The EU this Week (20-24 August)

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NEWS

UK government outlines no-deal Brexit plans

The Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has published the first no deal planning papers telling businesses and organisations what they need to do to get ready for the possibility of a no deal Brexit scenario. While cabinet ministers say that a deal is the most likely outcome, the government decided to publish a 25 documents of guidance for people and businesses across a variety of areas to try to avoid the “short-term disruption” which it admits is possible if the two sides cannot reach a deal.

Greece has successfully concluded a three year European Stability Mechanism (ESM) stability support programme

A total of €61.9bn in loans was provided to Greece under this stability support programme on the basis of implementation of a comprehensive and unprecedented reform package.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said, "The conclusion of the stability support programme marks an important moment for Greece and Europe. While their European partners have demonstrated their solidarity, the Greek people have responded to every challenge with a characteristic courage and determination. I have always fought for Greece to remain at the heart of Europe. As the Greek people begin a new chapter in their storied history, they will always find in me an ally, a partner and a friend."

European Commission awards €9 million to Italy to support health care for asylum seekers and refugees

The Commission awarded €9m in emergency assistance to Italy to help improve access to healthcare in reception facilities for asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection. The financial assistance will reach over 42,000 people in the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Liguria, Toscana, and Sicily. Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship said: "Italy has been under particular pressure over the past years and the Commission will not relent in supporting the Italian efforts when it comes to managing migration and giving shelter to those in need of protection. The funding will help to address basic healthcare needs by helping to ensure adequate access to medical services when needed. The Commission will continue supporting all Member States under pressure whilst continuing to work towards long-term durable European solutions".

With this award, the Commission has mobilised over €200 million in emergency assistance to support migration management in Italy. The emergency funding comes on top of €653.7 million allocated to Italy under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF) national programme 2014-2020.

Estonia joined European initiative to develop supercomputers

Estonia is the 21st European country to sign the European declaration on high-performance computing (HPC) with the aim to pool European and national resources to build and deploy world-class supercomputers that would be ranked in the world's top-three by 2022-2023. Vice-President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip attended the signing ceremony in Tartu, Estonia. He said: "Supercomputers are becoming the engine of our economy, fuelled by large amounts of data. The EU is currently lagging behind: we do not have any supercomputers in the world's top ten. This is why we have launched the EuroHPC initiative."

SUMMITS & MEETINGS

Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel attended the G20 Digital Economy Ministerial meeting in Salta, Argentina

The Commissioner will join the other G20 partners in discussing the impact of the digital transformation on global development. Mariya Gabriel presented the EU's perspective to a debate centred on online platforms, digital for development, e-government and the digital gender divide. She used this opportunity to present EU action in areas such as the Digital4Her strategy to promote a diverse and inclusive digital sector. The Commissioner also hold a number of bilateral meetings with key partners of the EU in developing an open, rules-based approach to the challenges of the digital economy and society.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS EXECUTIVES MOVES

Daniel Azzopardi replaces Marlene Bonnici as new Maltese permanent representative to the EU

Salvatore Domenico left his MEP position to be mayor of Catania in Italy.

Katrin Suder is to chair the German government’s new digital council. In this function she will advise the Merkel’s government on how to bring digital transform the country.

Chandler Wilson, former EPP and Commission’s adviser, is set to become head of data innovation at HSBC in London.

Patrick Curry replaces Natalie Black as the deputy head of PM Theresa May’s policy unit.

Liam Maxwell, UK  government’s first national technology adviser, is off to work for Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Marcel Pieper has started as senior coordination and outreach officer at the EU delegation to the U.N. in New York.

Meg Chang is now working as politics and government outreach manager at Facebook.

Inge Janssen is now working as head of public affairs, EMEA at Booking.com.