EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 10-15 June 2019
This week, the Council is set to adopt conclusions on antimicrobial resistance, and to debate a 'Clean Planet for all'; the Commission marks the first year of implementation of GDPR, and holds forums on EU strategy for the Baltic Sea region, and intellectual property enforcement. The week's events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of 10-15 June 2019.
Tuesday 11 June
European Economic and Social Committee, Events/Conf/Fairs, Business, taxation and competition, Economy and the euro
The European Semester and cohesion policy - Towards a new European strategy post-2020
Brussels
In the proposal for the multi-annual financial framework 2021-2027, the European Commission called for stronger links between the European Semester and EU funding to boost the effectiveness of actions financed under cohesion policy and produce more sustainable results. Henceforth, the European Semester will focus more on investment needs in each country, which were already flagged up in this year's country reports, in order to guide programming decisions for 2021-2027. However, the consequences of these new and stronger ties have not yet been explored in detail and need further attention.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is therefore organising a public hearing, that will bring together policymakers, academics and organised civil society representatives, with a view to developing policy proposals which will help shape these stronger ties and improve sustainable growth.
Tuesday 11 June
European Economic and Social Committee, Events/Conf/Fairs, Economy and the euro, International aid, development and cooperation
The sustainable economy we need
Brussels
The adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 represented a turning point in the way the international community decided to tackle global issues by bringing together economic, environmental and social dimensions in an integrated manner. The aim is to balance economic prosperity with environmental sustainability and social inclusion and cohesion, promoting sustainable investment and innovation, good work, democratic participation and rule of law.
The economy should be an enabler for achieving the SDGs. It is therefore time to reflect upon a possible transition to a new economic model, which allows both people and planet to thrive and prosper.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is currently drafting an opinion that aims to define what 'the sustainable economy we need' should look like by exploring new economic models, investment decisions vis-à-vis technological advances as well as novel indicators for growth and competitiveness.
Wednesday 12 - Friday 14 June
Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs, Consumer affairs and public health, Employment and social rights, Research and innovation
6th European conference on standardisation, testing and certification in the field of occupational safety and health
Dresden, Germany
Digitalisation is entering the world of work. Standardisation processes are constantly being accelerated in order to keep pace with innovation. New fields of certification are emerging as products are increasingly used within networks with other products or sold as a package with maintenance or customisation services.
How can standardisation, testing and certification react to these challenges and become fit for the future? What adjustments are needed in order to take account of developments such as smart manufacturing, and new forms of work? These questions will be discussed at the 6th European conference of standardisation, testing and certification in the field of occupational safety and health.
The conference is organised by the network of European occupational safety and health (OSH) experts, EUROSHNET. It is aimed at manufacturers and users of products, European and national authorities, OSH experts, and other stakeholders having an interest in health and safety at work.
Wednesday 12 - Thursday 13 June
European Commission, Events/Conf/Fairs, EU regional and urban development
10th annual forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region (EUSBR)
Gdansk, Poland
About 800 participants from governments, international organisations, NGOs, universities, local and regional administrations and businesses will come together to discuss developments and challenges in the Baltic Sea Region.
This year, the theme of the forum is 'Circular and sharing economy as an answer to demographic changes and environmental challenges in the Baltic Sea region'.
The forum will be hosted by the Pomorskie region together with the Baltic Sea States sub-regional cooperation, in close cooperation with the European Commission, the Polish Ministry of foreign affairs, and other partners.
Wednesday 12 - Friday 14 June
European Aviation Safety Agency, Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs, Security and defence, Transport and travel
2019 EASA-FAA international aviation safety conference
Cologne, Germany
The EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are organising their annual international conference on aviation safety.
This year's theme will be 'Regulators innovating in the 21st century'. Participants will take a closer look at concrete ways to boost cooperation between industry and regulators, against the backdrop of fast-paced innovation and emerging risks. The conference will explore a wide range of aviation safety related topics in this context.
Wednesday 12 - Friday 14 June
European Commission, European Committee of the Regions, Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Energy, environment and climate
The 12th SET Plan conference 2019 "Making the energy transition happen locally"
Bucharest, Romania
What is the role of cities and regions in Europe's energy transition? How can local and regional actors accelerate the deployment of low-carbon technologies to unlock the full benefits of Europe's decarbonisation? What investment mechanisms can foster the market uptake of innovative eco products and services? In which concrete ways does the EU's SET Plan contribute to fast-tracking the energy transition in our cities and regions?
These are some of the questions that will be guiding the 12th high-level SET Plan conference, co-organised by the European Commission, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Committee of the Regions, with the support of the Romanian Municipalities Association and the Romanian Ministry of Energy.
Wednesday 12 - Friday 14 June
European Commission, Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Research and innovation
EuroNanoForum - European conference on nanomaterials
Bucharest, Romania
EuroNanoForum 2019, an event of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU, supported by the Directorate-General for research and innovation of the European Commission and the Romanian Ministry of research and innovation, stands as the most significant European forum and networking conference bringing together the scientific community, representatives from industry, research and innovation, and policymakers.
The event is expecting around 1000 participants from Europe and across the globe and offers opportunities for discussions on cross-sectoral challenges, focusing on both the industrial application of research results and future strategic research priorities in the area of nanotechnology and advanced materials of the Horizon 2020 programme and beyond.
The event will include plenaries and parallel sessions, interactive workshops, networking, exhibition, visits to research facilities, and social events.
Wednesday 12 - Thursday 13 June
European Commission, European Union Intellectual Property Office, Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs
International forum on intellectual property enforcement 2019 – Resolving governance gaps to country intellectual property rights infringements
Paris
The 3rd International forum on intellectual property (IP) enforcement will bring together key European and international decision-makers, enforcement agencies, multinational companies, and other private actors, as well as relevant stakeholders to discuss trends and alternative IP enforcement techniques for both at EU and international level, in a prospective and dynamic setting.
The forum seeks to promote evidence-based policymaking to reinforce cooperation between all international actors involved, to facilitate building a common, coherent, and effective strategy to support the enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR) and address governance gaps within the EU, the OECD countries, and internationally.
The event will feature 3 panels:
- How international organisations can help in IPR enforcement
- The role of technology and intermediaries when countering trade and counterfeits
- New alliances and partnerships for better IP enforcement
Wednesday 12 June
Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Consumer affairs and public health, Research and innovation
eHealth high-level conference
Bucharest, Romania
The E-Health Week will take place in Bucharest on 11-14 June 2019 and will include a high-level conference on eHealth which is scheduled for 12 June.
The week will also feature the 2019 Digital Assembly with dedicated panels on eHealth, a 2019 meeting of the EU Health Network, and an exhibition of information solutions and innovative technologies.
During the event, topics such as data security, interoperability challenges, the EU semantic strategy, and models and best practices in technological innovation for the transformation of health systems, will be presented and debated.
Thursday 13 June
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs, Employment and social rights
Flexible working in the digital age: Is everyone a winner?
Online
The European Foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions (Eurofound) is hosting a webinar to discuss its latest research findings on the growing number of mobile workers using information and communication technologies (ICT) or workers who are not tied to a particular work location as they use a tablet, laptop or phone to connect to the company network.
The webinar will bring together practitioners and policymakers to illustrate experiences and share innovative approaches aimed at addressing issues arising from this type of employment. It will be an opportunity to hear from those on the ground and to explore the advantages and disadvantages of telework/ICT-based mobile work for employees, employers and the self-employed.
Examples of new developments will include legal initiatives such as the French right to disconnect ('le droit à la déconnexion'), safeguarding the health and well-being of workers, work intensification and increase in work-life conflicts for self-employed workers.
This webinar is aimed at all workers in Europe affected by or interested in flexible digital work arrangements, including the social partners, EU institutions, and national government representatives, as well as academics and civil society.
Thursday 13 - Friday 14 June
Council of the EU and European Council, Political Meetings, Consumer affairs and public health, Employment and social rights
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
Luxembourg
The Council will discuss employment and social policy issues on the 13 June and health issues on the 14 June. Equal treatment
Ministers will be briefed on the progress achieved on the directive. This proposal prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.
European Semester 2019
Ministers will hold a debate on the employment and social policy aspects of the European Semester 2019, with a view to contributing to the European Council (20-21 June 2019).
Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived
The Council will adopt conclusions on a European Court of Auditors' report on the Fund for European aid to the most deprived.
Changing world of work
The Council will also adopt conclusions on the changing world of work.
European Labour Authority
In the margins of the meeting ministers will hold a vote as part of the selection procedure for the seat of the European Labour Authority.
Any other business
Among other topics, ministers will be informed on the progress achieved on the regulation on European social statistics and the revision of the regulation on the coordination of social security systems.
Antimicrobial resistance
Ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on combatting antimicrobial resistance.
Health investments
Ministers will hold a debate on how to use EU funds to support health investments.
Any other business
Among other topics, ministers will be informed on the progress made on the proposal for a regulation on health technology assessment.
Thursday 13 June
European Commission, Events/Conf/Fairs, Justice and citizens' rights, Research and innovation
One year of GDPR application: taking stock in the EU and beyond
Brussels
The European Commission organises an event to mark the first year of implementation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The event will be opened by Vera Jourova, Commissioner for Justice, consumers and gender equality. It will feature speakers from the data protection authorities, businesses, and civil society.
Thursday 13 June
Council of the EU and European Council, Political Meetings, Economy and the euro
Eurogroup
Luxembourg
Regular format - 13.00h
IMF Article IV review of the euro area
The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, will present the outcome of the IMF's Article IV consultation with the euro area. The IMF is expected to publish the final report shortly.
The IMF carries out such consultations every year with all of the IMF members, both individual countries and currency regions, including the euro area. This is done in accordance with Article IV of the IMF's Articles of Agreement.
Thematic discussion on growth and jobs - inequality
The Eurogroup will discuss inequality in the Eurozone, based on the European Commission analysis as well as a presentation by Phillipe Aghion, a French economist and Professor at the College de France and at the London School of Economics. He will join the meeting at the Eurogroup President's invitation.
Promoting conditions leading to inclusive growth is among the Eurogroup's priorities, and key to better functioning of the Economic and Monetary Union overall.
Cyprus - post-programme surveillance
The European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) will inform the Eurogroup of the main findings of their 6th post-programme surveillance mission to Cyprus that took place between 18 and 22 March 2019. The ESM will inform about the results of its Early Warning System, and the IMF – on its 3rd post-programme monitoring mission to Cyprus.
The post-programme surveillance aims to establish any possible risks to the country's ability to repay loans received under its earlier adjustment programme. The surveillance continues until at least 75 % of the loan has been repaid.
Eurogroup work programme 2/2019
The Eurogroup will adopt its work programme for the second half of this year.
Inclusive format - 15.00h
EMU deepening - preparation of the June Euro Summit
Following the mandate received by EU leaders at the 14 December Euro Summit, the Eurogroup in inclusive format will continue discussing the deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) with a view to preparing the Euro Summit in June.
Thursday 13 - Friday 14 June
European Commission, Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs, Security and defence
Annual Privacy Forum 2019
Rome
The EU agency for network and information security (ENISA) and the European Commission service for communication networks, content and technology (DG CONNECT) are, once again, among the organisers of the Annual Privacy Forum.
The recalibrated legal framework in the EU as manifested by the promulgation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is key in an effort to better control the processing of personal data. Additionally, the forthcoming Regulation on privacy and electronic communications is expected to give new impetus to the way privacy is protected in electronic communications.
But even the best legislative efforts can't keep up-to-speed with the pace of innovative technology and business models that challenge the way personal data is processed and privacy is protected across the EU and beyond. Examining what is at stake and identifying threats becomes therefore of paramount importance.
The event will feature panel discussions and scientific sessions and provide room for participants to exchange ideas.
Friday 14 June
Council of the EU and European Council, Political Meetings, Business, taxation and competition, Economy and the euro
Economic and Financial Affairs Council
Luxembourg
Clean Planet for all
The Council will have an exchange of views on "Clean Planet for all", the European Commission's communication on a strategic long-term vision for a climate-neutral economy.
Discussions will focus in particular on sustainable finance and taxation aspects.
This is one of a series of debates on this topic held in different Council formations over the course of the current semester.
Financial transaction tax
The Council may also receive an update on the latest developments regarding the financial transaction tax (FTT) by the member states participating in the so-called enhanced cooperation.
FTT's objective is twofold:
- to ensure that the financial sector makes a fair contribution to national tax revenues
- to discourage transactions that do not enhance the efficient allocation of resources by the financial markets
European Semester 2019
Ministers will hold a debate on economic and financial policy aspects of country-specific recommendations from the 2019 European Semester exercise.
The Council is expected to adopt a decision allowing Spain to exit the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP).
The European Commission and the Council presidency will also present the main outcomes of the G20 Finance meeting of 8-9 June.
Ministers may endorse a progress report on the state of play on the banking union and assess the implementation of the action plan to tackle non-performing loans in Europe.