A number of major issues are set to colour the year 2017, some in ways that seem relatively clear already and others unpredictably. This in-depth analysis looks at 10 of the main issues likely to be on the table for EU policy-makers throughout 2017. Some are entirely internal concerns while others are global issues. And for some, the EU and its leaders will be able to make the running whereas they will have to find ways to react to some of the others, always with the underlying goal of protecting and supporting European citizens.

Source: © European Union - EP

What will be the relations between the EU and ACP countries after 2020? There is a lot to discuss and it might be difficult for all parties to find convergence of interests.

Source: © European Union - EP

What will be the relations between the EU and ACP countries after 2020? There is a lot to discuss and it might be difficult for all parties to find convergence of interests.

Source: © European Union - EP

At the January plenary sitting, the European Parliament is due to elect its 30th President, to hold the office until the next European parliamentary elections, due in 2019. The President has an important and increasingly visible function in the EU institutional and international setting, mirroring the influential role of the Parliament as a shaper of EU policies and co-legislator.

At the January plenary sitting, the European Parliament is due to elect its 30th President, to hold the office until the next European parliamentary elections, due in 2019. The President has an important and increasingly visible function in the EU institutional and international setting, mirroring the influential role of the Parliament as a shaper of EU policies and co-legislator.

The EU is committed to protect human rights in its external policy through its treaties. Since it is the largest world’s trade bloc, it is in a prime position to use the significant leverage provided by its commercial power for protecting and promoting human rights in third countries. Actually, all components of EU trade policy recognise respect of human rights as a fundamental principle. EU's free trade agreements integrate a human rights clause stipulating that respect for democracy, human rights and rule of law constitute an essential element of the agreement, whose breach can lead to its suspension. The unilateral trade preferences the EU grants to developing countries are conditional on the respect of core human rights and labour rights norms. Additional preferences are provided to developing countries that fully comply with relevant international conventions. Other unilateral measures ban trade in certain goods that can be used to violate human rights or whose production has been linked to conflict and massive human rights breaches.

The EU is committed to protect human rights in its external policy through its treaties. Since it is the largest world’s trade bloc, it is in a prime position to use the significant leverage provided by its commercial power for protecting and promoting human rights in third countries. Actually, all components of EU trade policy recognise respect of human rights as a fundamental principle. EU's free trade agreements integrate a human rights clause stipulating that respect for democracy, human rights and rule of law constitute an essential element of the agreement, whose breach can lead to its suspension. The unilateral trade preferences the EU grants to developing countries are conditional on the respect of core human rights and labour rights norms. Additional preferences are provided to developing countries that fully comply with relevant international conventions. Other unilateral measures ban trade in certain goods that can be used to violate human rights or whose production has been linked to conflict and massive human rights breaches.

James McEldowney.
Over the years, the Common Agricultural Policy has been subject to several reforms. Often described as being incremental in nature, these reforms have progressively resulted in significant changes in both the orientation and architecture of the CAP.

Source: © European Union - EP

James McEldowney.
Over the years, the Common Agricultural Policy has been subject to several reforms. Often described as being incremental in nature, these reforms have progressively resulted in significant changes in both the orientation and architecture of the CAP.

Source: © European Union - EP

Damiano Scordamaglia.
The vote in plenary on the market pillar of the fourth railway package scheduled for December 2016 puts the spotlight on a set of policy measures to improve the competitiveness of EU rail and the quality of its services. Indeed, the measures on markets and governance aim to enhance the level playing field between operators, including for domestic operations, and cost-efficiency of rail services.
Think Tank Topical Digest

Source: © European Union - EP