About: Harlem Desir

French PM visits Athens to offer support on bailout talks

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, accompanied by Finance Minister Michel Sapin and Secretary of State for European Affairs Harlem Desir, will visit Greece today (3 March), aiming to offer political backing for the crucial bailout talks of the indebted country.

France responds to the ‘shock’ of Brexit

The United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union will take effect from 2019. For the French, Brexit came as a surprise: a sad one for some, a happy one for others. For some French Europhiles, it is even a breath of fresh air. EURACTIV France reports.

Azerbaijan and Armenia embark on Nagorno-Karabakh peace process

Azerbaijan and Armenia took a step back from the brink of open war yesterday  (16 May) as their presidents agreed to respect a ceasefire in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia, Azerbaijan presidents to meet in Vienna over Nagorno-Karabakh

The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet on Monday (16 May) in Vienna to discuss the situation of Nagorno-Karabakh region after the worst clashes in decades, mediators said yesterday (12 May). The US and Russia first diplomats are expected to be present, but not the EU.

Can France revive its influence in Brussels?

With French influence in Brussels at an all-time low, Paris is searching for ways to breathe life back into its EU delegation. EURACTIV France reports.

Ministers call for boosting intel sharing to thwart ‘Terrorism 2.0’

Ministers demanded greater intelligence sharing to stop extremist groups slipping across borders to carry out attacks, urging concrete commitments at talks Monday to stem dangerous intel lapses.

Erasmus+ struggling to attract apprentices

Three million students have studied abroad with Erasmus+, but only 5,000 apprentices have taken part in the exchange. France and Germany are joining forces to increase the programme’s uptake. EURACTIV France reports. 

All eyes on Germany as refugee exodus continues

Member states are affected in very different ways by the refugee crisis. But all of them worry about what will happen when Germany’s capacity to absorb asylum seekers reaches saturation point. The EURACTIV network reports.

Many EU countries say “no” to immigration quotas

The European Commission has submitted a proposal to find a fairer way to admit and distribute asylum seekers in the EU. But it’s up to the member states to decide, and many don’t accept the proposed distribution of migrants. The EURACTIV network reports.

Worries mount as European Parliament sits idle

EXCLUSIVE / The European Parliament's legislative vacuum is frustrating both national and European politicians. While MEPs are forced to vote on hollow resolutions, France has lodged a complaint with the President Martin Schulz. EURACTIV France reports. 

France sends EU civil servants back to school

Harlem Désir, France's Secretary of State for European Affairs, launched the EU's "Back to School" programme in France on Monday. The initiative aims to spread knowledge of the Union to a generation that has "only known the euro". EURACTIV France reports. 

EU foreign ministers gather in Moldova in show of support

Federica Mogherini, the newly appointed head of the EU diplomatic service, met with several EU foreign affairs ministers in Chisinau, Moldova yesterday (1 September) in a sign of support for the country. This was Mogherini’s first official trip abroad, after being appointed to be the next EU foreign affairs chief.