European Commission Daily News 14th June
Transatlantic relations take centre stage in Brussels with EU-Canada and EU-US summits
On Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 June, the EU will play host to summits with its two transatlantic partners: Canada and the United States. First, in the evening of 14 June, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel, accompanied by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell will meet with the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. The leaders are expected to reaffirm their shared commitment to the EU-Canada strategic partnership. They will discuss the response to the coronavirus pandemic, in particular ensuring global access to vaccines, cooperation towards a sustainable recovery, and efforts to reinforce the World Health Organization including through strengthening pandemic preparedness. The leaders will also discuss cooperation on climate action ahead of the UN COP26 on climate, COP15 on biodiversity and the UN Ocean Conference. Trade, technology and innovation will also be on the agenda, with particular emphasis on reaping the full benefits of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), reform of the World Trade Organization, and cooperation in the digital transition, research, space and critical raw materials. The leaders will also discuss key foreign policy issues. On Tuesday 15 June at 9:30 (CEST), President von der Leyen, President Michel and Prime Minister Trudeau will hold a joint press conference, which will be broadcast live on EbS. Later that day, on 15 June, President von der Leyen and President Michel, joined by Executive Vice-Presidents Margrethe Vestager and Valdis Dombrovskis and High Representative/Vice-President Borrell, will receive the President of the United States, Joe Biden for the first EU-US summit under the new leaderships. In light of the European Commission and High Representative’s proposal for a new EU-US agenda for global change, the leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues including the coronavirus response and sustainable recovery and climate action. They will also review EU-US trade and investment relations, both on the bilateral level and multilaterally within the World Trade Organization, as well as cooperation on technology and the digital transition. Leaders will also address a range of foreign and security policy challenges and opportunities, including relations with China and Russia, and the need to promote democracy and human rights worldwide. Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis will meet in the context of the summit with the US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, to further deepen transatlantic trade ties and make progress on key files of common interest. The two will hold a press point at c. 15:00 (CEST) on Tuesday 15, live on EbS. More information is available in dedicated factsheets on EU-Canada and EU-US relations, and on the websites of the EU Delegation to Canada and of the EU Delegation to the United States.
Agriculture: Commission approves new geographical indication for Hungary
The European Commission has approved the application for inclusion of “Balatoni hal”of Hungary in the Register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). The “Balatoni hal” refers exclusively to species of carp or pike perch living in Lake Balaton, in western Hungary. The region has a humid continental climate which is an important factor for fish farming. Due to the good quality of the water and the natural fish-based diet, the flesh of the pike-perch “Balatoni hal” is white in color and has no aftertaste. The “Balatoni hal” is one of the pillars of the local gastronomy. It is an essential ingredient in the “Balaton fish soup” which is cooked here and whose method of preparation is unique and specific to the watershed. This new name will join 1,762 food products already protected. The list is available in the databaseeAmbrosia . For more information, see also the pages on quality policy .
European Development Days 2021: driving the global debate on green action ahead of Kunming and Glasgow Summits
The leading global forum on development cooperation, the European Development Days (EDD), will begin tomorrow to reflect on the road to the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP15) in Kunming in October and the Glasgow COP26 in November 2021. More than 8,400 registered participants, over 1,000 organisations from over 160 countries will debate over the next two days, on 15 and 16 June, two main topics: a green economy for people and nature, and protecting biodiversity and people. The forum includes the participation of high-level speakers from the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President; Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships; and Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries; as well as the United Nations with Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General; Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director; HRH Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, President of Fauna and Flora International; Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN-Habitat Executive Director. This year’s edition will place a special emphasis on the views of young leaders with expertise and active contributions to find solutions for climate action. With an EDD virtual Global Village presenting innovative projects and ground-breaking reports from 150 organisations all around the world and special events on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, these two days are a unique opportunity to discuss and shape a fairer and greener future. The EDD’s website and programme are available online as well as a full press release.
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