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At the European Parliament this morning, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized the importance of the European Union as a major partner and supporter of the IAEA, especially in the area of safeguards, security and safety. During his exchange with MEPs, he called for even closer cooperation to address global challenges related to non-proliferation, climate change and sustainable development worldwide. Mr Grossi spoke through video link during ajoint hybrid session of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE), the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and the Committee for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) the first time for an IAEA Director General to speak at the European Parliament.

The IAEA is a vehicle through which the European Union can achieve its Agenda for a Renewed Multilateralism and fulfil its Agenda 2030, Mr Grossi stated. I believe that your noble objectives of: strengthening global recovery and tackling inequalities; of winning the race against climate change and restoring our relationship with nature; and of building partnerships and alliances will be easier to achieve when you work with, and support, the IAEA, Mr Grossi stated in the virtual exchange.

Since 2008, the EU has contributed approximately 140 million, including 10.8 million in 2020, in extrabudgetary funds to the IAEA. The contributions have been pivotal in supporting projects in nuclear safety and security, as well as technical cooperation, to ensure all nations benefit from the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

Mr Grossi highlighted the scope of the Agencys work and its relevance to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Nuclear techniques and technologies help countries protect their crops, protect their health through nuclear medicine all over the world, he said. Furthermore, the IAEA is an indispensable player when it comes to fighting, for example, plastic pollution through isotopic tracers.

In light of the pandemic, the IAEA launched ZODIAC, a major initiative to preventfuture outbreaks of diseases that spread from animals to humans. By using nuclear-derived technologies to detect viruses and antibodies in animals and humans, we will build up the defences of countries at the forefront of these outbreaks, Mr Grossi stated. It will be nuclears contribution to reducing the chance that the world falls victim again to a devastating pandemic like COVID-19. We see many EU Member States increasing their contributions to our activities in the area of nuclear applications.

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IAEA Director General Highlights Global Impact of Cooperation with European Union, Calls for Closer Partnership | IAEA - International Atomic Energy...

The European Union and Georgia held the 6th meeting of the Association council on 16 March 2021. The Association council took note of the 2021 Association Implementation Report on Georgia and assessed the state of EU-Georgia relations since the last Association council in March 2019.

The sides reaffirmed their continued and joint commitment to Georgia's deeper political association and economic integration with the EU in the framework of the Association Agreement and its Deep and Comprehensive Free trade Area (DCFTA). The Association council welcomed the quality and frequency of ongoing high-level dialogue and noted the importance of active follow up on its results. Both sides acknowledged Georgias European aspirations, its European choice and the common objective of continuing to build a democratic, stable and prosperous country. The Association council welcomed ongoing negotiations on the Association Agenda for 2021-2027 to set priorities for the implementation of the AA/DCFTA. Georgia outlined its plans to further advance on its European integration path by 2024.

The Association council welcomed Georgias progress on its European path, including in the challenging COVID-19 context, and recognised the efforts of the Georgian Government to contain the virus as well as to ensure targeted social assistance to those in need. Both sides acknowledged the crucial importance of the EU rapid assistance to Georgia in the fight against COVID as a vivid sign of solidarity.

Both sides reaffirmed their continued commitment to bringing tangible benefits to the lives of Georgian citizens across key areas of cooperation: economic development and market opportunities; strengthening institutions and good governance; connectivity, energy efficiency, environment and climate change; enhancing mobility and people-to-people contacts.

The Association council noted that the elections of 31 October and 21 November 2020 were competitive and that, overall, fundamental freedoms were respected. The Association council agreed on the importance of addressing all recommendations related to the shortcomings identified by international observers, including OSCE/ODIHR, through ambitious and inclusive electoral reform in order to strengthen the electoral environment and render it more favourable for the democratic conduct of elections.

The Association council strongly regretted the deepening political polarisation in Georgia. The EU called for a swift resolution to the ongoing political situation, for all parties to step up efforts to de-escalate the situation and come together to identify and agree on common ground. The Association council agreed that it was vital for all actors to continue working, in the EU-supported mediation, to find an early resolution to Georgias political crisis.

The Association council reiterated its call on all political actors to work together and to maintain open dialogue in Georgia, including with civil society, in order to further strengthen democratic institutions, consolidate pluralistic democracy and advance reforms. Both sides stressed the need to continue the successful cooperation between the EU and Georgia on strategic communication and countering disinformation.

The Association council welcomed the progress made to date by Georgia in the implementation of reforms in the rule of law and the penitentiary system. The Council also agreed that there are a number of areas where further progress was needed, including by strengthening the independence and accountability of the judiciary and bringing the appointment process for Supreme Court judges in line with European standards.The EU underlined its commitment to continue assisting Georgia in reform of the judiciary and in strengthening the rule of law.

The Association council recalled that a great number of Georgian citizens have benefited from short term visa free travel to Schengen countries in recent years. It welcomed the continuous efforts of Georgia to address violations of the visa-free travel requirements, including the latest legislative amendments to the Law of Georgia on Rules for Georgian citizens on Leaving and Entering Georgia and underlined the importance of its effective implementation. The Association council underlined the critical importance of sustained efforts by Georgia to continue to fulfil the visa liberalisation benchmarks, in particular in order to strengthen and maintain the recent decrease in the number of unfounded asylum applications lodged by Georgian nationals in the Schengen + area. The EU encouraged Georgia to further enhance cooperation with EU Member States to counter irregular migration and organised crime. Both sides welcomed a renewed working arrangement signed between Georgia and Frontex, as well as Georgia's acquisition of observer status in the European Migration Network.

The Association council welcomed progress made in the implementation of Georgia's Human Rights Strategy and its Action Plan, as well as the important work of the Human Rights Protection Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The EU recognised Georgias efforts in this area and encouraged Georgia to continue efforts to effectively implement the anti-discrimination law and to ensure protection for all persons belonging to minorities, and to ensure gender equality. The Council recalled the commitment to the universality of human rights for all, regardless of religion or belief, race, ethnic origin, sex, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability or other. The Association council welcomed substantial progress made by Georgia to create an effective labour inspection system, in order to further improve working conditions and address the challenges in this area in line with international and European labour standards. It also discussed the importance of continuing efforts in this direction.

Both sides welcomed the progress made by Georgia in the implementation of the Association Agreement, including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA). The EU continued to be the most important trading partner of Georgia. The EU and Georgia agreed to identify further products with export potential to the EU, for which EU can provide assistance. Both sides welcomed successful implementation of structural reforms and underlined the importance of ongoing reforms related to the improvement of the investment climate in Georgia. The Association council welcomed the ongoing work to draft a new SME Development Strategy 2021-2025 and the EU side confirmed its readiness to support its implementation.

The Association council welcomed the disbursements of Macro-Financial Assistance to Georgia in November 2020 and urged Georgia to continue the implementation of outstanding agreed policy measures in order to enable the disbursement of the second instalment of COVID Macro-Financial Assistance to Georgia (of which 75 million EUR was disbursed in 2020). The EU encouraged Georgia to ensure the sustainability of already implemented reforms and maintain macro-economic stability.

The Association council reiterated Georgia's strategic role in the field of energy, transport and connectivity and increasingly as a transportation and logistics hub in the region. The EU committed to continue engaging closely with Georgia on the connectivity agenda, including through the gradual completion of the indicative core Trans-European networks of Transport (TEN-T), as a step towards enhancing connectivity and international trade between Europe and Asia. The sides also highlighted the importance of Black Sea connectivity. The EU took note of Georgias request for support in the elaboration and implementation of a plan for better Black Sea connectivity.

The Association council reiterated Georgia's key role as a partner for European energy security and stressed the country's transit role for Caspian hydrocarbon resources to reach European markets, notably via the Southern Gas Corridor and through the Black Sea, with a view to strengthening EU-Georgia interconnections. The EU stressed its continued commitment to further supporting the roll-out of energy efficiency standards in public buildings, based on legislative reforms in key areas. The EU reiterated its continuous support to reinvigorating Georgias agriculture and rural sector to improve living conditions in rural areas. The Association council noted the importance of enhanced cooperation in the area of civil protection.

The EU recognised Georgia as a key partner in the region and acknowledged the importance of EU-Georgia cooperation in the field of foreign and security policy. The Association council recalled the issues discussed during the third EU-Georgia Strategic Security Dialogue in October 2019 and looked forward to the next meeting in this format. The EU expressed appreciation for Georgia's continued contribution to EU-led crisis management operations and missions in the Central African Republic and the Republic of Mali, as well as openness to supporting the strengthening of Georgias capacities and resilience.

The EU reiterated its firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. The EU reiterated its firm commitment to peaceful conflict resolution in Georgia by using all instruments at its disposal including the policy of non-recognition and engagement. The work of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia and of the EU Monitoring Mission demonstrate this strong commitment.

The Association council took note of the judgement of 21 January 2021 of the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber in the inter-State case concerning the armed conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation in August 2008 and its consequences which concluded that after the 12 August 2008 the Russian Federation, exercising effective control over Abkhazia and South Ossetia, violated several provisions of the European Convention of Human Rights.

The Association council stressed the critical importance of the Geneva International Discussions for addressing and resolving the challenges stemming from the conflict between Russia and Georgia in August 2008. It also reiterated that full and effective Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs) are essential for addressing the safety and humanitarian needs of conflict-affected population on the ground. In this regard, the Council welcomed the resumption of Ergneti IPRM meetings and emphasised the crucial importance of resuming the Gali IPRM.

The Council expressed concern about signing a so-called programme on the creation of a common socio-economic space between Russia and Georgian region of Abkhazia as well as other steps further undermining Georgias sovereignty and territorial integrity, deterioration of the security and human rights situation in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, especially with regard to intensified military build-up, installation of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers along the dividing lines, long-term closure of crossing points. Concerns also include the situation with ethnic discrimination of Georgians, restriction of freedom of movement, including for health care and access to other social services, arbitrary detentions, violation of property rights and education in mother tongue, the persistent obstacles to the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their places of origin, and deprivation of life of Archil Tatunashvili and Giga Otkhozoria. In this regard, the Association council reiterated that justice should be applied.

The Association council reiterated the obligation for the Russian Federation to fulfil its international obligations including under the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, notably to withdraw its military forces from the territory of Georgia and remove all impediments for establishment of international security mechanisms therein. The Association council further urged the Russian Federation to provide EUMM access to the whole territory of Georgia, in line with its mandate. The Association council also called for access for international humanitarian and human rights mechanisms of relevant international organisations.

The Association council stressed the importance of ongoing support to people-to-people contacts and confidence building measures across the divides. In this respect, the Association council recalled its support for the Georgian peace initiative A Step to a Better Future .

The EU commended Georgia's active participation in the multilateral dimension of the Eastern Partnership and underlined that continued reform efforts in the partner countries are key to the success of the Eastern Partnership and to the EaP Summit scheduled for later this year.

The Association council was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr Josep Borrell. The Prime Minister of Georgia, Mr. Irakli Garibashvili led the Georgian delegation.

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Joint press release following the 6th Association council meeting between the European Union and Georgia - EU News

European Union joins hands with India-led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

AKIPRESS.COM - Accepting Indias invitation, the 27-member European Union (EU) has officially on-boarded as a member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), following its endorsement of the charter of the CDRI earlier, the EU Delegation to India and Bhutan said.

Launched in 2019 by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi at the UN Climate Change Summit, the CDRI is an international collaborative platform involving the public and private sector, aiming to promote the resilience of new and existing infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks in support of sustainable development.

Prime Minister Modi had addressed the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure through video conference on March 17 and said the importance of the CDRI is "more evident" than ever. He had called for sustained and concentrated efforts to mitigate climate change.

Climate-related extreme events are increasing globally, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further reinforced the need for robust disaster preparedness and investment in renewable energy, green infrastructure, energy and resource efficiency, large-scale retrofitting, renovation projects and the circular economy.

The CDRI is a welcome initiative to help tackle these objectives in a multilateral approach, which will help implementation of the Paris Agreement, through both global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced climate change adaptation action.

Commenting on the development, Ambassador of the European Union to India Ugo Astuto said, We are happy to join CDRI, an initiative fully aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal and of the recently adopted EU Strategy on Adaptation. We wish to make adaptation smarter, swifter, more systemic and to step up international action. We look forward to exploring synergies and combining forces with CDRI in this respect. He added, We welcome the international leadership that India has taken on disaster resilience. Increased resilience, including development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure is also a key priority under the EU-India strategic partnership.

Welcoming the endorsement of the CDRI Charter by the European Union, Director General, CDRI, Sandeep Poundrik said, We are indeed delighted to welcome the European Union as the newest member of the Coalition. This is a clear expression of the commitment of the EU towards collaborative efforts for creating a more resilient and sustainable world. Climate and disaster risks have cascading impacts that are complex, multi-dimensional and transboundary in nature. Our response, therefore, also needs to be comprehensive, multifaceted and unified. We will work with the EU for making available highly specialised knowledge and expertise on resilient infrastructure planning and implementation.

The EU is already exploring how to maximise synergies in its work with the CDRI in its forthcoming project on enhancing climate-smart infrastructure in South Asia. Leveraging tools in research and innovation, like the EUs Copernicus space data instrument, and trilateral cooperation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), are also potential fields of collaboration between the EU and CDRI.

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European Union joins hands with India-led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure - AKIpress

Economic and finance ministers have, in the context of the discussion on the economic recovery, exchanged their views on fiscal policy response and the state of play of the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The European Commission presented its Communication to the Council One year since the outbreak of COVID-19: Fiscal policy response. The Commission's view is that fiscal policy needs to remain supportive in 2021 and 2022. The current forecasts also foresee the continued activation of the Stability and Growth Pact's general escape clause in 2022 and its deactivation in 2023. However, the European Commission's spring economic forecast will have to be released before final decisions.

Fiscal policy should maintain a supportive stance in 2022 as well. Despite the start of the vaccination which implies improvements, uncertainties remain high. In this context, it is important that the Member States work together and that a level playing field is ensured for all states. We are all in a difficult situation, and this requires exceptional circumstances and support. Of course, this does not mean that we forgot about medium- and long-term fiscal sustainability, said Minister ircelj.

Ministers had a lengthy discussion on the state of play and way forward on the taxation of the digital economy. In this respect, the European Union expects a consensus-based, global agreement at the OECD level in the middle of this year.

As regards the need for additional revenues following the COVID-19 pandemic, it is expected that the Commission will present a proposal for a digital levy in the first half of 2021 as a new own resource for the EU budget.

On Monday, 15 March, Minister ircelj attended the video conference of the Eurogroup.

Ministers discussed the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected different sectors of the economy unevenly. Tourism, hospitality, and entertainment are certainly among more affected, and their recovery is expected to last longer. In the future, policies will support structural changes, including retraining of employees, which will be, to a large extent, linked to digitalisation. Key challenge for the Member States in the future will be phasing out emergency measures and introducing measures to support the recovery.

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European Union Ministers for Finance and Economy Discussed the Fiscal Policy Response to the COVID-19 Crisis | GOV.SI - Gov.si

The European Union welcomes further opportunities for continued dialogue and engagement with Zimbabwe and reiterates its ambition for a more constructive relationship.

The EU recalls the Council Conclusions of 17 February 2020 and notes with concern that Zimbabwes multifaceted and prolonged crisis has further deepened.

The lack of substantial reforms has allowed the continued deterioration of the humanitarian, economic and social situation. Violations of human rights and limitations on the democratic space are also persisting. The EU is especially concerned about a proliferation of arrests and prosecutions of journalists, opposition actors and individuals expressing dissenting views, and the use by high-level officials of speech that could be interpreted as incitement to violence.

The Government of Zimbabwe has committed to adhere fully to its constitutional and international human rights obligations which imply respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, including addressing impunity. Perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses should swiftly be brought to justice and the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry should be implemented as a matter of priority and urgency.

In light of its continuing concerns, the EU has reviewed its restrictive measures, recalling their purpose to encourage a demonstrable, genuine and long-term commitment by the Zimbabwean authorities to respect and uphold human rights and the rule of law. The EU has decided to renew its arms embargo and to maintain a targeted assets freeze against one company, Zimbabwe Defence Industries, taking into account the situation in Zimbabwe, including the continuing need to investigate the role of security force actors in human rights abuses. The restrictive measures against three individuals continue to be suspended. The EU will continue to closely follow developments, with a particular attention to the human rights situation, and recalls its readiness to review and adapt the whole range of its policies accordingly.

These measures do not affect the people of Zimbabwe, its economy, foreign direct investment, or trade, and Zimbabwe continues to benefit from duty free and quota free access of its exports to the EU, with negotiations to deepen the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) ongoing. Accelerated political and economic reforms, respect for human rights, boosting trust in the rule of law and tackling corruption would contribute significantly to investor confidence, build a steady business climate and facilitate Zimbabwe in taking full advantage of the opportunities the EPA provides.

The EU reiterates its readiness to support credible and sustainable economic and political reforms, based on tangible commitments made by the Government of Zimbabwe.

The EU regards electoral reform as an important element to strengthen democracy in Zimbabwe and is ready to continue its support in this field in line with the recommendations made by the 2018 EU Electoral Observation Mission.

The EU will continue to support the people of Zimbabwe, having provided over the last 7 years more than 366 million for the development of the country and 68 million of humanitarian assistance, including dedicated assistance in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The upcoming Political Dialogue with Zimbabwe will provide an opportunity for exchanging views and deepening mutual understanding as well as looking for constructive cooperation.

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Zimbabwe: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union - EU News