Press briefing – Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Councils of 27-28 and 30 November 2023

The press briefing ahead of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment and social policy) of 27-28 November 2023 and the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health) of 30 November 2023 will take place on Thursday, 23 November at 18.00. This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU...
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Kimberley Process: Statement by the Spokesperson on the outcome of the latest Plenary meeting

The Kimberley Process, a multilateral trade regime which aims to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds, held its Plenary meeting on 6-10 November in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. After intensive negotiations, the Plenary failed to reach consensus on the final communiqué. Despite numerous efforts and constructive engagement from the EU and other participants, the Russian Federation rejected any referen...
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Remarks by Commissioners Sinkevičius and Hoekstra at the press conference on the Forest Monitoring Law

Good afternoon everyone, thank you for your interest. We are here today on an important occasion for our forests. The Commission added another valuable element to consolidate the European Green Deal. We adopted a proposed Regulation on a Monitoring Framework for Resilient European Forests. This proposal will facilitate the collection and sharing of timely and comparable forest data ...
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Brussels Statement by President von der Leyen on the 10th anniversary of the Euromaidan protests, via video message

Ten years of dignity. Ten years of pride. Ten years of striving for freedom. The cold November nights of Euromaidan have changed Europe forever. Even if back then, Europe did not realise it. A whole nation took to the streets, and spoke with one voice. You said: Ukraine belongs in Europe. And our future belongs to us. And that is why the people of Ukraine wrapped themselves in European flags...
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Bahrain: second EU-Bahrain Political Dialogue takes place in Manama

On 20 November, the second Political Dialogue between the European Union and the Kingdom of Bahrain was held in Manama, Bahrain, in the framework of the Cooperation Arrangement between the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain. The Political Dialogue was co-chaired by the EEAS Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs Mr. Enrique Mora, a...
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Hydrogen Europe: Commission reaffirms commitment to H2 with major announcements

Today (Monday 20 November), at the European Hydrogen Week event in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the second auction of the European Hydrogen Bank, as well as the signing of an historic agreement with the Brazilian state of Piaui. The announcement come only three days before the official launch of the €800m Hydrogen Bank pilot auction. In Spring 2024, the...
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AnimalhealthEurope: Continued Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Animals Shows Positive Progress Towards Farm to Fork Target

Brussels, 20 November 2023; With sales of veterinary antibiotics decreased by 53% on average across Europe since 2011, it is clear that the animal sector is now well-versed in good antibiotic stewardship. According to the latest ESVAC report from the European Medicines Agency, sales of EMA priority veterinary antimicrobial classes* have once again decreased. This shows a clear understanding from v...
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Argentina: Statement by HR/VP Josep Borrell on the presidential election

The EU congratulates Javier Milei upon his election as President of Argentina. The people of Argentina voted in democratic, peaceful, orderly elections, which have taken place in the year the country celebrates 40 years of democracy. The EU and Argentina have built a close, constructive and wide-ranging relationship over the past decades, based on common values. The incoming governmen...
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Qatar: Press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell after meeting with Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani

Thank you, your Excellency, Prime Minister [and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani]. It is good to be back in Doha again. I am honoured to discuss with you about the very sad circumstances that we are facing. And I am honoured to be received the by the Emir [Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani] later. You know, my dear Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed, that I always enjoy and...
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Gaza/Israel: Intervention of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain

Thank you. Let me first thank you for your invitation. The Manama Forum is the place to be, in particular in these challenging times. Happy to be here in Bahrain, which means ‘between two seas’. And this goes beyond geography. Bahrain is a country between different forces, different traditions, a country that plays a moderating role in this region, a role that is much needed and much appreciated i...
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