European Parliament
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On 3 July 2018 Sebastian Kurz saa Austria would focus on "those goals where we can achieve compromises", during it's presidency of the Council of the European Council.

He saaid his country had three priorities for its presidency, among which "protecting the European people" with regards to security and migration is the top priority.

He called for a "paradigm shift" in migration policy, with a greater focus on securing Europe's external borders as the "prerequisite" for border-free travel within the continent.

There has been a "turnaround" in thinking in this area over the last six months that Austria has helped bring about, he adds.

Austrian ambassador H.E. Michael Zimmermann says Austria's first priority as president of the Council of the EU is "a Europe that protects".

The migration crisis was a watershed moment in the history of the EU and many people lost confidence that the EU was able and willing to protect people, he suggests.

H.E. Zimmermann explains that the Austrian presidency wants to show that the EU is willing and able to protect citizens.

This will be done in three ways, he says:

1. Fight against illegal migration
2. Protection of prosperity and standards of living through digitalisation
3. Stability in eastern Europe

In July Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz told Theresa May it is "important to avoid a hard Brexit", after talks with the UK prime minister.

Mrs May is in Salzburg as part of a mission by UK ministers to sell their post-Brexit trade proposals.

Mr Kurz said he viewed Brexit "negatively" but felt negotiations were going "quite well".

Mrs May then held talks with Czech PM Andrej Babis before heading off on her summer holidays.

• Barnier rules out key UK customs proposal
• Laura Kuenssberg: What now for the government?

Speaking at a brief joint press conference, Mr Kurz, who had just assumed the EU presidency for six months, said: "The Brexit decision is a decision we see very negatively.

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

We begin with an evidence session with on the presidency of the Council of the European Union:

The committee will take evidence from

• H.E. Michael Zimmermann, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Read the committee papers here, external

The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee will take evidence on the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

As Austria have the preisdency, we'll hear from H.E. Michael Zimmermann, ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Second up BBC Scotland will be put under the spotlight, as MSPs take evidence on the BBC annual report and accounts.

Read the committee papers here., external

Welcome to Holyrood Live on Thursday 8 November 2018.

The Cultue, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee will take evidence on the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

As Austria have the preisdency, we'll hear from H.E. Michael Zimmermann, ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Second up BBC Scotland will be put under the spotlight, as MSPs take evidence on the BBC annual report and accounts.

Image source, BBC/PA

After general questions, we will bring you extensive coverage for first minister's questions at noon.

Then MSPs will take part in a motion of remembrance for the upcoming 100th anniversary of the WWI armistice.

After lunch, Labour MSP Monica Lennon leads a debate on 'South Lanarkshire care homes under threat'.

Then there will be a ministerial statement on improving the education experience of LGBTI young people.

The stage 3 debate on the Prescription (Scotland) Bill will take us up to 5pm.

At decision time, MSPs will also vote on whether to sanction Tory MSP Annie Wells with a week-long exclusion from parliament.