These are turbulent times in the history of Europe. The crisis has made citizens aware that Europe touches the heart of their living conditions. They have understood more than ever that European countries are interdependent, and what is happening in another EU member state fully affects everyone's future prospects.
The Stakeholder Conference on the EU Strategy for the Adriatic - Ionian Region, a two day event co-organised by the European Commission and the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union, opened yesterday (6.2.2014) in Athens.
The meeting that has started yesterday (06.02) and is in progress today (07.02) in Athens, is organized every semester by the Presidency of the Council of the EU with the participation of the governmental authorities in charge of gender equality at the 28 Member States, the European Commission, the Secretariat of the Council and the European Institute for Gender Equality. The aim of the meeting is the coordination of actions of the Trio Presidency in the field of equality between women and men in the European Union.
An informal agreement between the Council and the European Parliament on the decision establishing a Union action for the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020-2033 was endorsed on 29 January 2014 by the permanent representatives of the member states. Today (6.2.2014), the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education also endorsed the agreement. This paves the way for the official adoption of the decision by the Council during the Greek Presidency.
Greek Minister of Labour, Social Security and Welfare, Ioannis Vroutsis addressed today a European Social Fund (ESF) Launch Conference for the period 2014-2020 in Brussels.
We take note of the vote today by the European Parliament on the amendments to the SRM regulation.
The SRM is one of the key elements of Europe's banking union and a top priority for the Greek Presidency. All parties involved should now move ahead with reinforced vigour to adopt the legislation before the end of the parliamentary term, as called for by the European Council in October.
Meeting brings together various stakeholders from 8 participating countries and marks the conclusion of consultations on the four pillars of the EUSAIR. Watch our live broadcasting.