// NEWSLETTER no. 160 //

12 th October

HR/VP on 60 years of Euratom Treaty and the award of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize

Sixty years ago, the implementation of the Euratom Treaty eased the way for a peaceful use of nuclear energy. It was a cornerstone in the process of building the EU. Today, the EU is a leading global force and an indispensable partner for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The EU will continue to work to relaunch the Conference on Disarmament, and to conclude negotiations on a Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. On current global tensions of nuclear threats, HR/VP Federica Mogherini said: "We [EU] will preserve the deal with Iran. We will seek a peaceful, secure and de-nuclearised Korean peninsula".

Just days before, the HR/VP commented on the award of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. "While the world is confronted with new nuclear tests and the risk of a nuclear crisis, today's award of the Nobel Prize to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) makes strongly the case for non-proliferation and disarmament as a goal of the entire international community, the way to secure long term peace and security. The EU shares the commitment to achieve a world free from nuclear arms and we will continue our daily work for non-proliferation and disarmament with all our partners in the world", she said.

EU leads way for better governance of the oceans

The European Commission has announced over €550 million of EU-funded initiatives to tackle global oceans challenges, at the Our Ocean Conference 2017 in Malta, co-hosted by HR/VP Federica Mogherini and Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The commitments announced in Malta made by the Commission and by other public and private actors from 112 countries around the world reached over €6 billion. The resources will be invested to fight against marine pollutionand enlarge protected areas, reinforce security of the oceans, foster blue economyinitiatives and sustainable fisheries and intensify the EU efforts against climate change, in line with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals under Agenda 2030. The full list of over 400 commitments (36 from the EU, over 200 from third country governments, more than 100 from business and several others from NGOs, foundations, research institutes and international organisations) are available online. These will be tracked and reported at the next Our Ocean Conference in Indonesia in 2018.

EU – India Summit

The 14th Summit between the European Union and India was held last Friday, 6 October, in New Delhi, marking 55 years of diplomatic relations between the world's two largest democracies. The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, attended. India was represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. HR/VP, Federica Mogherini also attended. In their Joint Summit Statement, the EU and India also adopted statements on combatting terrorism; clean energy and climate change; and smart and sustainable urbanisation. Leaders also took stock of the implementation of the comprehensive EU-India Agenda for Action 2020, endorsed at last year's Summit. The fact sheet on EU-India relations gives further insights.

EU Ambassador at Climate Change and Business Conference - Auckland

On Wednesday, our Ambassador Bernard Savage chaired the 5th session on "International Disruption" of the Climate Change and Business Conference in Auckland. In his opening comments, H.E. Savage spoke about the EU's collective response to climate change, in particular commenting on the EU’s Third Industrial Revolution Long Term Sustainability Plan. Keynote speakers of the session included Lord Deben, Rt Hon John Gummer, Chair, the Committee on Climate Change, UK; Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama of Fiji, Incoming President of the COP 23; and Nicky Sundt, Senior Fellow, USA Government Accountability Project, Climate Science & Policy Watch. Panellists were Jo Tyndall, co-chair of the UNFCCC Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement and NZ's acting Climate Change Ambassador; Nick Bridge, Special Representative on Climate Change, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UK; Kay Harrison, Lead Negotiator International Carbon Markets, NZ Ministry for the Environment; and Bianca Sylvester, Managing Director, Carbon Market Institute NZ.

Upcoming:

Joint EU Centres conference on "Fulfilling the Vision: European Futures?" – Melbourne

On 16-18 October, the European Union Centres in Australia and New Zealand will jointly convene a conference on "Fulfilling the Vision: European Futures?" in Melbourne. The conference has a long list of high-level attendees including the Ambassador of the European Union to Australia, H.E. Michael Pulch. The framework of the event is built around the opposing spectates of the future of the EU. As some overserves express increasing scepticism others believe that the future lies in an increasingly integrated Europe. Register to participate at interesting addresses at the event, co-sponsored by among others the European Commission, the European Union Centres Network and the National Centre for Research on Europe from New Zealand.

Keynote address by the President of Ireland - Auckland

The University of Auckland will host the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins during his state visit to New Zealand on the 27 October. President Higgins will deliver a keynote address "Ireland and New Zealand - of some origins and prospects of two nations who share so many experiences and interests". A passionate political voice, a poet and writer, academic and statesman, human rights advocate, promoter of inclusive citizenship and champion of creativity within Irish society, the President has previously served at every level of public life in Ireland, including as Ireland's first Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. Register for the event as space is limited.

Professor Loukas Tsoukalis at NCRE - Christchurch / Auckland

The President of the Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), Greek Professor Loukas Tsoukalis, will speak on "What Kind of Reform for the EU?" at the National Centre for Research on Europe at University of Canterbury on 13 October. You can find more information on the event on the Facebook page of the NCRE. At a second lecture, Professor Tsoukalis will speak on "In Defense of the European Project - Brexit, Austerity, EuroCrisis, rising nationalist populism. Can European solidarity and cohesion survive these acid tests? " The lecture will take place at the University of Auckland on 16 October. For more information on the lecutre in Auckland, contact Prof David Mayes (d.mayes@auckland.ac.nz).

Between the Waters: Polish Cultural Concert – Wellington/Christchurch

The Embassy of Poland invites you to join "Between the Waters" to celebrate 145 years of the Polish settlement in New Zealand. Presented in Christchurch and Wellington, there will be Polish history, music, dance, poetry, theatre, visual arts and a workshop for kids. The musical programme reaches a highlight in Wellington on 14 October. Get an overview on all events or find more information on the Polish Embassy's Facebook page.

Belgian Jazz Pianist concert – Christchurch / Wellington

The Embassy of Belgium invites you to join the concerts of Belgian Jazz pianist Jef Neve at The Piano in Wellington and Auckland. The Wellington concert is taking place at the NZ School of Music on 13 October. The concerts in Auckland will be held on the 14 and 15 October. As a world famous artist, Jef was receiving international acclaim for his score for the hit WWI 2015 TV drama "Flanders Fields". He just released his new album "Spirit control" and he will be in CHCH for one night- in fact the opening concert of his world tour. For more information on the concert follow the link: https://www.jefneve.com./

Slovak Exhibition: Amazing Planet – Auckland

The Embassy of Slovakia invites you to the opening ceremony for the Amazing Planet Photo Exhibition by photographer and explorer Filip Kulisev, which will take place at Aotea Centre in Auckland on 16 October at 5:30pm. The exhibition will be open until 6 November. Kulisev strives constantly to find and photograph the most wonderful and unique sites on our planet for the benefit of nature lovers throughout the world. In 2001, he founded "Amazing Planet“ specialising in exclusive photographs, calendars, books and DVDs, and has had more than 200 solo exhibitions around the world. Find out more about the Slovak photographer.

Dutch Film Festival – Auckland/Wellington

The Netherlands Embassy in New Zealand warmly invites you to the Dutch Film Festival in Auckland and Wellington in October and November 2017. Festival entry is free, and all three films are in Dutch with English subtitles. The Netherlands Ambassador His Excellency Rob Zaagman will host opening nights with free drinks and Dutch food before the Michiel de Ruyter screenings in both cities. Reserve your tickets for Wellington HEREand for Auckland HERE. Find more information on the Netherlands Embassy Facebookpage.

More on Facebook & Twitter!

If you would like more information, you can like the EU Delegation's Facebook page. You can also follow the EU Ambassador on Twitter!

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