Main news from Brussels this week
date: 10/01/2020
Iran: EC President calls for talks to be rekindled
On 8 January, a special meeting of the College of Commissioners was convened to discuss the situation stemming from the tensions in Iraq, Iran, the wider Middle East, as well as Libya. Speaking to media afterwards, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The current crisis deeply affects not only the region but all of us. And the use of weapons must stop now to give space to dialogue. We are called upon to do everything possible to rekindle talks. There cannot be enough of that. The European Union in its own way has a lot to offer. We have established and time tested relations with many actors in the region and beyond to de-escalate the situation.”
Croatia assumes the presidency of the EU council
President von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners visited Zagreb on 9 and 10 January for the inauguration of the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU. It is the first time Croatia has assumed the role since it joined the EU in 2013. During the next six months, Croatia will lead the work of the Council, building co-operation and agreement between member states. The presidency also gives Croatia the opportunity to steer its own policy priorities which Prime Minister Andrej Plenković set out as a Europe that develops, a Europe that connects, a Europe that protects, an influential Europe.
All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here