Draft EU Budget 2017: budget focused on priorities – growth, jobs and a response to the refugee crisis
The Commission has proposed on June 30 the 2017 draft EU Budget of €134.9 billion in payments focusing on the two main policy priorities for Europe: supporting the ongoing recovery of the European economy and addressing the security and humanitarian challenges in our neighbourhood. Increased funding will go to investments in growth, jobs and competitiveness in the European Union as well as to securing the necessary resources to protect the external borders of the EU, to reinforce security inside and outside the Union, to provide support for the reception and integration of refugees, and to address the root causes of migration in the countries of origin and transit.
European Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva, in charge of budget and human resources, said: “The EU is facing massive challenges and in these difficult times a focused and effective EU budget is not a luxury but a necessity. It helps buffer against shocks, providing a boost to our economy and helping to deal with issues like the refugee crisis. As always, we continue to focus our budget on results, making sure that every euro from the EU budget is well spent.”
The proposed budget operates within the tight limitations set by the European Parliament and Member States in the Multiannual Financial Framework.
Boosting jobs, growth and investments
The money specifically for supporting economic growth will total €74.6 billion in commitments in 2017, compared to €69.8 billion in 2016. This breaks down as follows:
€21.1 billion on growth, employment and competitiveness. This includes €10.6 billion for research and innovation under Horizon 2020, €2.0 billion for education under Erasmus+, €299 million for small and medium sized-enterprises under the COSME programme, and €2.5 billion under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
€2.66 billion for the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the vehicle behind the Investment Plan for Europe. This is a success story for Europe, which has secured €106.7 billion in investments in 26 EU Member States in less than a year.
€53.57 billion to support productive investments and structural reforms to foster convergence among Member States and among regions via the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).
Support to European farmers is proposed at €42.9 billion.
Better managing the EU’s external borders and addressing the refugee challenges inside and outside the EU.
The Draft EU Budget 2017 proposes €5.2 billion to reinforce the external borders of the Union and address the refugee crisis and irregular migration by funding stronger tools to prevent migrant smuggling and address the long-term drivers of migration in cooperation with countries of origin and transit, stronger policies for legal migration, including resettlement for persons in need of protection, and instruments to support Member States with respect to the integration of refugees inside the EU.
The Draft EU Budget includes about €3 billion to fund actions within the EU, such as:
The setting up of the European Border and Coast Guard;
The proposal for a new Entry-Exit System to strengthen border management;
The proposals to review the Common European Asylum System, including a reform of the Dublin mechanism;
The establishment of an EU Agency for Asylum.
It also includes €200 million for the new instrument to provide humanitarian assistance within the EU.
Furthermore, the draft budget proposes €2.2 billion for actions outside the EU, in order to address in particular the root causes of the refugee flow. This includes in particular:
€750 million under the Facility for Refugees in Turkey, to help reach the €1 billion contribution to this fund from the EU budget;
The pledge for Lebanon and Jordan made at the UN London conference with €525 million from the EU budget, €160 million from the Syria Trust Fund and €200 million of macro-financial assistance.
More funding for security
In view of the growing security challenges the EU and its Member States are facing, the Draft EU Budget 2017 is also allocating significant resources for security: €111.7 million will go to support Europol and €61.8 million will be dedicated to enhancing the security of the EU institutions, together with an extra €16 million for security measures in 2016.
The Commission is also proposing a preparatory action for research in the defence area with €25 million in 2017
Queen Elizabeth II and Her governor generals – Picture by Reuters.Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Sovereign of 16 Commonwealth realms, along with her spouse, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH The Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, hosted a reception for the governors general wherein Queen Elizabeth II is de facto head of state. The event was hosted as part of the monarch’s official birthday celebrations. Governors general are the Sovereign’s personal representatives in the realms wherein she is not physically present most of the time; they perform the functions and duties reserved to the monarch acting as vice-regals. In attendance were Sir Patrick Allen (Jamaica), Dame Pearlette Louisy (St Lucia), Sir Colville Young (Belize) Sir Frederick Ballantyne (St Vincent and the Grenadines), Sir Frank Kabui (Solomon Islands), Sir Rodney Williams (Antigua and Barbuda), Sir Peter Cosgrove (Australia), Sir Elliot Belgrave (Barbados), Sir Michael Ogio (Papua New Guinea), Sir Iakoba Italeli (Tuvalu), The Rt Hon David Johnston (Canada), Sir Jeremiah Mateparae (New Zealand), Dame Cecile la Grenade (Grenada), Dame Marguerite, Lady Pindling of the Bahamas and Sir Tapley Seaton (St Kitts and Nevis). In the Benelux countries celebrations were organised in very British fashions by Her Britannic Majesty’s ambassadors, including receptions hosted on 8 June in Brussels by Ambassador Alison Rose and on 15 June in Luxembourg City by Ambassador John Marshall who only took up office in April, a few days before the Queen’s actual birthday on 21 April. For more informationBritish and Commonwealth realms’ Royal Family:https://www.royal.ukBritish Embassy to Belgium (HE Ambassador Alison Rose):https://www.gov.uk/government/people/alison-roseBritish Embassy to Luxembourg (HE Ambassador John Marshall): https://www.gov.uk/government/people/robert-john-marshall
Tsai Ing-wen – Picture by newsnation.inBy Baron Henri Estramant.Tsai Ing-wen was sworn as the new President of China (Taiwan) on May 20, 2016; thus becoming its first female head of state amidst calls for a “positive dialogue” with Beijing.President Tsai Ing-wen deemed as unassuming yet determined leader, led the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a landslide electoral victory in January 2016. The DPP has traditionally leaned towards “independence” from the whole of China because it views the country as entirely unique vis-à-vis the mainland, or People’s Republic of China (PRC). The two countries co-exist under the fiction that the Republic of China (Taiwan) represents the “legitimate” and republican system for the whole of China, whereas the PRC views Taiwan as a separate province with its own system similarly to Hong Kong or Macau. China (Taiwan) is not an UN member since 1971 when its seat was occupied by the PRC, and nowadays enjoys the recognition of but 21 UN members and the Holy See. Nevertheless many countries, particularly European, entertain relations with Taiwan through representative offices or consulates. For more information: President of China (Taiwan): http://english.president.gov.twTaipei Representative Office in the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg: http://web.roc-taiwan.org/be_en/index.htmlTaipei Representative Office to The Netherlands: http://web.roc-taiwan.org/nl_nl/index.html
For the first time in the history of the United Nations, an Israeli citizen has been appointed to head a permanent committee within its halls. In New York, on June 14 June, HE Ambassador Danny Danon, Israel’s permanent representative to the UN since the summer 2015, received 109 out of a possible 193 ballots for his candidacy to the General Assembly’s sixth committee, which deals with legal matters of international law. Danon’s appointment was supported by the Western European countries as well as the WEOG group. “I am proud to be the first Israeli elected to this position,” uttered Ambassador Danon in an allocution after his election. “Israel is a world leader in international law and in fighting terrorism. We are pleased to have the opportunity to share our knowledge with the countries of the world.”For more information:Permanent Representation of Israel to the UN: http://embassies.gov.il/un/Pages/default.aspxAmbassador Danny Dannon:https://www.facebook.com/DanonDanny/photos/a.168301673193079.34894.112791015410812/1145350942154809/?type=3&theater
On the picture HE Ambassador Yuri Thamrin and spouse in audience with HRH The Grand Duke of Luxembourg – Picture by Grand Ducal Palace of Luxembourg.
His Excellency Ambassador Yuri Octavian Thamrin, non-resident ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg presented his credentials to HRH The Grand Duke of Luxembourg at the Grand Ducal Palace accompanied by his wife on June 9.
Ambassador Thamrin arrived to Brussels only a few months ago to lead the mission of Indonesia accredited to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg. These are likely to be his last ambassadorial assignment before retirement.
HE Ambassador Yuri Thamrin and spouse in Luxembourg City – Picture by Embassy of Indonesia to Luxembourg.
ICC launches #JusticeMatters social media campaign to mark 17 July
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is launching a new #JusticeMatters social media campaign from 1 to 17 July, the Day of International Criminal Justice, including a Facebook photo contest. Participants are invited to submit photos, to ask their networks to like and share them, and to challenge their friends to add a little justice to their world view.Photos of the scales of justice will be submitted on the ICC 17 July Facebook page transforming a monument, city skyline or a natural landscape into a symbol of justice. The three photos to receive the most “likes” and “shares” will win a Justice Matters photo book. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the ICC, its goals, and the importance of international criminal justice on a global scale. The Day of International Criminal Justice marks the anniversary of the adoption on 17 July 1998 of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, which seeks to deter people from genocide, crimes against humanity and war crime. 17 July unites all those who wish to support justice, promote victims’ rights, and help prevent crimes that threaten the peace and security of the world.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
During the month of June 2016, the Office of Commercial Affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy in The Hague held culinary events around the Netherlands in conjunction with Amazing Oriental supermarket.
Events were held in the Oriental supermarkets of Almere, Beverwijk, Rotterdam and The Hague. There were cooking demonstrations, free tasting of Thai food products and free recipe booklets with detailed information on the delights that Thai cuisine has to offer.
The events were well attended, and Mr. Nissana Thaveepanit, Minister Counselor in charge of commercial affairs and his staff could look back with pride on a successful promotional campaign.
H.E. Willys Delvalle, Ambassador of Panama.Roy Lie A Tjam.
A large audience gathered to attend the opening of “Panama opens its doors to the World”, a photography exhibition organized by the Embassy of Panama in The Hague, at the Atrium of the City Hall. The exhibitions run from 28 June to 2 July 2016.The images on display take you on a voyage through the construction of the Panama Canal Expansion.
For additional Hester Dijstra photos, please pen the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157667693521673Ambassador Delvalle together with Mr. Dimitris Iliopoulos, EU Representative to the OPCW.
The Ambassador of Panama H.E. Willys Delvalle organized a reception on 28 June 2016, to celebrate both the opening of the photo exhibition and the Panama Canal expansion inauguration.
Members of the Diplomatic community, the Dutch Foreign Ministry, the business community, the Panamanian diaspora as well as members of the social and cultural community in the Netherlands attended the reception.
Carel Reisch, from Gallerie Patrice van Doorst and H.E. Bruce Koloane, Ambassador of South Africa.
The Panama Canal Expansion is the largest project since its original construction 102 years ago. The project will create a new lane of traffic along the 80 Km. Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, doubling the waterway’s capacity. The existing locks allow the passage of vessels that can carry up to 5,000 TEUs. After the expansion, the Neo-Panama vessels will be able to transit through the Canal, with up to 13,000/14,000 TEUs. The Expansion will double the Canal’s capacity, having a direct impact on economies of scale and international maritime trade.
The Panama Canal expansion is based on six years of research, which included more than 100 studies on the economic feasibility, market demand, environmental impact and other technical engineering aspects. Works on the Panama Canal Expansion began in September 2007 at a total cost of US$5.2 billion.
The Ambassador of Panama H.E. Willys Delvalle, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Panama cordially welcomed the many guests to the special Panamanian reception-exhibition,
Ambassador Delvalle held an interesting and detailed expose pertaining to the outstanding developments of his country.
H.E. Willys Delvalle, Ambassador of Panama and the Ambassador of Peru, H. E. Carlos Herrera.
Here are some extracts of his expose:
‘The history of the Republic of Panama has been constructed by several key events that have allowed us to create our identity.Almost 102 years ago and after 10 years of hard and dangerous work the Panama Canal first opened its locks to the world. The historic maiden transit of the Canal was done by the USS ANCON on August 15, 1914. Since then over ONE million ships have transited the canal and just last year alone more than 340 million tons of cargo were transported thru the canal. Since the Panama Canal opened in 1914, great progress has been achieved. As of December 31st, 1999, the Panama Canal became fully operated and managed by 10,000 qualified, dedicated and motivated Panamanian, men and women who work 24 hours a day 365 days a year to guarantee the safe, efficient, and productive passage thru our waterway for more than 14,000 ships every year from all over the world.Furthermore, I’m pleased to say that our Government has strengthened our competitive advantages with solid economic development and political stability which have boosted foreign direct investment, and the establishment of over 120 Regional Headquarters for Multinationals companies based in Panamá. We have also developed our culture and sports. Panama’s national dress “La Pollera” is an art piece made totally by hand and recognized internationally. We can also highlight our national gastronomy, maybe not well known here in the Netherlands, but I can asure you it is very delicious, Panamanian music, with multiple Grammy award winner Ruben Blades, Los Ravanes and others, poetry and also renowned painters like our good friend and colleague Cultural Ambassador Olguita Sinclair. H. E. José De Bouza Serrano, Ambassador of Portugal, the Ambassador of Costa Rica, H.E. Sergio Ugalde Godinez and H.E. Alvaro Moerzinger, Ambassador of Uruguay.It has taken us 9 years and many hurdles to be able to achieve this enormous task. Many might think that this project or construction is like any other one. But there was much more to it.First was the environmental study, this was of huge importance to our country as we did not want to damage our Eco system. A rescue and relocate operation of wildlife started and concluded with the safe relocation of hundred’s of marine, amphibian and other wild life. A huge reforestation project, an estimated 2,800 hectars were planted in many areas of Panama, to replace the flora that had to be removed for the project.As all of this was not enough, we had the construction of the locks. More than 4.4 Million cubic meters of cement were poured to build these enormous locks and 16 rolling gates of 3,200 tons each had to be built in Italy and brought on special vessels to Panama.Our country is an important link in the global supply chain that has shortened distances. The new Panama Canal locks will allow the passage of between 12 and 16 Neopanamax vessels per day. Vessels that can transport of over 13,000 containers or meassure 366 meters long. The expansion of the Panama Canal provides the world with greater shipping options, better maritime service, enhanced logistics and supply-chain reliability. It doubles the capacity of the waterway in terms of cargo capacity and quantity of vessels. Since the new larger vessels can now take advantage of the Canal’s vast benefits, economies of scales will make products more affordable, new business opportunities in the logistic sector will grow, new routes and markets will be developed, liner services and other maritime ventures are expected to emerge.This new scenario will also benefit the establishment of new business’ around the waterway; such as transport and storage of LNG, a roll on / roll off Terminal, the establishment of a Logistic park, a new mega Container Terminal in the Corozal area, bunkering services, pipelines, shipyard, energy generation and others. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Panama Canal has a distance of 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the deep waters of the Atlantic to the deep waters of the Pacific. We are the only country in the world where you can enjoy a swim in the Atlantic and after barely one hour car drive you can then swim in the warm waters of the Pacific ocean while enjoying a spectacular sunset, and a piña colada.Last but not least a very special thanks to the Municipality of The Hague, for all their help and support, and to our Panama Embassy collegues for all their hard work and dedication to put this event in such a short time.’
EU Ambassadors lunch hosted by HE Ambassador Maryem van den Heuvel.Dutch Residence in Brussels: Bilateral Netherlands ambassador to Belgium hosted on June 21, an EU lunch for her 27 colleagues from EU member states in the presence of the Belgian Federal Minister for Security and Interior, Jan Jambon, as guest of honour. This function was the very last one hosted by HE Ambassador Maryem van den Heuvel in the framework of the Dutch Presidency of the EU Council. On 1 July 2016, The Netherlands hands over the council’s presidency to Slovakia. Belgian Federal Minister of Security and Interior, Jan Jambon and Ambassador van den Heuvel.For more information:Royal Dutch Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium: http://belgie.nlambassade.orgPictures by the Royal Dutch Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium
By Viviana Knorr.On 30 June at 15:30h the International Criminal Court of the former Yugoslavia in The Hague added a new judgment to the Appeals Chamber Judgement list in the case of Mićo Stanišić and Stojan Župljanin, two former high ranking Bosnian Serb officials were rendered.The verdictThe Appeals Chamber today confirmed the convictions of Mićo Stanišić, former Minister of the Interior of Republika Srpska, and Stojan Župljanin, former Chief of the Regional Security Services Centre of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The Appeals Chamber affirmed that Stanišić and Župljanin are criminally responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in BiH in 1992, in 20 and eight municipalities respectively. The Judges affirmed both of the accused’s sentences of 22 years’ imprisonment.The judgement was broadcasted live on the Tribunal’s website. More info about the judgement can be found on ICTY website via this link. http://www.icty.org/en/press/appeals-chamber-affirms-stanisic-and-zupljanin-sentencesMićo Stanišić is the former Minister of the Interior of Republika Srpska. Stojan Župljanin is the former Chief of the Regional Security Services Centre of Banja Luka and were indicted as participants in a joint criminal enterprise (JCE) aimed at permanently removing Bosnian Muslims, Bosnian Croats, and other non-Serbs from the territory of a planned Serbian state in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).At the time, the Trial Chamber found that Stanišić and Župljanin participated in this joint criminal enterprise and where many of the crimes committed in a number of municipalities in BiH were foreseeable to the accused. Both Stanišić and Župljanin were sentenced by The Trial Chamber to 22 years imprisonment for crimes against humanity and war committed between April and December 1992 in BiH.Since its establishment, the Tribunal has indicted 161 persons for serious violations of humanitarian law committed on the territory of the former Yugoslavia since 1991. Proceedings against 151 accused individuals have been concluded. Proceedings are currently ongoing for 10 accused.
Events were held in the Oriental supermarkets of Almere, Beverwijk, Rotterdam and The Hague. There were cooking demonstrations, free tasting of Thai food products and free recipe booklets with detailed information on the delights that Thai cuisine has to offer.
The events were well attended, and Mr. Nissana Thaveepanit, Minister Counselor in charge of commercial affairs and his staff could look back with pride on a successful promotional campaign.
