| Author (Corporate) | European Commission |
|---|---|
| Series Title | COM |
| Series Details | (2016) 710 final (25.10.16) |
| Publication Date | 25/10/2016 |
| Content Type | Policy-making, Report |
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Europeans know and see in their daily lives the consequences of the challenges that remain with us. A still-nascent economic recovery, which has yet to deliver benefits for all in our societies, especially when it comes to creating jobs for the young and reducing inequality. Migration flows, which have tested our external borders and remain a challenge for the capacity of the Union to deliver solidarity. A heightened terrorist threat. Ongoing instability in our eastern and southern neighbourhood. To which we now have to add the uncertainty as a result of the UK referendum. Listening to Europeans, we have understood that they look for a response to these challenges and protection from these threats. They look for the means that can empower them to build a sustainable future for themselves and their families. And they look for perspective: an assurance that governance at local, regional, national and European levels can collectively meet the expectations of today and tomorrow's generations. From the start of our mandate, this Commission has set its priorities to focus on the big things, where effective European action can make a concrete difference in addressing the challenges facing Europe's citizens, our Member States and the Union as a whole. Over the last year we have made solid progress in implementing the strategies we have set out in the Investment Plan for Europe, the Digital Single Market, the Energy Union, the European Agenda on Security, the European Agenda on Migration, the Capital Markets Union, the Action Plan for Fair and Efficient Corporate Taxation, the new Trade Strategy, the Steps towards completing Economic and Monetary Union, the Single Market Strategy, and the Action Plan for the Circular Economy. Focussing on the big things, and sharing these priorities with the European Parliament and the Council, we have delivered tangible and quick results in key areas. In just one year, the European Fund for Strategic Investments has been activated in 27 Member States and has triggered €138 billion in investments, including new financing for almost 300,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. We have made substantial progress in regaining control of irregular migration flows and preventing deaths in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. The European Border and Coast Guard is already working to strengthen control of our external borders just ten months after the Commission proposed it. At the same time Europe has shown solidarity with 1 million Syrians who have found shelter and protection here. And we have relocated and resettled over 15,000 further refugees in the past twelve months. In the last three months we have reached an average of some 1,000 relocations per month. In September 2016 the figure increased up to 1,200 relocations. The gap between current relocation needs and effective relocations from Greece is now decreasing, but these efforts need to be maintained in the coming months, and relocation from Italy should be significantly stepped up. This Work Programme sets out the key initiatives the Commission commits to delivering by the end of 2017. These concrete proposals are the most visible way in which our work will contribute to the process of renewal ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome in March 2017. And we will be cooperating with the European Parliament and Council to make sure that these and the other key proposals we have made in the past years are adopted swiftly, so they can make a tangible impact on the ground. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2016:710:FIN |
| Related Links |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
