EU - It was Leaked that EU Capitals seek to reform EU summits to cope with Trump era – by Jorge Valero

EU countries are working on a review of their leaders’ summits to improve their efficiency amid the challenges posed by Donald Trump, China and other foreign actors, according to official notes seen by EURACTIV.com.

The review is part of the debate launched under the EU’s rotating presidency, currently held by Finland, to increase the efficiency in delivering EU objectives, particularly those in the Strategic Agenda endorsed by leaders in June.

During the EU ambassadors meeting held on 15 July, France, Spain, Sweden, Slovakia, Portugal, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Malta stressed the need to bring the EU closer to its citizens.

Finland is hopeful that, given that there will be fewer legislative priorities during the opening months of the new term, there will be more time to hold these political discussions. 

As part of the review of the Council’s competences, member states including France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Sweden, Latvia, Greece, Croatia and Slovakia also want the institution to follow-up on decisions taken by ministers and EU leaders.

Meanwhile, Germany highlighted the importance of sending “positive” messages to EU citizens after every Council meeting.

Read more at: Leak: Capitals seek to reform EU summits to cope with Trump era – EURACTI

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Artificial Intelligence: Twenty-four EU countries sign artificial intelligence pact in bid to compete with US & China – Catherine Stupp

Twenty-four EU countries pledged to band together to form a “European approach” to artificial intelligence in a bid to compete with American and Asian tech giants.

Ministers signed a declaration on Tuesday (10 April) saying they will consider putting public research funding into AI, but did not promise a specific amount of dedicated new investments.

All EU member states except for Cyprus, Romania, Croatia and Greece vowed to “modernise national policies” as part of an effort to develop large-scale AI research.

One Commission official said the four EU countries that did not sign were not opposed to the initiative but might still need formal approval before signing. Norway also signed the declaration.

Twenty-four EU countries sign artificial intelligence pact in bid to compete with US & China – EURACTIV.com

Poland: Donald Tusk: I’ll be back in Poland, and not to watch TV – by Michał Broniatowski

European Council President Donald Tusk hinted at a return to domestic politics in an interview Friday.

“I’m not going to retire,” he told Polish news channel TVN24. “In 2019 I will be back in Poland and let no one think that I will only watch TV.”

The former Polish prime minister refused to elaborate, saying: “I will not formulate scenarios for the moment and I hope there will be no emergency scenarios.”

He added: “I hope that Poles who dream about stable democracy and the rule of law will be able to win future elections — I will be the happiest man on earth if this materializes. If things go differently, I do not exclude anything.”

Tusk was speaking at the European Center of Solidarity, a museum and cultural center built in the Gdańsk Shipyard where the Solidarność movement was created in 1980.

On the fight between Poland and the EU, which accuses Warsaw of going against the rule of law, Tusk said: “The problem is that permanent solutions may be taken. For example, when we talk about future European funds. I wish Poland didn’t lose a single euro cent for this reason.

“I will not be on the side of the PiS [the ruling Law and Justice party, which is a political enemy of Tusk’s] in the debate in Europe concerning the rule of law. I will not justify wrong actions of PiS.”

Read more: Donald Tusk: I’ll be back in Poland, and not to watch TV – POLITICO

Malta-Mafia State?: as Malta buries journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia EU tells Malta leave "no stone unturned" in finding culprits

Investigative Blogger:Daphne Caruana Galizi, cowardly assassinated

Deutsche Welle reported that the  EU Commission has told Malta its investigation into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia should leave "no stone unturned" as the funeral of the journalist took place. Politicians she probed stayed away. tells Malta

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral on Friday of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Malta's best-known blogger and journalist and a fierce critic of government and opposition figures. The Mediterranean island observed a national day of mourning as the ceremony took place in Mosta, a town close to the rural home where her car was blown apart.

European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans said Europe's "eyes" were on authorities in Malta where democracy was at stake after the "atrocious" car-bomb murder on October 16.

EU headquarters flew flags at half-mast in honor of Caruana Galizia and "all those who have given their lives for the freedom of speech." On Malta itself a day of national mourning had been declared.

In her last blogpost, published the day she died, Daphne Caruana Galizia signed off with a sentence that seems particularly chilling now.

“There are crooks everywhere you look. The situation is desperate.”

She believed, in essence, that malign and criminal interests had captured Malta and turned it into an island mafia state; she reported on a political system rife with corruption, businesses seemingly used to launder money or pay bribes, and a criminal justice system that seemed incapable, or unwilling, to take on the controlling minds behind it all.

EU headquarters flew flags at half-mast in honor of Caruana Galizia and "all those who have given their lives for the freedom of speech..
 
Note EU-Digest: May she rest in peace and may those who planned her assassination and those who placed the explosive device under her car be found and brought to justice.

EU-Digest

G20: Angela Merkel sketches vision of France-German led Europe

Germany and France will take a greater role in leading the European Union, and Europe must take a greater role in leading the world. That would be one way of summarizing Angela Merkel's speech to the German parliament on Thursday.

Merkel began her 30-minute address by reporting on the EU summit last weekend and discussing the bloc's prospects as it negotiates the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the union.

Significantly, Merkel spoke of "France and our other partners in the EU." She said that she had specifically talked with French President Emmanuel Macron about a "medium-term plan for deepening the EU and the euro zone." She also added that German and French interests were "connected in the closest possible way."

The German chancellor argued that the EU was recovering from its economic crisis, with all 27 remaining members recording growth and lower unemployment. The UK, Merkel suggested, was no longer at the center of European plans.

"Our priority is to prepare for our own future within the European Union, regardless of the Brexit," Merkel said.

Read more: G20: Angela Merkel sketches vision of France-German led Europe | News | DW | 29.06.2017