The European Union deplores the increasingly open disregard for the rule of law in Belarus, in particular the escalation of violence and forced exile of members of the Coordination Council, in violation of Belarus’ domestic laws and its international obligations.

All Presidium members of the Coordination Council, except Nobel Prize Laureate Sviatlana Alexievich, have been arrested or forced into exile. In solidarity, EU diplomats are staying with her intermittently. Maxim Znak, Maryja Kaliesnikava, Siarhei Dyleusky, Liliya Ulasova have been illegally arrested. Earlier, Pavel Latushka and Volha Kavalkova had been forced into exile.

Civil society and actors engaged in discussions on the future of Belarus, including members of the Coordination Council, must be protected from intimidation, forced exile, arbitrary arrest and violence. The EU therefore urges the Belarusian authorities to release immediately all unlawfully detained persons, including political prisoners, and to ensure that such unlawful acts do not continue/are not repeated.

The European Union recalls the need for an inclusive national dialogue with broader society, in particular the Coordination Council, leading to a peaceful solution and responding positively to demands of the Belarusian people for new democratic elections. The harassment of, violence against, and forced exile of members of the Coordination Council and other representatives of civil society runs counter to this objective. The impressive commitment of the Belarusian people to a democratic future and persisting call for respect of their fundamental rights deserve a different answer.

The EU reiterates its determination to impose sanctions on individuals responsible for violence, the repression of peaceful protests and the falsification of election results and is ready to take further restrictive measures as necessary.

The European Parliament’s UK Coordination Group (UKCG) met today to assess the impact of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement with EU-UK Joint Committee Co-Chair Maroš Šefčovič and to evaluate the ongoing negotiations on the future EU-UK relationship with EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier.

EP political group leaders and UKCG members are deeply concerned and disappointed that the UK Government published an Internal Market Bill that clearly represents a serious and unacceptable breach of international law. It violates the Withdrawal Agreement that was signed and ratified by the current UK Government and Parliament less than a year ago. The Internal Market Bill gravely damages the trust and credibility that the European Parliament has already said is “an essential element of any negotiation”, thus putting at risk the ongoing negotiations on the future relationship.

The European Parliament supports EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier and Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič in asking the UK government to withdraw these measures from the bill immediately; by the end of September, at the very latest. The European Parliament’s UK Coordination Group stresses that:

1. the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, has legally binding force regardless of whether or not the EU and the UK conclude any new treaty governing their future relationship; and
2. any issue regarding the implementation of its provisions should be addressed by the Joint Committee and in no case unilaterally by any party to the agreement.

The European Parliament expects the UK government to uphold the rule of law and demands nothing less than the full implementation of all provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, which is essential to protect the Good Friday Agreement and peace and stability on the island of Ireland.

Should the UK authorities breach – or threaten to breach – the Withdrawal Agreement, through the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill in its current form or in any other way, the European Parliament will, under no circumstances, ratify any agreement between the EU and the UK.

Regarding the outcome of the eighth negotiating round, the European Parliament remains committed to an ambitious partnership with the UK. We are disappointed with the continued lack of reciprocal engagement from the UK side on fundamental EU principles and interests.

The European Parliament calls on the UK to work with the EU constructively and find compromises that are in the interests of our citizens and companies on both sides. Any potential deal should not only preserve our interests, but also respect the integrity of the European Union and its single market.

For any deal to take effect, democratic oversight institutions on both sides of the Channel must be able to carry out a meaningful assessment, as stated in the Withdrawal Agreement. The European Parliament recalls that its consent to any deal will only be granted after detailed scrutiny of the legal provisions. The European Parliament will not accept having its democratic oversight curbed by a last-minute deal beyond the end of October.

Signed by EP group leaders:

Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE)

Iratxe GARCÍA PEREZ (S&D, ES)

Dacian CIOLOŞ (Renew, RO)

Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE) co-chair

Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE) co-chair

Raffaele FITTO (ECR, IT) co-chair

Ryszard LEGUTKO (ECR, PL) co-chair

Martin SCHIRDEWAN (GUE, DE) co-chair

Manon AUBRY (GUE, FR) co-chair

and by the UK Coordination Group:

David McALLISTER  (EPP, DE), chair

Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE)

Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR)

Christophe HANSEN (EPP, LU)

Kati PIRI (S&D, NL)

Kris PEETERS (EPP, BE)

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT)

Morten PETERSEN (Renew, DK)

Gunnar BECK (ID, DE)

Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council.

The indicated format of each meeting (physical or virtual) are subject to change.

Video conference of internal market and industry ministers, 18 September 2020

Ministers in charge of internal market and industry will discuss on how to deepen the single market.

Foreign Affairs Council, 21 September 2020

Foreign affairs ministers will be informed about current affairs, and exchange views on Libya, Belarus, and relations between the EU and the African Union.

Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 21-22 September 2020

Ministers will advance discussions on the green architecture of the common agriculture policy (CAP) reform package, including the regulation on CAP strategic plans. They will also discuss trade related agricultural issues, based on a presentation by the European Commission.

General Affairs Council, 22 September 2020

The Council will prepare for the European Council meetings in September and October. Ministers will also focus on the next multiannual financial framework, EU-UK relations, EU coordination of COVID-19 measures, and the Article 7 procedures regarding Poland and Hungary.

Special European Council, 24-25 September 2020

EU leaders will meet in Brussels to discuss issues related to the single market, industrial policy and digital transformation, as well as external relations, in particular relations with Turkey and with China.

For video coverage of Council sessions and audiovisual material, please see the following Council websites:

We are:

The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the work of the High Representative in defining and implementing an effective and coherent EU foreign policy. The EEAS supports his tasks of conducting the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and chairing the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports the High Representative in his capacity as Vice President of the Commission with regard to his responsibilities within the Commission in the external relations field including the coordination of other aspects of the EU’s external action. The EEAS works in close cooperation with Member States, the Council and relevant services of the European Commission.

Within the Directorate for Human Resources, the Career and Learning Development Division (BA.HR.4) aims to find the best match between the staffing needs of the EEAS and the professional development of its staff. To this purpose, the Division is committed to supporting EEAS staff in fulfilling their full potential and their career aspirations. The division is notably in charge of

• ensuring the smooth implementation of the statutory career development policies (e.g. appraisal, promotion/ reclassification, certification)
• developing overall career policies and guidance
• offering modern and effective learning and development opportunities for staff
• manage the annual training budgets for Delegations and Headquarters.

The present number of staff in the Division is 27.

We propose

The position of the Human Resources Management Assistant – Course Manager, contract agent FGIII as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS).

This position is situated in the Learning and Develoment sector and encompasses the tasks of coordination and course management of training offers for colleagues in HQ and Delegations, under the direct supervision of the Head of Sector.

We look for

An enthusiastic and service-oriented team player who takes pleasure in contributing to learning and development of colleagues. Given the dynamic working environment and the diverse nature of activities organized in the division, we look for a versatile and flexible colleague who enjoys a variety of tasks and who values collaboration and mutual support.   

He/she will be entrusted with the following main tasks, along other course managers:

• Course management of classroom and online trainings, including planning, communication, management of registrations, handling the learning management system, logistical arrangements, evaluation and archiving. These courses cover amongst others:
  • Training courses in the newly established EEAS Training Maps for Newly Appointed Managers,
  • Political Officers, Assistants to Heads of Delegations and Budget, Finance and Contract Assistants. 
  • Communication of learning and development offers.
  • Specific skills and competence courses at HQ and Delegation.
  • Support to other activities such as mentoring and team-building.
• Pro-active assistance to other trainings and seminars organised in the division
• Act as Operational Initiation Agent (OIA) in the legal and financial circuits
• Ensure and participate in procurement procedures for training activities
• Manage direct interface with colleagues on training related questions, e.g. functional mailboxes and the learning management system
• Contribute to the statistics of the learning analytics
• Represent the sector in training related meetings with internal / external stakeholders
• Contribute to the identification of new training initiatives and learning formats

Legal basis

The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). ¹

The successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group III); renewable contract for a maximum duration of 6 years (with a valid CAST exam).

Eligibility criteria

Candidates for this contract agent III post should:

• (i) have passed a valid EPSO CAST in a valid FG for this post

or

• have the capacity to work in languages of CFSP and external relations necessary for the performance of their duties. Knowledge of other EU languages would be an asset.
• Be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen.

Selection criteria

Candidates should:

• have knowledge and/or proven experience in the key areas related to course management of learning and development formats
• display strong organisational skills
• have experience in communication
• be familiar with new technologies and their usage in learning and development
• have a basic knowledge of applicable financial rules and procedures
• have an outgoing personality, good communication skills and a service-oriented attitude  
• be a team-player
• be flexible and stress resistant in the light of changing demands and have a problem solving attitude

Furthermore: 

• experience of working in an EU Delegation;
• experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• experience in working with or within other EU institutions.

would be considered as strong assets.

Specific conditions of employment

The signature of the contract will be subject to prior favourable opinion of the Medical Service.

The successful candidate might be required to undergo security vetting if she or he does not hold already a Personal Security Clearance to an appropriate level, in accordance with relevant security provisions.

Equal opportunities

The External Action Service applies an equal opportunities policy.

Application and selection procedure²

Please send your CV and cover letter (with your EPSO CAST number) via email to

CAREER-LEARNING-DEVELOPMENT@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for applications:  28 September 2020 at 12.00 (CET).

Candidates shall draft their CV following the European CV form which can be found at the following internet address:http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/documents/curriculum-vitae.

Late applications will not be accepted.

The selection panel will make a pre-selection on the basis of the qualifications and professional experience described in the CV and motivational letter, and will produce a shortlist of eligible candidates who best meet the selection criteria for the post.

The candidates who have been preselected will be invited for an interview by a selection panel. The panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts of Employment. The Authority may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available:  1/12/2020  

¹ Staff Regulations of Officials (SR) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). For reference, see https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1570023902133&uri=CELEX:01962R0031-20190101

² Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, as implemented by ADMIN(2019)8 Decision of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The privacy statement is available on the Europa website: (http://eeas.europa.eu/data_protection/rights/index_en.htm) and on the EEAS Intranet: (https://intranet.eeas.europa.eu/page/eeas-work/data-protection/privacy-statements).

September 11, 2020 About the EUIPO

EUIPO Executive Director meets Commissioner Ylva Johansson

The Executive Director of the EUIPO, Christian Archambeau, has held a virtual meeting with the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ms Ylva Johansson.

It was the first bilateral meeting between Mr Archambeau and Ms Johansson, who took office on 1 December 2019.

Mr Archambeau presented the EUIPO’s Strategic Plan 2025 and the activities of the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights.

During the meeting, Mr Archambeau stressed the commitment of the EUIPO to pursue ongoing collaboration with the European Commission on aspects of common interest and to explore future cooperation opportunities, notably with regard to the IP policy agenda and the fight against counterfeiting and piracy.

The EUIPO’s cooperation with other EU institutions and agencies working in this field under the responsibility of Home Affairs, such as Europol, CEPOL, and Frontex was also discussed, as was the growing impact of intellectual property crime and its links to other serious crimes.

Mr Archambeau has engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with EU representatives. Through these contacts, the EUIPO is actively seeking to contribute to the European Commission and EU institutions’ policies within the field of IP rights and their protection.