Jul132017

Joint statement by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk on the passing away of Liu Xiaobo

EU

It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the death of Liu Xiaobo, the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and one of the most prominent human rights defenders in China. We send our most sincere condolences and respect to his wife, Ms Liu Xia, his family and friends.

Liu Xiaobo was one of the authors of Charter 08, calling for peaceful democratic reform and rule of law in China. His personal intervention during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 saved hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

We consistently expressed our opposition to his conviction and asked for his release. Most recently, we urged the Chinese authorities to respect his wish to receive medical care in Germany. Unfortunately these calls were not heeded.

At this time, we appeal to the Chinese authorities to allow his wife, Ms Liu Xia and his family to bury Liu Xiaobo at a place and in a manner of their choosing, and to allow them to grieve in peace. We call on the authorities to remove all restrictions on the movement and communications of his family members and allow Ms Liu Xia and her brother Mr Liu Hui to leave China, if they wish to do so.

We reiterate the European Union’s call for all prisoners of conscience in China to be released.

Jul132017

Converging economies, diverging societies? Upward convergence in the EU – Foundation Forum 2017

EU

For decades there was little doubt about the European Union’s success in the balanced acceleration of standards of living among the Member States. Since 2008, this upward convergence has stalled.

The Foundation Forum 2017 will bring together up to 200 experts, policymakers, employer and worker representatives, national governments, thinkers and practitioners in Dublin Castle to hammer out the issues around upward convergence as a common goal of social convergence in living and working conditions in the European Union.

The Foundation Forum 2017 will take place on 14 -15 November 2017 at Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland.

The Foundation Forum is Eurofound’s flagship event, aimed at reaching high-level policymakers in the field of social, employment and work-related policies. It provides a platform for Eurofound to contribute findings of relevance to the debate and further strengthens its role and capacity as a facilitator for the exchange of knowledge, ideas and experiences, in line with the tasks assigned to the Agency in its Founding Regulation.

Speakers confirmed include:

  • An Taoiseach, the Irish Prime Minister
  • Ylva Johansson, Swedish Minister for Employment
  • Branko Milanovic, Lead Economist in the World Bank research group and visiting Professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, USA
  • Luca Visentini, Secretary General, ETUC
  • Frank Vandenbroucke, Former Belgian politician and academic
  • Rob Scott, Senior Economist, Economic Policy Institute, Washington DC, USA

Express your interest for an invitation to attend the Foundation Forum to discuss, debate and advocate the latest issues affecting the work and lives of Europe’s citizens, 

Check out the highlights of Eurofound’s last Foundation Forum (2013): Social and Employment Policies for a Fair and Competitive Europe

Jul132017

Converging economies, diverging societies? Upward convergence in the EU – Foundation Forum 2017

EU

For decades there was little doubt about the European Union’s success in the balanced acceleration of standards of living among the Member States. Since 2008, this upward convergence has stalled.

The Foundation Forum 2017 will bring together up to 200 experts, policymakers, employer and worker representatives, national governments, thinkers and practitioners in Dublin Castle to hammer out the issues around upward convergence as a common goal of social convergence in living and working conditions in the European Union.

The Foundation Forum 2017 will take place on 14 -15 November 2017 at Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland.

The Foundation Forum is Eurofound’s flagship event, aimed at reaching high-level policymakers in the field of social, employment and work-related policies. It provides a platform for Eurofound to contribute findings of relevance to the debate and further strengthens its role and capacity as a facilitator for the exchange of knowledge, ideas and experiences, in line with the tasks assigned to the Agency in its Founding Regulation.

Speakers confirmed include:

  • An Taoiseach, the Irish Prime Minister
  • Ylva Johansson, Swedish Minister for Employment
  • Branko Milanovic, Lead Economist in the World Bank research group and visiting Professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, USA
  • Luca Visentini, Secretary General, ETUC
  • Frank Vandenbroucke, Former Belgian politician and academic
  • Rob Scott, Senior Economist, Economic Policy Institute, Washington DC, USA

Express your interest for an invitation to attend the Foundation Forum to discuss, debate and advocate the latest issues affecting the work and lives of Europe’s citizens, 

Check out the highlights of Eurofound’s last Foundation Forum (2013): Social and Employment Policies for a Fair and Competitive Europe

Jul132017

Liberation of Mosul a ‘milestone’ in global fight against ISIL – UN Security Council

United Nations

13 July 2017 – The liberation of Mosul has marked an &#8220important milestone&#8221 in the global fight against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), the United Nations Security Council today, welcoming the announcement by Iraqi authorities that the city has been freed of the terrorist group.

&#8220As the Iraqi Security Forces liberate the remaining pockets of ISIL-controlled territory […] all parties must comply with their obligations under international law, including, as applicable, human rights and international humanitarian law, particularly with respect to the protection of the civilian population,&#8221 the Security Council members said in a press statement today.

They also recognized the Iraqi Government’s ongoing partnership with the UN to stabilize liberated areas across the country and called on all Iraqis to continue to work towards that end, including through a redoubled focus on national reconciliation and the safe and voluntary return or reintegration of the millions displaced.

The members of the Council also called for ensuring accountability for all violations and abuses of human rights and humanitarian laws.

Further to the statement, the Council members expressed their sympathies and condolences to all those who have suffered, and to the families of those who have perished in the fight against ISIL.

They also underscored the need to ensure justice for ISIL’s victims and survivors of its crimes, in Iraq and across the region.

Jul132017

Press release: Alun Cairns: The Repeal Bill will provide certainty and stability across the board.

HM Government

The Repeal Bill will provide certainty and stability for businesses, employees and consumers as the UK prepares to exit the European Union.

The Bill will convert existing EU law into UK domestic law, maintaining the same standards, same rules, same regulations, same measures and the same obligations on the day after exit as the day before.

Most importantly, it will deliver on our promise to end the supremacy of European Union law in the UK so that our future laws will be made in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast.

For the entire process, the UK Government will consult and listen to businesses, local authorities, the third sector, the Welsh Government and the National Assembly to ensure the UK’s exit from the EU works for Wales and for the UK as a whole.