(Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine)

Déplacements et visites

 

Lundi 16 octobre 2017

Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), in Luxembourg

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives together with Mr Frans Timmermans, Mr Valdis Dombrovskis, Mr Andrus Ansip, Ms Marianne Thyssen, Mr Pierre Moscovici and Ms Corina Creţu, Mr Edouard Philippe, Prime Minister for France.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič in Bratislava, Slovakia (until 17/10): hosts a Citizens’ dialogue on the Future of Europe at the University of Economy.

Mr Jyrki Katainen in Washington D.C., the United States (until 17/10): participates in a working dinner with high-level experts and think-tanks on the challenges to the global trade system.

Ms Cecilia Malmström in South Africa (until 17/10): participates in the EU-Southern African Development Community (EU-SADC) Economic Partnership Agreements Civil Society Forum (EPA CSF); and meets Mr Rob Davies, Minister for Trade and Industryof South Africa.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Denarau Island, Nadi, Fiji (until 18/10): participates in the Pre-COP (United Nations Climate Change Conference) Ministerial meeting.

Mr Karmenu Vella in Cyprus: meets Mr Nicos Kouyialis, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus; Mr Adamos Adamou, Acting President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus and Chairman of the House Standing Committee on the Environment; participates in a joint meeting with the chairmen and members of the House Standing Committees on Environment, on Foreign and European Affairs, and on Agriculture and Natural Resources; visits a project site on “Restoration and Management of Oroklini Lake”, a Special Protection Area (SPA); and holds a Dialogue on “Engaging Nature, People and the Economy” with various stakeholders, at the EU House in Nicosia.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Gembloux, Belgium:visits the Crealys@science park Gembloux; and holds a Citizens’ dialogue.

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos and Mr Julian King in Seville, Spain: attend the G6/US/Morocco ministerial meeting.

Mr Christos Stylianides in Nimes, France: delivers a keynote speech at the Opening of the Aerial Firefighting Europe 2017.

Mr Phil Hogan in Rome, Italy: delivers a speech on the occasion of World Food Day 2017.

Ms Violeta Bulc in Skopje, Former Yougoslav Republic of Macedonia: delivers a keynote speech at the Business Leadesr of South-East Europe Summit100 .

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Budapest, Hungary, delivers a speech on cultural heritage and tourism and participates in a panel discussion on Europe’s future innovation strategy at the INNOVEIT forum; meets graduates of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT); and participates in the EIT Awards Ceremony handing over one of the EIT Awards.

Ms Corina Creţu receives a group of students of the Lauder-Reut high school, Romania.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Edinburgh, Scotland (until 17/10): delivers a MacCormick European Lecture on “The Future of EU Research and Innovation”at the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

 

Mardi 17 octobre 2017

General Affairs Council (Art. 50), in Luxembourg

Competitiveness Council (COMPET), in Luxembourg

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, for a working lunch.

Ms Federica Mogherini in Magdeburg, Germany: receives the Emperor Otto Prize awarded by the City of Magdeburg.

Mr Andrus Ansip in Luxembourg: attends the General Affairs Council and working lunch.

Mr Andrus Ansip receives a delegation of members of the US Congress.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič in Bratislava, Slovakia: meets Mr Juraj Stern, Rector of the Pan European University, and exchanges views with students.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič meets representatives of Eurospace trade association, along with Members of the European Parliament, at the European Parliament, in Brussels.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis in Paris, France: delivers a keynote address at the opening session of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) Conference 2017; meets Mr Bruno Le Maire, Minister for Economy and Finance of France; and Mr Alexis Kohler, Secretary General of the Élysée.

Mr Jyrki Katainen in Washington D.C., the United States: meets Mr Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce; Mr Gary Cohn, Director of the National Economic Council; Mr John Cornyn, Senator; and delivers keynote address at an event of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Atlantic Council.

Mr Johannes Hahn in Minsk, Belarus: on official visit.

Ms Cecilia Malmström in South Africa: meets Mr Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of theUniversity of the Witwatersrand; and delivers a lecture on: “Global Trade: Path to Shared Prosperity”, at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Denarau Island, Nadi, Fiji: participates in the Pre-COP (United Nations Climate Change Conference) Ministerial meeting.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Tallinn, Estonia: delivers a speech at the high-level conference “Health in the Digital Society. Digital Society for Health”.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Paris, France: prononce un discours sur le future de l’euro à la  Bergedorfer Roundtable, organisé par la Fondation Körber.

Mr Christos Stylianides in Ankara, Turkey: participates in the “1 Year 1 Million” event to mark the milestone of reaching 1 million beneficiaries of the EU-funded Emergency Social Safety Net programme in Turkey.

Mr Phil Hogan receives Mr Joachim Rukwied, President of COPA, European Farmers.

Mr Phil Hogan receives Mr François Bonneau, President of Centre-Val de Loire Region of France; Mr Renaud Muselier, President of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region; Mr Jean-Pierre Raynaud, Vice-President of Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region; Ms Hélène Aussignac, Adviser for Agriculture, Agri-food, Fisheries and Forestry at Regions of France; and Mr Pascal Gruselle, Adviser for European Affairs, Regional Planning and Overseas at Regions of France.

Ms Violeta Bulc delivers a keynote speech at the CEO forum of Airlines for Europe (A4E), in Brussels.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska receives a delegation of members of the US Congress.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska receives Mr Hans Wolf von Koeller, Head of Energy Policy at Steag GmbH; and Mr Adam Leszkiewicz, representative of Steag Energo Mineral Poland.

Ms Vĕra Jourová receives Mr Ted Deutsch, Ms Suzan DelBene, Ms Brenda Lawrence and Ms Yvette Clarke, Members of the US House of Representatives, to discuss transatlantic digital policy issues.

Ms Vĕra Jourová delivers a keynote speech at the 10^th anniversary celebration of the hotline for missing children and child helpline organised by Missing Children Europe and Child Helpline International, in Brussels.

Ms Vĕra Jourová delivers a keynote speechat theHigh-Level Expert meeting on the European Arrest Warrant, in Brussels.

Ms Corina Creţu delivers a keynote speech at the ”Future of the Cohesion Policy post-2020: The role of local administrations in Central and Eastern European countries in maximizing the contribution of European funds” conference, in Brussels.

Ms Corina Creţu receives Mr Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Edinburgh, Scotland: meets Mr Mark Walport, Chief Executive Designate of UK Research and Innnovation; participates in a Scottish Government innovator roundtable hosted by Mr Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy in the Scottish Parliament; visits the Data Lab Innovation Centre, and Robotarium at Heriot Watt University; and participates in a working lunch with young innovators, hosted by Mr Richard Williams, Principal, and Mr Julian Jones, Vice-Principal of the Heriot Watt University.

Ms Mariya Gabriel delivers a keynote speech at the “Working Smart. Drawing the future of a flexible and efficient work” conference, at the European Parliament, in Brussels.

Ms Mariya Gabriel attends the opening of the annual CoderDojo event on programming languages, at the European Parliament, in Brussels.

Ms Mariya Gabriel receives Mr Thomas Schmidt, State Minister for Environment and Agriculture of Saxony, Germany.

Ms Mariya Gabriel attends the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Generation Code: Born at the Library” in the framework of EU Code Week , in Brussels.

 

Mercredi 18 octobre 2017

College meeting

Tripartite Social Summit, in Brussels

President Jean-Claude Juncker delivers a speech at the Tripartite Social Summit.

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary; Mr Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia; Mr Bohuslav Sobotka, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic; and Ms Beata Szydło, Prime Minister of Poland, for a working dinner of the Visegrad Group.

Mr Frans Timmermans attends the Plenary Session of the European Economic Social Committee on the Commission Work Programme, in Brussels.

Mr Frans Timmermans participates in a panel discussion on “Progressive Leaders paving the Way”, organised by S&D, in Brussels.

Mr Andrus Ansip delivers closing remarks at the 5^th BEREC Stakeholder Forum (Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications), in Brussels

Mr Maroš Šefčovič, Ms Violeta Bulc andMs Mariya Gabriel deliver keynote speeches at the 3^rd EU Aeronautics Conference, at the European Parliament, in Brussels.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič meets Mr Alessandro Profumo, CEO of global high-tech company Leonardo S.p.A., in Brussels.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič meets representatives of the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT), in Brussels.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič receives representatives of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project.

Mr Jyrki Katainen receives Mr Alessandro Profumo, CEO of global high-tech company, Leonardo S.p.A.

Mr Jyrki Katainen receives Mr Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC.

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives Mr Muhammad Pervaiz Malik, Federal Minister for Commerce and Textile of Pakistan.

Ms Cecilia Malmström participates in a roundtable on “Animal Welfare and the Future of Ethical Trade”, in Brussels.

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives Mr Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus Group.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Denarau Island, Nadi, Fiji (until 18/10): participates in the Pre-COP (United Nations Climate Change Conference) Ministerial meeting.

Mr Karmenu Vella,Ms Violeta Bulc, Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska and Ms Mariya Gabriel participate and deliver interventions at the High Level Group on Competitiveness and Sustainable Growth of the Automotive Industry in the EU (GEAR 2030), in Brussels.

Mr Karmenu Vella receives Mr Eoghan Murphy, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government of Ireland.

Mr Karmenu Vella receives Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of the New Democracy party of Greece.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis participates in the European Association for Food Safety SAFE 2017 workshop, in Brussels.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis receives representatives of European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS).

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos receives Mr Edward Nalbandian, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

Ms Marianne Thyssen attends the Tripartite Social Summit, in Brussels.

M. Pierre Moscovici reçoit M. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Président de Nea Dimokratia parti en Grece.

M. Pierre Moscovici prononce un discours à la  conférence “Reinventing Convergence: Towards Resilient Economic Structures” organisé par la Commission Européenne, à Bruxelles.

Mr Christos Stylianides receives Mr Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum.

Mr Phil Hogan meets Mr Petteri Orpo, Minister for Finance of Finland, in Brussels.

Ms Vĕra Jourová delivers a keynote speech at the Brussels POLITICO’s Playbook Breakfast event, in Brussels.

Ms Vĕra Jourová receives representatives of Nomad Foods.

Ms Vĕra Jourová receives Mr Adrian Delia, Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista of Malta.

Ms Corina Creţu in Budapest, Hungary: delivers a keynote speech at the 6th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.

Mr Julian King attends the memorial for victims of terrorist attacks, in Brussels.

Mr Julian King receives Mr Adrian Delia, Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista of Malta.

Mr Julian King delivers a speech at the “Building Alliances – Preventing Terror” conference organised by the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), in Brussels.

Mr Julian King meets Mr Marcel Huber, Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery and State Minister for Federal Affairs and Special Affairs, in Brussels.

Ms Mariya Gabriel receives Mr Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC.

Ms Mariya Gabriel attends the opening and delivers the keynote speech at the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women Europe Class of 2017, in Brussels. 

 

Jeudi 19 octobre 2017

19-20/10 European Council, in Brussels

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Pedro Sánchez, leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE).

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Māris Kučinskis, Prime Minister of Latvia.

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of the New Democracy party of Greece.

President Jean-Claude Juncker participates in the EPP Summit ahead of the European Council.

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Paolo Gentiloni, Prime Minister of Italy.

President Jean-Claude Juncker participates in the European Council.

Mr Frans Timmermans participates in a panel discussion on “Defending and Strenghtening Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Europe, organised by S&D group, in Brussels.

Mr Frans Timmermans receives Ms Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway.

Mr Andrus Ansip receives Heads of European Postal Operators.

Mr Andrus Ansip receives teachers from Russian schools in Tallinn.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis receives a delegation of Members of US House of Representatives, led by Mr Jeb Hensarling, Chairman of the Financial Services Committee.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis delivers a keynote speech at the “Reinventing Convergence: Towards Resilient Economic Structures” conference, organised by the Eruoepan Commission, in Brussels.

Mr Jyrki Katainen participates in the Summit of the European People’s Party (EPP), in Brussels.

Mr Jyrki Katainen receives Mr Christian Sewing, President, Co-Head of Private and Commercial Bank at Deutsche Bank; and Mr Michael Reuther, Member of Board of Managing Directors at Commerzbank.

Ms Cecilia Malmström in Gothenburg, Sweden: delivers a lecture on “Halfway through the mandate – achievements and visions for the future of the EU”, organised by the student organisation “Brännpunkt Europa” at the University of Gothenburg; and participates in the annual “Prins Bertils Seminar” at theSchool of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg.

Mr Neven Mimica receives Mr Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry.

Mr Neven Mimica receives Mr Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius.

Mr Karmenu Vella speaks at the General Assembly of Eurometaux, the European non-ferrous metals association, in Brussels.

Mr Karmenu Vella receives Ms Adriana-Doina Pană, Minister for Waters and Forests of Romania.

Mr Karmenu Vella receives Mr Gheorghe Șimon, Minister for Economy of Romania.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Bucharest, Romania: meets Mr Mihai Tudose, Prime Minister of Romania; Mr Florian Bodog, Minister for Health of Romania; Mr Petre Daea, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania; participates in a meeting with the Health and European Affairs Committees from the Chamber of Deputies and Senate; holds a Citizens’ dialogue on the Future of Europe together with Mr Victor Negrescu, Minister-delegate for European Affairs; delivers a speech at the “Health Forum – the financing of the healthcare system in 2018”; meets Mr Vlad Voiculescu, former Minister for Health; and Mr Vlad Mixich, former interim Vice-President of the Romanian National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices.

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos and Mr Julian King in Ischia, Italy (until 20/10): attend the G7 Interior Ministers’ meeting on the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

Ms Marianne Thyssen delivers a keynote speech at the high-level Conference “Power from Statistics“, in Brussels.

Ms Marianne Thyssen delivers a keynote speech at a Belgian event on European Disability Card for access of people with disabilities to culture, in Brussels.

Ms Marianne Thyssen receives Mr Jevgeni Ossinovski, Minister for Health and Labour of Estonia.

Mr Phil Hogan in Serock, Poland: delivers a speech at the 15^th Dairy Cooperatives Forum (DCF).

Ms Violeta Bulc in Dublin, Ireland: meets with Mr Shane Ross, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport of Ireland; and addresses the Transport Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Tallinn, Estonia: delivers a keynote speech at European Tourism Forum 2017.

Ms Vĕra Jourová receives a delegation of Members of US House of Representatives, led by Mr Jeb Hensarling, Chairman of the Financial Services Committee.

Ms Vĕra Jourová delivers a keynote speech at the European Brands Association’s Board meeting, in Brussels.

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Budapest, Hungary; delivers a keynote address at the Danube Forum; at the 2nd European Pro Bono Summit organised by ‘Volunteering in Hungary’ (ÖKA); and at the annual high-level Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research (CESAER).

Mr Carlos Moedas receives Mr Garik Israelian, Director of STARMUS Festival.

Ms Mariya Gabriel delivers a keynote speech by video-conference to the VII European Congress of SMEs in Katowice, Poland.

Vendredi 20 octobre 2017

European Council, in Brussels

President Jean-Claude Juncker participates in the European Council.

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Oviedo, Spain: together with Mr Antonio Tajani, President of European Parliament and Mr Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, accepts the Princess of Asturias Award of Concord on behalf of the European Union; and attends a reception in the presence of the King and Queen of Spain.

Ms Federica Mogherini receives Ms Kang Kyung-wha, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

Ms Federica Mogherini receives Mr Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

Mr Jyrki Katainen in Luxembourg: meets Mr Etienne Schneider, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Economy; Mr Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB); Mr Ville Itälä, Member of the European Court of Auditors (ECA); and delivers keynote address at an event organised by the Permanent Representation of Finland to the European Union.

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives Mr Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry.

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives Mr Mustapa Mohamed, Minister for International Trade and Industry of Malaysia.

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives Ms Kamina Johnson-Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica.

Mr Neven Mimica holds a speech at the high-level roundtable “Putting Partnership into Practice: making the best of the toolbox to promote investment in ACP countries, to connect to value chains and industrialise”, in Brussels.

Mr Karmenu Vella meets Mr Pierre Olivier Drège, President of the European Landowners’ Organisation (ELO); Mr Thierry de l’Escaille, Secretary General of ELO; Mr Konstantin Kostopoulos, Adviser at ELO for Wildlife-Estate and Natura 2000; and Mr Allan Buckwell, Emeritus Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), in Brussels.

Mr Karmenu Vella receives Mr Eneko Aierbe, Fisheries campaigner for Ecologistas en Acción NGO.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Bucharest, Romania: participates in the European Livestock and Meat Trades Union 2017 Annual General Meeting.

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos and Mr Julian King in Ischia, Italy (until 20/10): attend the G7 Interior Ministers’ meeting on the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

Mr Christos Stylianides receives Ms Najat Rochdi, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Katowice, Poland: participates in the VII European Congress of SMEs.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Lisbon, Portugal: delivers a keynote speech at a Radio and Television of Portugal (RTP) conference on “Future of the Public Media Service in the EU”.

 

Samedi 21 octobre 2017

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Cernobbio, Italy: delivers a speech at the Coldiretti International Forum on Agriculture and Food.

 

Prévisions du mois d’octobre:

23/10 Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO), in Luxembourg.

23-26/10 European Parliament plenary session, in Strasbourg.

24/10 Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE), in Luxembourg.

Prévisons du mois de novembre:

06/11 Eurogroup, in Brussels.

06-07/11 Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH), in Brussels.

07/11 Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), in Brussels.

09/11 Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA), in Brussels.

10/11 Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), in Brussels.

13-14/11 Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), in Brussels.

13-16/11 European Parliament plenary session, in Strasbourg.

15/11 General Affairs Council (GAC), in Brussels.

17/11 Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), in Brussels.

17/11 Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth, in Gothenburg.

20/11 General Affairs Council (GAC), in Brussels.

20-21/11 Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council (EYCS), in Brussels.

24/11 Eastern Partnership summit, in Brussels.

27/11 Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), in Brussels.

29-30/11 European Parliament plenary session, in Brussels.

30/11 – 01/12 Competitiveness Council (COMPET), in Brussels.

Prévisions du mois de décembre:

30/11 – 01/12 Competitiveness Council (COMPET), in Brussels.

04/12 Eurogroup, in Brussels.

04-05/12 Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE), in Brussels.

05/12 Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), in Brussels.

07-08/12 Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA), in Brussels.

07-08/12 Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO), in Brussels.

11/12 Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), in Brussels.

11-12/12 Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH), in Brussels.

11-14/12 European Parliament plenary session, in Strasbourg.

12/12 General Affairs Council (GAC), in Brussels.

12/12 General Affairs Council (Art. 50), in Brussels

14-15/12 European Council, in Brussels.

18/12 Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE), in Brussels.

19/12 Environment Council (ENVI), in Brussels.

 

 

Permanence DG COMM le WE du 23 au 24 septembre 2017:

Ricardo CARDOSO: +32 (0) 460 76 42 66

Permanence RAPID – GSM: +32 (0) 498 982 748

Service Audiovisuel, planning studio – tél. : +32 (0)2/295 21 23

This year’s edition confirms the positive labour market trends that have been witnessed in the EU. EU employment has surpassed pre-crisis levels with more than 235 million people at work. Unemployment which now stands at 7.6% is also approaching levels prior to the recession. In addition, the report shows that it has become easier for unemployed people to find a job. On the other hand, more flexible working arrangements have brought advantages to both firms and individuals, but have led in some cases to a divide between workers holding different types of contracts, with people in temporary employment and self-employment being less well protected.

Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, commented: “More and more people in Europe are able to find a job and we witness the highest employment level ever recorded. Europe is reaping the benefits of targeted policy reforms. At the same time we need to address further challenges. We must ensure fair working conditions and protection for all workers, independent of their employment status. On the basis of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which we launched on 26 April, we are working to modernise the rules on employment contracts and social protection to achieve better working and living conditions across the EU.”

The 2017 Labour Market and Wage Development Report also shows that in 2016, wages in the euro area rose by 1.2% and they increased in almost all Member States. Member States with comparatively low wage levels (such as the Baltics, Hungary and Romania) recorded the highest increases. This means wages are converging across Europe. However, in many countries, the growth rate of wages is still lower than expected based on the recent falls in unemployment. In addition, in almost all Member States, wages of temporary workers are lower than those of permanent workers, especially in Member States where the share of temporary employment is higher.

Delivering on the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Commission presented a legislative proposal to improve work-life balance of working parents and carers, and launched social partner consultations to modernise the rules on labour contracts and on access to social protection for all. These initiatives could – once adopted – provide answers to the challenges highlighted in this year’s Labour Market and Wage Developments in Europe report, such as labour market segmentation and lack of protection of workers in non-standard forms of employment.

Background

The Labour Market and Wage Developments in Europe report analyses the labour market from a macroeconomic perspective. It provides an analysis of recent employment and wage developments, looking at the euro area and the EU as a whole in comparison with its global trading partners. Each edition includes a thematic chapter that deepens the macro-economic analysis of a relevant issue. Previous editions of the report can be found here.

The proposal for a European Pillar of Social Rights, adopted by the Commission on 26 April 2017, sets out 20 key principles and rights to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. In his 2017 State of the Union address, President Juncker confirmed the Commission’s commitment to move forward with the Pillar as an essential means to assert European values and create a deeper and fairer EU: “If we want to avoid social fragmentation and social dumping in Europe, then Member States should agree on the European Pillar of Social Rights as soon as possible and at the latest at the Gothenburg summit in November.” The Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 17 November 2017. More information on the Summit can be found here.

For more information

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Mecachrome Aeronáutica has inaugurated today in Évora (Portugal) its new plant for manufacturing titanium parts for aircraft engines. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has financed the investments by the Mecachrome group with a EUR 40 million loan aimed at supporting the modernisation and expansion of its production capacities for advanced aero engine and aerostructure components at its factories in France and Portugal. Part of the project scope is in particular focused on the new factory inaugurated today in Portugal. The operation is guaranteed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the core of the Investment Plan for Europe, the Juncker Plan.

The EIB financial support for this project will not only contribute to innovation but also foster economic growth in an EU cohesion region by creating more than 300 new permanent jobs in Portugal. The investments will also help to disseminate knowledge in advance manufacturing technology: in the future, Mecachrome, in partnership with IEFP, will provide workers with the appropriate skills to work with new hard metal machining.    

About the impact of this project, the EIB Vice-President overseeing the operations of the EU bank in Portugal, Román Escolano, stressed: “This new aeronautical plant inaugurated in Évora is a fantastic example of our priorities in Portugal: supporting the creation of jobs by financing sustainable and innovative investments. By financing the capacity expansion of Mecachrome with a new factory in Portugal, the EIB is enhancing the competitiveness of the EU’s technological industry, while fostering economic growth in a convergence region, which will benefit from new highly skilled jobs”.

Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: “The Investment Plan for Europe is supporting once again an innovative project in Portugal with a EUR 40 million loan. Using cutting-edge technology, this new environmentally-friendly factory in Évora will create 300 permanent jobs in Portugal and will be a leading manufacturer of titanium parts for aircraft engines in Europe. I am proud that Portugal is making full use of the Juncker Plan: it is now ranked second out of 28 in total investment mobilised relative to GDP.”

This new Mecachrome facility is the first site of the company equipped with the revolutionary new machining technology called cryogenic that it is specialised in hard metal machining.

The new plant is a green-field and paper-free factory with additional environmental benefits: the new aircraft titanium parts produced in the new Portuguese factory will facilitate the construction of more efficient aero-engines and aerostructures, helping to reduce the weight of the aircraft and therefore fuel consumption.

Thanks to the support of the Juncker Plan, the EIB is able to provide Mecachrome with the required advantageous financing to assure the implementation of its innovation strategy. Investment in innovation, research and development is one the pillars of the Investment Plan for Europe.