First EU-Gulf Cooperation Council: Remarks by EU leaders
The first EU-GCC Summit will take place in Brussels on 16 October 2024 under the theme: “Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity”.
16/10/2024
ON THE TOP
Open Data Directive to fuel artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation
New EU rules on making more public datasets available for reuse have started applying in six thematic areas laid out in the Open Data Directive: geospatial, earth observation and environment, meteorological, statistics, companies and mobility.
10/06/2024
Macron annonce la dissolution de l’Assemblée nationale et les prochaines élections
Le Président Emmanuel Macron s’est adressé aux Français ce dimanche à 21h depuis le Palais de l’Élysée. Le chef de l’État a annoncé la dissolution de l’Assemblée nationale. Les prochaines élections législatives auront lieu le 30 juin pour le premier tour et le 7 juillet pour le second.
10/06/2024
Potential coalitions and alliances in the new European Parliament
How are the results of the European election going to affect policy-making in the EU Parliament: creating a majority, attitude towards Russia, revision of the Green Deal?
10/06/2024
LATEST NEWS TICKER
BUSINESS
Serbia: IMF Staff reaches staff-level agreement on arrangement review and follow-up
The Serbian authorities and IMF staff reached an agreement on the fourth and final review under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) and on a successor 36-month Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) request. The PCI is a non-financing instrument designed to support strong economic policies. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board in December 2024.
17/10/2024
‘Araban Sarımsağı’ garlic from Türkiye added to register of PDO
‘Araban Sarımsağı’ is a garlic variety belonging to the early harvested Allium Sativum L. species, which grows only in the Araban Plain. The geographical area covers all the villages and towns belonging to the Araban district in Gaziantep province in Southeastern Anatolia region. The climate and soil structure of the region are effective in the formation of unique features such as taste and aroma, together with the type of product.
22/03/2024
PIK and ECB: Climate change and higher average temperatures drive risk of inflation
Rising temperatures could drive food inflation up by 3.2 percentage points and overall inflation by 1.18 percentage points annually by 2035, according to a new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and the European Central Bank.
22/03/2024
New survey shows Pact for Skills helped train 3.5m workers
These results highlight the importance of skills development, in line with the European Year of Skills. They come in the same week when the Commission presented an Action Plan to tackle skills and labour shortages to boost the EU’s competitiveness, social and economic resilience. The Pact for Skills is a flagship initiative of the European Skills Agenda. It mobilises all relevant partners – including industry, social partners, training and education providers, public authorities, employment services – to work together to identify where the skills gaps are, and take concrete action to upskill and reskill workers in the EU.
22/03/2024
Metsola at the European Council: European election will test our systems
Delivering on our priorities is the best tool to push against disinformation, said EP President Roberta Metsola at European Council, addressing the Heads of State or Government at the March European Council in Brussels.
22/03/2024
Conclusions of the European Council on 21 March 2024
The European Council has taken a range of decisions on Ukraine, Middle East, defence, crisis preparedness, and enlargement. Here are the conclusions of the first day of the meeting of Heads of State or Government of the European Union.
22/03/2024
Ukraine: IMF Completes 3rd review of the Extended Fund Facility Arrangement
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the third Review of the EFF arrangement for Ukraine. The completion of the third review enables the authorities to immediately draw US$880 million (SDR 663.9 million), which will be channeled for budget support.
22/03/2024
UNCTAD’s Global Trade Update shows encouraging signs amidst persistent challenges
After facing declines over several quarters, international trade is poised for a rebound in 2024, according to the latest Global Trade Update from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
21/03/2024
EU Court of Justice: Advocate General’s Opinion in Case C-399/22 (Confédération paysanne)
Faced with an implicit refusal to issue that order, the Confédération paysanne initiated an action before the French Council of State, which referred several questions relating to the interpretation of EU law to the Court of Justice. In her Opinion, Advocate General Tamara Ćapeta first explains that the territory of Western Sahara is regarded by the European Union and the international community as constituting a distinct and separate territory from the Kingdom of Morocco.
21/03/2024
EU Court of Justice: Advocate General’s Opinion in Joined Cases C-778/21 P and C-798/21 P (Commission, Council, Front Polisario)
In her Opinion, Advocate General Tamara Ćapeta proposes that the Court reject these appeals and uphold the General Court’s judgment to annul the Council’s decision. However, Advocate General proposes to base that annulment on different reasoning. First, the Advocate General explains that the people of Western Sahara have no official or recognised representative to bring an action on their behalf. However, Front Polisario fights for one of the three possible outcomes of the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara: the creation of an independent State. Accordingly, Front Polisario should be viewed as reflecting the interests and wishes of (at least) part of the people of Western Sahara.
21/03/2024
EU Court of Justice: Judgment of the Court in Case C-10/22 (LEA)
In its judgment, the Court replies that, in so far as the national legislation at issue does not allow independent management entities established in another Member State to provide their copyright management services in Italy, it constitutes a restriction on the freedom to provide services. Although that restriction may in principle be justified by the overriding objective of protecting intellectual property rights, it is not proportionate, as it generally and absolutely precludes any independent management entity established in another Member State from carrying out its activity in the market concerned. The Court points out that measures that are less restrictive of the freedom to provide services might enable the objective to be attained.
21/03/2024
EU Court of Justice: Judgment of the Court in Case C-76/23 (Cobult)
An airline passenger reserved a flight from Fortaleza (Brazil) to Frankfurt am Main with a scheduled connection in Lisbon, to be performed by the company TAP Air Portugal (TAP). That connecting flight was cancelled. To obtain reimbursement of the cost of the cancelled flight, TAP offered a choice to passengers: either immediate reimbursement by travel voucher by filling in an online form, or reimbursement by other means, for example a sum of money, provided that they contacted its customer service department beforehand so that the latter could examine the facts. TAP’s conditions of acceptance state that if the passenger chooses reimbursement by travel voucher, reimbursement of the cost of the ticket in monetary form is precluded.
21/03/2024
EU Court of Justice: Judgment of the Court in Case C-61/22 (Landeshauptstadt Wiesbaden)
A German citizen is disputing before a German court the refusal by the City of Wiesbaden to issue him with a new identity card which does not have his fingerprints inserted into it. The German court asked the Court of Justice to review the validity of the EU regulation which lays down the obligation to insert two fingerprints into the storage medium of identity cards. Following an in-depth examination, the Court finds that the obligation to insert two complete fingerprints into the storage medium of identity cards constitutes a limitation of the fundamental rights to respect for private life and to the protection of personal data, which are guaranteed by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
21/03/2024
DIGITIZATION
EU research and innovation leadership: Experts call for increased investment
More excellent research, impactful innovation and technology scale-ups are needed to make Europe more globally competitive, secure and sustainable. These are among the twelve expert recommendations presented today to the EU Commission to strengthen Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme, and its successor.
16/10/2024
Foreign interference in Europe: New special INGE 2 committee in kicking off
On 12 May, MEPs will elect the Chair and Vice-Chairs of the Foreign Interference special
11/05/2022
Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine and Viasat: Declaration by EU HR Borrell
10 May 2022 The European Union and its Member States, together with its international partners,
11/05/2022
PSD2 review and Open Finance: EU Commission launches public consultation
The European Commission has today launched a public consultation to gather evidence for the revised
11/05/2022
Alliance against hate speech online: Rakuten Viber joins EU Code of Conduct
The European Commission welcomes the decision of Rakuten Viber, a cross-platform voice and instant messaging application,
11/05/2022
Cyber attacks: Lawmakers reach deal to protect the EU’s financial system (updated)
Brussels, 10 May 2022 EP negotiators agreed with the Council on new uniform rules for
10/05/2022
“Conference on the Future of Europe” concludes its work: first reactions
9 May 2022 On Europe Day, the Presidents of the European Parliament, Commission and Council
09/05/2022
Pegasus: Inquiry committee hosts talks with cybersecurity experts
Brussels, 6 May 2022 On Tuesday, the Pegasus committee of inquiry will discuss the mechanics
07/05/2022
Use of Palantir software by Europol – EU Commission interim answer
Parliamentary questions 10 March 2022 E-000951/2022 Question for written answer E-000951/2022 to the Commission Rule
05/05/2022
Safety of machinery: MEPs update rules fit for the digital era
Strasbourg, 3 May 2022 The Committee on the Internal Market adopted its negotiating position on
04/05/2022
Artificial intelligence: MEPs want the EU to be a global standard-setter
Strasbourg, 3 May 2022 Parliament proposes an EU Roadmap to 2030 Huge benefits of using
04/05/2022
SECURITY
Kazakhstan: 21st Cooperation Council with the European Union
As Kazakhstan’s first trade partner and foreign investor, the EU expressed strong support for the country’s economic reform and political modernisation process.
17/10/2024
MEPs welcome a closer EU-India partnership on security and defence
Security and Defence MEPs visited India from 18 to 20 December to discuss common security challenges and opportunities for cooperation in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region. Against the backdrop of the increasingly important EU-India partnership, the European Parliament sent two delegations to Delhi and Mumbai on 18 to 20 December to discuss common values, not least on democracy and upholding the international rules based order, and the deepening of cooperation in two strategic areas, trade and security and defence.
21/12/2023
Digital NATO press briefing with U.S. Ambassador Julianne Smith
Ambassador Smith recently led a delegation to Tokyo and Seoul with other NATO permanent representatives, where they met with a range of officials, policymakers, students, and thought leaders to discuss how NATO can strengthen its official partnership with Japan and the Republic of Korea on issues from cyber defense, emerging technologies, and maritime security to climate change, supply chain resilience, and countering disinformation.
21/12/2023
Very Large Online Platforms: EU Commission adds Pornhub, Stripchat, and Xvideo
The designation is the result of Commission investigations concluding that the three services fulfil the threshold of 45 million average monthly users in the EU. Today’s designations follow a first set of designation decisions of 19 Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines on 25 April 2023, of which the Commission published the non-confidential versions today.
20/12/2023
Cyber Solidarity act: Member States unite for EU security
To detect major cyber threats quickly and effectively, the draft regulation establishment a ‘European cyber shield’, which is a pan-European infrastructure composed of national and cross-border security operations centres (SOCs) across the EU. These are entities in charge of sharing information and tasked with detecting and acting on cyber threats. They will use state-of-the-art technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics, to detect and share timely warnings on cyber threats and incidents across borders. In turn, authorities and relevant entities will be able to respond more efficiently and effectively to major incidents.
20/12/2023
EU Council and the Parliament reach breakthrough in reform of EU asylum and migration system
The five EU laws that the Spanish presidency and Parliament have agreed on touch upon all stages of asylum and migration management, ranging from screening irregular migrants when they arrive in the EU, taking biometric data, procedures for making and handling asylum applications that also reinforce applicants’ rights, the rules on determining which member state is responsible for handling an asylum application and cooperation and solidarity between member states and how to handle crisis situations, including cases of instrumentalisation of migrants.
20/12/2023
Russia: Putin extends special economic measures in fuel-and-energy sector
Under the amendment, the duration of the special economic measures in the fuel-and-energy sector in response to the price cap on Russian oil and oil products established by some foreign states has been extended until June 30, 2024 (inclusive). The Presidential Executive Order No 961 of December 27, 2022, set the duration of the special economic measures until December 31, 2023 (inclusive).
20/12/2023
NATO Deputy SG meets EU diplomats, stresses the power of unity in tackling global challenges
The European Union is an important partner for NATO. The third NATO-EU Joint Declaration was signed in January 2023 and the two institutions are looking to increase cooperation in new areas. Mr Geoană stressed that democratic nations and institutions like NATO and the EU must stand ever more closely together, and protect their values and shared interests. The Deputy Secretary General also highlighted NATO’s current activities and core missions, including deterrence and defence, innovation, resilience and partnerships.
20/12/2023
UN: DPR Korea urged to ‘embrace diplomacy’ after latest ballistic missile launch
The Hwasong-18 type intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) flew a distance of some 1,000 kilometres and reached an altitude of 6,500 kilometres before falling into the sea. This marked the fifth launch of an ICBM this year, following a Hwasong-15 in February, a Hwasong-17 in March, and solid-fuel Hwasong-18 missiles in April and July, he said, adding that the systems are reportedly capable of reaching most points on Earth.
20/12/2023
UN Security Council: UK on DPRK’s launch of another inter-continental ballistic missile
Thank you President, and thank you ASG Khiari for your briefing. Colleagues, we are unfortunately gathered here once again to discuss the DPRK’s latest violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns the DPRK’s launch of yet another inter-continental ballistic missile on 18 December and the launch of a short-range ballistic missile a day prior.
20/12/2023
Swedish Defence Commission submits total defence report
On Tuesday, 19 December 2023, the Swedish Defence Commission submitted its report on the state and further development of the total defence, with a focus on the civilian defence, to Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin. In the report, the Defence Commission states that it is time for action. Sweden must shape its security policy and its defence based on the scope of the threat Russia will pose for a long time to come. An aggressive Russia, with both the ability and the will to wage a prolonged war, should form the main foundation for developing Sweden’s total defence.
20/12/2023
Norway: Concerns over spread of the war in Sudan
Norway is deeply concerned by recent developments in the war in Sudan. The spread of the conflict to the eastern parts of Sudan by Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) advance on Wad Medani has dire consequences for the Sudanese civilian population, affecting hundreds of thousands. Many of them are forced to flee again from the brutalities of war. Up to now, the town has served as a safe haven for displaced people and an important hub for delivery of humanitarian aid.
20/12/2023
UN open-ended working group on ICT: EU statement on existing and potential threats
The increasing scale and severity of ransomware attacks is one element which heightens the risk to essential services and critical national infrastructure, and may therefore rise to the level of national and international security. In the longer-term, we anticipate witnessing more complex and high profile malicious cyber activities driven by AI-powered software.
20/12/2023
SUSTAINABILITY
EU Commission adopts rules to include offshore ships into emissions monitoring
As part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, the MRV Maritime Regulation was revised in 2023 to include greenhouse gas emissions from offshore ships in its scope as of 1 January 2025. This should apply to all offshore ships of 400 gross tonnage and above.
17/10/2024
EU Commission: Expert report proposes cohesion policy enhancements
Set up by Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira, the Group – which is independent from the Commission – looked at ways to ensure that Cohesion Policy continues to support growth and recovery across Europe’s regions, all the while delivering on the green and digital transition and helping regions adjust to ongoing demographic, industrial, and geopolitical challenges.
The Report is the outcome of intense work carried out by the Group throughout this past year, enriched by academic contributions, input papers prepared by the Commission, and presentations by different stakeholders.
20/02/2024
Consumer rights: final approval for the directive to empower consumers for the green transition
The EU Council has today adopted a directive to empower consumers for the green transition. The new rules will enhance consumers’ rights by amending the unfair commercial practices directive (UCPD) and the consumer rights directive (CRD) and adapting them for the green transition and the circular economy. This is the last step in the decision-making procedure.
20/02/2024
Carbon removals: EU lawmakers strike deal on new EU certification scheme
Council and European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional political agreement today on a regulation to establish the first EU-level certification framework for carbon removals. The voluntary framework is intended to facilitate and speed up the deployment of high-quality carbon removal and soil emission reduction activities in the EU.
20/02/2024
Insight EU Environment Monitoring 16 February 2024
MARITIME SAFETY: EU Commission welcomes provisional agreement on tackling ship-source pollution to help make European seas cleaner +++ NOAA Presentations at Aquaculture America 2024 +++ ENVIRONMENTAL STATE AID: EU Commission approves €720 million French State aid scheme to support forestry sector.
19/02/2024
Insight EU Climate Monitoring 16 February 2024
CLIMATE SUBSIDIES: EU Commission opens first in-depth investigation under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation +++ DECARBONISATION: EU Commission approves €4 billion German State aid scheme partially funded under Recovery and Resilience Facility to help industries decarbonise production processes +++ IPCC: Additional call for suggestions for thematic or methodological issues related to biodiversity and climate change that would benefit from collaboration between IPCC and IPBES
19/02/2024
Insight EU Energy Monitoring 16 February 2024
HYDROGEN: Opening speech by EU Commissioner Simson at the International Hydrogen Colloquium ‘Creating a European & Worldwide Market’ +++ PIK: Elektrifizierung oder Wasserstoff? Beide haben unterschiedliche Rollen in der europäischen Energiewende +++ Can Hydrogen Cars Compete With EVs? +++ IEA: Innovation in all its forms in spotlight at first Energy Innovation Forum at IEA Ministerial +++ NUCLEAR ENERGY: Substantially higher nuclear power output in France +++ LNG: CEER report points to critical role of LNG in EU security of supply and market competition.
19/02/2024
EU and Rwanda sign a MoU on sustainable raw materials value chains
Today, the European Union and Rwanda have entered an important agreement to nurture sustainable and resilient value chains for critical raw materials. Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Biruta, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen Rwanda’s role in fostering sustainable development and resilient value chains across Africa.
19/02/2024
Insight EU Environment Monitoring 15 February 2024
MARITIME SAFETY: Maritime safety: Council and Parliament strike a deal to ensure cleaner shipping in the EU +++ Maritime safety: EU Parliament on deal on stricter measures to stop shipping pollution +++ PFAS: New U.S. NIST Database of ‘Forever Chemicals’ Will Help Scientists Monitor Environmental Pollution +++ CIRCULAR ECONOMY: Rede von Bundesumweltministerin Steffi Lemke zum Thema Circular Economy +++ HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES: EEA: Hazardous substances in marine organisms in European seas.
17/02/2024
Insight EU Climate Monitoring 15 February 2024
CLIMATE FINANCE: EIB, backed by InvestEU, provides €1.2 billion for ASPI’ plan for a safer, greener and more resilient motorway network in Italy +++ HEAT PUMPS:New project to build a blueprint for building decarbonisation +++ CLIMATE RISK
PIK: Amazon rainforest at the threshold: loss of forest worsens climate change +++ GERMANY: BMWK verbessert Zugang zu Fördermitteln für die Dekarbonisierung in Industrie und Gewerbe: Novelliertes EEW-Förderprogramm startet.
17/02/2024
Insight EU Energy Monitoring 15 February 2024
EU Commission approves up to €6.9 billion of State aid by seven Member States for the third Important Project of Common European Interest in the hydrogen value chain +++ Statement by Executive Vice-President Vestager on the Important Project of Common European Interest “Hy2Infra” +++ EU-Kommission gibt den Weg frei für die Förderung von 24 deutschen IPCEI Wasserstoffprojekten +++ In focus: EU energy security and gas supplies +++ AggregateEU launches first mid-term tender to ensure stability and predictability of energy supplies +++ EU Commission launches new online debate on energy efficiency
17/02/2024