged the European Commission to clarify how it conducts its dialogue with religious and non-religious organisations and, if necessary, draw up concrete guidelines on this issue. This … Read the full press release

Remarks by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton following the Foreign Affairs Council

Brussels, 1-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — It was a great honour today to welcome the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, to the Council. I was privileged to have a long discussion with him yesterday too. We recognised that Somalia has made remarkable … Read the full press release

EU aid to Somalia should focus on institution building, its President tells MEPs

1-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — “Somalia has been without a functioning state for 22 years” and its new government urgently needs EU assistance to help it build “strong state institutions”, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told MEPs on the Development and Foreign … Read the full press release

Minister of State for European Affairs to present Irish Priorities to the Committee of the Regions

Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, will present the Presidency priorities to the Committee of the Regions on 31 January in Brussels. 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton will appear before the Committee of the Regions on … Read the full press release

Speech – Labour market: Cinderella of EU recovery strategy?

László ANDOR – European Commissioner responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion European Trade Union Institute conference “European labour markets in (the) crisis: Is there light at the end of the tunnel?” Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Ladies and Gentlemen, It is … Read the full press release

The EU confirms its pledge of € 50 million to support an African-led peace operation (AFISMA)

Andrís Piebalgs – European Commissioner for Development AFISMA Donor Conference Mali/Addis Ababa Addis Ababa, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — I have the honour of leading the delegation of the European Union at this special conference. But above all I have come today to deliver … Read the full press release

Illicit drugs: EU report unveils new worrying trends in smuggling and consumption

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Europe is entering an important new era in the supply and demand for illicit drugs — a development which is challenging current policies and responses. This is according to the first joint EU drug markets report from the European Monitoring Centre for … Read the full press release

Environment: Newly found health effects of air pollution call for stronger EU air policies

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  Long-term exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) can trigger atherosclerosis, adverse birth outcomes and childhood respiratory diseases, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) review released today. REVIHAAP – the “Review of evidence on health aspects of … Read the full press release

EU prepares support to border management in Libya

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Council today approved the crisis management concept for a possible new civilian Common Security and Defence Policy mission to support capacity building for border management in Libya. European experts are primarily to support Libyan authorities in developing capacity … Read the full press release

Ukraine: First meeting with the new Foreign Minister

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, met Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara in Brussels late Wednesday. It was their first official meeting since the appointment of Mr Kozhara as the new Foreign Minister and … Read the full press release

Speech – Building our Digital Single Market: 10 steps to deliver broadband

Neelie Kroes – Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda CERRE (Centre on Regulation in Europe) Executive Seminar / Brussels Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — We are now approaching the mid-point of the digital agenda. It’s a chance to take … Read the full press release

Background Note EU-India Relations

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Background Note EU-India Relations Introduction EU-India diplomatic relations were established in the 1960s, and expanded in 1994 with the Cooperation Agreement that opened the door to political dialogue and economic and sectoral exchanges, which have since evolved … Read the full press release