Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine: EU imposes sanctions against President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov and adopts wide ranging individual and economic sanctions

 

The EU today decided to sanction Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation and Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Fe… View in browser Press material Saturday 26 February 2022   ● Council of the EU   26/02/2022 00:06 | Press release | Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine: EU imposes sanctions against President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov and adopts wide ranging individual and economic sanctions   The EU today decided to sanction Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation and Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The Council also agreed on a further package of individual and economic measures covering also Belarus to respond to the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression carried out by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. "President Putin and his government started a war against an independent, sovereign neighbouring country. The behaviour of the Russian leadership constitutes a major threat to international peace and security. Today, we are replying with the strongest possible restrictive measures. The European Union is united in its resolve, together with international partners and allies, to defend the peace order, international law and the rules based system." Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Swiftly implementing the European Council conclusions of 24 February, the package of sanctions adopted today includes: Individual sanctions In addition to freezing the assets the Russian President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the EU will impose restrictive measures on the members of the National Security Council of the Russian Federation who supported Russia’s immediate recognition of the two non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities. Sanctions will also be extended to the remaining members of the Russian State Duma, who ratified the government decision of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and the two entities. Furthermore, the EU will also target those individuals, who facilitated the Russian military aggression from Belarus. Economic sanctions Financial sanctions The package adopted today further expands the existing financial restrictions, thereby cutting Russian access to the most important capital markets. It also prohibits the listing and provision of services in relation to shares of Russian state-owned entities on EU trading venues. In addition, it introduces new measures which significantly limit the financial inflows from Russia to the EU, by prohibiting the acceptance of deposits exceeding certain values from Russian nationals or residents, the holding of accounts of Russian clients by the EU Central Securities Depositories, as well as the selling of euro-denominated securities to Russian clients. These sanctions will target 70% of the Russian banking market, and key state-owned companies, including in the field of defence. They will increase Russia's borrowing costs, raise inflation and gradually erode Russia's industrial base. Additionally measures are taken to prevent the Russian elite's fortunes from being hidden in safe havens in Europe. Energy sector The EU will prohibit the sale, supply, transfer or export to Russia of specific goods and technologies in oil refining, and will introduce restrictions on the provision of related services. By introducing such export ban, the EU intends to hit the Russian oil sector, and make it impossible for Russia to upgrade its oil refineries. Russia's export revenues accounted for EUR 24 billion in 2019. Transport sector The EU introduced an export ban covering goods and technology in the aviation and space industry, as well as a prohibition on the provision of insurance and reinsurance and maintenance services related to those goods and technology. The EU will also prohibit the provision of related technical and financial assistance. This ban on the sale of all aircrafts, spare parts and equipment to Russian airlines will degrade one of the key sectors of Russia's economy and the country's connectivity, as three quarters of Russia's current commercial air fleet were built in the EU, the US and Canada. Technology sector The EU imposed further restrictions on exports of dual-use goods and technology, as well as restrictions on exports of certain goods and technology which might contribute to Russia’s technological enhancement of its defence and security sector. This will include products such as semiconductors or cutting-edge technologies. Visa policy Diplomats, other Russian officials, and business people will no longer be able to benefit from visa facilitation provisions, which allow privileged access to the EU. This decision will not affect ordinary Russian citizens. The decision will enter into force on the day of the adoption. The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, as well as the involvement of Belarus in this aggression. The European Union demands that Russia immediately ceases its military actions, unconditionally withdraws all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders. The European Council calls on Russia and Russia-backed armed formations to respect international humanitarian law and stop their disinformation campaign and cyber-attacks. The use of force and coercion to change borders has no place in the 21st century. Tensions and conflict should be resolved exclusively through dialogue and diplomacy. The EU will continue cooperating closely with neighbours and reiterates its unwavering support for, and commitment to, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and of the Republic of Moldova. It will continue strong coordination with partners and allies, within the UN, OSCE, NATO and the G7. The relevant legal acts, including the names of the persons concerned by restrictive measures, will be published in the Official Journal. Meetings Friday 25 February 2022   ● Council of the EU   25/02/2022 22:26 | MEETING | Main results - Extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council, 25 February 2022   Ministers proceeded to the adoption of a further package of restrictive measures that will have massive and severe consequences for Russia. They agreed to intensify diplomatic efforts to ensure the widest possible international condemnation of Russia's illegal and unprovoked aggression. There was also clear consensus to continue to support Ukraine and to step up efforts to tackle disinformation. Ministers agreed on the need to strengthen support to Moldova and Georgia and to deter provocations in the Western Balkans.

Main results - Eurogroup, 25 February 2022

Meetings Friday 25 February 2022

● Eurogroup   25/02/2022 18:13 | MEETING | Main results - Eurogroup, 25 February 2022   The Eurogroup reflected on the euro-area dimension of the macroeconomic imbalances procedure. It issued statements on the digital euro, on Greece, and reappointed Tuomas Saarenheimo as EWG President

Meetings

Eurogroup
Eurogroup, 25 February 2022

Main results
Economic governance review: Euro area dimension of the macroeconomic imbalances procedure

As part of the economic governance review, ministers reflected on the euro-area dimension of the macroeconomic imbalances procedure. A secretariat issues note framed the discussion.



Eurogroup recognises that macro-economic imbalances are of particular importance to the euro area and that the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure has supported their unwinding. It was particularly successful to reduce current account deficits but admittedly less effective to reduce high surpluses.Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup

Δήλωση του Eurogroup για τις πρόωρες αποπληρωμές δανείων του ΔΝΤ και του GLF από την Ελλάδα

 

Press material Friday 25 February 2022

● Eurogroup   25/02/2022 16:44 | Statements and remarks | Eurogroup statement on the early repayments of IMF and GLF loans by Greece   The Eurogroup welcomes the expected early repayment by Greece of its outstanding International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan this spring and the partial prepayment of its loans under the Greek Loan Facility (GLF) at the end of this year, subject to national procedures and the relevant approval by EFSF and ESM decision-making bodies. On 6 December, Greece informed the Eurogroup that it was considering an early repayment of the remaining amount of its outstanding IMF loan, as well as a partial prepayment of its loans under the GLF. The partial prepayment of the GLF would correspond to the principal payments due until the end of 2023 under the GLF. Today the Eurogroup recalled the positive developments of the Greek economy, including a strong recovery from the pandemic and the policy reforms that have been implemented even in challenging circumstances, which allow Greece to envisage these repayments. We underline the importance of continued reform implementation also in the context of the Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan. The Eurogroup stresses the positive impact that the early repayments will have on Greece’s public finances and the signal of confidence to financial markets. The Eurogroup also welcomes the participation of the ΙMF in the monitoring activities of European creditors for the remainder of the enhanced surveillance period. Eurogroup statement on Greece of 6 December 2021 (press release, 6 December 2021) Δήλωση του Eurogroup για τις πρόωρες αποπληρωμές δανείων του ΔΝΤ και του GLF από την Ελλάδα Το Eurogroup χαιρετίζει την αναμενόμενη πρόωρη αποπληρωμή από την Ελλάδα του εκκρεμούς δανείου της από το Διεθνές Νομισματικό Ταμείο (ΔΝΤ) αυτή την άνοιξη και τη μερική προπληρωμή των δανείων της στο πλαίσιο της Ελληνικής Δανειακής Διευκόλυνσης (GLF) στο τέλος του τρέχοντος έτους, με την επιφύλαξη των εθνικών διαδικασιών και των σχετικών έγκριση από τα όργανα λήψης αποφάσεων του EFSF και του ESM. Στις 6 Δεκεμβρίου, η Ελλάδα ενημέρωσε το Eurogroup ότι εξέταζε την πρόωρη αποπληρωμή του υπολοίπου του δανείου της από το ΔΝΤ, καθώς και μια μερική προπληρωμή των δανείων της στο πλαίσιο του GLF. Η μερική προπληρωμή του GLF θα αντιστοιχεί στις κύριες πληρωμές που οφείλονται μέχρι το τέλος του 2023 βάσει του GLF. Σήμερα το Eurogroup υπενθύμισε τις θετικές εξελίξεις της ελληνικής οικονομίας, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της ισχυρής ανάκαμψης από την πανδημία και τις μεταρρυθμίσεις πολιτικής που έχουν εφαρμοστεί ακόμη και σε δύσκολες συνθήκες, που επιτρέπουν στην Ελλάδα να οραματιστεί αυτές τις αποπληρωμές. Υπογραμμίζουμε τη σημασία της συνεχούς εφαρμογής των μεταρρυθμίσεων και στο πλαίσιο του Ελληνικού Σχεδίου Ανάκαμψης και Ανθεκτικότητας. Το Eurogroup τονίζει τη θετική επίδραση που θα έχουν οι πρόωρες αποπληρωμές στα δημόσια οικονομικά της Ελλάδας και το σήμα εμπιστοσύνης στις χρηματοπιστωτικές αγορές. Το Eurogroup χαιρετίζει επίσης τη συμμετοχή του ΙMF στις δραστηριότητες παρακολούθησης των ευρωπαίων πιστωτών για το υπόλοιπο της περιόδου ενισχυμένης εποπτείας.

Press material Friday 25 February 2022   ● Council of the EU   25/02/2022 16:18 | Statements and remarks | Ukraine: press statement from the EU Ministers for Finance, European Commission and the European Central Bank   Yesterday night at the European Council, EU Leaders showed our absolute unity in responding to the unprovoked and unlawful Russian military actions. We expressed full solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The EU has demonstrated its support with emergency financial assistance and we will continue to provide additional support in the coming days. At the European Council last night, Leaders agreed on restrictive measures that will impose massive and severe consequences on Russia. We, Ministers for Finance, will implement these financial and economic sanctions immediately. Those sanctions will last as long as needed and will be complemented by additional decisions. We asked the European Commission and the ECB to assess the consequences of cutting further the access of Russian institutions to the financial system. All options are on the table. This unity of the European countries and the strength of our European economy will allow us to mitigate the impacts of the crisis. We will take appropriate actions to limit the consequences on our citizens and businesses. Today, we discussed the economic consequences of this geopolitical crisis, in particular on the energy sector. We are committed to accelerate the agenda initiated in recent months to strengthen our economic independence and enhance sustainable and resilient growth. Press material Friday 25 February 2022   ● Eurogroup   25/02/2022 16:41 | Statements and remarks | Eurogroup statement on the digital euro project   New technologies in banking and payments are giving rise to new services and business models by established financial institutions and new market entrants. A properly-designed digital euro that is safe, easy to use and widely accessible to the public has the potential to foster innovation in the financial system and deliver major benefits for citizens, businesses, Member States. It can strengthen our financial and monetary sovereignty and contribute to the overall functioning of our economic and monetary union, building on mutual trust and engagement among all stakeholders involved, and it is relevant for the international role of the euro. Informed by preliminary work of the ECB and the European Commission, the Eurosummit in March 2021 invited the exploratory work on the possible introduction of a digital euro to be taken forward. On 14 July 2021, the ECB Governing Council decided to launch an investigation into the possible issuance of a digital euro to complement cash. The investigation phase will last 24 months and aims to address key issues regarding design and distribution. This will not prejudge any future decision on the possible issuance of a digital euro, which will come only later. In order to be successful, the possible issuance of a digital euro needs to be a common European project, supported by the European public and with a solid democratic basis. The creation of a digital euro would require an intervention of the Union legislature; and the Commission intends to make a proposal on the basis of Article 133 TFEU. In this context, we welcome the intention of the Commission to launch a targeted public consultation on a digital euro as part of the pre-legislative process. The Eurogroup supports the work carried out by the Eurosystem and the Commission on a digital euro. This investigative work needs to build on careful and thorough analysis and will benefit from Eurogroup members’ views during the process. The digital euro is a complex and important project with potentially far-reaching impacts for citizens, businesses, and the EMU as a whole. The Eurogroup therefore agreed to regularly revisit this topic and discuss its various dimensions, notably with a focus on their political relevance. This will allow us to provide clear views on the general objectives and political dimensions of a digital euro and the trade-offs in full respect of the institutional roles and mandates of all actors involved. The Eurogroup identified a number of topics on which it will make contributions, working closely with the ECB and the Commission. A plan for regular Eurogroup discussions on the implications of a digital euro, based on input from the ECB and the Commission, was agreed in July 2021* based on four thematic areas with a view to a thorough technical preparation of our discussions on this topic. We began in November 2021 by discussing the policy objectives and uses of a digital euro in the global competitive context, taking into account broader initiatives at the international level. Ministers saw an important role for a digital euro in strengthening our open strategic autonomy, promoting the digital transition and the development of pan-European payment solutions, the continued availability and usability of central bank money and financial inclusion. Today, the Eurogroup took stock of developments so far, based on an update from the ECB and the Commission on their respective work. Ministers support a high level of innovation and ambition during the investigation phase, close monitoring of emerging trends, and the ability to react and adapt to changing demands, whilst recognizing the trade-off between designing an ambitious product and making fast progress. Our next thematic discussion, in April 2022, will be on privacy considerations and how they square with other policy objectives, such as countering money laundering, illicit financing and tax evasion. We will then turn to potential impacts of the digital euro on the financial system and the use of cash, in June 2022. Then, in the latter half of the year, we will discuss the broader ecosystem around the digital euro and the role and business models of the various public and private actors in this ecosystem, which in turn could have implications for efficiency, competition, innovation and the inclusiveness of the digital euro. We welcome the continued efforts of the ECB and the Commission in this process. The Eurogroup will continue to play an active role and to contribute with regular discussions on the digital euro** in line with the advancement of the Eurosystem investigation phase and the work by the ECB and the Commission. * Main content and course of discussions at the Eurogroup meeting held on 12 July 2021 in Brussels ** Eurogroup Work programme until July 2022 Digital finance (background information)

U.S. Department of Labor:update

 In Colorado this week, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh discussed the value of workforce training in strengthening the nation’s economy with Sen. Hickenlooper, Sen. Bennet, Gov. Polis and local leaders and organizations.

U.S. Department of Labor

February 25, 2022

Secretary Walsh, Gov. Polis, Sen. Bennet and Sen. Hickenlooper on Colorado’s workforce development programs In Colorado this week, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and local leaders discussed the value of workforce training in strengthening the nation’s economy. The visit included a tour of Metropolitan State University of Denver’s advanced aerospace manufacturing lab, and a roundtable on the importance of expanding access to job training. Read Secretary Walsh’s tweets about his trip. Under Apprenticeship Building America program, $113M will help strengthen and modernize Registered Apprenticeships A new grant program will help expand and diversify our Registered Apprenticeship Program, enabling more workers to secure good, middle-class jobs. Part of President Biden’s ongoing investments in apprenticeship, the Apprenticeship Building America program will make $113 million in grant funding available, including up to $50 million to support equity partnerships and pre-apprenticeship activities. New partnership will provide opportunities and establish a talent pipeline for utility work A partnership between the Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center and the Tennessee Valley Authority will provide technical expertise and training to students and establish a pipeline of trained and skilled workers for the electric utility corporation’s service area. “It’s a win-win for Job Corps and the TVA,” said Job Corps National Director Rachel Torres. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Safety violations Inspections in four Alabama and Georgia locations show Dollar General continues to endanger employees, leading OSHA to propose more than $1 million in penalties. #AmericaSavesWeek We’ve got tools and resources to help you build financial resilience. Overtime recovered We recovered $259,647 for 330 healthcare workers whose two West Michigan employers denied them their full overtime wages. Women in construction Join us on March 9 for a panel discussion about employment rights and opportunities for women in the construction industry. Seeking nominations We’re seeking nominations to fill a vacancy representing business on the Workforce Information Advisory Council. Equity in focus The Women’s Bureau and the Worker Institute at Cornell University co-hosted a webinar examining how to advance equity in public investments and job creation. HISTORY HIGHLIGHT Public service and civil rights The Wage and Hour Division’s Christina Coleman-Lovelace comes from a long line of entrepreneurs, educators and advocates. Here's how her family’s civil rights legacy inspired her career in public service.

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Συνάντηση εργασίας με τον αντιπρόεδρο ΕΛΚ κ. Ευάγγελο Μεϊμαράκη

 

Αθήνα, 25 Φεβρουαρίου 2022   Συνάντηση εργασίας στα γραφεία της ΝΔ με τον αντιπρόεδρο του ΕΛΚ και επικεφαλής της Ευρωομάδας της Νέας Δημοκρατίας Ευάγγελο Μεϊμαράκη   Τα γραφεία της Νέας Δημοκρατίας επισκέφτηκε ο αντιπρόεδρος του ΕΛΚ, επικεφαλής της Ευρωομάδας της Νέας Δημοκρατίας και π. πρόεδρος της Νέας Δημοκρατίας Ευάγγελος Μεϊμαράκης.    Στη συνάντηση συμμετείχαν ο Γενικός Διευθυντής της Νέας Δημοκρατίας Γιάννης Μπρατάκος, ο Γραμματέας της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής Παύλος Μαρινάκης και ο Γραμματέας Οργανωτικού Στέλιος Κονταδάκης.   Τα βασικά θέματα της συζήτησης ήταν οι τελευταίες διεθνείς εξελίξεις, η στάση της Ελλάδας στη Σύνοδο Κορυφής, οι κυρώσεις που επιβλήθηκαν στη Ρωσία, τα έκτακτα μέτρα στην ενέργεια που πρότεινε ο Πρόεδρος της Νέας Δημοκρατίας και Πρωθυπουργός της χώρας Κυριάκος Μητσοτάκης και έγιναν δεκτά από τους Ευρωπαίους εταίρους, καθώς και η πορεία του κόμματος προς το 14ο Τακτικό Συνέδριο.

"Eίναι όλα τόσο καλά για τον κ. Πούτιν;"ή.. «Οι δεύτερες σκέψεις ενός πολέμου..»:Γράφει η ΜΑΡΙΑ ΧΑΤΖΗΔΑΚΗ ΒΑΒΟΥΡΑΝΑΚΗ

 

Eίναι όλα τόσο καλά για τον κ. Πούτιν; ή..

«Οι δεύτερες σκέψεις ενός πολέμου..»

Γράφει η ΜΑΡΙΑ ΧΑΤΖΗΔΑΚΗ ΒΑΒΟΥΡΑΝΑΚΗ

     Μετά την αδιαφιλονίκητη νίκη της Ρωσσίας στην Ουκρανία και τον πανικό που αυτή έσπειρε στο μεγαλύτερο μέρος της Γης, έρχονται δευτερευόντως στο μυαλό πολλών, κάποια πρώϊμα μεν, ουσιαστικά δε, ερωτήματα.

Το πρώτο αφορά μια ερώτηση στην οποία με έναν μόνο τρόπο θα απαντούσε ο καθείς μας:

-πως θα σας φαινόταν αν όλοι οι εχθροί σας ξαφνικά εσυνασπίζοντο …εναντίον σας; Πόσο καλά θα νοιώθατε με αυτό και ειδικότερα αν αυτοί-οι εχθροί σας- ενωμένοι οργάνωναν σχέδια εξόντωσής σας;

Ένα δεύτερο ερώτημα, είναι το εξής:

Πόσο καλά θα νοιώθατε αν οι καλύτεροί σας πελάτες, οργανώνονται να απευθυνθούν σε άλλους προμηθευτές και μάλιστα την στιγμή κατά την οποία έχετε  απόλυτη ανάγκη των εσόδων σας; Αναφέρομαι βεβαίως στο αέριο που είναι ένα κύριο έσοδο για την Ρωσσία η οποία αυτή την στιγμή αντιμετωπίζει κάποια σοβαρά οικονομικά προβλήματα και χάνει-αν δεν έχασε ήδη- τους κυριότερους πελάτες της. Γνωστά θέματα, δεν θα φλυαρήσω εδώ..καταλαβαινόμαστε αρκούντως..

     Η Ρωσσία, είναι εκπληκτική σε μερικούς τομείς όπως η παραγωγή στρατιωτικού υλικού. Ποιος  όμως γνωρίζει ότι ΕΙΣΑΓΕΙ πολύ μεγάλο αριθμό αναγκαίων προϊόντων  πρώτης ανάγκης από χώρες που ΤΩΡΑ θέτουν σε ισχύ μέτρα εναντίον της;

     Η αλληλοστήριξη που περιμένει- και θα λάβει –από το απολυταρχικό καθεστώς μιας πανίσχυρης χώρας όπως η Κίνα, θα στριμώξει «σε ένα στενό καλάθι» ΔΥΟ «καρπούζια»  με την ίδια νοοτροπία, αλλά το ένα «καρπούζι» -(η Κίνα)- δεν θα διαπραγματευθεί ΠΟΤΕ την «δεύτερη θέση» σε αυτή τη σχέση και αυτό θα πονά πολύ και εσαεί το απολυταρχικό καθεστώς του κ. Πούτιν.

     Η επικείμενη διαμορφωθείσα κατάσταση στην Ρωσσία, η αναστάτωση που θα προκαλέσει στην εκεί επιχειρηματική υγιή κάστα και η «απομόνωσή» της από την Δύση, ίσως κάνει σοβαρό αριθμό επιχειρηματιών να φύγουν από την Ρωσσία, κάτι που καλό δεν μπορεί νατο πει κανείς αυτήν την στιγμή τουλάχιστον.

     Η νυν κίνηση του κ. Πούτιν, επέφερε αλλαγές σε έναν παράγοντα που ίσως δεν τον μέτρησε καλά: την πλήρη συνένωση πασών –ή περίπου- των κρατών της Δύσης «εναντίον κοινού…κινδύνου»!!

Ούτε αυτό θεωρείται –φαντάζομαι- θετικό στοιχείο στο απότοκο των βίαιων κινήσεών του κατά τη Ανθρωπότητας. Γιατί ΚΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΤΗΤΑΣ κινήθηκε και όχι μόνον κατά τους Ουκρανίας.

Είναι λοιπόν ΟΛΑ καλά για τον κ. Πούτιν;

Μ.Χ.Β