Main news from Brussels this week
date: 20/10/2017
European Council summit
On 19 and 20 October, EU Heads of State and Government met in Brussels to discuss migration, the digital single market, defence and security and the EU's external relations, with a focus on Turkey and North Korea. They also reviewed the latest developments in the Brexit negotiations and hope to be able to move to the second phase of the negotiations as soon as possible.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Theresa May and Secretary of State David Davis met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier. Read their joint statement here.
European Council Article 50 conclusions
European Commission proposes measures for better protection of EU citizens against terrorist threats
On 18 October, the European Commission proposed new operational and practical measures to defend EU citizens better against terrorist threats. They aim to address vulnerabilities exposed by recent terrorist attacks. The measures will help member states to better protect public spaces and to deprive terrorists of their means to act. They include increased financial support of €118.5 million over the next year, new guidance material and an intensified exchange of best practices. There will also be steps to improve cooperation between local actors and the private sector, restrict access to substances used for home-made explosives and support law enforcement and judicial authorities in dealing with encryption in criminal investigations. Last but not least, the package includes reinforced efforts to tackle terrorist financing.
EU-US Privacy Shield: First review shows it works but implementation can be improved
The European Commission's first annual report on the EU-US Privacy Shield concludes that it has adequately protected personal data transferred to the UK. All the necessary administrative structures and procedures have been put in place in the US, including new redress possibilities for Europeans. Safeguards regarding access to personal data by US public authorities are in operation. However, the implementation of the framework can be improved further including by raising public awareness in the EU of how to exercise rights under the Privacy Shield. The US Department of Commerce could be more proactive in monitoring companies' compliance with their Privacy Shield obligations. There is also scope to step up cooperation between privacy enforcers.
More information about the recommendations
All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here