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European Council     25/1/2019  Remarks by President Donald Tusk after his meeting with Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern I would like to start by warmly welcoming you in Brussels on your first visit to the European Union, our Institution. Relations between the European Union and New Zealand are excellent. Geographically we are far apart, but politically and economically we are close partners and friends. We both stand by the values of liberal democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We both firmly believe in openness, cooperation, the rules-based international order and free trade. We are currently negotiating an ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement between the European Union and New Zealand. This has enormous strategic importance for the rules-based international order, at a time when some are questioning it. We are sending a clear message that we stand together against protectionism. Our negotiators will work at an ambitious speed to reach the best outcome for our citizens and companies. Beyond trade, we agreed to work together even more closely in many areas, from peace and security, to connectivity, energy and climate change. There is no doubt that both the EU and New Zealand have been leaders of the transition to a low-carbon economy. And we will continue to pursue ambitious climate action. Our budgets reflect the shared understanding that for many, including in the Pacific region, the threats from rising sea levels are existential. Before I conclude, let me borrow from the Māori wisdom and say: let us keep close together, not far apart. In the current uncertain global environment, the friendship between the European Union and New Zealand is priceless. Thank you. Council of the European Union     24/1/2019  Better work-life balance for EU citizens: Presidency reaches provisional agreement with the European Parliament The Presidency of the Council and the European parliament today reached a provisional agreement on some key elements of the proposal for a Directive on work-life balance for parents and carers. The agreement still needs to be approved by member states. "Today's agreement is very welcome. It gives a huge boost to promoting equality of women and men across the EU. This directive will encourage the participation of women in the labour market and the equal sharing of care responsibilities between women and men. It will also contribute to closing the gender gap in earnings and pay." Marius-Constantin Budai, Minister of Labour and Social Justice of Romania European Council     22/1/2019  Speech by President Donald Tusk at the signing ceremony of the Franco-German Treaty of Aachen I have come to Aachen today with the firm belief that your decision, the decision to strengthen cooperation between Germany and France can, and should, serve the whole of Europe well. Dear Angela, dear Emmanuel, as friends we are too close for me to have reasons to doubt your intentions and plans. Today Europe needs a revival of faith in the meaning of solidarity and unity, and I want to believe that enhanced Franco-German cooperation will serve this objective. At the same time I would like to caution you, and all convinced Europeans, against losing faith in the purpose of Europe's integration as a whole. Today there are too many self-confessed opponents of the European Union, both inside Europe and outside, and there is no shortage of them in our countries either, to allow ourselves the illusory and dangerous comfort of discouragement. I will put it bluntly – today Europe needs a clear signal from Paris and from Berlin, that strengthened cooperation in small formats is not an alternative to the cooperation of all of Europe. That it is for integration, and not instead of integration. To the east of Germany there are hundreds of places where the European spirit of a place – genius loci – is felt as strongly as in Aachen, Paris or Berlin, and where millions of people live whose hearts beat for Europe, a Europe of mutually supportive and equal nations. One such place is my Gdańsk. I am returning from there, from the funeral ceremonies for the murdered mayor of my city, Paweł Adamowicz. He loved Gdańsk, he was a Polish patriot and a heart and soul European at the same time. He bravely stood up for the rule of law, he helped refugees out of genuine kindness, not because someone imposed some quotas on him. And for 20 years, he built his city. One of his many accomplishments is the fantastic, living museum of Solidarność. And it was he, in fact, who insisted it be called the 'European Solidarity Centre'. A few days ago, in that same place, the people of Gdańsk honoured their mayor. Over 50,000 people stood for many hours on a freezing cold night in order to make a bow, if only for a second, before his coffin. It is for such people, and thanks to such people, that Europe exists. Keep working to strengthen it, do not let the idea die. France and Germany need it to the exact same degree as Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Ireland. Remember this today and tomorrow. I, in any case, will continue reminding you about it. European Council     22/1/2019  Remarks by President Donald Tusk after his meeting with President of Georgia Salomé Zourabichvili Good afternoon. Let me start by welcoming you, President Zurabiszwili, in Brussels, on your first foreign visit as President. I congratulate you on your victory in Georgia's elections. And I value your efforts to bridge social and political divisions in your country. The EU-Georgia partnership is outstanding and far-reaching. The EU is Georgia's largest trading partner and since the introduction of the visa-free regime in March 2017, over 300,000 Georgians have enjoyed visa-free travel. In our meeting today, I reconfirmed the EU's commitment to intensifying our cooperation in the framework of the Association Agreement. The agreement has brought significant benefits to our citizens and has potential to strengthen further Georgia's social, economic, political and institutional resilience. Today, I also welcomed Georgia's dedication to reform. The President and I agreed on the importance of progress in the rule of law and judicial areas. More than 10 years have passed since the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia. I re-state the EU's unchanging support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and to conflict resolution efforts. Last year Tbilisi launched important trade, education and health initiatives towards people living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We stand ready to provide further assistance to all those, whose lives have been affected by conflict, and to facilitate dialogue. Regionally, Georgia's continued, strong support to the Eastern Partnership is important. Later this year, we will celebrate its 10th anniversary. This will be an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made together. I thank Georgia for the proposal to dedicate the 2019 Batumi Conference to this anniversary. I will be very glad to visit Georgia again, to attend this conference in July. Madam President, let me conclude by once again wishing you every success in your office, and I look forward to working with you. Thank you.