EU Delegation to New Zealand: Newsletter 325

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton opens EU Delegation in Tripoli

On 12 November Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative, officially inaugurated the new Delegation of the European Union in Libya. She also met the Chairman of the National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, newly appointed Prime Minister, Abdurrahim al-Keib, and Ian Martin, the head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. She addressed the first Libyan Women's Rights Forum. "I am delighted to visit Tripoli to express the EU's continued support to the Libyan people's efforts to build a new Libya based on the rule of law, democracy and human rights," Catherine Ashton said. "Opening a fully fledged EU Delegation in Tripoli underlines the EU's commitment to our close relationship with the Libyan people, both during the political transition and in the long term".

B>Mine clearance an EU priority in Libya

In view of the increased need for the rapid clearance of unexploded ordnances and booby traps in battleground areas in Libya, the European Commission announced on 7 Nov that it is to provide additional funding of €500,000. The new funding will be channelled through the Danish Refugee Council (Danish Demining Group) to clear mines, other unexploded devices and booby traps in Sirte and Bani Walid. It is expected that several Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams will be rapidly deployed to the affected areas in the coming days. [read more]

EU welcomes Mario Monti's appointment

In a joint statement, European Commission President Barroso and Council President Van Rompuy welcomed the decision by the President of the Italian Republic to ask Senator Mario Monti to form a government of national unity. "We believe that it sends a further encouraging signal – following the swift adoption of the 2012 Stability Law – of the Italian authorities' determination to overcome the current crisis", they said. Mr Monti a former European Commissioner for Competition policy, is highly respected and the best possible choice for the job. As agreed at the Euro Summit on 26 October, the Commission will continue to monitor the implementation of measures taken by Italy with the aim of pursuing policies that foster growth and employment.

Lucas Papademos appointed as new Greek Prime Minister

President Barroso and Council President Van Rompuy have congratulated Mr Lucas Papademos and welcomed the agreement to form a government of national unity in Greece. A broad political consensus will allow the implementation of measures to lift Greece out of its deep economic crisis. A second programme of financial assistance will need to be rapidly concluded, as foreseen by the Euro Summit on 27 October. "It is important for Greece's new government to send a strong cross-party message of reassurance to its European partners that it is committed to doing what it takes to set its debt on a steady downward path" they said. "Fiscal consolidation should go hand in hand with the structural reforms needed to transform Greece's growth potential and generate the jobs its people so urgently need. We reiterate that our European Institutions will continue to do everything within their power to help Greece. But Greece must also do everything within its power to help itself".

EU Head of Missions attend Armistice Day Anniversary - 11/11/11

Born from the ashes of two world wars, the European Union is the living symbol of peace and cooperation among nations. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, World War I came to an end with the signing of the Armistice. 11th November has therefore become the day we remember those who gave their lives around the world. In Wellington, EU Ambassadors and other countries' diplomats, and dignitaries contributed to a very emotive and solemn ceremony led by New Zealand's Governor-General, His Excellency The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae & Her Excellency Lady Janine Mateparae who laid a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, followed by the Dean of the Diplomatic corps on behalf of Missions. The commemorative ceremony held at the National War Memorial ended with all members of the diplomatic corps laying poppies as a sign of their respect for the Fallen.

Financial Transactions Tax proposal presented

"We just need to look at the demonstrations – across the EU and across the world – to see how greatly citizens want the financial sector to make a proper contribution to the economy and to society as a whole" Commissioner Algirdas Semeta said at the meeting of EU Finance Ministers on 8 November. Presenting his proposal for an EU financial transactions tax, the Commissioner spoke of the fundamental "fairness" of the proposal, as well as highlighting the many benefits that it offers to Member States and citizens. [read more]

EU issues its Autumn forecast 2011-13

Growth for the whole of of the EU in 2012 is forecast at about ½%. By 2013, a return to growth of about 1½% is expected. Unemployment is forecast to remain at the current level of around 9½%. Inflation is set to return below 2% over the coming quarters. Fiscal consolidation is forecast to progress with public deficits set to decline to just above 3% by 2013 under an assumption of unchanged policies. Commission Vice-President for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn said: "The key for the resumption of growth and job creation is restoring confidence in fiscal sustainability and in the financial system and speeding up reforms to enhance Europe's growth potential. There is a broad consensus on the necessary policy action. What we need now is unwavering implementation. On my part, I will start using the new rules of economic governance from Day one." [read more]

Herman Van Rompuy outlines challenges in a changing world

In a speech at the University of Zurich, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy highlighted Europe's political and economic challenges in a changing world. Presently the European Union dealing with the aftershock of the financial crisis: the public debt crisis. Van Rompuy said "The EU has a double duty: dealing with the current crisis, and preventing a new one from arising.Our duty is not only to guarantee the financial stability of the euro area. It is also and at the same time to stimulate economic growth. It is in the own self-interest of non-euro-players that we put the Eurozone's difficulties behind us. But inversely, it is also in Europe’s interest that the U.S. stabilises its public debt situation, or that China stimulates its domestic demand and make its exchange rate more flexible. Growth is a global responsibility. Some tend to forget this".
Watch the video here

President Barroso makes case for stronger Europe

In a speech to the Berliner Europa-Rede on 9 November, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso made the case for a stronger European Union. With the EU at a cross-roads, he urged European leaders to take the political decisions Europe needs to restore its prosperity and its proper place in the world. "The European Union does not promise paradise" said President Barroso. "The European Union and the euro area belong together. A split union will not work. To create the idea that we have two unions means disunion. It means separation of the members of euro area from those who are not yet members of the euro area. Why should we now create more conditions for the countries who want to be in the core of the Union? I do not think it would be fair for those countries.” Before the end of this month, the Commission will come forward with a package of further measures to deepen European Union and Euro area economic governance. President Barroso said he believes deepening convergence and integration of the European Union must also involve deeper democracy. The agenda for Europe must be a positive one. It must not be a reluctant intervention to avoid the worst, but an enthusiastic plan to create the best.[read more]

EU - Turkey review progress towards accession

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, met with the Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağış in Brussels on 9 November. Mr Füle repeated that Turkey continues to be a key country for the EU and that the accession process remains the most effective tool to frame the relations of the European Union with Turkey. He also praised Turkey's ongoing efforts towards constitutional reform. Commissioner Füle expressed his condolences for the tragic earthquake and welcomed the encouraging progress on the Cyprus issue in New York. He stressed that the EU stood side by side with Turkey in its resolve to fight against terrorism, including acts perpetrated by the PKK, and that the EU remained committed to strengthen its cooperation with Turkey on this issue. [read more]

EU and IOM streamline their cooperation

On 8 November the European Commission and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the area of migration and mobility. At the signing ceremony, Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said: "IOM is a key partner of the European Union. The EU and IOM work together on a daily basis on projects which promote international cooperation in areas such as legal migration, irregular migration and development. This new agreement will facilitate day-to-day cooperation between our two organisations, will remove bureaucratic hurdles, and make our work together much more efficient." [read more]

Europe is the destination of choice for foreign students

Europe is an increasingly attractive study destination for foreign students, whether they are from Europe or from a different part of the world. A new study, ordered by the European Commission, has examined trends on student and teacher mobility within Europe. The study found that the level of mobility in Europe is high in global comparison and that it has risen in the past decade. The study covered 32 European countries, namely EU member states, Turkey, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein. In 2006/07, there were about 1.5 million foreign students enrolled in the Europe 32 area. This represents a ‘global market share’ of 50.9%. ERASMUS plays a very important role in supporting student mobility in the European context. ERASMUS incoming students accounted for, in the academic year 2006/07, about one-tenth of all foreign students in the 32 countries, while as many as one quarter of students from these countries that went abroad to other countries of this region did so with Erasmus.
The study is available on http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus/doc922_en.htm

Academic news and events

The Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association unites all the students and graduates of the Erasmus Mundus programme. The Oceania Chapter has launched a Facebook page and a Webpage. If you are a newly selected Erasmus Mundus student, we encourage you to join EMA - the registration is free of charge

Call for Applications - The International Conference on Cultural Diplomacy in the EU, "Crisis, Conflict, and Culture: The Role of Cultural Diplomacy in the European Project" (Brussels, December 6th - 9th, 2011).

Jean Monnet call for proposals: The Jean Monnet Programme is designed to increase knowledge about European integration by promoting teaching, research and debate at higher education institutions on the history, politics, economics and law of the European Union and the EU's relations with other areas of the world. Higher education institutions from all other countries in the world are encouraged to apply for Jean Monnet projects such as the creation of Jean Monnet teaching Modules, Jean Monnet Chairs, Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence and Jean Monnet Conference projects on the European Union. The deadline for application is 15 February 2012. The Jean Monnet call text and the application forms can be found at http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/llp/funding/2012/call_jean_monnet_action_ka1_2012_en.php.

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