Main news from Brussels this week
date: 17/03/2017
Additional €165 million to tackle famine and drought affected countries in Horn of Africa
Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica announced today (17 March) additional EU support of €165 million to address the multiple crises in South Sudan, Somalia and its neighbouring countries. From this package of support, €100 million will be allocated to respond to the severe crisis caused by the violent conflict in South Sudan to provide lifesaving assistance to vulnerable people in South Sudan and neighbouring countries. The remaining €65 million is planned to respond to the serious droughts in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya.
The European Commission and member states' consumer authorities ask social media companies to comply with EU consumer rules
On 16 March, EU consumer authorities and the European Commission met with Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to hear and discuss their proposed solutions to two areas of concern: a growing number of consumers have complained about having been targeted by fraud or scams when using social media websites, as well as having been subject to certain terms of services that do not respect EU consumer law.
EU strategy for Syria
On 14 March, the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) proposed a strategy for Syria that defines how the EU can better contribute to a lasting political solution in the country under the existing UN-agreed framework. The strategy also looks at how the EU can continue its assistance to over 13 million people in need in Syria, help build resilience and stability in the country, and support post-agreement reconstruction and the voluntary, dignified and safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons once a credible political transition is underway. (See also EU fact of the week below)
EU education programme for 230,000 refugee children to attend school in Turkey
On 16 March, the European Commission launched its largest ever humanitarian programme for education in emergencies to encourage some 230,000 refugee children to attend school in Turkey. The €34 million 'Conditional Cash Transfer for Education' (CCTE) project will provide bimonthly cash-transfers as of May 2017 to vulnerable refugee families whose children regularly attend school. The project will be implemented in partnership with UNICEF and its partner, the Turkish Red Crescent.
New anonymous whistleblower tool
A new tool to make it easier for individuals to alert the Commission about secret cartels and other antitrust violations while maintaining their anonymity was launched by the European Commission on 16 March. Anti-competitive practices include agreeing on prices or procurement bids, keeping products off the market or unfairly excluding rivals and can cause immense damage to Europe's economy. They can deny customers access to a wider choice of goods and services at reasonable prices, stifle innovation and put companies out of business.
Commission proposes a new EU Action Plan to fight drug use and trafficking
On 15 March, the Commission proposed a new EU Action Plan on drugs for the period 2017-2020. It identifies new priority areas for action such as the monitoring of new psychoactive substances. The plan also promotes the use of new communication technologies for prevention of drug abuse and for gathering evidence about the links between drug trafficking and the financing of terrorist groups, organised crime, migrant smuggling or trafficking in human beings.
Approval to stop trade in minerals financing armed conflicts
New rules will ensure that minerals used by European industries are sourced responsibly, diverting revenues away from rebel groups, conflict, and terror. On 16 March, the European Parliament adopted by an overwhelming majority the proposal to stop trade in conflict minerals. The regulation brokered by the Commission and voted yesterday by the European Parliament will impose due diligence rules on companies importing tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold. Such metals and minerals are used in the production of everyday products such as mobile phones, car and jewellery. The rules will cover up to 95% of imports as of 1 January 2021.
'The EU in 2016' report
On 15 March, the European Commission published its 2016 report on the activities of the EU. The report complements the White Paper on the future of Europe, providing an insight into the major EU events, initiatives and decisions of 2016.
All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here