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Western Europe
The EU’s relations with non-EU Western European countries (Andorra, Iceland, Monaco, Norway, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Switzerland) differ in many respects from those with the other European non-EU countries. Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are to a significant degree integrated with the EU’s internal market, with differing conditions for such integration.
New agreements giving greater market access and protection for EU agri-food products in Iceland enter into force on 1 May.
From 26 February to 23 March 2018 the international community will gather in Geneva at the Human Rights Council (HRC) to discuss the world's most pressing human rights issues. "In a year, where we mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the EU reaffirms its strong support for the work of the UN human rights system," says Ambassador Peter Sørensen, Head of the EU Delegation to the UN in Geneva. "The Declaration is as valid as it was at the time of its adoption and sadly, we are far from the full respect of these commitments all over the world. Rights and freedoms are still being challenged and the space for civil society is shrinking in many countries throughout the world," he adds. Therefore, the EU will give strong priority to promoting and defending the universality of human rights and to raising the profile of human rights throughout the year.
The death penalty is incompatible with human dignity. It constitutes inhuman and degrading treatment, does not have any proven deterrent effect and allows judicial errors to become irreversible and fatal.
This year we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome and the EU intends to mark this milestone. Over the last six decades, the EU has actively sought to not only bring peace and prosperity to Europe, but to use its influence for a more equal, democratic and stable world.
Violence against women and girls still takes place every day, inside and outside the European Union. This violation of human rights is pervasive and has many different faces: it happens regardless of social background, whether at home, at work, at school, in the street, playing sports or online. It limits women's and girls' full participation in all aspects of society – political, cultural, social and economic.
