26/05/2017

Each week we sum up Commission news of particular interest for the UK while also summarising UK events on EU-related subjects. All comments welcome at COMM-UK-PRESS@ec.europa.eu  

Statement by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker following the terrorist attack in Manchester

"It was with great sadness and profound shock that I learnt of the brutal attack that struck Manchester. It breaks my heart to think that, once again, terrorism has sought to instil fear where there should be joy, to sow division where young people and families should be coming together in celebration. I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to Prime Minister May and to the British people. Today we mourn with you. Tomorrow we will work side by side with you to fight back against those who seek to destroy our way of life. They underestimate ours and your resilience – these cowardly attacks will only strengthen our commitment to work together to defeat the perpetrators of such vile acts."

European Commission receives mandate to begin negotiations with the UK

The European Commission welcomed the Council's decision on 22 May to authorise the opening of the Article 50 negotiations with the UK and to nominate the Commission as Union negotiator. The Commission also welcomed the adoption of the first set of negotiating directives which outline the priorities for the first phase of the negotiations. The European Commission now has the necessary political and legal mandate to negotiate with the UK on behalf of the EU27.

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Michel Barnier's speech

EU funding to tackle the problem of fake news

An EU-funded researcher at the University of Oxford will receive top-up funding to create an online tool to assess suspicious social media accounts and counter fake news. Professor Philip Howard is one of seven UK-based researchers who will receive funding to explore the commercial or innovation potential of the results of their EU-funded research. Other topics cover health, science and technology, including work that will help control exhaust gases or a novel coating that regulates heat.

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FT Circular Economy Summit

Speaking at the Financial Times' Circular Economy Summit, EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella said the Commission has often taken inspiration from the UK when it comes to the circular economy. He went on to explain that the circular economy is not just about the environment but also about industrial policy, water policy, digital transformations, waste. He outlined the various strands of EU funding which support actions related to the EU's circular economy package, such as the European Social Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Fund for Strategic Investments and Horizon 2020. Mr Vella also mentioned future initiatives such as the strategy for plastics expected later this year.

Commissioner Vella's full speech

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Presidents Juncker and Tusk at 43^rd G7 summit in Taormina

President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, will represent the EU at this year's G7 summit taking place today and tomorrow (26-27 May) in Italy. Discussions will focus on a wide range of issues covering the safety and security of EU citizens, trade, globalisation, the global economy, as well as environmental and social sustainability and the reduction of inequalities, notably in the labour market. The EU is a full member of the G7 (and the G20) and since the Ottawa Summit in 1981 has taken part in its work at all levels. The G7 summit is a forum that plays an important role in shaping global responses to global challenges, complementing the global economic coordination carried out by the G20.

High-level meetings

On 25 May, European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, together with European Council President, Donald Tusk, met US President Donald Trump and then the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Separately, Mr Juncker also met French President Emmanuel Macron.

‘European Investigation Order' to help authorities fight crime and terrorism

On 22 May, the "European Investigation Order" entered into force. The new tool simplifies the work of judicial authorities when they request evidence located in another EU country. For instance, if French judicial authorities are tracking terrorists hidden in Belgium, they can ask their Belgian counterparts to interrogate witnesses or conduct house searches on their behalf. This will simplify and speed up cross-border criminal investigations. The European Investigation Order sets strict deadlines for its execution, limits on the reasons for refusing such requests and reduces paperwork by introducing a single standard form. It also protects the fundamental rights of the legal defence.

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Commission issues country-specific recommendations

On 22 May, the Commission presented its 2017 country-specific recommendations (CSRs), spelling out the economic policy guidance for member states for the coming 12 to 18 months. In 2016 the European economy showed resilience in the face of significant challenges; reflected in growth rates of nearly 2% in the euro area and the EU, improved public finances and employment levels at a record of nearly 233 million people. Unemployment is at its lowest level since 2009 and investments exceed pre-crisis levels in some member states.

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Q&A

Agreement on effective rules to resolve double taxation problems

The Commission welcomed the agreement reached on 23 May by member states on new measures to help resolve double taxation problems for all citizens and businesses in the EU. Double taxation is one of the biggest obstacles to the functioning of the single market and occurs when the same income is taxed by two or more member states, creating uncertainty, unnecessary cost and cash-flow problems for taxpayers.

All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here

Every week, we pick out one of the week's most interesting stories or comment pieces….which does not mean we agree with everything it says:

Fears for economy as number of EU migrants leaving Brexit Britain surges by Jon Stone in the Independent

UK bathing waters are getting cleaner but still remain among the dirtiest in Europe

The highest rates of bathing waters with poor quality recorded in 2016 were found in Ireland (6 bathing waters or 4%) and the United Kingdom (20 bathing waters or 3%). The data is from the latest overview of the EU bathing water quality report released this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission.

"Here in the UK there are many good examples of recovery processes that are working really well. One is fertiliser. Every year the UK imports more than 100 thousand tonnes of phosphate fertiliser for farming, and prices have risen significantly. Thames Water are now recovering both phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater in their plant in Slough, and it's a major win," EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella at the Financial Times' Circular Economy Summit.

Flags flying at half-mast this week at the European Commission office in London

#Manchester