COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION:Forward look: 18 - 31 October 2021

 

Friday 15 October 2021

● General Secretariat   15/10/2021 17:41 | Press release | Forward look: 18 - 31 October 2021   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight Foreign Affairs Council, 18 October The Foreign Affairs Council will exchange views on the Gulf, the Eastern Partnership, Ethiopia and Nicaragua. It will also be informed about developments in Afghanistan, Tunisia, Western Balkans, climate diplomacy, and the situation in Varosha. The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina/Operation EUFOR Althea. General Affairs Council, 19 October Preparations of the European Council on 21-22 October, annual rule of law dialogue and Conference on the Future of Europe will be on the agenda of the General Affairs Council on 19 October in Luxembourg. European Council, 21-22 October EU leaders will meet in Brussels to discuss COVID-19, digital, energy prices, migration and external relations. Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (energy issues), 26 October EU energy ministers will meet to discuss the spike in energy prices and exchange analysis and possible actions outlined in the Commission Communication on energy prices. Informal video conference of economy and finance ministers, 28 October Ministers will exchange views on the decisions approving the assessment of the national recovery and resilience plans for Estonia, Finland and Romania with a view of their subsequent adoption by written procedure.

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION: Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

 

Meetings Friday 15 October 2021   ● Council of the EU   15/10/2021 18:00 | MEETING | Main results - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment and social policy), 15 October 2021   Employment and social affairs ministers discussed the future of the European Semester and had a debate on health and safety in the context of the future of work. They adopted a Council decision on guidelines for employment policies and conclusions on gender mainstreaming in the EU budget. Council of the EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment and social policy), 15 October 2021 Main results Ministers discussed the future of the European Semester - a yearly process whereby member states coordinate their economic, labour, fiscal and social policy within the EU - and adopted key messages from two advisory committees. They also exchanged views on safety and health at work in view of important changes to the world of work such as the ageing of our societies. Minister also approved conclusions on gender mainstreaming in the EU budget. European Semester COVID-19 led to a number of changes to the 2021 European Semester process as it focused on the national (post-pandemic) Recovery and Resilience Plans. As ministers for employment and social affairs are keen for a return to a Semester process which includes a strong social dimension they discussed how the European Pillar of Social Rights' Action Plan, and in particular the three EU headline targets on employment, skills and poverty reduction, can best be reflected in the future European Semester. At their policy debate they highlighted that fairness and social cohesion should be among the core objectives of the economic recovery post-COVID. The ministers emphasised the need for a strong role of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council and its preparatory bodies in the Semester process. In addition, they made a strong call to return to the Semester process as soon as possible with country reports and recommendations for member states, which may also be multiannual, as well as by ensuring proper monitoring in the future and by including realistic and feasible headline targets. This should guarantee the inclusion of the social and employment dimension in the 2022 Semester process. As a follow-up to the debate in the EPSCO Council, the Presidency of the Council (EPSCO) will send a letter to the chair of the ECOFIN Council with key messages from the debate. Today's discussion with my fellow ministers has inspired us all in our efforts to implement the principles laid down in the European Pillar of Social Rights. I am hopeful that we can soon come back to a Semester which includes a strong social and employment dimension.Janez Cigler Kralj, Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Ministers endorsed key messages from the Employment and the Social Protection Committees which are based on their respective Performance Monitors and Annual Review and feed into the forthcoming Semester process. The Council also adopted a Council decision on Guidelines for the employment policies of member states. Key Messages Employment Committee Key Messages Social Protection Committee Council decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan (European Commission) Safety and health at work The world of work is facing a number of significant challenges, not the least demographic changes which cause a shrinking of the working-age population. This threatens the stability of the EU's labour markets and social protection systems. Working conditions that make work sustainable for all because they assist people in their job and support them to remain in work are vital to address these issues. A key way of doing so is through ensuring a high level of occupational health and safety. Ministers addressed the role of occupational health and safety to make work more sustainable during a policy debate. Ministers, among other things, highlighted that the EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027 will help to ensure that occupational safety and health standards meet the requirements of the changing world of work. (As workers are getting older it is necessary to adapt the working environment and tasks to their specific needs and to minimise risks. New technologies but also remote work can be relevant in this respect.) The ageing of our societies risks our workforce to shrink. But fewer people in job means fewer people to contribute to our social security systems. That's why we are focussing on making working conditions safe and healthy to ensure that people feel supported in their job and remain at work.Janez Cigler Kralj, Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027 (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work) Gender mainstreaming The Council approved conclusions on gender mainstreaming in the EU budget. The conclusions are the Council's reaction to a report by the European Court of Auditors which assessed whether gender mainstreaming had been applied in the EU budget to promote equality between women and men. Gender mainstreaming is about actively promoting equality between women and men at all stages and in all areas of policy-making and implementation. Ministers for instance highlighted that it is an immediate priority that the Recovery and Resilience Plans - which member states have drawn up to benefit from EU funding to recover from the crisis - contribute to the promotion of gender equality in order to ensure that the recovery is fair and inclusive. Conclusions on Gender Mainstreaming in the EU Budget Other business The Commission presented its long-term vision for rural areas and both the Presidency and the Commission informed ministers about the Tripartite Social Summit which will take place on 20 October 2021. The Commission also gave a presentation on the state of play of the Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information (EESSI) instrument and on the European Social Protection Pass (ESS Pass). Tripartite Social Summit, 20 October 2021 Meeting information Meeting n°3818 Luxembourg 15 October 2021 10:00 Preparatory documents Provisional agenda Background brief Provisional list of A items Provisional list of A items, addition 1 List of A items, non-legislative activities List of A items, legislative deliberations Outcome documents Outcome of the Council meeting List of participants

ΕUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,update

Ευρωπαϊκό
Κοινοβούλιο

Agenda - The Week Ahead 18 – 24 October 2021

15/10/2021

Plenary Session, Strasbourg

Latest news - Next AIDA Committee Meetings - Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age

15/10/2021
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the President of the European Parliament has established a number of measures to contain the spread of the virus and to safeguard Parliament's core activities. The current precautionary measures do not affect work on legislative priorities. Core activities are maintained to ensure the smooth running of the institution's legislative, budgetary, and scrutiny functions. The meetings allow for remote participation in a virtual environment.
Next AIDA meetings:
Monday, 8 November (13:45-16:00) Interparliamentary meeting with the national parliaments (ICM)
Monday, 8 November (16:30-18:45) ordinary meeting

Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age mandate

Latest news - Latest news - Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport

15/10/2021

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the President of the European Parliament has established a number of measures to contain the spread of the virus and to safeguard Parliament's core activities.
The current precautionary measures do not affect work on legislative priorities. Core activities are maintained to ensure the smooth running of the institution's legislative, budgetary, and scrutiny functions.
The meetings allow for remote participation in a virtual environment.
The next meeting will take place on 25 October, 13.45-16.15 and 16.45-18.45 and 26 October, 9.00-12.00.
Further meetings are scheduled on 18 November, 13.45-16.15, 1 December, 13.45-16.15 and 16.45-18.45 and on 2 December, 9.00-12.00.
EP Meeti

Latest news - Next AFCO Committee Meeting on 18 October 2021 (updated time and draft agenda) - Committee on Constitutional Affairs

14/10/2021



In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the President of the European Parliament has established a number of measures to contain the spread of the virus and to safeguard Parliament's core activities. The current precautionary measures do not affect work on legislative priorities. Core activities are maintained to ensure the smooth running of the institution's legislative, budgetary, and scrutiny functions. The meetings allow for remote participation in a virtual environment.
The next AFCO committee meeting is scheduled for 18 October 2021 from 19:00 till 21:00.
The meeting will be held in Brussels and via video-conference, allowing Members to view and listen to proceedings, ask for the floor, and intervene. Othe
Highlights - Exchange of views on ‘Gender Equality in Fisheries’ - Committee on Fisheries

15/10/2021


In the context of the second edition of the European Gender Equality Week, on Thursday 28 October 2021, from 14h45-16h15, the PECH Committee will hold an exchange of views on ‘Gender Equality in Fisheries’.

Topical Digest 'Women in fisheries'
Blogpost 'Women in fisheries'
Short EPRS video
AMENDMENTS 011-016 - REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 - A9-0281/2021(011-016)

15/10/2021

AMENDMENTS 011-016
REPORT
on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022
(11352/2021 - C9-0353/2021 - 2021/0227(BUD))
Part 1: Motion for a resolution
Committee on Budgets
Rapporteurs: Karlo Ressler (Section III - Commission)

AMENDMENTS 001-001 - REPORT on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU - A9-0283/2021(001-001)

15/10/2021
AMENDMENTS 001-001
REPORT
on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU
(2020/2261(INI))
Committee on Culture and Education
Rapporteur: Monica Semedo
AMENDMENTS 037-037 - REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 - A9-0281/2021(037-037)/REV1

15/10/2021
AMENDMENTS 037-037
REPORT
on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022
(11352/2021 - C9-0353/2021 - 2021/0227(BUD))
Part 1: Motion for a resolution
Committee on Budgets
Rapporteurs: Karlo Ressler (Section III - Commission)
AMENDMENTS 005-010 - REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 - A9-0281/2021(005-010)

15/10/2021
AMENDMENTS 005-010
REPORT
on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022
(11352/2021 - C9-0353/2021 - 2021/0227(BUD))
Part 1: Motion for a resolution
Committee on Budgets
Rapporteurs: Karlo Ressler (Section III - Commission)
AMENDMENTS 038-041 - REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 - A9-0281/2021(038-041)

15/10/2021

AMENDMENTS 038-041
REPORT
on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022
(11352/2021 - C9-0353/2021 - 2021/0227(BUD))
Part 1: Motion for a resolution
Committee on Budgets
Rapporteurs: Karlo Ressler (Section III - Commission)
AMENDMENTS 034-034 - REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 - A9-0281/2021(034-034)/REV1

15/10/2021
AMENDMENTS 034-034
REPORT
on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022
(11352/2021 - C9-0353/2021 - 2021/0227(BUD))
Part 1: Motion for a resolution
Committee on Budgets
Rapporteurs: Karlo Ressler (Section III - Commission)
AMENDMENTS 036-036 - REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 - A9-0281/2021(036-036)

15/10/2021
AMENDMENTS 036-036
REPORT
on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022
(11352/2021 - C9-0353/2021 - 2021/0227(BUD))
Part 1: Motion for a resolution
Committee on Budgets
Rapporteurs: Karlo Ressler (Section III - Commission)
ΤΡΟΠΟΛΟΓΙΕΣ 001-001 - ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με τα ευρωπαϊκά μέσα ενημέρωσης κατά την ψηφιακή δεκαετία: σχέδιο δράσης για τη στήριξη της ανάκαμψης και του μετασχηματισμού - A9-0278/2021(001-001)

15/10/2021
ΤΡΟΠΟΛΟΓΙΕΣ 001-001
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ
σχετικά με τα ευρωπαϊκά μέσα ενημέρωσης κατά την ψηφιακή δεκαετία: σχέδιο δράσης για τη στήριξη της ανάκαμψης και του μετασχηματισμού
(2021/2017(INI))
Επιτροπή Πολιτισμού και Παιδείας
Εισηγήτρια: Dace Melbārde
AMENDMENTS 001-004 - REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 - A9-0281/2021(001-004)

15/10/2021
AMENDMENTS 001-004
REPORT
on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022
(11352/2021 - C9-0353/2021 - 2021/0227(BUD))
Part 1: Motion for a resolution
Committee on Budgets
Rapporteurs: Karlo Ressler (Section III - Commission)
ΤΡΟΠΟΛΟΓΙΕΣ 061-061 - Εκθεση σχετικά με την πρόταση οδηγίας του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου και του Συμβουλίου για την τροποποίηση της οδηγίας 2009/103/ΕΚ του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου και του Συμβουλίου, της 16ης Σεπτεμβρίου 2009, σχετικά με την ασφάλιση της αστικής ευθύνης που προκύπτει από την κυκλοφορία αυτοκινήτων οχημάτων και τον έλεγχο της υποχρεώσεως προς ασφάλιση της ευθύνης αυτής - A8-0035/2019(061-061)

15/10/2021
ΤΡΟΠΟΛΟΓΙΕΣ 061-061
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ
σχετικά με την πρόταση οδηγίας του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου και του Συμβουλίου για την τροποποίηση της οδηγίας 2009/103/ΕΚ του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου και του Συμβουλίου, της 16ης Σεπτεμβρίου 2009, σχετικά με την ασφάλιση της αστικής ευθύνης που προκύπτει από την κυκλοφορία αυτοκινήτων οχημάτων και τον έλεγχο της υποχρεώσεως προς ασφάλιση της ευθύνης αυτής
(COM(2018)0336 - C8-0211/2018 - 2018/0168(COD))
Επιτροπή Εσωτερικής Αγοράς και Προστασίας των Καταναλωτών
Εισηγήτρια: Dita Charanzová
AMENDMENTS 043-045 - REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 - A9-0281/2021(043-045)

15/10/2021
AMENDMENTS 043-045
REPORT
on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022
(11352/2021 - C9-0353/2021 - 2021/0227(BUD))
Part 1: Motion for a resolution
Committee on Budgets
Rapporteurs: Karlo Ressler (Section III - Commission)
ΤΡΟΠΟΛΟΓΙΕΣ 001-456 - ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με την πρόταση κανονισμού του Συμβουλίου για τη σύσταση των κοινών επιχειρήσεων στο πλαίσιο του προγράμματος «Ορίζων Ευρώπη» - A9-0246/2021(001-456)

15/10/2021ΤΡΟΠΟΛΟΓΙΕΣ 001-456
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ
σχετικά με την πρόταση κανονισμού του Συμβουλίου για τη σύσταση των κοινών επιχειρήσεων στο πλαίσιο του προγράμματος «Ορίζων Ευρώπη»
(COM(2021)0087 - C9-0166/2021 - 2021/0048(NLE))
Επιτροπή Βιομηχανίας, Έρευνας και Ενέργειας
Εισηγήτρια: Maria da Graça Carvalho
AMENDMENTS 035-035 - REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 - A9-0281/2021(035-035)

15/10/2021
AMENDMENTS 035-035
REPORT
on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022
(11352/2021 - C9-0353/2021 - 2021/0227(BUD))
Part 1: Motion for a resolution
Committee on Budgets
Rapporteurs: Karlo Ressler (Section III - Commission)
AMENDMENTS 027-033 - REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 - A9-0281/2021(027-033)

15/10/2021

AMENDMENTS 027-033
REPORT
on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022
(11352/2021 - C9-0353/2021 - 2021/0227(BUD))
Part 1: Motion for a resolution
Committee on Budgets
Rapporteurs: Karlo Ressler (Section III - Commission)
Latest news - Upcoming INTA meetings - Committee on International Trade

15/10/2021


The next INTA Committee meeting is scheduled to take place on 25 October 2021, 13.45 - 15.45 and 26 October 2021, 9.00 - 12.00 and 13.45 - 15.45 (ANTALL 6Q2).
The meeting will take place in Brussels and with remote participation. The meetings will be web-streamed.
In the context of the exponential growth of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the President of the European Parliament has announced a number of measures to contain the spread of epidemic and to safeguard Parliament's core activities. The current precautionary measures do not affect work on legislative priorities. Core activities are reduced, but maintained to ensure that the institution's legislative, bud
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με τη στρατηγική της ΕΕ για τη μείωση των εκπομπών μεθανίου - A9-0277/2021

15/10/2021
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με τη στρατηγική της ΕΕ για τη μείωση των εκπομπών μεθανίου
Επιτροπή Περιβάλλοντος, Δημόσιας Υγείας και Ασφάλειας των Τροφίμων
Μαρία Σπυράκη
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με τη στρατηγική «Από το αγρόκτημα στο πιάτο» για ένα δίκαιο, υγιές και φιλικό προς το περιβάλλον σύστημα τροφίμων - A9-0271/2021

15/10/2021
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με τη στρατηγική «Από το αγρόκτημα στο πιάτο» για ένα δίκαιο, υγιές και φιλικό προς το περιβάλλον σύστημα τροφίμων
Επιτροπή Γεωργίας και Ανάπτυξης της Υπαίθρου
Επιτροπή Περιβάλλοντος, Δημόσιας Υγείας και Ασφάλειας των Τροφίμων
Anja Hazekamp, Herbert Dorfmann
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με την πρόταση κανονισμού του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου και του Συμβουλίου για τη θέσπιση περιβάλλοντος ενιαίας θυρίδας της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης για τα τελωνεία και για την τροποποίηση του κανονισμού (ΕΕ) αριθ. 952/2013 - A9-0279/2021

15/10/2021
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με την πρόταση κανονισμού του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου και του Συμβουλίου για τη θέσπιση περιβάλλοντος ενιαίας θυρίδας της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης για τα τελωνεία και για την τροποποίηση του κανονισμού (ΕΕ) αριθ. 952/2013
Επιτροπή Εσωτερικής Αγοράς και Προστασίας των Καταναλωτών
Ivan Štefanec
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on statistics on agricultural input and output and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1165/2008, (EC) No 543/2009, (EC) No 1185/2009 and Council Directive 96/16/EC - A9-0285/2021

15/10/2021
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on statistics on agricultural input and output and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1165/2008, (EC) No 543/2009, (EC) No 1185/2009 and Council Directive 96/16/EC
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Petros Kokkalis
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union (recast) - A9-0286/2021

15/10/2021
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union (recast)
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Angelika Winzigμε το πόσο αποτελεσματικά χρησιμοποίησαν τα κράτη μέλη τα χρήματα από την ΕΕ μέσω του Ταμείου Αλληλεγγύης σε περιπτώσεις φυσικών καταστροφών - A9-0273/2021

15/10/2021
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά 

με το πόσο αποτελεσματικά χρησιμοποίησαν τα κράτη μέλη τα χρήματα από την ΕΕ μέσω του Ταμείου Αλληλεγγύης σε περιπτώσεις φυσικών καταστροφών
Επιτροπή Ελέγχου του Προϋπολογισμού
Corina Crețu
ΔΕΥΤΕΡΗ ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με την απαλλαγή όσον αφορά την εκτέλεση του προϋπολογισμού του Ευρωπαϊκού Οργανισμού Συνοριοφυλακής και Ακτοφυλακής για το οικονομικό έτος 2019 - A9-0270/2021

15/10/2021
ΔΕΥΤΕΡΗ ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με την απαλλαγή όσον αφορά την εκτέλεση του προϋπολογισμού του Ευρωπαϊκού Οργανισμού Συνοριοφυλακής και Ακτοφυλακής για το οικονομικό έτος 2019
Επιτροπή Ελέγχου του Προϋπολογισμού
Ryszard Czarnecki
ΔΕΥΤΕΡΗ ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με την απαλλαγή όσον αφορά την εκτέλεση του γενικού προϋπολογισμού της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης για το οικονομικό έτος 2019, τμήμα II – Ευρωπαϊκό Συμβούλιο και Συμβούλιο - A9-0276/2021

15/10/2021
ΔΕΥΤΕΡΗ ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με την απαλλαγή όσον αφορά την εκτέλεση του γενικού προϋπολογισμού της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης για το οικονομικό έτος 2019, τμήμα II – Ευρωπαϊκό Συμβούλιο και Συμβούλιο
Επιτροπή Ελέγχου του Προϋπολογισμού
Pascal Durand
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με τα ευρωπαϊκά μέσα ενημέρωσης κατά την ψηφιακή δεκαετία: σχέδιο δράσης για τη στήριξη της ανάκαμψης και του μετασχηματισμού - A9-0278/2021

15/10/2021
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με τα ευρωπαϊκά μέσα ενημέρωσης κατά την ψηφιακή δεκαετία: σχέδιο δράσης για τη στήριξη της ανάκαμψης και του μετασχηματισμού
Επιτροπή Πολιτισμού και Παιδείας
Dace Melbārde
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 138/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards regional economic accounts for agriculture - A9-0282/2021

15/10/2021
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 138/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards regional economic accounts for agriculture
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Petros Kokkalis
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a computerised system for communication in cross-border civil and criminal proceedings (e-CODEX system), and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 - A9-0288/2021

15/10/2021
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a computerised system for communication in cross-border civil and criminal proceedings (e-CODEX system), and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726
Committee on Legal Affairs
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Nuno Melo, Emil Radev
REPORT on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the resilience of critical entities - A9-0289/2021

15/10/2021
REPORT on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the resilience of critical entities
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Michal Šimečka
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ που περιέχει συστάσεις προς την Επιτροπή σχετικά με την προστασία των εργαζομένων από τον αμίαντο - A9-0275/2021

15/10/2021
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ που περιέχει συστάσεις προς την Επιτροπή σχετικά με την προστασία των εργαζομένων από τον αμίαντο
Επιτροπή Απασχόλησης και Κοινωνικών Υποθέσεων
Nikolaj Villumsen
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με την απασχόληση και τις κοινωνικές πολιτικές της ζώνης του ευρώ το 2021 - A9-0274/2021

15/10/2021
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με την απασχόληση και τις κοινωνικές πολιτικές της ζώνης του ευρώ το 2021
Επιτροπή Απασχόλησης και Κοινωνικών Υποθέσεων
Lina Gálvez Muñoz
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1862 on the establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters as regards the entry of alerts by Europol - A9-0287/2021

15/10/2021
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1862 on the establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters as regards the entry of alerts by Europol
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Javier Zarzalejos
ΔΙΟΡΘΩΤΙΚΟ σχετικά με το πόσο αποτελεσματικά χρησιμοποίησαν τα κράτη μέλη τα χρήματα από την ΕΕ μέσω του Ταμείου Αλληλεγγύης σε περιπτώσεις φυσικών καταστροφών (2020/2127(INI)) - A9-0273/2021(ERR01)

15/10/2021
ΔΙΟΡΘΩΤΙΚΟ σχετικά με το πόσο αποτελεσματικά χρησιμοποίησαν τα κράτη μέλη τα χρήματα από την ΕΕ μέσω του Ταμείου Αλληλεγγύης σε περιπτώσεις φυσικών καταστροφών (2020/2127(INI))
Committee on Budgetary Control
Corina Crețu
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με την κατάσταση των καλλιτεχνών και την πολιτιστική ανάκαμψη στην ΕΕ - A9-0283/2021

15/10/2021
ΕΚΘΕΣΗ σχετικά με την κατάσταση των καλλιτεχνών και την πολιτιστική ανάκαμψη στην ΕΕ
Επιτροπή Πολιτισμού και Παιδείας
Monica Semedo
Βίντεο EuroparlTV - Προσεχώς στο Στρασβούργο: Κλιματική αλλαγή, «από το αγρόκτημα στο πιάτο», κράτος δικαίου στην Πολωνία

15/10/2021
Το Κοινοβούλιο θα εξετάσει επίσης πώς η παραγωγή τροφίμων μπορεί να γίνει πιο βιώσιμη και πιο υγιεινή. Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα συζητήσουν επίσης δεσμευτικούς στόχους για τη μείωση των εκπομπών μεθανίου πριν από τη διάσκεψη COP 26, καθώς και για το κράτος δικαίου στην Πολωνία. Όλα αυτά και άλλα πολλά προσεχώς στο Στρασβούργο.
Video of another event - Panel for the Future of Science and Technology - Friday, 15 October 2021 - 11:04

15/10/2021
Length of video : 93'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Video of another event - Pre-session briefing - Friday, 15 October 2021 - 11:02

15/10/2021
Length of video : 37'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.

Βίντεο άλλου γεγονότος - Conference on the Future of Europe - European Citizens Panels - Παρασκευή 15 Οκτωβρίου 2021 - 14:01

16/10/2021
Βίντεο άλλης εκδήλωσης : 104'

Ρήτρα αποποίησης ευθυνών : Η διερμηνεία κατά τη διάρκεια των συζητήσεων διευκολύνει την επικοινωνία και δεν πρέπει να συγχέεται με τα επίσημα πρακτικά. Μόνο οι πρωτότυπες ομιλίες και οι αναθεωρημένες γραπτές μεταφράσεις αποτελούν τα επίσημα πρακτικά.
Βίντεο άλλου γεγονότος - Conference on the Future of Europe - European Citizens Panels - Σάββατο 16 Οκτωβρίου 2021 - 10:58

16/10/2021
Βίντεο άλλης εκδήλωσης : 87'

Ρήτρα αποποίησης ευθυνών : Η διερμηνεία κατά τη διάρκεια των συζητήσεων διευκολύνει την επικοινωνία και δεν πρέπει να συγχέεται με τα επίσημα πρακτικά. Μόνο οι πρωτότυπες ομιλίες και οι αναθεωρημένες γραπτές μεταφράσεις αποτελούν τα επίσημα πρακτικά.
Πηγή : © Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, 2021 - EK
Βίντεο άλλου γεγονότος - Conference on the Future of Europe - European Citizens Panels - Σάββατο 16 Οκτωβρίου 2021 - 13:53

16/10/2021
Βίντεο άλλης εκδήλωσης : 54'

Ρήτρα αποποίησης ευθυνών : Η διερμηνεία κατά τη διάρκεια των συζητήσεων διευκολύνει την επικοινωνία και δεν πρέπει να συγχέεται με τα επίσημα πρακτικά. Μόνο οι πρωτότυπες ομιλίες και οι αναθεωρημένες γραπτές μεταφράσεις αποτελούν τα επίσημα πρακτικά.
Video of another event - Conference on the Future of Europe - European Citizens Panels - Friday, 15 October 2021 - 14:01

16/10/2021
Length of video : 104'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Video of another event - Conference on the Future of Europe - European Citizens Panels - Saturday, 16 October 2021 - 10:58

16/10/2021
Length of video : 87'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Video of another event - Conference on the Future of Europe - European Citizens Panels - Saturday, 16 October 2021 - 13:53

16/10/2021
Length of video : 54'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

Τάσος Γαϊτάνης: «Ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ κάνει αντιπολίτευση ανάλογα την ευκαιρία»

Αθήνα, 17 Οκτωβρίου 2021
Σημεία συνέντευξης του Εκπροσώπου Τύπου της Νέας Δημοκρατίας
κ. Τάσου Γαϊτάνη στο ραδιόφωνο του Alpha 9,89

Τάσος Γαϊτάνης: «Ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ κάνει αντιπολίτευση ανάλογα την ευκαιρία»



Στο ραδιόφωνο του ALPHA 98,9 και στους δημοσιογράφους Β. Γιακουμή και Ε. Σπυροπούλου φιλοξενήθηκε ο Εκπρόσωπος Τύπου της ΝΔ, κ. Τάσος Γαϊτάνης, ο οποίος απάντησε σε ερωτήματα για την αντίδραση του κρατικού μηχανισμού στην πρόσφατη κακοκαιρία, την αύξηση των τιμών καθώς και για την πορεία της οικονομίας.

Σε σχέση με την πρόσφατη κακοκαιρία, ο κ. Γαϊτάνης τόνισε ότι η χώρα μέσα σε 48 ώρες αντιμετώπισε ένα ακραίο και επικίνδυνο καιρικό φαινόμενο, με τις εμπλεκόμενες υπηρεσίες του κράτους και της τοπικής αυτοδιοίκησης να είναι σε πλήρη εγρήγορση. Αναφέρθηκε συγκεκριμένα στην ενεργοποίηση των συντονιστικών κέντρων ανά Περιφερειακή Ενότητα, την επιτυχή λειτουργία του 112 και τα μέτρα που πάρθηκαν για τον περιορισμό της κυκλοφορίας την Παρασκευή. «Όλα αυτά συνέβησαν γιατί ο κρατικός μηχανισμός ήταν σε πλήρη εγρήγορση», σχολίασε χαρακτηριστικά. Όμως τόνισε ότι υπήρξαν και προβλήματα και για αυτό το λόγο ζητούμενο είναι πάντα η βελτίωση του κρατικού μηχανισμού.

Για την κριτική που ασκείται από το ΣΥΡΙΖΑ αναφορικά με την έλλειψη συντονισμού στην διαχείριση έκτακτων φαινομένων, ο κ. Γαϊτάνης υποστήριξε ότι η αντιπολίτευση δεν έχει δική της θέση, μηδενίζει τα πάντα και συμπλήρωσε ότι ο τρόπος που κάνει αντιπολίτευση ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ, είναι αντιπολίτευση της ευκαιρίας. «Η αντιπολίτευση πρέπει να βρει μια σταθερά, γιατί κινείται σαν το εκκρεμές», τόνισε και πρόσθεσε ότι «ας κρίνουν οι πολίτες τη σοβαρότητα αυτής της συμπεριφοράς».

Ακολούθως, ο κ. Γαϊτάνης απάντησε σε ερωτήσεις για την αύξηση την αύξηση των τιμών και υποστήριξε ότι η ενεργειακή κρίση είναι παγκόσμιο φαινόμενο και δεν αφορά μόνο τη χώρα μας. Υπενθύμισε ότι η κυβέρνηση έχει εξαγγείλει μέτρα που αφορούν την επιδότηση του ηλεκτρικού ρεύματος για τους πιο ευάλωτους, την αύξηση του επιδόματος θέρμανσης με διεύρυνση των κριτηρίων, την έκπτωση στους λογαριασμών του φυσικού αερίου, ενώ μίλησε και για την εργαλειοθήκη και τα μέτρα στήριξης που ανακοινώθηκαν σε επίπεδο ΕΕ.

Τέλος, υπογράμμισε ότι το πιο βασικό για τους συμπολίτες μας είναι να έχουν εισόδημα, υπενθυμίζοντας ότι αυτή η κυβέρνηση μέσα σε δύο χρόνια έχει δημιουργήσει 70 χιλιάδες νέες θέσεις εργασίας, ότι μέσα σε ένα χρόνο έχει μειωθεί η ανεργία κατά τρείς ποσοστιαίες μονάδες και πως, σύμφωνα με την ΕΛΣΤΑΤ, έχει αυξηθεί το εισόδημα των πολιτών μέσα στο πρώτο τρίμηνο του έτους. Κατέληξε λέγοντας ότι προγραμματισμός υπάρχει, εφαρμόζονται πολιτικές που έχουν σχεδιαστεί εδώ και πολύ καιρό και οι πολιτικές αυτές έχουν αποτέλεσμα το οποίο βλέπουν οι πολίτες.

Özlem Türeci-Uğur Şahin: AYTOI ΣΤΟΥΣ ΟΠΟΙΟΥΣ Η ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΤΗΤΑ ΧΡΩΣΤΑΕΙ ΕΥΓΝΩΜΟΣΥΝΗ:

Η Εζλέμ Τουρετσί (αγγλ. Özlem Türeci, τουρκικά: [ˈœzlæm ˈtyredʒi], γεννημένη στις 6 Μαρτίου 1967) είναι Γερμανίδα ιατρός, επιστήμονας και επιχειρηματίας.[12] Είναι σύζυγος και συνεργάτης του ογκολόγου Ουγούρ Σαχίν, η ερευνητική ομάδα των οποίων συνεργάστηκε με τη φαρμακευτική πολυεθνική εταιρεία Pfizer για το πρώτο εμβόλιο έναντι της COVID-19.

Ο Ουγούρ Σαχίν είναι Τουρκογερμανός ογκολόγος ο οποίος γεννήθηκε στην Τουρκία και μεγάλωσε στη Γερμανία, και διακρίθηκε στην έρευνα για την ανακάλυψη εμβολίου κατά του κορωνοϊού, COVID-19.

VLADIMIR PUTIN,PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA: Interview with CNBC

Interview with CNBC

After the plenary session of the Russian Energy Week forum, Vladimir Putin gave an interview to Hadley Gamble, Anchor at CNBC, an American television network.

(photo:file)

October 14, 2021

02:00

Moscow

Hadley Gamble: Mr President, thank you again for having us at the Russian Energy Week.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: The same to you.

Hadley Gamble: Mr President, I want to ask you a little bit more specifically about your succession plans. Every good CEO has one. When you think about this with regard to Russia, do you really want to be president when you are 84 years old?

Vladimir Putin: No, I prefer not to answer questions of this kind. This is what I usually say in response. There is quite some time left before the next election, and discussing this topic has a destabilising effect. We need calm and stability so that all government agencies and structures work in all confidence, and do not worry about the future. It is true that under the Constitution I can do this, and run for another term, but there has been no decision to this effect so far.

Hadley Gamble: Mr President, I want to ask you specifically about the Middle East. You mentioned several times your relationship with Saudi Arabia, of course, via OPEC+. How do you see the region today? Are you worried about what is happening there with the departure of the United States

Vladimir Putin: I think that the Middle East is a very promising region of the world. What I currently see both in the United Arab Emirates and in Saudi Arabia is that the leaders of these countries are proactive in their efforts to diversify their economies. They are thinking about the future, and I am certain that they will achieve results because they are steadfast in their commitment.

As for our efforts to stabilise the global energy market, it is true that we have debates that can get quite heated, and each of us defends their positions, but in the end, we always arrive at balanced decisions that are acceptable to all the sides, at least this has been the case so far. Our partners, despite the fact that they are leaders in oil production and sales, are still making plans on green energy. At first glance, this may seem strange, but this is what is really happening. We are discussing with them opportunities for investing heavily in new technologies and energy sources. I think that this is a very promising sphere for future cooperation.

Hadley Gamble: So, Mr Novak, a few months ago, suggested that we were going to see oil contracts denominated in something other than US dollars. Possibly, in crypto. When do you think that we will see that happen?

Vladimir Putin: Contracts in crypto? This seems premature. Of course, cryptocurrency can be used in settlements, but it is very unstable. It is fine for transferring funds from one place to another, but I think it would be premature to use it in trading, especially when dealing with energy resources. So far cryptocurrency has lacked any backing. It is legitimate and can be used in settlements, no doubt about that, but it is too early to use it for trading in oil or other raw materials and energy sources.

However, things change, and everything has the right to exist. We will see how this will go from here. Maybe crypto will one day be used to store value. But we see how the market fluctuates, so it seems too early for that now.

Hadley Gamble: Does that mean, though, in your view with regards to crypto, people like Elon Musk, the value of what they hold is worthless?

Vladimir Putin: This is not what I said. Of course, there is value there. However, can it be used in settlements when buying and selling oil? This is what I am talking about.

In order to mine crypto, you need a lot of energy, and for that people have to use traditional sources of energy, primarily hydrocarbons.

Hadley Gamble: I know via your Central Bank Governor, our conversation this summer, she essentially said to me that you are moving away from US dollar-denominated assets when it comes to trying to diversify away from the US dollar. Is that so sanctions have less of a bite to the Russian economy?

Vladimir Putin: I think that the United States is making a big mistake when it uses dollars as a sanctions tool. This is what they are actually doing because they make it impossible to pay for products under sanctions with US dollars. Our clients simply cannot pay us in dollars for the products we deliver to them. What happens next? We have no choice other than to switch to other currencies in our settlements. This is the first point I wanted to make.

The second is, when other countries that rely on the dollar as their reserve currency or in settlements see what is going on, they start worrying that the dollar may be used against them in a similar fashion. They also start scaling down their dollar assets and do not use the dollar in their settlements as actively as they used to. As a result, even the closest US partners and allies are reducing the share of the dollar in their reserves, which is a statistical fact.

Of course, we are doing this, by reducing the share of the US dollar in our reserves, as well as in settlements. This is not always possible, but we try to switch to national currencies. In this regard we can say that the United States is cutting the branch it is sitting on, because the status of an international reserve currency is a major competitive advantage, but through their actions they are undermining it, undermining their strategic economic interests for the sake of momentary political gain.

Hadley Gamble: Do you see the US dollar devolving into a currency that is not the world’s reserve currency? Do you believe that could happen?

Vladimir Putin: It is undermining its standing as a global reserve currency. The volume of dollar-denominated settlements is declining, and countries are scaling down their dollar reserves. That said, we are not interested in giving up on dollar settlements altogether. So far, we were quite satisfied with using dollars in settlements for energy resources, primarily oil. However, if the US authorities persist in their policy as I have described it, we will have no other choice. The US will have undermined confidence in the dollar by its own actions.

Besides, the US sovereign debt is growing. Congress has once again increased the sovereign debt ceiling. What does this mean? Money printing. What would be the result? Higher inflation. This is probably the first time inflation in the United States is growing at a speed that has not been seen for quite a while. These are economic reasons that undermine confidence in a currency. Everyone is asking themselves: what next? What will the US economic authorities do with this huge debt? What will they do? Manipulate the dollar and depreciate its value? What will they do with the debt?

These are, of course, fundamental issues, and they do not have anything to do with us. It is up to the Federal Reserve and the US Administration with its economic policy. The United States is the world’s biggest economy, a high-technology one, setting the tone for the global economy in its entirety, and it is our objective interest to avoid any turmoil and major fluctuations, but this does not depend on us.

We are keeping a close eye on these developments, analysing them and taking the necessary steps to ensure our long-term interests.

Hadley Gamble: A question for you on China. President Xi says you are his best friend. Does it concern you what you are seeing from the United States with regards to the AUKUS agreement? Do you think that that is heightening tension with China creating the potential for a new Cold War?

Vladimir Putin: I also believe that President Xi Jinping is my friend. We have worked together for many years and have achieved good results on both the political and economic tracks. I believe that this benefits the people of China and Russia, and gives more balance and a sense of stability in international affairs.

Creating blocks like the one you have mentioned, formed by the United States, Great Britain and Australia, undermines regional stability. I believe that being friends with someone is a good thing, but being friends against someone is bad. This undermines the stability we have been discussing and that matters so much to us.

What has happened has happened, but I do hope that the situation will not follow some unpredictable scenario and would not create additional tension in the region.

Hadley Gamble: Before we let you go: in terms of your greatest concerns, you mentioned inflation; we now have a prospect of stagflation. We talked about AUKUS, we talked about tension in the South China Sea, and what has happened in Afghanistan. Now we have the gas crisis. A cornucopia of issues facing the world. What is your greatest concern today?

Vladimir Putin: Our greatest concern and the main task is to increase people’s incomes. This is our priority, our number one task, and we are not going to resolve it by simple linear methods. To do this, we must ensure the growth of the economy and a change of its infrastructure. This is a long-term goal. We are not going to use populist methods. It is based on qualitative economic growth that we intend to resolve major social tasks, including an increase in the incomes of the Russian people and the demographic problem, which is our second most important task. It implies a package of social issues: healthcare, education and support for families with children. To resolve all these tasks, we have mapped out certain national development goals. This is a big issue. Therefore, we should resolve the two main problems ‒ improve demography and increase people’s incomes, raise their quality of life on this serious economic foundation I have just mentioned.

This is what we are going to do in the near future.

Hadley Gamble: What about Mr Navalny? Are you interested in improving his quality of life?

Vladimir Putin: The person you mentioned is in a detention facility.

Hadley Gamble: Not great quality of life.

Vladimir Putin: Not the best conditions on earth but he is not alone. Apart from him, other people have also violated Russian laws. We are not going to put anyone in some exclusive conditions, including those that are covering up their dealings with political activities.

I think this answers your question.

Hadley Gamble: Mr President, thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias for the U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue...

October 14, 2021

Secretary Antony J. Blinken
with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias for the U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue
and Signing of the Renewal of the U.S.-Greece Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement

October 14, 2021
Benjamin Franklin Room
Washington, D.C.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good morning, everyone.  It is good to see everyone here, and it is especially a pleasure for me to welcome our friends here today from the Hellenic Republic of Greece for the third U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue.  Nikos, to you, to all of your colleagues, again, welcome.  It’s so good to have you here.

This strategic dialogue is a signal of our shared commitment to deepen our partnership on the most urgent challenges that are facing both of our countries but also the entire region and, in many ways, the world.  And that’s because we believe that, together, Greece and the United States can become an even more powerful force for peace, for prosperity, and for human dignity.  Because fundamentally that is what we both stand for.

This dialogue is an example of how close the friendship is between our countries, and how much we value each other.

When the founders of the United States, after hundreds of years of monarchies, sought to create a new form of government, they looked of course to ancient Greece, where democracy was invented.  It’s hard to imagine something as intrinsic to humanity as democracy being invented – but it was, and it happened in Greece.

And I think this is particularly resonant today when in many ways the – as President Biden has said, one of the central challenges of our time is to remind and demonstrate that democracies can effectively deliver for their citizens.  And I think the United States and Greece together need to be working to demonstrate that proposition.

When modern Greece sought its independence 45 years after American independence, Americans who proudly declared themselves “philhellenes” supported the cause.  So maybe that was some payback for the inspiration that we got from ancient Greece.

And this year, as the world celebrates the 200th anniversary of Greece’s independence, Greece and the United States stand together again as sister democracies – strong advocates for the rule of law, for human rights, deeply committed to ensuring that our governments and our economies actually deliver results, actually deliver opportunities for our people.

And that’s what the Strategic Dialogue is also all about, and is designed to help us do.  It covers regional, political, and economic cooperation; defense and security; energy and climate; trade and investment; law enforcement and counterterrorism; humanitarian challenges, disaster response; and maybe at the heart of everything, people-to-people ties.

I’m very confident that our delegations will make progress across all of these areas – aligning our views, and driving concrete, common action.

I’m particularly delighted that today, the foreign minister and I will sign an amendment to the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement between our countries, two proud, strong NATO Allies, both deeply committed to our Alliance.  This update will allow the agreement to remain in force indefinitely, and it enables U.S. forces in Greece to train and operate from additional locations. We’re strengthening our defense cooperation today, and I want to thank everyone from the Greek Government, from the U.S. Department of Defense and the State Department who worked hard to negotiate the amendment over the last few months.

And I also just want to express, Nikos, to you and to your colleagues my country’s profound gratitude to Greece for being such a strong and reliable ally to us, particularly in Afghanistan, where Greek forces fought bravely, and now Greece has welcomed a number of prominent Afghan women who left Afghanistan, including members of parliament, judges, lawyers, and their family members.  More broadly, Greece has been a pillar of stability in the region and an advocate for democracy, for European integration, and robust transatlantic ties, all of which make us stronger.

I’m also pleased that, in the aftermath of last summer’s terrible wildfires in Greece and much of southern Europe, we added humanitarian challenges and disaster response to the Strategic Dialogue.  In the face of the climate crisis, disasters like this are likely to happen more frequently, with greater intensity, and it’s critical that our countries work together to respond to the climate crisis, to reduce our emissions significantly, to build our climate resilience, and coordinate our humanitarian response in the aftermath of climate-induced disasters.

This dialogue is between our governments, but the friendship that unites us, the friendship between Greece and the United States is, of course, much broader than that.  It actually lives in the hearts of our people.

Millions of Americans are blessed with Greek heritage.  Millions more have made unforgettable journeys to Greece, to experience the legendary Greek hospitality for themselves.  Every day, Greeks and Americans work and study together, engage in trade and commerce, enjoy each other’s food and culture, even cheer for the same sports teams.  There’s, I think, a basketball player for example known to just a few Americans for the Milwaukee Bucks who is now probably one of the most celebrated athletes, not only in our country but in the entire world, known to all simply as “Giannis.”  After he achieved the feat and championship thanks to his extraordinary talent and sheer hard work and determination, it’s just a reminder that his own trajectory here is like that of so many Greeks before him in America.

But for today, let me simply say, before turning the microphone over to Nikos, on behalf of President Biden, who, as you know – and I think this would be an understatement – he is a proud honorary member of the Greek community – thank you for being here.  Thank you for the so many years of partnership and thank you especially for renewing that even more strongly today.  So again, welcome.  Nikos, over to you.

FOREIGN MINISTER DENDIAS:  Dear Secretary, dear Tony, if I may say, it’s a great honor and pleasure to open along with you the third round of our Strategic Dialogue.  Our strategic partnership has reached an unprecedented level by enhancing cooperation in many areas, such as enforcement, counterterrorism, energy, economy, trade, culture, and people-to-people contacts.

The relevant stakeholders will address, later today, ways of expanding them even further.  The revision of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement we will sign in a few minutes is symbolically and substantially the foundation of our long-term partnership.

We understand that the United States is increasingly preoccupied with challenges on other parts of the world, so, dear Tony, your commitment to Greece is greatly appreciated.  You are investing in strategic locations in our country.  Following the migrant crisis and the tensions in Eastern Mediterranean last year, they acquired increased importance.  You are underlining that the United States as well as Greece are firmly determined to mutually safeguard and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its country against actions threatening to peace, including armed attack or threat thereof.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greece is facing a casus belli, a threat with war if it exercises its sovereign rights and, I have to say, Greece is facing daily provocation.  Greece is committed to resolve disputes with diplomacy and always in accordance with international law.  Over the past two years, we have concluded agreements on the delimitation of sea zones with Italy and Egypt, and agreed with Albania to defer this issue to the International Court of Justice.  We very highly appreciate your firm belief that sovereign rights should be respected in accordance with international Law of the Sea, and we hope that all countries of the world will embrace this principle.

We stand ready and willing to work with them on this basis.  We have already established strategic ties with common partners and allies.  I’m happy that I met our Israeli counterpart yesterday, as you did, by the way, and I will be meeting my Emirati counterpart later today.  Greece, being the first southeast European country to join the European Union, has also an increased responsibility to ensure the integration of the Western Balkans to the European family so as to promote stability and prevent forces that want to turn the clock backwards to dominate this volatile region.

Recently, Greece concluded the security and defense agreement with our NATO Ally, France.  This agreement will contribute to enhancing our defense.  It will also contribute in enhancing the European pillar of NATO, which is very, very important, and towards a fairer burden sharing between the two sides of the Atlantic, because Greece is and will remain a fully committed ally to NATO.  We will strive to enhance relations between the European Union and the United States, as well as between the European Union and NATO, as part of our contribution to strengthening the transatlantic bond, which is the cornerstone of our foreign policy.

Last, but definitely not least, Greece, within the limits imposed by our size, will strive to contribute in addressing global challenges such as the pandemic and the climate change.  We have already donated almost two million vaccines, and we’re building bridges with partners across the globe, most notably with India and Australia, more recently with Latin America and Africa.  The world is becoming smaller, but the challenges are getting bigger by the day.  The only way to address them is by working together while respecting our fundamental principles, such as democracy and our common respect for international law.

Thank you so much.