COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION latest

PRESS Council of the European Union 28/5/2019  Council calls for long-term, consolidated EU strategy in the field of space The Council adopted today conclusions on the future of the European space policy. Recognising the role of space as an enabler for social and economic benefits and its importance in shaping a number of sectoral policies, the Council calls for greater coordination between the EU, the European Space Agency and member states in addressing the challenges posed by the transformation of the space sector. Read the full text of the Council conclusions European Council

31/5/2019

	Remarks by President Donald Tusk after his meeting with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
	Thank you, President Tokayev, for your very warm welcome and for our excellent discussion. This is my first opportunity to meet you and to visit your vast and beautiful country. I am very glad to pay a visit at a time when positive dynamics in your region have created new opportunities for cooperation. The European Union has just outlined its strategy for a deeper partnership with Central Asia and with all of its countries. Kazakhstan is a crucial partner for the EU in this region and I would like to stress that by my visit. Your country is a bridge between Europe and the Far East and between Russia and South Asia. With our new Central Asia Strategy, we propose to forge a stronger and modern partnership, deepen our cooperation on energy, transport and digital connections. President Tokayev and I had a good discussion of Kazakhstan's ambitious reforms programme, including improvement of the business climate, rule of law, fundamental rights, good governance and anti-corruption. The EU is Kazakhstan's first trading partner and foreign investor. The EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement will soon be ratified by all EU Member States and we have already started implementing it. This is also a good basis to address regional challenges, like violent extremism or environmental issues. We also discussed the ongoing political transition in Kazakhstan. Finally, let me say that I am moved to be visiting Kazakhstan on your National Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repressions. The memorial for victims in the former Soviet camp ALZHIR – that I will visit today - is a powerful and symbolic reminder of the resilience of human spirit in light of totalitarianism. Many of my compatriots, too, lost their lives in the Gulags. It made me recall the Polish and European experience of transition to democracy, including my own. It required a lot of sacrifices, but it was every bit worth the effort. Thank you. Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης 28/5/2019 Το Συμβούλιο πραγματοποιεί έκκληση για μακροπρόθεσμη, ενοποιημένη στρατηγική στον τομέα του διαστήματος Το Συμβούλιο ενέκρινε σήμερα συμπεράσματα για το μέλλον της ευρωπαϊκής διαστημικής πολιτικής. Αναγνωρίζοντας τον καταλυτικό ρόλο του διαστήματος για την επίτευξη κοινωνικών και οικονομικών οφελών και τη σημασία του στη διαμόρφωση σειράς τομεακών πολιτικών, το Συμβούλιο ζητά μεγαλύτερο συντονισμό μεταξύ της ΕΕ, του Ευρωπαϊκού Οργανισμού Διαστήματος και των κρατών μελών στην αντιμετώπιση των προκλήσεων από τη μεταρρύθμιση του διαστημικού τομέα. Διαβάστε το πλήρες κείμενο των συμπερασμάτων του Συμβουλίου Council of the European Union     29/5/2019  Assessments of offers to host the European Labour Authority have been published The Council today published the assessments of the offers to host the seat of the future European Labour Authority (ELA). The assessments were carried out by the European Commission at the request of member states. The offers were received by the deadline of 6 May 2019, in line with the selection procedure agreed by the representatives of member states. Four EU countries sent bids to host the ELA in the following cities: Sofia (Bulgaria) Nicosia (Cyprus) Riga (Latvia) Bratislava (Slovakia) Council of the European Union     27/5/2019 | PRESS RELEASE Council calls for action towards a more competitive EU tourism sector The Council today adopted conclusions on the competitiveness of the tourism sector as a driver for sustainable growth, jobs and social cohesion in the EU for the next decade. These conclusions provide member states and the Commission with guidance in addressing challenges facing the EU tourism industry today such as digitalisation, sustainability, sector specific skills and point towards ways of taking advantage of new opportunities. Member states are invited to take into consideration the above-mentioned challenges when developing national, regional and local tourism strategies and to promote responsible tourism policies and practices. The Commission is encouraged to pursue the most relevant policy on tourism with a vision for 2030, in order to maintain EU's position as a world leader in this sector. Read the full text of the Council conclusions Council of the European Union     27/5/2019 Council calls for a comprehensive long-term industrial policy strategy with a vision for 2030 The Council today adopted conclusions on an "EU industrial policy strategy: A vision for 2030". These conclusions echo recent calls from the European Council for an assertive long-term EU industrial policy strategy, and should be seen as the Council's contribution to the Commission's task of presenting such a comprehensive strategy by the end of 2019. "A strong EU industry is vital for a robust EU economy. As a global industrial power, the EU needs to put forward its own responses ensuring the EU industry seizes the opportunities and addresses the challenges brought by global competition, digitalisation, sustainable development, decarbonisation. Today's conclusions provide clear and strong messages for the future EU industrial policy strategy, for the next decade." Nicolae Hurduc, Romanian Minister of Research and Innovation Read the full text of the Council conclusions