Main results of the EU-Ukraine Association Council, 20 March 2024
During a restricted session the EU and Ukraine exchanged views on the situation following Russia’s war of aggression, focusing on the…
Late Payments Directive: Lead EP Committee approves measures to support SMEs
On Wednesday, the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted its position on the regulation on combating late payments.…
EuroCommerce: MEP’s attempt to fix Late Payments proposal still misses the mark
EuroCommerce, the European association representing small and large retailers and wholesalers, remains concerned that the ‘solution’ tabled is irrespective of…
European merchants ask for reasonable exemptions from mandatory euro cash acceptance
Most merchants continue to offer consumers the option to pay in cash, despite a consistent decrease in the use of…
Europol: 9 arrested in hit against holiday-rental fraudsters
Europol supported the Romanian Police (Politia Romana) and the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) in an operation that led to…
Main messages from the Tripartite Social Summit
In 2023, European enterprises continued to seek to drive the EU's green and digital transitions, and their task was made…
EU Commission prepares for pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews
This document contributes to the ongoing discussion process about the internal reforms the EU will need to make to prepare…
EU Commission takes action to improve the quality of traineeships in the EU
The EU's 2014 Quality Framework for Traineeships set out 21 quality principles to ensure high-quality learning and working conditions. In…
EU Commission sets out actions to tackle labour and skills shortages
Today, the Commission has presented an action plan to tackle labour and skills shortages and proposes to work together with…
Press statement by EU Commission President with UN Secretary-General Guterres
Gaza is facing famine. This is unacceptable. It is critical to achieve an agreement on a ceasefire rapidly now that…
Africa: Team Europe and African partners launch four TEIs to strengthen health systems and social protection
Three health Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs) were launched today during the high-level event on the European Union (EU) – African…
EU Commission disburses first €4.5bn of bridge financing to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility
The Commission has disbursed the first €4.5 billion of support under the EU's new Ukraine Facility. Through this exceptional bridge…
Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027 to underpin journey to a resilient future
These orientations aim to address key global challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, the digital transition and an…
Press statement by EU Commission President with former Finnish President Niinistö
It is a pleasure to welcome you again in Brussels. Today, we will be speaking about security and defence, a…
ECDC issues recommendations for strengthening emergency and pandemic preparedness planning
PHSMs refer to non-pharmaceutical measures implemented in community settings to abate the spread of infectious disease. These constituted the primary…
“Parliament 2024”: One step closer to reforming EU Parliament’s internal rules
Seeking to increase Parliament’s responsiveness, MEPs want to introduce special public hearings to put questions to Commissioners on issues of…
Deal to extend trade support for Ukraine with safeguards for EU farmers
On Wednesday, Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on extending trade liberalisation measures for Ukraine in the face of…
WMO report: Climate change indicators reached record levels in 2023
A new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) shows that records were once again broken, and in some cases…
Bulgaria: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2024 Article IV Mission
The Bulgarian economy showed resilience amidst a succession of shocks, and the outlook is that of rebounding growth and further…
Using satellite data to combat climate change – German-U.S. Grace-C cooperation
The Space Strategy of Germany's Federal Government aims to take account of the increasing significance of space flight, and is…
EU pharmaceutical policy: MEPs support comprehensive reform
MEPs adopted their proposals to revamp EU pharmaceutical legislation, to foster innovation and enhance the security of supply, accessibility and affordability of…
Microplastics: MEPs support stricter rules to minimise plastic pellet losses
The Environment Committee adopted its proposals to better prevent plastic pellets losses throughout the supply chain, with the goal of…
EU Commissioner Wojciechowski on trade, CAP reform, and the supply chain
"Over the past number of months, farmers have taken to the streets, and raised their voice on a number of significant issues,…
UN Human Rights Council 55: UK Statement on Myanmar
As you have made clear, the Myanmar military continues to commit atrocities, including village burnings, mass killings and airstrikes against…
Main results of the EU General Affairs Council, 19 March 2024
Ministers continued preparations for the European Council meeting on 21 and 22 March 2024 by discussing draft conclusions.
EU financial support for increased ammunition production in Sweden
This initiative is the third track in a comprehensive effort to increase the production of artillery ammunition and enable continued…
Bosnia and Herzegovina: IMF statement of the 2024 Article IV consultation mission
Growth has proven resilient despite the continued fallout from the war in Ukraine and is set to strengthen starting this…
Norway donates NOK70m to refugees and migrants
During the meeting, the foreign minister and Pope signed an agreement for NOK 30 million over two years for IOM's…
IPR: EU Commission proposes new countermeasures againt counterfeiting
The Commission has today adopted a Recommendation to combat counterfeiting, both offline and online, and enhance the enforcement of intellectual property…
EU Commission speeches at the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities
"Today's declaration demonstrates your ability and ambition to connect citizens with the democratic institutions that are designed to serve them.My…
Norway: New white paper highlights Sámi perspectives in public health work
The white paper on public health and living conditions in the Sámi population builds on the white paper on Public Health…
Hong Kong: EU HR on the adoption of new national security legislation
The ‘Safeguarding National Security Bill’ could exacerbate the erosion of fundamental freedoms and political pluralism in Hong Kong brought about,…
Anti-SLAPP: Final green light for EU law protecting journalists and human rights defenders
Today the Council adopted a law to protect persons who speak out on matters of public interest against abusive lawsuits…
Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe’s report to the Euro Summit President
The report highlights the agreement reached by all EU finance ministers within the Eurogroup in inclusive format on the future…
Reform of the Statute of the Court of Justice adopted
The Council today gave its final green light to the reform of the Statute of the Court of Justice of…
EU Commission issues €7bn in its 3rd syndicated transaction of 2024
The transaction concerned a new, single-tranche €7 billion NextGenerationEU (NGEU) Green Bond due on 4 February 2050. The long 25-year bond came…
EU Commission clears creation of joint venture by DPI and PI
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Deutsche Post International…
Spain submits a request for a targeted revision of its recovery plan
The Spanish recovery and resilience plan consists of €163 billion, of which €79.8 billion in grants and €83.2 billion in loans. It includes…
HERA and partners launch GLOWACON
A new Global Consortium for Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance for Public Health (GLOWACON) has been launched today. Its primary objective…
European Humanitarian Forum announces pledges of over €7.7bn for global crises
The third edition of the European Humanitarian Forum concluded today in Brussels, co-organised by the European Commission and the Belgian…
Merger investigation: EU Commission sends Statement of Objections to Kingspan
In March 2021, Kingspan notified to the Commission its plan to acquire Trimo. Both companies are producers and distributors of mineral fibre sandwich…
ECB and EBA want to make banking industry data reporting more efficient
ECB and EBA establish Joint Bank Reporting Committee to make data reporting by the banking industry more efficient. A new…
EU Foreign Affairs Council: Remarks by EU HR Josep Borrell
"We need urgent action in Ukraine, both here and in the US. We have been listening after to Dmytro Kuleba…
Main results of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, 18 March 2024
Ministers held an informal exchange of views with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, via videoconference, with a focus on…
Hydrogen Europe: Slovenia launches low-carbon hydrogen consortium
The Government of Slovenia supported the establishment of a consortium of 18 companies, organizations and municipalities for an ecosystem for…
Understanding cybercrime – EP Research Service analysis
Cybercrime is a major threat to society that generates billions of euros for its perpetrators. It is a form of…
UNFCCC: Building Country Capacities to Access Funding for Adaptation
As climate change accelerates, the urgency for countries to implement crucial plans that build resilience to impacts of climate change…
ENTSO-E welcomes negotiations on an EU-Swiss electricity agreement
ENTSO-E welcomes the opening of discussions between the EU and Switzerland and in particular the work on an electricity agreement…