Wed. May 21st, 2025

TOP NEWS

EU Commission announces new projects to boost renewable hydrogen development European Maritime Safety Agency EMSA: EU legislators strike a deal Safe third country concept: EU Commission proposes solution to facilitate application EU long-term budget: EU Commission welcomes European citizens’ recommendations Norway proposes Bodø as location for a new NATO air operations centre

NEWS & BACKGROUND

illustration of hybrid warfare, ai-generated

Russia’s war against Ukraine: EU Council adopts 17th package of sanctions

The EU Council adopted today the 17th package of restrictive measures cutting off Russia’s access to key military technology and curbing Russia’s energy revenues that fuel its war against Ukraine. The sanctions target Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers, their operators, as well as a major Russian oil producer. The Council also listed further 21 individuals and 6 entities involved in Russia’s hybrid attacks, and three entities in the Russian Armed Forces over the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.

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20/05/2025

NEWS TICKER

BUSINESS

illustration of hybrid warfare, ai-generated

Russia’s war against Ukraine: EU Council adopts 17th package of sanctions

The EU Council adopted today the 17th package of restrictive measures cutting off Russia’s access to key military technology and curbing Russia’s energy revenues that fuel its war against Ukraine. The sanctions target Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers, their operators, as well as a major Russian oil producer. The Council also listed further 21 individuals and 6 entities involved in Russia’s hybrid attacks, and three entities in the Russian Armed Forces over the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.

Read More »
20/05/2025

OECD publishes report on “Reinforcing Rural Resilience”

In latest report on rural development, the OECD provides a roadmap for strengthening rural resilience by promoting people-centred policies that respond to the diverse challenges and opportunities facing different types of rural regions. Building on the OECD Rural Well-being Framework and Principles on Rural Policy, it distinguishes between rural regions near cities and rural remote regions to tailor more effective strategies.

Read More »
20/05/2025

Consumer Agenda 2025-2030: EU Commission launches public consultation

The EU Commission is launching a consultation on the EU Consumer Agenda 2025-2030. The new Agenda will strengthen consumer protection, support consumers’ well-being, and promote a level playing field for businesses. This consultation is open until 11 August 2025, inviting citizens, public authorities and stakeholders to share their ideas on how to strengthen consumer protection in the EU.

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20/05/2025

Estonia: IMF Staff concluding statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission

Estonia is re-emerging from a prolonged downturn but continues to grapple with higher prices and costs, a legacy of previous shocks, while high global policy uncertainty and rising trade barriers hinder a more vigorous recovery. Innovative young firms, a potential growth engine, are constrained by lack of skilled labor and limited access to capital markets. At the same time, fast-rising defense spending needs compound preexisting fiscal imbalances.

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20/05/2025

Humanitarian aid to Gaza: EU Commission publishes joint donor statement

In a joint statement, 23 countries and senior EU officials have urged Israel to allow the immediate, full resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza. They reject a newly proposed aid delivery model that sidelines the UN and humanitarian principles, warning it endangers both civilians and aid workers. The signatories call for an urgent ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and progress towards a two-state solution.

Read More »
20/05/2025

EU-UK Summit: Statements by EU politicians and stakeholders

EU politicians and stakeholders have welcomed the outcome of the EU–UK Summit, which delivers a structured framework for renewed cooperation, including a new security and defence partnership. The agreement provides for regular high-level dialogues, coordination on peace missions, joint work in the defence industry, enhanced cybersecurity, protection of critical infrastructure, maritime security, and resilience against hybrid threats.

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20/05/2025

EU-UK Summit: UK statements and documents

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has today confirmed a new agreement with the European Union which will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, back British jobs and put more money in people’s pockets. Extensive negotiations over the last six months have led to the third major deal struck by the government in as many weeks, following the US and India – which the Prime Minister says will be “good for jobs, good for bills and good for our borders”.

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19/05/2025
brexit, europe, britain, eu, politics, referendum, european, british, uk, national, union, exit, leave, remain, political, blue leaf, blue leaves, brexit, brexit, brexit, brexit, brexit

EU–UK Summit 2025: Unveiling a renewed agenda for cooperation

On 19 May 2025, leaders of the European Union and the United Kingdom met in London for the first EU–UK summit since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The meeting concluded with the adoption of three documents outlining a renewed agenda for EU–UK cooperation. How can this new roadmap overcome years of political divergence?

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19/05/2025

DIGITIZATION

OECD publishes report on “Reinforcing Rural Resilience”

In latest report on rural development, the OECD provides a roadmap for strengthening rural resilience by promoting people-centred policies that respond to the diverse challenges and opportunities facing different types of rural regions. Building on the OECD Rural Well-being Framework and Principles on Rural Policy, it distinguishes between rural regions near cities and rural remote regions to tailor more effective strategies.

Read More »
20/05/2025
brexit, europe, britain, eu, politics, referendum, european, british, uk, national, union, exit, leave, remain, political, blue leaf, blue leaves, brexit, brexit, brexit, brexit, brexit

EU–UK Summit 2025: Unveiling a renewed agenda for cooperation

On 19 May 2025, leaders of the European Union and the United Kingdom met in London for the first EU–UK summit since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The meeting concluded with the adoption of three documents outlining a renewed agenda for EU–UK cooperation. How can this new roadmap overcome years of political divergence?

Read More »
19/05/2025
AI symbol in the centre of a map of Europe

EIOPA surveys European insurers on their use of generative AI

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has launched a new survey to assess the adoption of generative AI solutions across the EU’s insurance sector. The survey will gather insights on the current state of implementation and future plans, as well as the governance frameworks that undertakings are developing to address the specific characteristics of this emerging technology.

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17/05/2025
children, win, success, video game, play, happy, macbook, creative, computer, laptop, technology, happiness, portrait, children, children, success, success, success, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, computer, computer, computer, computer, laptop, technology, technology

OECD calls for an ambitious approach to protect and empower children online

In today’s digital world, where 98% of 15-year-olds in OECD countries have a smartphone, children enjoy unprecedented opportunities for learning, entertainment, and connecting with peers. However, early and excessive exposure to an online environment also creates risks, according to a new OECD report that calls for a comprehensive approach to address children’s digital lives.

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16/05/2025

New Federal Minister for Digital Affairs sets bold agenda for “Next Germany”

At Wirtschaftstag 2025, hosted by the Wirtschaftsrat (Economic Council), Germany’s new Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger presented his vision for “Next Germany”. He outlined priorities for digitizing public administration, expanding digital infrastructure, and fostering a competitive tech economy. Wildberger emphasized speed, innovation, and digital sovereignty—and pledged that his new ministry will serve as both partner and accelerator of Germany’s digital transformation.

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16/05/2025
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Insight EU Digitization and Entertainment Weekly 5 – 10 May 2025

Insight EU offers delayed access to the headlines of our Insight EU specialized monitoring emails, typically by several days. For real-time updates and comprehensive monitoring services, consider subscribing to one of our annual Insight EU plans available in the Insight EU Store. Delve into the headlines of our latest Insight EU Digitization and Entertainement Weekly. This Weekly was originally published on 10 May 2025.

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16/05/2025

SECURITY

European Maritime Safety Agency EMSA: EU legislators strike a deal

EMSA carries out important tasks related to countering and handling pollution incidents at sea or the greening and digitalisation of the maritime sector. The provisional agreement also provides for the possibility to update EMSA’s tasks considering possible future challenges or evolving security issues at sea, such as cyber security and hybrid threats.

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21/05/2025
illustration of hybrid warfare, ai-generated

Russia’s war against Ukraine: EU Council adopts 17th package of sanctions

The EU Council adopted today the 17th package of restrictive measures cutting off Russia’s access to key military technology and curbing Russia’s energy revenues that fuel its war against Ukraine. The sanctions target Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers, their operators, as well as a major Russian oil producer. The Council also listed further 21 individuals and 6 entities involved in Russia’s hybrid attacks, and three entities in the Russian Armed Forces over the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.

Read More »
20/05/2025

Humanitarian aid to Gaza: EU Commission publishes joint donor statement

In a joint statement, 23 countries and senior EU officials have urged Israel to allow the immediate, full resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza. They reject a newly proposed aid delivery model that sidelines the UN and humanitarian principles, warning it endangers both civilians and aid workers. The signatories call for an urgent ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and progress towards a two-state solution.

Read More »
20/05/2025

SUSTAINABILITY

European Maritime Safety Agency EMSA: EU legislators strike a deal

EMSA carries out important tasks related to countering and handling pollution incidents at sea or the greening and digitalisation of the maritime sector. The provisional agreement also provides for the possibility to update EMSA’s tasks considering possible future challenges or evolving security issues at sea, such as cyber security and hybrid threats.

Read More »
21/05/2025

Consumer Agenda 2025-2030: EU Commission launches public consultation

The EU Commission is launching a consultation on the EU Consumer Agenda 2025-2030. The new Agenda will strengthen consumer protection, support consumers’ well-being, and promote a level playing field for businesses. This consultation is open until 11 August 2025, inviting citizens, public authorities and stakeholders to share their ideas on how to strengthen consumer protection in the EU.

Read More »
20/05/2025

EU Council agrees position on strengthening farmers in the agrifood supply chain

Today member states’ representatives in the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) approved the Council’s  negotiating mandate on a targeted amendment of the regulation on the common market organisation of agricultural products (CMO) and of the two other acts governing the common agricultural policy. These changes aim to address the growing challenges faced by farmers and boost their position within the food supply chain.

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19/05/2025

UN Carbon Market: Key rules agreed for credible climate project crediting

A UN Body responsible for setting up a carbon market under the Paris Agreement adopted important new standards to guide how emission-reducing projects measure their impact. Known as the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM), it enables countries and other actors to work together on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by generating high-integrity carbon credits that support global efforts to fight climate change.

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17/05/2025

Hungarian Government announces manufacturing deal with BYD

“The agreement signed with BYD means that the cars of the future will also be manufactured in Hungary” – Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on Thursday in Budapest after hosting Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and CEO of BYD, and Wang Weizhong, Governor of China’s Guangdong Province, at his office.

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17/05/2025

Russia and Belarus: MEPs back new tariffs on agricultural goods

MEPs in the International Trade Committee have backed a Commission proposal to increase EU tariffs by 50% on those agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that are still excluded from other customs duties. The aim is to reduce EU dependency on the two countries still further. Products to be hit by the new tariffs include sugars, vinegar, flour, and animal feed.

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16/05/2025

EU AGENDA

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