Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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On 19 March 2018, the Council adopted Decision 2018/459/CFSP[1]. The Council Decision extends the existing restrictive measures until 31 March 2019.

The Candidate Countries Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Montenegro* and Albania*, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Georgia align themselves with this Decision.

They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

[1] Published on 20.03.2018 in the Official Journal of the European Union no. L 77, p. 17. 

*The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.



“Supporting the future of Syria and the region”: financial tracking report

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Consumer Programme: Call for tender n° Chafea/2017/CP/02 concerning Multiple Framework Contracts with reopening of competition for the organisation of coordinated activities on consumer product safety (Non-Food) in the EU and EEA/EFTA countries

Call for tender n° Chafea/2017/CP/02 concerning Multiple Framework Contracts with reopening of competition for the organisation of coordinated activities on consumer product safety (Non-Food) in the EU and EEA/EFTA countries

Chafea intends to award three Framework Contracts for the provision of the services described here below. Potential candidates interested to participate in the procedure are invited to send their offer, in line with the requirements and formalities detailed in the invitation to tender.

The objective of this call is to conclude three Multiple Framework Contracts, with reopening of competition, with the 3 tenderers that are ranked highest in the tender.

For the provision of services related to the coordination of activities on consumer product safety in the EU/EEA/EFTA countries, the contractors will be responsible for:

  • The overall coordination and logistical organisation of the product-specific and horizontal activities, including all necessary meetings during the project;
  • The overall coordination of the product testing process, including the identification and selection of appropriate laboratories;
  • Providing technical expertise and advice to support the work of the national market surveillance authorities; and
  • Reporting on, communicating and disseminating the outcome of the activities to all relevant stakeholders.

The deadline to submit tenders for this procedure is 28 June 2018.



Consumer Programme: Call for tender n° Chafea/2017/CP/02 concerning Multiple Framework Contracts with reopening of competition for the organisation of coordinated activities on consumer product safety (Non-Food) in the EU and EEA/EFTA countries

Call for tender n° Chafea/2017/CP/02 concerning Multiple Framework Contracts with reopening of competition for the organisation of coordinated activities on consumer product safety (Non-Food) in the EU and EEA/EFTA countries

Chafea intends to award three Framework Contracts for the provision of the services described here below. Potential candidates interested to participate in the procedure are invited to send their offer, in line with the requirements and formalities detailed in the invitation to tender.

The objective of this call is to conclude three Multiple Framework Contracts, with reopening of competition, with the 3 tenderers that are ranked highest in the tender.

For the provision of services related to the coordination of activities on consumer product safety in the EU/EEA/EFTA countries, the contractors will be responsible for:

  • The overall coordination and logistical organisation of the product-specific and horizontal activities, including all necessary meetings during the project;
  • The overall coordination of the product testing process, including the identification and selection of appropriate laboratories;
  • Providing technical expertise and advice to support the work of the national market surveillance authorities; and
  • Reporting on, communicating and disseminating the outcome of the activities to all relevant stakeholders.

The deadline to submit tenders for this procedure is 28 June 2018.



Press release: African leaders gather in London for illegal wildlife talks

The Duke of Cambridge, the Foreign Secretary and leaders of African Commonwealth countries met on Friday 20 April for high level talks on tackling the illegal wildlife trade in advance of the next international conference in London later this year.

Ambitious proposals to tackle the crime were discussed and debated, including opportunities to boost cross-border law enforcement so that more elephants and other animals can move more freely and safely in Africa.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

Many African countries are already working together and taking robust action to protect and preserve their precious wildlife but this is a serious problem driven by international criminal syndicates.

It is only through ambitious African-led initiatives that we will stop this deplorable crime for good, and we are ready to help. Here in the UK we are taking forward our own plans for a ban on domestic ivory sales, and in October I will co-host an international conference in London on combating the illegal wildlife trade.

Together we can stop the decline of the world’s most iconic species and ensure that future generations don’t have to live in a world without wildlife.

During the talks, the Foreign Secretary appealed for ambitious outcomes at October’s conference, which will focus on tackling the illegal wildlife trade as a serious organised crime, building coalitions and closing illegal wildlife markets. The Foreign Secretary and African leaders discussed opportunities for increasing national and cross-border law enforcement programmes to catch poachers and stop wildlife traffickers.

The numbers are horrific: around 20,000 African elephants are killed by poachers each year. Savanna elephant numbers have declined by a third from 2007 to 2014 and there has been a 9,000% increase in rhino poaching in South Africa. Wildlife in many parts of Africa is at crisis levels.

Mafias and organised crime gangs are at the centre of much of the illegal wildlife trade, driving animals to the point of extinction and decimating wildlife tourism in communities that rely on it.

The illegal wildlife trade is a serious organised crime with revenues worth up to £17bn a year, more than the combined income of the Central African Republic, Liberia and Burundi. That is why the UK is taking forward plans for a ban on domestic ivory sales and in October will host an international conference in London on combating the illegal wildlife trade.

Notes to editors:

  • Representatives from the following countries attended the meeting: Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Cameroon & Nigeria.

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