Headlines March 2012
European Citizens' Initiative – into the final straight
28/03/2012
On 1 April 2012, the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) will be officially launched, enabling citizens from across the EU to potentially change the way in which EU policy-making happens by gathering support from one million EU citizens from at least seven Member States.
Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, who is in charge of the ECI, welcomed the launch of what he said was a "game changing" development in participatory democracy at a press conference on Wednesday with European Parliament President Martin Schulz and Denmark's Minister for European Affairs, Nicolai Wammen, representing the EU Presidency.
General Affairs Council – V-P Šefčovič discusses administration reform
26/03/2012
Among the items on the agenda of the EU General Affairs Council (GAC) on Monday was the future multi-annual financial framework (MFF) – the EU's long-term budget – which is currently being negotiated by the European Commission, Council and Parliament. As usual, Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič attended the GAC on behalf of the Commission, in particular to discuss his proposed reforms of the EU administration. The debate with EU ministers also featured budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski, who discussed the main elements of the Commission's MFF proposal for 2014-2020.
Funding the future EU: the multi-annual financial framework
23/03/2012
Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič gave the closing address at European Parliament conference on the future multi-annual financial framework (MFF) – the next EU budget.
The conference, which brought together representatives from the European Commission, Parliament, Council, Member States and national parliaments, looked at the key issues that will need to be ironed out before an agreement is reached on the next MFF, which will come into force from 2014.
These include the proposed financial transaction tax (FTT) – which would contribute to the EU's own resources and potentially reduce the contribution from national governments – and what areas to prioritise for expenditure in the current climate of reduced budgets and austerity measures.
V-P Šefčovič, in his concluding remarks, said the conference had been "a valuable opportunity to bring together a wide range of participants with different perspectives on the future budget of the European Union".
EEAS, one year on: V-P Šefčovič at EP hearing
21/03/2012
Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič on Wednesday took part in a hearing organised by the foreign affairs (AFET) committee of the European Parliament to discuss the work of the European External Action Service in its first year of operation.
V-P Šefčovič focused on the inter-institutional and administrative aspects of the EEAS, rather than its effectiveness on the ground, which was discussed on Tuesday in AFET by HR/V-P Catherine Ashton.
Management in a period of crisis – Commission seminar with UN and AUC
16/03/2012
Representatives from the United Nations, the African Union and the European Commission will meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss a number of shared issues, including personnel management in the current period of crisis.
Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, the Commissioner responsible for human resources, will give an opening address at the seminar, setting out the Commission's response to calls from the Member States for reforms of the staff regulations to take account of austerity measures across the EU.
With reforms underway in all three organisations, the seminar will offer human resource professionals the opportunity to share ideas and exchange experiences, in full transparency.
European Parliament debate on the results of the Spring European Council
13/03/2012
Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič today took part in the European Parliament debate on the outcome of the Spring European Council, alongside President José Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman van Rompuy.
MEPs quizzed the two Presidents on a large number subjects – the need to focus on growth and competitiveness to move out of the crisis, the signing of the new Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Growth, the decision to grant EU candidate status to Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria in Schengen.
New Commission logo unveiled on Berlaymont
09/03/2012
A new logo for the European Commission that will feature on all digital and printed material and on all Commission buildings across the world was unveiled in Brussels on Friday, 16 March by Vice-Presidents Maroš Šefčovič and Viviane Reding in front of the Commission's Berlaymont headquarters.
The logo, which is said to be inspired by Commission HQ, is already being rolled out online and in paper publications, but last Friday's ceremony marked the first time the logo has appeared on a Commission building.
V-P Šefčovič welcomes Commission gender policy success on International Women's Day
08/03/2012
Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič took part in a number of events on Thursday to celebrate International Women's Day and highlight the work of the European Commission towards creating a gender balanced working environment that helps its staff get the most from their work.
VP Šefčovič continues dialogue with national parliaments
06/03/2012
The Lisbon Treaty significantly increased the role of national parliaments in the European decision-making process. As the Commissioner responsible for relations with national parliaments, Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič on Monday met with representatives from two parliaments that have taken different approaches to their role on the EU stage.
EU agricultural policy and the euro crisis in relation to Slovakia - Mr Šefčovič in Slovakia
02/03/2012
On 1 March, Commissioner Šefčovič took part in the international conference "EU Common Agricultural Policy for 2014-20" in Nitra. His speech focused on selected aspects of the future policy, emphasising the specifics of the Slovakian situation. Later he met the Slovakian president, Ivan Gašparovič, in Bratislava, for talks on a number of issues, especially economic concerns.
The next day, Mr Šefčovič took part in a public discussion forum – "Slovak Republic - inside or outside the EU" – in Banská Bystrica, where he delivered a lecture on "The euro crisis and the Slovak Republic”.
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