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The Mayor of Athens Giorgos Kaminis voiced his concern over the rise of far right-wing politics across Europe at a panel Tuesday, proposing a new direction for liberal politicians across the continent.

The event, titled Is There a Future for the Left in Europe? is a part of a symposium organized by the Center for European Studies that looks to examine the rise of populist parties that are changing the political landscape in elected bodies across Europe.

In his opening remarks, Kaminis highlighted the necessity for European nations to remain members of the European Union to avoid negative consequences of globalization.

I strongly believe in the European project and I want my country to be part of Europe. Many countries, especially a small country like Greece, would not be able to survive the competition outside the EU, Kaminis said. The challenges by globalization today can only be tackled effectively either by large states such as United States of America and China, or intergovernmental entities.

Kaminis then suggested that the left-wing parties should spend their efforts establishing wealth redistribution policies to prevent the inequities that give rise to radical political movements.

Historically, capitalism has proved to be the most capable in producing wealth and increasing the size of the pie. Economic growth cannot be achieved outside capitalist systems, Kaminis said. What is at stake now is first how the pie will be allocated in a just way. And secondly, how alongside the traditional business model, we can also develop forms of social entrepreneurship.

The mayor also discussed at length how Athens led the effort to accommodate undocumented migrants when a wave of refugees began flowing into Greece from Turkey in 2015.

The city of Athens promptly mobilized, leading by example. It was the first city in the country to provide municipal land to establish the first refugee site. Since then, the municipality of Athens participated in housing refugees, Kaminis said.

Joaqun Almunia, a panelist and fellow at the Center for European Studies, argued that European left-wing politicians need to adopt new political agendas focusing on climate change and migration to appeal to their voters and to remain competitive against their right-wing counterparts.

Another panelist, Sawomir Sierakowski, the leader of the left-wing Polish activist group Krytyka Polityczna, disagreed with Almunia that the left-wing parties needed a new agenda. Instead, Sierakowski advocated for the use of bolder political rhetoric from European liberal democrats.

Populists have no shame. They dont hesitate. This is maybe what we should lose. Maybe we should push more on the realism in politics. This is why I dont think it is an agenda problem. It is about being soft in politics, because [populists] are tough on the other side. Sierakowski said. We should care less about how do we look, because they dont care.

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New Year for ECA

The appropriation for the second year of Paul Hoffman's ECA, which finances and administers the Marshall Plan, is still kicking

New Year for ECA

The appropriation for the second year of Paul Hoffman's ECA, which finances and administers the Marshall Plan, is still kicking

Reporter: East Bloc Needs Aid

Although recent political upheavals in Eastern Europe have been cause for hope in the long-stagnant region, longtime foreign correspondent John

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Mayor of Athens Urges Support for European Union - Harvard Crimson

Since 1996, Carla Hutton has monitored, researched, and written about regulatory and legislative issues that may potentially affect Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) clients. She is responsible for creating a number of monthly and quarterly regulatory updates for B&C's clients, as well as other documents, such as chemical-specific global assessments of regulatory developments and trends. She authors memoranda for B&C clients on regulatory and legislative developments, providing information that is focused, timely and applicable to client initiatives. These tasks have proven invaluable to many clients, keeping them aware and abreast of developing issues so that they can respond in kind and prepare for the future of their business.

Ms. Hutton brings a wealth of experience and judgment to her work in federal, state, and international chemical regulatory and legislative issues, including green chemistry, nanotechnology, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Proposition 65, and the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) program.

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European Union Addresses Use of Nanomaterials in Medical Devices - The National Law Review

The Commissioner in charge of international cooperation and development, Neven Mimica, announces additional support of EUR100million on his visit to N'Djamena.

Mr Mimica issued the following statement: "This new EUR100million package shows the European Union's determination to help Chad tackle the many challenges facing it. The aim is to pursue efforts to consolidate democracy and reforms in a spirit of openness and inclusiveness. The main priority here is to continue support for the provision of basic services for the communities that are the main victims of the crisis. Chad, an important partner of the European Union, is facing a difficult situation and we will stand at its side."

This aid will support key sectors such as nutrition, food security and resilience, sustainable agriculture, democratic governance and promotion of the rule of law.

During his visit Mr Mimica will also sign a financial commitment allocating EUR33 million from the European Development Fund for management of protected areas and fragile ecosystems. Another financial commitment concerns EUR10.3 million from the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa for a project for the social and occupational integration of young people that will be implemented by the French Development Agency (AFD).

Finally, Mr Mimica will today visit a number of EU-financed projects, including a nutrition centre to treat child malnutrition which the European Commission has supported since 2014. He will also visit the Gaoui camp set up to shelter 4900 Chadians who have fled the Central African Republic to return to their country.

Background:

European Development Fund

The initial 11th European Development Fund (EDF) allocation of EUR442million for Chad focuses on three sectors: (1) food security, nutrition and rural development (EUR 297 million), (2) sustainable management of natural resources (EUR 53 million) and (3) consolidation of the rule of law (EUR 65 million). This aid is supplemented by support for civil society (EUR 12 million) and for crosscutting issues (EUR 15 million).

The EUR 100 million in financial support announced today increases the amount allocated to Chad under the 11th EDF.

Trust Fund

In 2016 the Trust Fund approved five projects for Chad under the Valletta Action Plan. The aim is to tackle the root causes of migration and criminal networks and activities linked to terrorism by offering economic alternatives to systems currently dependent on illegal migration and improving border management.

The Trust Fund will help to build the capacity of local authorities and communities, in particular their capacity to provide security and ensure the social and occupational integration of young people and vulnerable persons, to recover land abandoned because of landmines, and to increase resilience, in particular in the Lake Chad Basin region.

In 2016 EUR88.3million was made available by the EU Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing the root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa. This went to fund projects in the fields of resilience, security and the creation of economic opportunities for young people. A multi-country project costing EUR 30 million to be implemented around Lake Chad was also approved.

Situation in Chad

Chad is confronted with many challenges on both the humanitarian and development fronts. One of the poorest countries in the world, it has faced a two-pronged crisis since 2014: a budgetary crisis following the prolonged fall in oil prices and a security crisis caused by the manifold consequences of the repeated attacks by Boko Haram (Islamic State's West Africa Province (EIAO)), intensifying the country's fragility.

The European Union's strategic objectives are to support Chad in ensuring its development through the sustainable management of its natural resources and to contribute to the consolidation of peace and the implementation of reforms designed to enhance governance.

For further information:

DG DEVCO - Chad

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European Commission - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - The ... - EU News

EU wants to ensure platinum in catalytic converters obtained legitimately.

BRUSSELS Europes automakers have escaped a mandatory European Union due-diligence requirement for using so-called conflict minerals sourced from parts of the world that suffer from armed and civil strife.

There has been significant concern within the industry about the impact of a law designed to prevent money raised from sales of tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold the so-called 3TG minerals from entering the pockets of warlords and violent rebels. This is because these metals are present in up to 50% of car parts, according to ACEA, the European automakers organization, and its CLEPA counterpart for parts manufacturers.

But in the final text of an EU regulation due to take effect Jan. 1, 2021, a voluntary due-diligence system for downstream users such as automakers will apply, provided the manufacturers buy their 3TG from EU suppliers and do not import raw minerals or metals directly.

The regulation the European Parliament cleared March 16 imposes mandatory due-diligence rules on companies importing 3TG into the EU. However, a Parliament spokesperson tells WardsAuto that downstream users nonetheless are encouraged to comply voluntarily with the regulations requirements that information on where and how such minerals are sourced be made available.

Large manufacturers with more than 500 employees, including most European automakers, that buy 3TG will be able to report annually on their sourcing practices through a voluntary program that includes an EU registry.The spokesperson says the EUs executive branch, the European Commission, is expected to set up the registry in one or two years.

The regulation requires importers to ensure their 3TG supplies are not sourced from conflict areas. To aid compliance, the EC will produce a guide to conflict and risk areas, which is likely to include Africas Great Lakes region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

But country of origin is not the only indicator that a consignment is risky, as transit and irresponsible traders can mean conflict minerals enter developed markets by the back door. Thus the Commission also must draft a list of smelters or refiners supplying the EU deemed to be avoiding dubious sourcing practices.

To ease the compliance burden, the EU will recognize current industry-certification programs as being able to prove the rules are applied. Regulators will check the programs regularly to ensure high standards and continued compliance with Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) guidance. EU funding also will be granted small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 500 employees to help set up traceability systems for 3TG supplies.

A spokesperson for the European metal industry association, Eurometaux, says the import of finished and semi-finished products including these materials would be outside the scope of the law, although parts makers would have more liability if they imported materials directly.

But the auto industry looks set to embrace the voluntary program.This is an issue that the industry takes very seriously, and it is in constant dialogue with its supply chain partners to address any risks that may arise in the supply chain, the ACEA spokesperson says.

Many automakers already have voluntarily installed due-diligence processes in their supply chains that comply with existing regulatory frameworks and practices, including voluntary schemes such as OECD guidance, the spokesperson points out.

Often we hear from our downstream suppliers that they would like that proof, so it happens regardless of the regulation, the Eurometaux spokesperson says.

EU member states still must approve the rules in the EUs Council of Ministers, which likely will occur in the next few weeks as the regulations cleared in Parliament are a compromise deal the two reached last year. It was the parliament that forced not through voluntary but through mandatory due diligence for importers, mainly smelters and refiners, to bring EU rules in line with OECD guidance.

Members of Parliament originally wanted mandatory due diligence also to apply downstream, but they yielded on this in negotiations with the Council of Ministers.

If the regulation fails to stem the flow of conflict minerals into Europe, or the downstream industry does not participate in the voluntary program, mandatory compliance could be extended in future reviews the EC will publish every three years starting Jan. 1, 2023.

And the March 16 resolution makes clear the EC is expected to analyze ways that due diligence could be applied further along the supply chain in its review reports. Yet, the resolution recognizes downstream firms such as the auto industry have reported countless difficultiesand practical challengesin the exercise of supply-chain due diligence because of lengthy and complex global supply chains involving a high number of economic operators that are often insufficiently aware or ethically unconcerned.

The ACEA opposes any move to force due diligence on automakers.

Being a downstream sector, the automobile industry mostly does not import raw materials, a spokesperson says. The upstream part of the supply chain has the best leverage to achieve transparency in mineral sourcing, and to effectively combat the financing of armed conflicts, a spokesperson contends. Compliance obligations for downstream companies should be avoided as they are extremely burdensome and costly in case of highly complex supply chains.

The spokesperson adds that extending mandatory due-diligence obligations along the entire supply chain would have a negative impact in the automotive value chain, especially on SMEs (small- and-medium-sized enterprises), putting their competitiveness at risk.

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European Automakers, EU Debate Mineral Sourcing - Ward's Auto

After a proposal by the European Commission and its adoption by the Council, new more systematic checks have been introduced at the external border of the EU. The reinforced controls have been introduced mainly to counteract the growing threat from foreign terrorist fighters and to manage better migration flows. The new rules require that documents must be carefully inspected to check their authenticity, then their information must be cross-checked on the relevant databases (e.g. the Schengen Information System, SIS, and Interpols stolen and lost document system, SLTD). The reinforced controls will be performed both at land border checkpoints and at ports and airports for persons coming from or going to extra-Schengen destinations.

All EU citizens living in the Schengen Area will be subject to these systematic checks when crossing an external Schengen border. The new checks differ from the simple visual check of the ID document performed before the entry into force of the new measures. The entry into force of the new control measures does not impact the free movement of people inside the Schengen Area.

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The European Union introduces more systematic controls at the UE external borders - Lexology (registration)