The bombing of a market in Yemen’s Northern province of Saada last Saturday resulted in the death of more than 20 civilians and several injured.

The EU expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to all those injured. The bombing is a stark reminder that Yemeni civilians are the ones bearing the brunt of a war that has devastated their country, threatening to undermine regional stability.

The EU is increasingly worried by the humanitarian situation in the country, on the verge of widespread famine and most recently hit by a cholera outbreak.

The EU expects all parties to re-engage constructively, under the auspices of the UN, to find a peaceful and negotiated political solution to the conflict so as to bring an end to the current unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

As stated by its Foreign Affairs Ministers in April, the EU will continue to work with the UN and all Yemeni and regional actors in the search of a political solution to the crisis while remaining committed to provide humanitarian assistance to the Yemeni population according to their rising needs.

Luxemburg, 19 June 2017

Check against delivery!

High Representative/Vice-President, Federica Mogherini: “We had a very good ministerial meeting with our Eastern partners, reaffirming the strong commitment of the European Union and also of our partners to our close cooperation, preparing the Summit that we will have in November in Brussels and focusing the preparation of that on concrete deliverables. Here, Commissioner Hahn and myself have been working together very closely in these months to prepare this approach.

I have seen a certain degree of unity, a strong dedication and we will continue our work now with our 6 partners. With each of them we have a differentiated approach but with all of them – bilaterally and all together – things are moving in a very good way.”

Commissioner Johannes Hahn: “I think important is to highlight that there was a very strong support for the concept of the 20 deliverables. We have structured these 20 deliverables in four key areas: the first is governance; the second is economic development; the third is mobility and people to people; and the fourth is connectivity, energy efficiency etc…

I think it is important what the High Representative has just said, to stress it again that this was endorsed by the Member States and also very welcomed by the 6 neighbouring countries, also there are different views on some aspects, but in principle there was a strong support from both sides for this kind of approach.”

Mesdames et Messieurs,

Je suis heureux de vous retrouver, aux côtés de David Davis, pour cette première conférence de presse commune.

Cette première session était importante. Je peux dire aujourd’hui qu’elle a été utile.

                                                                    *** 

Ladies and gentlemen,

This first session was useful to start off on the right foot.

And it was useful for me to sit down with my counterpart, David Davis. I look forward to working closely with you during this negotiation.

Today, we agreed on dates.

We agreed on organisation.

We agreed on priorities for the negotiation.

In a first step, we will deal with the most pressing issues. We must lift the uncertainty caused by Brexit. We want to make sure that the withdrawal of the UK happens in an orderly manner.

Then, in a second step, we will scope our future relationship.

We also agreed on how we will structure our talks. Our aim is to have one week of negotiations every month. And use the time in between to work on proposals and exchange them.

In the first phase, the negotiation rounds will be broken down into three groups: citizens’ rights, the single financial settlement, and other separation issues.

These groups will report back to their respective principals during each negotiating week.

David Davis and I, as Chief EU Negotiator, will discuss the issues together, tackle difficulties, lift obstacles.

We agreed that our closest collaborators will start a dialogue on Ireland. The protection of the Good Friday agreement and the maintenance of the Common Travel Area are the most urgent issues to discuss.

We also agreed on the importance of timing for this first phase.

Our objective is to agree on the main principles of the key challenges for the UK’s withdrawal as soon as possible. This includes citizens’ rights, the single financial settlement, and the question of the borders, in particular in Ireland.

The European Council can then decide on whether we can show sufficient progress, or not. And if we can move to scoping the future relationship on trade and other matters.

                                                                    *** 

Mesdames et Messieurs,

Aujourd’hui, nous avons donc commencé à discuter de ces trois sujets clé dans le mandat que m’ont donné les 27.

Nous devons nous engager mutuellement à garantir aux citoyens des deux côtés du channel qu’ils pourront continuer à vivre comme avant.

Nous devons solder les comptes et honorer nos engagements financiers mutuels.

Nous devons trouver des solutions pour préserver tous les engagements du Good Friday Agreement.

C’est en levant les incertitudes sur ces sujets que nous poserons les bases de la confiance nécessaire pour bâtir un nouveau partenariat entre nous.

En quittant l’Union comme il a choisi de le faire, le Royaume-Uni n’aura plus les mêmes droits et bénéfices que les Etats membres de l’Union. Je suis cependant convaincu qu’il est dans notre intérêt commun d’établir un nouveau partenariat entre les 27 et le Royaume-Uni et que ce partenariat peut contribuer à la stabilité durable de notre continent.

Nous sommes à 27, avec les institutions, unis pour cette négociation et dans cette perspective. Mais, les 27 sont également unis pour, en toutes hypothèses, continuer à réformer, progresser, avancer ensemble.

                                                                    ***

Ladies and gentlemen,

For both the EU and the UK, a fair deal is possible and far better than no deal. That is what I said to David today. That is why we will work all the time with the UK, and never against the UK.

There will be no hostility on my side. I will display a constructive attitude, firmly based on the interest and support of the 27.

And I will all the time seek the continued support of the European Parliament.

Permettez-moi de terminer en citant Jean Monnet qui, quand on lui demandait s’il était optimiste ou pessimiste, répondait : ni l’un, ni l’autre, je suis déterminé. Voilà mon état d’esprit.

We have taken good note of the Venice Commission and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ Opinion on a draft revision of the electoral legislation of the Republic of Moldova.

As highlighted by the Venice Commission and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ Opinion, the choice of an electoral system is a sovereign decision of a State.

However, we share the view of the Venice Commission and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights that the proposed changes raise serious concerns in the current political context and that the existing polarisation around this legislative initiative is not indicative of meaningful consultation and a broad consensus among key stakeholders.

The most significant concerns include: risks of influence on candidates and on the design of single-mandate constituencies, excessive thresholds for parliamentary representation in the proportional component and risks of inadequate representation of minorities and women.

In addition, this proposed revision does not address earlier recommendations of the Venice Commission and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and concerns pertaining to the regulation and oversight of political party and campaign finance, which would pose further challenges to effective control and supervision, also due to a lack of appropriate resources in the Republic of Moldova.

Against these concerns and considering the lack of consensus on this legislative initiative, we concur with the opinion of the Venice Commission and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights that “such a fundamental change, while a sovereign prerogative of the country, is not advisable this time“.

The proposed revision, if adopted by the Parliament, and its practical implementation, will be assessed in light of the Republic of Moldova’s obligations as a member of the Council of Europe. We recall that democracy and the rule of law are also at the core of our Association Agreement.

In this spirit, we expect the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to respect the authority of the Venice Commission and we encourage the Republic of Moldova to pursue and further deepen its close cooperation with the Council of Europe and its bodies, addressing all their concerns and recommendations.