BRUSSELS — The European Union’s chief negotiator said Friday that the bloc and the United Kingdom are starting a “last attempt” to clinch a post-Brexit trade deal, with EU fishing rights in British waters the most notable remaining obstacle to avoid a chaotic and costly changeover on New Year.
Michel Barnier told the EU parliament he “can’t say what will come out during this home straight of the negotiations,” which have already come a long way in nine months of talks. He called it “a very serious and sombre situation” with the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people at stake.
The EU parliament has set a Sunday night deadline on the talks since it still will have to approve any deal ahead of Jan. 1, when a transition period following the Jan. 31 departure of Britain from the bloc will expire.
“It’s the moment of truth,” said Barnier. “We have very little time remaining — just a few hours.”
EIB lends EUR 100 million to Dutch public water company PWN in support of its climate adaptation strategy, to safeguard and futureproof Noord-Holland’s drinking water supply.
Project will see more intensive source and nature protection, investments in purification and partial replacement of distribution networks to make them more climate resilient.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a EUR 100 million, 20-year loan agreement with PWN, the company that manages the drinking water supply in most of the province of Noord-Holland in The Netherlands. The loan supports the necessary investments to maintain the high quality of drinking water that PWN provides, from source to tap. The investments are needed to anticipate the effects of climate change on PWN’s business model. The more frequent and prolonged drought periods that are expected in the near future, will impact drinking water production and distribution. Apart from this, the population of the province of Noord-Holland is growing, and drinking water demand with it.
Sustainable drinking water supply
PWN aims to produce CO2-neutral drinking water by 2050, meaning it wants to be a completely emission-free and circular organisation by that time, already halving its carbon footprint by 2030. The highest priority remains the sustainable supply of drinking water, for which the protection of its main freshwater sources and nature reserves is very important. The EIB’s financing will support PWN in implementing more climate-friendly ways to filter drinking water, substituting part of its distribution network with more heat- and draught-resistant pipes, as well as measures to better manage supply among different water sources and storage areas.
“The EIB has been supporting drinking water production companies in The Netherlands for quite some time now.” said EIB Vice-President Christian Thomsen. “People in the country are becoming more and more aware of the risks The Netherlands are running in the face of climate change. Apart from changing our ways when it comes to emissions, we need to adapt to the changing situation as well, and the EIB is very glad to support PWN in doing that.”
“The world around us is changing. PWN has to anticipate to this, so that our client will always – now, and in the future – dispose of reliable drinking water. That is why we welcome the willingness of the EIB to lend to PWN. This way, we jointly work for the future of drinking water for our citizens.” added Ria Doedel, General Director of PWN.
Technically speaking, PWN’s investments focus on the rehabilitation and upgrade of production installations, replacement of distribution piping, water storage facilities, reservoirs, pumping stations and sustainable management of coastal dunes in a region expected to be affected by climate change. This is the fourth operation with PWN funded by the EIB since 1998, with the last one signed in 2016.
PWN Waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland N.V. is a publicly owned company whose sole shareholder is the Province of Noord-Holland. PWN supplies drinking water to 1.7m customers through a pipeline network of 10,342km with 811,770 connections, which represents about 10% of the Dutch market, making it the fourth largest drinking water company in The Netherlands by number of connections. It supplies drinking water and manages the dunes in the province of North Holland. The water is treated at plants in Andijk, Bergen, Heemskerk and Wijk aan Zee. PWN is appointed by the province to manage more than 7,500 hectares of nature reserves between Zandvoort and Bergen. The dunes in the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park and the North Holland Dune Reserve are protected as Natura 2000 sites. These areas are managed in accordance with the Barometer Duurzaam Terreinbeheer certification system for sustainable landscape management (Gold standard) and attract approximately six million visitors a year. See also www.pwn.nl.
EU Commissioner for Values: EU money is meant to help the Roma too, data collection is important so we aren’t flying blind.
European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová (left) and Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality (right), held a press conference on 7 October 2020 about the EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation for 2020-2030. (PHOTO: European Commission)
The European Union will be financially supporting the fight against socially excluded localities during the next budget period, and one target group for that financing is meant to be Romani people. The EU wants to support their economic and social integration.
European Commissioner for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová has delivered that message in an interview for ROMEA TV. “We want to continue financing projects, but in the past that aid did not always make its way to the places where it is needed. Impoverished people live in areas where they have less of a chance of applying themseves on the labor market, the children living in such areas have limited opportunities, from the very beginning of their lives, to get a good-quality job when they grow up and to enjoy a better quality of life. For that reason, we want this financing to target the places that need it,” she said in an interview with journalist and Romani community member Richard Samko.
A European Social Fund document even expressly mentions Romani people, but this financial aid is not exclusively intended just for them. Just as under the previous European Commission strategies for such investment, impoverished people will be targeted generally during the next budget period.
Romani people are given as an example of a group endangered by poverty toward whom the aid is meant to be targeted. “This is meant to assist people endangered by social exclusion, such as Romani people. We have never said, and we are not saying now, that this money is meant to be exclusively aimed at Romani people. We are especially concerned about the children whom we would like to see enjoy a better quality of life than their parents have experienced, and we want to help achieve that with this money. Romani people have been named as one of the groups who should be supported,” the Commissioner said.
According to Jourová, the anonymous collection of data disaggregated by ethnicity, which some Czech ministries do not want to undertake, is also important. “There is no problem with collecting such data if it is anonymized. It should never appear anywhere as a matter of record that Mr XY declares himself of Romani ethnicity, that is a general rule. However, collecting data for the purposes of designing projects and monitoring where the money has gone is absolutely in order. We cannot finance something absolutely blindly and say we hope the money will go where it is needed, this can’t be done that way,” she warned.
The financing will make its way to chosen projects through the Education Ministry and the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry. Those ministries are tasked with administering and distributing this European funding through their two biggest and most crucial programs.
the Commissioner explained
“I would be glad if the Czech Republic were to manage this so the money could aid the situation there. In Brussels we agreed the Czech Republic is one of several countries that have longstanding problems where we need to implement projects that are not one-offs, but that provide more permanent, stable assistance,”.
During the previous funding period, the EU invested about EUR 2.5 billion into addressing the issue of socially excluded localities. Despite that, today there are more impoverished neighborhoods in the Czech Republic than were first mentioned in a report by the sociologist Ivan Gabal in 2006.
The Commissioner said
"That money was not exactly targeted. For that reason, we have made our strategy more concrete so that it is clear our intention is to support people endangered by poverty with an emphasis on education and job creation. We also want mechanisms that facilitate easier access to this money. To speak a hard truth, bureaucratic obstacles force project managers to consume these resources themselves, and that means not all of this money goes toward the purpose of the spending,".
The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to support the Spanish authorities in developing and implementing a new model for the reception of asylum seekers in line with EU standards.
(Text in Spanish below)
The Executive Director of EASO, Nina Gregori, and the State Secretary for Migration of Spain, Hana Jalloul Muro, signed an Operating Plan for 2021 which will see the Agency immediately commence work to support the reception authorities in Spain.
The Operating Plan follows a Joint Rapid Needs Assessment (JRNA) carried out by EASO and the Spanish Ministry for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, between mid-September and the end of October 2020. The JRNA helped identify the needs of the Spanish authorities, which EASO will now assist in addressing.
Commenting on the new EASO operation, Nina Gregori stated: “I am proud that EASO is once again able to quickly provide tangible support to frontline Member States’ asylum and reception capacity. I want to personally thank State Secretary Jalloul Muro and her services for the exceptional partnership that we have already developed, and for Spain’s clear commitment to the EU’s reception standards. EASO will immediately begin working to implement the Operating Plan and assist our colleagues in Spain.”
In addition to establishing a new dedicated team at EASO Headquarters in Malta, the Agency will deploy personnel to Spain.
In particular, EASO will:
Support in the transition towards a new model for reception in the country;
Enhance structural processes in support of the Spanish reception system;
Contribute to strengthening capacity within the Spanish reception system through professional development, tools and materials;
Provide enhanced capacity to reception services in the Canary Islands; and
Support the Spanish authorities in the area of resettlement.
Spain will become EASO’s fifth ongoing operation, the others being in Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Malta. The Agency has approximately 2 000 personnel deployed in these Member States, which is an unprecedented level of support, and recently announced that it had more than doubled it operational productivity in 2020.
Any further information may be obtained from the European Asylum Support Office on the following email address: [email protected]
España: La EASO inicia una nueva operación de apoyo al sistema de acogida
La Oficina Europea de Apoyo al Asilo (EASO) ayudará a las autoridades españolas a elaborar y poner en práctica un nuevo modelo destinado a la acogida de los solicitantes de asilo acorde al estándar de la UE.
Doña Nina Gregori, directora ejecutiva de la EASO, y Doña Hana Jalloul Muro, secretaria de Estado de Migraciones de España, firmaron un plan operativo para 2021 en virtud del cual la Agencia comenzará inmediatamente a asistir a las autoridades de acogida españolas.
El plan operativo es consiguiente a un diagnóstico rápido de necesidades realizado conjuntamente por la EASO y por el Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones de España entre mediados de septiembre y finales de octubre de 2020. Este diagnóstico rápido sirvió para identificar las necesidades de las autoridades españolas, a las que la EASO intentará dar respuesta.
En relación con la nueva operación de la EASO, Doña Nina Gregori comentó lo siguiente: «Me enorgullece que, una vez más, la EASO pueda ofrecer una asistencia rápida y tangible a la capacidad de asilo y acogida de los Estados miembros situados en primera línea. Deseo agradecer personalmente a la secretaria de Estado Jalloul Muro y a sus servicios la excepcional colaboración que ya hemos entablado y el claro compromiso de España con el cumplimiento de las normas de acogida de la UE. La EASO comenzará a trabajar inmediatamente para poner en práctica el plan operativo y poder asistir a nuestros colegas españoles».
Además de crear un nuevo equipo específico en su sede de Malta, la Agencia desplegará miembros del personal en España.
En concreto, la EASO:
asistirá en la transición hacia un nuevo modelo de acogida en el país;
mejorará los procesos estructurales en apoyo del sistema de acogida español;
contribuirá a reforzar la capacidad del sistema de acogida español a través del desarrollo profesional y por medio de herramientas y materiales;
aumentará la capacidad de los servicios de acogida en las islas Canarias; y
asistirá a las autoridades españolas en materia de reasentamiento.
España será el país beneficiario de la quinta operación en curso de la EASO, tras Chipre, Grecia, Italia y Malta. La Agencia cuenta con unos 2 000 miembros de su personal desplegados en estos Estados miembros, lo cual supone un grado de asistencia sin precedentes, y recientemente ha anunciado que, en 2020, ha duplicado con creces su productividad operativa.
Si desea ampliar esta información, póngase en contacto con la Oficina Europea de Apoyo al Asilo, a través de la dirección de correo electrónico siguiente: [email protected].
Providing direct support to health authorities to strengthen health leadership is an important strand of WHO/Europe’s 5-year health agenda, the European Programme of Work (EPW). As part of these efforts, WHO/Europe is moving forward with plans to establish the Pan-European Transformational Leadership Academy.
The Academy will seek to:
create a network of trained health professionals to support and advance the EPW through strengthened health systems;
provide WHO/Europe with country-specific knowledge and deep insights into national administrations to make its work even more relevant to its Member States.
This initiative is a concrete example of the EPW in practice, working closely with countries to build capacity in designing, implementing and evaluating health policies and driving sustainable change, thus delivering “United Action for Better Health”.
“In the medium term, through the Academy, we also aim to build a future cadre of professionals with knowledge and experience of WHO and United Nations ways of working, thereby contributing to a better balance of geographical representation in WHO and other United Nations agencies,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, in an article about the Academy published in this month’s issue of the European Journal of Public health.
When fully operational, the Academy will have three tiers:
a capacity-building programme for young professionals from national administrations and public health institutions;
a mid-level exchange programme for officials from national administrations;
a twinning and peer-support programme between high-level decision-makers.
Two demonstration projects will be implemented in 2021, and evaluated and scaled up in 2022.
The Guidelines are intended to help firms identify, address and monitor the risks arising from cloud outsourcing arrangements. They provide guidance to firms on:
The risk assessment and due diligence that they should undertake on their CSPs;
The governance, organisational and control frameworks that they should put in place to monitor the performance of their CSPs and how to exit their cloud outsourcing arrangements without undue disruption to their business;
The contractual elements that their cloud outsourcing agreement should include; and
The information to be notified to competent authorities.
In addition, the Guidelines provide guidance to competent authorities on the supervision of cloud outsourcing arrangements, with a view to fostering a convergent approach in the EU.
ESMA conducted a public consultation on these Guidelines to gather the views of relevant stakeholders. The report published today contains a feedback statement summarising the responses received and highlighting the amendments and clarifications introduced in the final guidelines to take into account the feedback received during this consultation.
Next steps
The guidelines will be translated into the official EU languages and published on ESMA’s website. The publication of the translations in all official languages of the EU will trigger a two-month period during which NCAs must notify ESMA whether they comply or intend to comply with the guidelines.
At the two Michelin-starred R-Haan, executive chef Chumpol Jangprai goes back to his time in Europe for his festive menu.
Fresh off the back of being appointed as “Sustainable Food Ambassador for FeedUp@UN”, chef Chumpol’s new menu is called “Sustainable R-Haan Sambrub” and is, by far, the best I’ve had at R-Haan. Moving away from straightforward Thai served in a modern style, chef Chumpol has added a bit of European flair to the menu.
Begin with “Welcome To Thailand”, which are four snacks. North Excursion is represented in a Spicy minced duck salad with herbs done Lanna style; Central Thai Visit is a Golden crispy river prawn cake; E-sarn Journey is a 24-month fermented fish from Korat baked with Cheese and black galingale; and the Southern Wander is a Spicy Mae Klong mackerel salad with rice filled with betel leaf.
Sea Sand Sun.
Each course of the festive menu goes by a greeting number, for eg “Greeting 1”, and each has a name. “Greeting 1: sea to the mountain” is a spicy Bangtaboon crab salad served with Thai avocado and a fresh vegetable salad. Since it’s the season, it is paired with a bubbly. The “Sea Sand Sun” is live abalone from the eastern coast of Thailand. A favourite is the “Paradise Island”, which is a plant-based dish though it doesn’t taste like one! Grilled Phuket lobster with tom yum bisque is served with a plant-based “meat” and micro coriander.
The “Sweet and Sour Twist” of Grilled Thai duck breast with longan honey, Singha Park passion fruit sauce, yellow chilli and Ratchaburi organic fig brings the flavour of the chilli minus the heat. “Crunchy Merry Xmas” comes in the form of grilled sea grouper belly with salt fish sauce served with highland brown rice.
Heaven In Thailand.
Paradise Island.
Crunchy Merry Xmas.
Infinity Sweet Of Life.
Sweet and Sour Twist.
The “Meat Lover Boxing Day” is a choice between a charcoal-grilled Korat Wagyu A5 served with five festive mushroom chilli paste or a red grouper served with the same chilli paste. Taking a break between the single serves and the main course is the “One Moment Please” palate cleanser of savoury karonda fruit with a bubbly. Yum!
For mains or “Heaven In Thailand”, indulge in a traditional masaman with grilled Kamphaeng Saen beef shank or a Kurobuta pork. Each choice is served with a new brown rice pot pie, the pastry of which is delicious, and mixed herbs.
The “Infinity Sweet Of Life” ends the meal with fresh young coconut milk ice cream, the coconuts of which come from Ban Phaeo in Samut Sakhon; Thai crispy pancake with Wang Nam Khiao lavender and Mountain taro custard with Chiang Mai chocolate.
“Happy New Year 2021” are petite fours, which are the auspicious New Year orange, Sukhothai dried rice ball with dates (yum, yum, yum), lavender macaron and a monthong durian darathong.
COMECE addresses the EU Commission on Covid-19 strategy
“It is crucial to maintain the dialogue with Churches”
On the occasion of the last 2020 meeting of the COMECE Standing Committee on Tuesday 15 December 2020, the Bishops also addressed the European Commission Strategy on “Staying safe from Covid-19 during winter”. While welcoming the efforts for a coordinated and sustainable EU approach against the current pandemic, COMECE urges the European institutions to consult with Churches and religious communities especially when considering recommendations that have an impact on religious matters.
Following the publication of the European Commission strategy“Staying safe from Covid-19 during winter” on Wednesday, 2 December 2020, COMECE recalls the commitment enshrined in Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). In this context, consulting with Churches and religious communities when references that also concern religious matters are being considered in EU documents is particularly crucial.
The document adopted by the European Commission recommends Member States to “consider avoiding large services or using online, TV or radio broadcast, in case of ceremonies, […] and banning of communal singing”. While understanding the concern behind the recommendation, COMECE cannot support the method for which the EU institutions opted in providing such an orientation.
Furthermore, COMECE would also like to highlight that Article 17.1 TFEU underlines the exclusive national competence for determining the relations between Church and State and the non-interference of the EU in these relations.
“The lack of EU competence – states Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of COMECE – should be a reason morefor the EU institutions toinvolve religious authorities when considering non-binding recommendations on matters related to religious celebrations, in full respect of freedom of religion”.
As highlighted by the Presidents of all EU Bishops’ Conferences in a recent message addressed to the EU and the Member States, “the respect for the freedom of religion of believers in full respect of sanitary requirements is a crucial element for the Church in many EU Member States during the current pandemic”.
Non-binding EU recommendations on this matter, especially if taken without consulting with Churches and religious communities, may put at risk the efforts made in these recent months by EU Member States, together with local Churches and religious communities, to ensure that health measures are in place during celebrations, while avoiding violations of freedom of religion.
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