De novo transcriptome assembly of shrimp Palaemon serratus

EU–US relations are in excellent shape, not least because of the degree of like- mindedness between the partners. The effective relationship the HR/VP forged with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on foreign policy issues remained a strong element in this area. There has been close coordination of assistance on the reform process in north Africa and the Middle East, on the political and hu- manitarian situation in libya and on restrictive measures vis-à-vis Iran and Syria, in addition to a substantive dialogue on the long-term outlook for the region. Close coordination continues on the nuclear negotiations with Iran, led by the HR/VP. Also, in the case of the eastern neighbourhood and the Balkans, the EU and the US cooperated closely on Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine. In October 2012, the HR/VP and the Secretary of State jointly visited Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kos- ovo and Serbia. The transatlantic dialogue on energy security, policy and research continued with the meeting of the EU–US Energy Council (2_{) in December 2012}

and, finally, following the November 2011 EU–US Summit commitment, the EU– US dialogue on the Asia/Pacific region is in the process of being strengthened. EU–US relations in the area of justice and home affairs have over the past decade developed into an important pillar of transatlantic cooperation, and the 2011 EU–US Summit commitments in this regard have been largely fulfilled. In terms of transport security, the EU and the US reached an agreement, as of 1 June 2012, on mutual recognition of their respective air cargo security regimes. Other important milestones were: the adoption of the passenger name records (PNR) agreement with the US, which entered into force on 1 July 2012; the mutual recognition of companies designated as ‘trusted traders’ by both the US customs- trade partnership against terrorism (C-TPAT) programme and the EU’s authorised economic operators (AEO) regime; and mutual recognition of air cargo security regimes, which entered into force on 1 June 2012.

The 2011 EU–US Summit decided to establish an EU–US High-level Working Group on Jobs and Growth to look at all options to enhance transatlantic trade and investment in order to spur the creation of jobs and economic growth. On 20 June 2012, Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council, and José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, issued a joint state- ment with US President Barack Obama welcoming the interim report of the working group, which reached the preliminary conclusion that ‘a comprehensive agreement that addresses a broad range of bilateral trade and investment pol- icies as well as issues of common concern with respect to third countries would, if achievable, provide the most significant benefit of the various options we have

considered.’ The work of the group is strongly supported by EU Member States. Handshake between Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, on the left, and Catherine Ashton, Commission Vice-President and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

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Canada

EU–Canada relations are intensifying and the potential for enhanced economic and political cooperation is currently being explored through the negotiations for a comprehensive economic and trade agreement and a strategic partnership agreement (SPA). Since the launch of the SPA negotiations in late 2011, and fol- lowing several negotiating rounds, an agreement is within reach.

In July 2012, the EU and Canada completed the negotiations on a draft agree- ment on security of information that will set rules on the protection of classified information. There are also ongoing negotiations on a passenger name records agreement. The EU–Canada transatlantic dialogue took place in March and fo- cused on international issues and the ongoing SPA negotiations.

Russia

The EU’s constructive engagement with Russia produced important results during the year, from Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which took effect on 22 August, to the continued implementation of the Partnership for Modernisation and the ‘common steps’ towards a visa-free regime for short-term travel. Together with a possible relaunch of the negotiations on a new agreement, proper implementation of these agreements and commitments will be essential for the further development of the relationship.

The 29th EU–Russia Summit took place in June 2012 near Saint Petersburg. This first summit with Vladimir Putin as president following his inauguration on 7 May demonstrated that the new Russian leadership has taken a decision to strengthen and further deepen EU–Russian cooperation, in particular in view of Russia’s in- terest in modernisation, but it also revealed that there are still a number of dif- ferences where further work on both sides is needed. The 30th EU–Russia Summit held in December 2012 in Brussels constituted an opportunity to give impetus to the conclusion of the negotiations on a new agreement in the near future. The EU followed closely developments related to Russia’s domestic situation, which has been characterised by demonstrations of discontent from key groups in society. It has expressed concern both publicly and in political dialogues over negative developments, especially in the context of treatment of demonstrators, and the adoption of restrictive legislation on public assemblies and NGOs. EU–Russia Summit.

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China

The EU and China exceptionally held two summits in 2012 — one postponed from 2011 and the 15th EU–China Summit on 20 September in Brussels. EU– China cooperation was strengthened in a number of areas, including urbanisation, energy (with a joint declaration on energy security (3_{)), people-to-people, and re-}

search and innovation, adding to the strong economic and trade relationship. Both sides agreed to prepare for negotiations on an investment agreement. The HR/VP reinforced cooperation on security and defence with China during her visit to Beijing in July. At the same time, human rights continued to be one of the pri- orities in the EU’s engagement with China. There have been some challenges re- lating to prominent trade irritants, yet there remains a high degree of joint com- mitment to focus on the significant potential for further expanding trade and investment and strengthening commercial relations.

Japan

The EU and Japan have successfully completed the ‘scoping exercise’ launched in 2011 and aimed at determining the contours of a comprehensive and ambitious overall framework for the bilateral relationship. On this basis, the Commission adopted in July recommendations to the Council for opening parallel negotiations on a framework agreement (covering political, global and sectoral issues) and a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement. The Council adopted the two corresponding negotiating mandates in November, paving the way for one of the most significant negotiation exercises that the EU has ever had with one of its strategic partners.