Since June 2002, as the General Affairs and External Relations Council, Ministers hold separate meetings on General Affairs and on External Relations respectively. They meet once a month.
Meetings bring together the Foreign Ministers of Member States. Ministers responsible for European Affairs, Defence, Development or Trade also participate depending on the items on the agenda.
The Eurogroup, composed of the Member States whose currency is the euro, meets normally the day before the Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting and deals with issues relating to the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).
The European Commission's in-house science service is organising this conference to identity where scientific support is needed to strengthen Europe's eco-industries as a source of growth and jobs.
The European Commission is organising a conference on sustainable ICT, smart grids and smart cities. The two-day conference will be opened by Vice-President Kroes and Commissioner Oettinger. It will bring together policy makers and stakeholders such as telecom companies, energy providers, regulators and consumer organisations. It will provide a platform for discussing the challenges of deploying smart grids, be they technical, regulatory, financial or linked to public acceptance. The conference will investigate how ICT can make our cities greener by an exchange of best practices. It will also touch upon the important issue of how to deliver transparent metrics around the positive contribution of ICT to solving our energy and climate problems.
he Ecofin Council covers EU policy in a number of areas including: economic policy coordination, economic surveillance, monitoring of Member States' budgetary policy and public finances, the euro (legal, practical and international aspects), financial markets and capital movements and economic relations with third countries. It decides mainly by qualified majority, in consultation or codecision with the European Parliament, with the exception of fiscal matters which are decided by unanimity.
The G8 summit will take place from 18 to 19 May in Camp David (U.S.). The European Union will be represented by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy. The G8 summit continues to play an important role in shaping global responses to global challenges. This year, G8 Leaders will address the following main topics: ·regional and political developments and security issues ·the global economy ·energy and climate issues ·food security
The Economic and Financial Affairs Council is, together with the Agriculture Council and the General Affairs Council, one of the oldest configurations of the Council. It is commonly known as the Ecofin Council, or simply "Ecofin" and is composed of the Economics and Finance Ministers of the Member States, as well as Budget Ministers when budgetary issues are discussed. It meets once a month. The meeting, starting at 10.30, will be dedicated to defining the Council's position for negotiationswith the European Parliament on bank capial requirements (CRD4).
The Brussels Economic Forum is the European Union’s premier platform for debate on economic issues. It is an opportunity to meet decision-makers, opinion leaders and other key players from government authorities, international organisations, European institutions, financial institutions, social partners, academia and the media.
The 12th edition of Green Week, the biggest annual conference on European environment policy, will take place from 22 to 25 May 2012 in Brussels. During 40 sessions, the conference will focus on water. This valuable resource needs to be used properly and sparingly, making sure that we have enough for all of its uses, and avoiding polluting our rivers, seas and oceans. Along with all other natural resources, this is one of the most vital for our continued existence on this planet.
The Conference will cover three main topics: regional economic prospects and priorities, local private sector development and infrastructure for economic development. In the sessions, the panellists will look at the key factors for an enhanced and successful cooperation between the Eastern Partnership countries and closer cooperation with the European Union. They will discuss the role of the banks to provide funding to corporates and SMEs in order to foster local private sector development. Finally, the speakers will identify the specific infrastructure needs for the region as a facilitating factor for economic growth and how to step up project development and implementation.
The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani, and the economist Jeremy Rifkin will participate to the conference "Mission Growth: Europe at the lead of the new industrial revolution". Together with key European leaders and key CEOs, they will discuss on the steps needed to make Europe more innovative, catch up competitors and recover the path of robust and sustainable growth.
Central banks around the world have recently engaged in substantial purchases of public and private financial assets and in other non-standard monetary policy measures. The workshop aims at bringing together central bankers and academics to discuss the design, the theoretical underpinning and the effectiveness of the various asset purchase programmes implemented in recent years. Confirmed speakers so far include Andrew Ang (Columbia University), Giancarlo Corsetti (University of Cambridge) and Harald Uhlig (University of Chicago).
The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) takes its monetary policy decision for the euro area. Shortly after the meeting, the President of the ECB explains the decision in an introductory statement. This is followed by a question-and-answer session with media representatives. A few hours later the transcript of the press conference is published on the ECB website.
The Economic and Financial Affairs Council is, together with the Agriculture Council and the General Affairs Council, one of the oldest configurations of the Council. It is commonly known as the Ecofin Council, or simply "Ecofin" and is composed of the Economics and Finance Ministers of the Member States, as well as Budget Ministers when budgetary issues are discussed. It meets once a month.
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