Overview
Lobbying Costs
1,125,000€
Financial year: Jan 2018 - Dec 2018
Lobbyists (Full time equivalent)
7.5 Fte (11)
Lobbyists with EP accreditation
6
High-level Commission meetings
20
Lobbying Costs over the years
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Info
Secretariat of COMECE (Commission of the Episcopates of the European Union) (COMECE Secretariat)
EU Transparency Register
47350036909-69 First registered on 07 Oct 2011
Goals / Remit
The COMECE Secretariat carries out at the operational level the aims of the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Union (COMECE), namely in partnering the political processes of the European Union in the areas of relevance to the Episcopates of the EU Member states; in monitoring the activities of the European Union and informing the Episcopates in such matters; and in communicating to the European institutions and authorities the opinions and views of the Episcopates of the EU Member states concerning European integration. COMECE is formed by the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union's Member states.
The COMECE Secretariat, as a Church representation, fully supports the goal of bringing greater transparency to the legislative and policy-making process at the EU level, as an important element of a democratic and pluralistic society, and for this reason and in this spirit entered the present registration system in 2011. However, it also advocates for a re-balancing of the burden of transparency, currently placed more on citizens and organisations, rather than on public officials. Furthermore, the risk of exclusion of actors that enjoy no "formal status" (e.g. migrants, the elderly, the poor, Roma people, informal youth groups, social movements), due to the lack of specific provisions to allow for access to decision-makers, is a source of concern.
We recognise ourselves in the definition of ‘Organisations representing churches and religious communities’, as contained in the 2014 Agreement between the European Parliament and the European Commission on the transparency register for organisations and self-employed individuals engaged in EU policy-making and policy implementation (“Legal entities, offices or networks set up for representation activities”). We also fully support the idea that the register does not apply to Churches themselves, as specified in the Agreement.
However, we would like to emphasise that the lobbying and/or interest representation terminology (still used in a generalised way e.g. in the introductory sentence to the Code of Conduct; in various passages of the ‘Guidelines’ document; and in the Proposal for an Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory Transparency Register) cannot be applied to us as a Church representation.
On the basis of Article 17(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), we are involved in Dialogue with the EU institutions as a representation of a Church entity, having a specific contribution to make to the common good and a peculiar identity, status and dignity, not as a lobby group or interest representative or single-issue organisation. We see our contribution as being mainly of a moral and ethical nature, but also rooted within the Social Doctrine of the Church. This contribution is constantly inspired by the Gospel and by the Catholic Church’s reflection on the dignity of each human being as created in God’s image. We operate in search of the common good, not in the name of ‘business’ or ‘interests’ (as typical features of lobbying and interest representation). Finally, we are not conditioned by third-parties' interests.
COMECE emphasises that registrations under Section V of the Transparency Register should be consistent with the binding formulation of Article 17 TFEU. Therefore, registration in the present Section should concern only "organisations representing" the actors described in Article 17, paragraph 1 TFEU.Main EU files targeted
Future of Europe; General Data Protection Regulation; Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU; Compliance with fundamental rights and the rule of law; Transparency policies; Audiovisual Media Services Directive; Anti-money laundering Directive; E-evidence Regulation; Rights and Values Programme 2021-2027; European Defence Fund 2021-2027; EU-ACP negotiations on the “post-Cotonou framework”; EU Strategy for “A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans”; Monitoring EU’s support to the peace process in Colombia; EU policy framework on indigenous peoples’ rights; Neighbourhood policies (Southern and Eastern dimensions); Common Security and Defence Policy; Transversal approach in the EU External Action; Resilience; EU trade agreements; Common Agricultural Policy; Common European Asylum System (CEAS); Trafficking in Human Beings Integration of migrants, refugees and victims of human trafficking; External dimension and roots causes of forced migration; Return policies; Roma people inclusion; Religious conversion during the asylum process; Intolerance and persecution against religious minorities in third countries; Voluntary return of refugees who are members of religious minorities; Implementation of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief; Directive on Work-Life Balance for Parents and Carers ; Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions; Regulation establishing a European Labour Authority; European Solidarity Corps 2021-2027; Erasmus 2021-2027; European Youth Strategy 2019-2027; Future of work; Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027.
Address
Head Office
Square de Meeûs, 19
Brussels 1050
BELGIUM -
People
Total lobbyists declared
11
Employment time Lobbyists 100% 5 50% 4 25% 2 Lobbyists (Full time equivalent)
7.5
Lobbyists with EP accreditation
All Lobbyists with EP accreditation over time
6 accreditations were / are live (in bold) for the selected state of 02 Sep 2019
Name Start date End Date Michele TURZI 01 Aug 2023 31 Jul 2024 Johannes MORAVITZ 01 Aug 2023 31 Jul 2024 Alix DE WASSEIGE 01 Mar 2024 28 Feb 2025 Emilio DOGLIANI 01 Aug 2023 31 Jul 2024 Alessandro DI MAIO 01 Aug 2023 31 Jul 2024 Manuel Enrique BARRIOS PRIETO 07 Jul 2023 05 Jul 2024 Friederike LADENBURGER 01 Aug 2023 31 Jul 2024 Marek MISAK 01 Aug 2023 31 Jul 2024 Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 01 Aug 2023 31 Jul 2024 Alessandro CALCAGNO 01 Aug 2023 31 Jul 2024 Ms Alix DE WASSEIGE 01 Mar 2024 26 Apr 2024 Mr Michele TURZI 01 Aug 2023 26 Apr 2024 Mr Johannes MORAVITZ 01 Aug 2023 26 Apr 2024 Mr Emilio DOGLIANI 01 Aug 2023 26 Apr 2024 Mr Alessandro DI MAIO 01 Aug 2023 26 Apr 2024 Ms Friederike LADENBURGER 01 Aug 2023 26 Apr 2024 Mr Marek Misak 01 Aug 2023 26 Apr 2024 Mr Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 01 Aug 2023 26 Apr 2024 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 01 Aug 2023 26 Apr 2024 Mr Manuel Enrique BARRIOS PRIETO 07 Jul 2023 26 Apr 2024 Mr Johannes MORAVITZ 15 Sep 2022 01 Aug 2023 Mr Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 02 Aug 2022 01 Aug 2023 Ms Alix DE WASSEIGE 30 Jul 2022 29 Jul 2023 Mr Emilio DOGLIANI 30 Jul 2022 29 Jul 2023 Mr Alessandro DI MAIO 30 Jul 2022 29 Jul 2023 Ms Friederike LADENBURGER 30 Jul 2022 29 Jul 2023 Mr Marek Misak 30 Jul 2022 01 Aug 2023 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 30 Jul 2022 29 Jul 2023 Mr Manuel Enrique BARRIOS PRIETO 14 Jul 2022 07 Jul 2023 Ms Alix DE WASSEIGE 03 Aug 2021 30 Jul 2022 Mr Emilio DOGLIANI 03 Aug 2021 30 Jul 2022 Mr Alessandro DI MAIO 03 Aug 2021 30 Jul 2022 Ms Friederike LADENBURGER 03 Aug 2021 30 Jul 2022 Mr Marek Misak 03 Aug 2021 30 Jul 2022 Mr Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 03 Aug 2021 02 Aug 2022 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 03 Aug 2021 30 Jul 2022 Mr Manuel Enrique BARRIOS PRIETO 02 Jul 2021 02 Jul 2022 Mr Markus Vennewald 23 Jan 2020 07 Oct 2020 Mr Manuel Enrique BARRIOS PRIETO 04 Sep 2019 04 Sep 2020 Mr Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 21 Aug 2019 01 Sep 2020 Mr Marek Misak 21 Aug 2019 01 Sep 2020 Ms Friederike LADENBURGER 21 Aug 2019 01 Sep 2020 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 16 Jul 2019 16 Jul 2020 Mr Olivier Poquillon 04 Jul 2019 04 Sep 2019 Mr Markus Vennewald 10 Jan 2019 10 Jan 2020 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 14 Jul 2018 13 Jul 2019 Mr Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 14 Jul 2018 13 Jul 2019 Mr Marek Misak 14 Jul 2018 13 Jul 2019 Mr Olivier Poquillon 14 Jul 2018 04 Jul 2019 Ms Friederike LADENBURGER 14 Jul 2018 13 Jul 2019 Ms Johanna Touzel 09 Feb 2018 09 Jan 2019 Mr Markus Vennewald 15 Jan 2018 10 Jan 2019 Ms Friederike LADENBURGER 06 Sep 2017 14 Jul 2018 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 31 Aug 2017 14 Jul 2018 Mr Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 31 Aug 2017 14 Jul 2018 Mr Marek Misak 31 Aug 2017 14 Jul 2018 Mr Olivier Poquillon 31 Aug 2017 14 Jul 2018 Ms Johanna Touzel 25 Feb 2017 09 Feb 2018 Mr Markus Vennewald 23 Jan 2017 15 Jan 2018 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 30 Sep 2016 31 Aug 2017 Mr Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 30 Sep 2016 31 Aug 2017 Mr Marek Misak 30 Sep 2016 31 Aug 2017 Ms Irmina NOCKIEWICZ 30 Sep 2016 27 Sep 2017 Mr Olivier Poquillon 05 Sep 2016 31 Aug 2017 Mr José Pedro DE SANDE E LEMOS RAMOS ASCENSAO 25 Feb 2016 24 Feb 2017 Mr Patrick Hugh DALY 25 Feb 2016 06 Sep 2016 Ms Johanna Touzel 25 Feb 2016 24 Feb 2017 Mr Markus Vennewald 26 Jan 2016 22 Jan 2017 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 22 Sep 2015 16 Sep 2016 Mr Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 22 Sep 2015 16 Sep 2016 Mr Marek Misak 22 Sep 2015 16 Sep 2016 Ms Irmina NOCKIEWICZ 22 Sep 2015 16 Sep 2016 Ms Johanna Touzel 16 Apr 2015 25 Feb 2016 Ms Anna ECHTERHOFF 17 Feb 2015 15 Apr 2015 Mr José Pedro DE SANDE E LEMOS RAMOS ASCENSAO 11 Feb 2015 05 Feb 2016 Mr Patrick Hugh DALY 11 Feb 2015 05 Feb 2016 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 30 Sep 2014 22 Sep 2015 Mr Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 30 Sep 2014 22 Sep 2015 Mr Marek Misak 30 Sep 2014 22 Sep 2015 Ms Irmina NOCKIEWICZ 30 Sep 2014 22 Sep 2015 Mr José Pedro DE SANDE E LEMOS RAMOS ASCENSAO 19 Feb 2014 12 Feb 2015 Mr Patrick Hugh DALY 19 Feb 2014 12 Feb 2015 Anna ECHTERHOFF 19 Feb 2014 15 Feb 2015 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 04 Oct 2013 30 Sep 2014 Mr Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 04 Oct 2013 30 Sep 2014 Mr José Pedro DE SANDE E LEMOS RAMOS ASCENSAO 15 Feb 2013 14 Feb 2014 Mr Patrick Hugh DALY 12 Feb 2013 09 Feb 2014 Mr Joseph Vella Gauci 26 Jan 2013 07 Oct 2013 Mr Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 29 Jan 2013 04 Oct 2013 Anna ECHTERHOFF 05 Feb 2013 02 Feb 2014 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 21 Dec 2012 04 Oct 2013 Mr Joseph Vella Gauci 08 Jun 2012 08 Feb 2013 Ms Leen den Blauwen 02 Jun 2012 08 Feb 2013 Mr José Pedro RAMOS-ASCENSAO 02 Feb 2012 08 Feb 2013 Mr Piotr MAZURKIEWICZ 17 Jan 2012 08 Feb 2013 Mr Alessandro CALCAGNO 17 Jan 2012 21 Dec 2012 Anna ECHTERHOFF 01 Mar 2012 01 Dec 2012 Jose Luis BAZAN LOPEZ 06 Mar 2012 08 Feb 2013 Complementary Information
None declared
Person in charge of EU relations
Mr Manuel Barrios Prieto (COMECE Secretary General)
Person with legal responsibility
Mr Manuel Barrios Prieto (COMECE Secretary General)
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Categories
Category
V - Organisations representing churches and religious communities
Subcategory
Organisations representing churches and religious communities
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Networking
Affiliation
Participation to an informal ecumenical group of Christian organisations working on migration and asylum issues
Member organisations
None declared
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Financial Data
Closed financial year
Jan 2018 - Dec 2018
Lobbying costs for closed financial year
1,125,000€
Other financial info
It should be noted that in this section the word ‘members’ is meant to refer to the members of COMECE
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EU Structures
Groups (European Commission)
none
Groups (European Parliament)
Extreme Poverty and Human Rights Intergroup; Freedom of religion and belief and religious tolerance Intergroup.
Communication activities
Events: Event on the future of Europe at the German Catholic Day "In diversity divided" (11 May 2018); Dialogue meeting between religious actors and policy-makers on “The renewed EU-ACP partnership” (16 May 2018); Seminar on "Integration and Extremism” (16 May 2018); First Laudato Si’ Reflection Day (6 June 2018); Public debate on “The Western Balkans and the EU: next steps…?” (14 June 2018); Roundtable debate on “New Defence Technologies: which legal and ethical implications?” (19 June 2018); Seminar on "Populism and re-nationalism – a test for Europe and its democracies" (14–15 June 2018); Event on “Making the Global Compact on Migration Work” (7 September 2018); Event on “Religious freedom and development cooperation to reduce the causes for migration” (17 September 2018); Lunch event on “Amazonia’s indigenous peoples: How can the EU promote their rights?” (20 September 2018); EP breakfast event on “The peace process in Colombia and the respective roles of the EU and the Church” (11 October 2018); Roundtable on “EU response to the crisis in religious freedom worldwide” (5 November 2018); Conference on "Shaping the future of work – a faith-based contribution to the ILO Centenary Initiative" (27 November 2018); EP Dialogue Seminar on “Religion and Human Rights within the EU: A Shared Responsibility” (4 December 2018); Event on "Universal Declaration of Human Rights: FoRB and the contribution of religious voices and civil society" (4 December 2018); Dialogue meeting between religious actors and policy-makers on “How to support development through investments?” (4 February 2019); Roundtable meeting with MEPs and EU election candidates "Ahead of the EU elections – what is next for work-free Sunday?" (18 February 2019); EP Seminar “Catholic Action against Trafficking in Human Beings” (19 February 2019); EP Dialogue Seminar on "Artificial Intelligence - Ethical concerns (19 March 2019); EP Seminar “The next day in Syria” (3 April 2019); Lunch debate "Synod on Youth continues: a socio political reading" (11 April 2019); Meetings of Bishops delegations from Italy (April and November 2018) and France (December 2018) with EP, Commission and Council actors; Meetings of the COMECE Legal Affairs Commission (2), Social Affairs Commission (2), External Affairs Commission (1), Working group on migration and asylum (1), Working group on ethics (1).
Publications: “Western Balkans’ EU integration: ‘a promise of peace and a source of development’?” (May 2018); Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU - A Catholic Church reflection on the Priorities of the Bulgarian EU Presidency (May 2018); COMECE Recommendations for humane return policies in Europe (May 2018); Contribution to the EEAS consultation on the Non-discrimination Guidelines (June 2018); Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU - "Reflections and Recommendations of the Christian Churches in Europe” (July 2018); Contribution to the public consultation on Digital Ethics (July 2018); Joint statement on climate justice by all continents Bishops’ Conferences (October 2018); "Shaping the future of work" (November 2018); COMECE President's Statement on the support of the Catholic Church to the UN Global Compact on Migration (December 2018); Statement on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (December 2018); Standing Committee call to EU Member on migrants in distress at sea (January 2019); Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU - "A Catholic Church Reflection on the priorities of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union" (January 2019); Contribution to the consultation on the EP implementation of Article 17 TFEU (January 2019); Reflection on "Robotisation of life" (February 2019); Elections Statement "Rebuilding community in Europe" (February 2019).
Communication and public relations: Webnews/press releases/press conferences; COMECE website; Social media; COMECE Annual Report 2018; videos.Other activities
Participation and contribution to: 12th European Forum on the Rights of the Child (2-3 April 2019); EP consultation meeting on the implementation of Article 17 TFEU (19 February 2019); EU Annual gathering with high-level religious leaders (8 October 2018); European Platform for Roma Inclusion (9 October 2018); Fundamental Rights Forum, FRA Agency (25-27 September 2018); EEAS Stakeholders consultation meeting on the EU Guidelines on Non-discrimination (19 June 2018); EEAS Stakeholders meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of religion or belief (13 June 2018); Stakeholders meetings of the European Roma Platform, DG Justice (22 May and 17 September 2018, 31 January 2019).
- Meetings
Meetings
20 meetings found. Download meetings
The list below only covers meetings held since November 2014 with commissioners, their cabinet members or directors-general at the European Commission; other lobby meetings with lower-level staff may have taken place, but the European Commission doesn't proactively publish information about these meetings. For more information about which commissioner is responsible for which portfolio, check out this link: https://commissioners.ec.europa.eu/index_en All information below comes from European Commission web pages.
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Date 11 Sep 2023 Location Brussels Subject Enlargement policy Cabinet Cabinet of Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi Portfolio Neighbourhood and Enlargement Attending - Ildikó Voller-Szenci (Cabinet member)
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Date 28 Feb 2023 Location Brussels Subject Social Economy Cabinet Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit Portfolio Jobs and Social Rights Attending - Santina Bertulessi (Cabinet member)
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Date 19 Sep 2022 Location Online Subject Social Economy and the SEAP implementation Cabinet Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit Portfolio Jobs and Social Rights Attending - Santina Bertulessi (Cabinet member)
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Date 15 Jun 2022 Location VTC Subject Celebrating the European Year of Youth Cabinet Cabinet of Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi Portfolio Neighbourhood and Enlargement Attending - Szabolcs Horvath (Cabinet member)
- Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner)
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Date 14 Jan 2022 Location virtual conference Subject Article 17 dialogue Cabinet Cabinet of Vice-President Margaritis Schinas Portfolio Promoting the European Way of Life Attending - Vangelis Demiris (Cabinet member)
- Margaritis Schinas (Vice-President)
Other Lobbyists - EKD-Büro Brüssel / EKD-Office Brussels
- Office of the Anglican Bishop in Europe
- association européenne de la pensée libre
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - European Union and International Affairs Office
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Church Council
- Committee of the Representatives of the Orthodox Churches in European Union
- Unie Vrijzinnige Verenigingen
- Conference of European Churches
- EGALE Egalité-laïcité-Europe
- The PR Office
- European Buddhist Union
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Date 25 Nov 2021 Location video-call Subject Interfaith Convention on the European Green Deal Cabinet Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans Portfolio European Green Deal Attending - Frans Timmermans (Executive Vice-President)
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Date 29 Jun 2021 Location VTC Subject Exchange of views on the future of Lebanon Cabinet Cabinet of Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi Portfolio Neighbourhood and Enlargement Attending - Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner)
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Date 24 Jun 2021 Location Brussels Subject social policies and inclusion DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Attending - Joost Korte (Director-General)
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Date 10 Jun 2021 Location Brussels - video conference Subject European Green Deal presentation and discussion Cabinet Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans Portfolio European Green Deal Attending - Aleksandra Tomczak (Cabinet member)
Other Lobbyists - HINDU FORUM EUROPE
- Grande Loge Féminine de France (Institut Maçonnique Européen)
- European Union for Progressive Judaism
- Conference of European Churches
- Alliance Maçonnique Européenne
- European Buddhist Union
- Office of the Anglican Bishop in Europe
- EKD-Büro Brüssel / EKD-Office Brussels
- Unie Vrijzinnige Verenigingen
- Committee of the Representatives of the Orthodox Churches in European Union
- EGALE Egalité-laïcité-Europe
- association européenne de la pensée libre
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Date 18 Jan 2021 Location VTC Subject The state of play on the Southern Neighbourhood policy Cabinet Cabinet of Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi Portfolio Neighbourhood and Enlargement Attending - Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner)
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Date 07 Sep 2020 Location Brussels Subject Green Paper on Ageing Cabinet Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica Portfolio Democracy and Demography Attending - Astrid Dentler (Cabinet member)
Other Lobbyists -
Date 10 Jul 2020 Location Brussels - video conference Subject Discussion on the European Green Deal with the Catholic Youth Cabinet Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans Portfolio European Green Deal Attending - Aleksandra Tomczak (Cabinet member)
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Date 16 Jun 2020 Location Brussels - video conference Subject Preparation of youth dialogue meeting Cabinet Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans Portfolio European Green Deal Attending - Aleksandra Tomczak (Cabinet member)
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Date 04 Feb 2020 Location Brussels Subject EU Enlargement and opening of accession talks with Albania Cabinet Cabinet of Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi Portfolio Neighbourhood and Enlargement Attending - Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner)
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Date 25 Oct 2018 Location Brussels, Belgium Subject Meeting with the Task Force for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 TEU DG Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom Attending - Michel Barnier (Head of Task Force)
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Date 08 Feb 2018 Location Brussels, Belgium Subject Agriculture Cabinet Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan Portfolio Agriculture & Rural Development Attending - Phil Hogan (Commissioner)
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Date 14 Sep 2017 Location Brussels Subject Dialogue selon l’Art. 17 Cabinet Cabinet of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans Portfolio Better Regulation, Interinstitutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights Attending - Bernardus Smulders (Cabinet member)
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Date 02 Jun 2017 Location Brussels Subject EMU reflection paper Cabinet Cabinet of Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis Portfolio Euro and Social Dialogue, also in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union Attending - Kai Wynands (Cabinet member)
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Date 12 Oct 2016 Location Comece Secretariat Subject European Pillar of Social Rights and its role in ensuring good working conditions and account for the changes on the labour market. Cabinet Cabinet of Commissioner Marianne Thyssen Portfolio Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Attending - Ruth Paserman (Cabinet member)
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Date 10 Nov 2015 Location Brussels Subject social issues – including youth unemployment, the impact of austerity policies on citizens and child poverty DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Attending - Michel Servoz (Director-General)
- Meetings