On 17 October, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, ensuring a rules-based international order, competitiveness, migration, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, external relations and other items.
At the end of May, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hosted a Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in Stockholm, in which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part. During the Summit a declaration was adopted: Joint statement of the Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in Stockholm.
The past years have shown that significant challenges related to irregular migration and security caused by visa-free travel. One such challenges derives from investor citizenship schemes operated by visa-free countries.
Spearheading the European Union’s judicial response to the war in Ukraine, and digitalising criminal justice, were at the heart of Eurojust’s work in 2023, and will continue to be so, says the Agency’s Annual Report, published today.
The Directive on the legal protection of computer programs does not allow the holder of that protection to prohibit the marketing by a third party of software which merely changes variables transferred temporarily to a game console’s RAM.
By enshrining women’s right to abortion in the French Constitution, which is a first in the world, France has sent an unprecedented signal of support for women’s rights and invites other countries to do the same. We are continuing our efforts to ensure that this right is also enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, as President Macron has proposed. Amid a backsliding of women and girls’ rights across the world, with this bold decision, France has reaffirmed its resolute commitment to fighting for the rights, freedom, health and lives of women, and for the full achievement of gender equality. France will continue to relentlessly promote sexual and reproductive health and rights as part of its French diplomacy.
While the economy entered 2024 on a weak footing, the conditions for an acceleration of economic activity in the euro area in 2025 appear to be in place based on the Commission winter forecast. The labour market remains strong. Inflation is on a declining path and is expected to be close to the ECB target in 2025, while the effects of tighter monetary policy work their way through the economy. Risks to the economic outlook are nevertheless tilted to the downside, as global uncertainty weighs on the economic outlook.
The Council today adopted a new regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising, aimed at countering information manipulation and foreign interference in elections. The regulation will make it easy for citizens to recognise political advertisements, understand who is behind them and know whether they have received a targeted advertisement, so that they are better placed to make informed choices. It will also ensure that political advertising takes place in full respect of the right to privacy and that the freedom of opinion and freedom of speech are protected.
Today, EU employment and social affairs ministers confirmed the provisional agreement reached on 8 February 2024 between the Council’s presidency and the European Parliament’s negotiators on the platform work directive. This EU legal act aims to improve working conditions and regulate the use of algorithms by digital labour platforms. The directive will make the use of algorithms in human resources management more transparent, ensuring that automated systems are monitored by qualified staff and that workers have the right to contest automated decisions. It will also help correctly determine the employment status of persons working for platforms, enabling them to benefit from any labour rights they are entitled to.
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of WESTFA Energy GmbH (‘WESTFA’) by Mabanaft GmbH & Co. KG (‘Mabanaft’), both of Germany. The transaction relates primarily to the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (‘LPG’). The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies’ limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction.
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Alteryx, Inc. by Clearlake Capital Group L.P. (‘Clearlake’) and Insight Venture Management LLC (‘Insight’), all of the US. The transaction relates primarily to the IT sector, in particular to computer software products. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that Alteryx has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and the companies’ limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction.
The European Commission has approved a €750 million Italian scheme to support small and medium-sized companies (“SMEs”) and mid-caps companies in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.
MEPs are set to adopt on Wednesday the Artificial Intelligence Act, which aims to ensure that AI is trustworthy, safe and respects EU fundamental rights, while supporting innovation and making Europe a leader in the field. A press conference by the two rapporteurs is scheduled for Wednesday ahead of the vote.
Law enforcement actions within Europol’s Operational Task Force lead to series of arrests and searches targeting smugglers active along the Balkan route. A large-scale investigation under Europol’s Operational Task Force (OTF), involving law enforcement and judicial authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia with the informational support from Germany, has led to the dismantling of migrant smuggling networks active across the so-called Balkan route. The more than a year-long investigation into this criminal network led to two action days on 24 January and 6 February.
The day he took office, President Biden pledged to be a president for all Americans. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to keep that promise by advancing a Unity Agenda for the Nation. The Unity Agenda calls for solving big challenges that unite all Americans—beating the opioid epidemic, tackling the mental health crisis, holding Big Tech accountable, meeting our sacred obligation to veterans, and ending cancer as we know it.
The Aliens Division of Attica within the Hellenic Police (Ellinikí Astynomía), supported by Europol, targeted a criminal network involved in document fraud and migrant smuggling activities. The criminal network, based in Athens, produced high-quality falsified travel and identification documents, which were used to enable irregular migrants to travel illegally across the EU and legalise their stay in their final destination country. The investigation led to four action days between September 2023 and February 2024. More than 50 connected cases of smuggling by air have been investigated.
“A new macroeconomic landscape of higher inflation and more restrictive monetary policies is transforming bond markets globally at a pace not seen in decades. This has profound implications for government spending and financial stability at a time of renewed financing needs” – OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.
The Directive on the legal protection of computer programs does not allow the holder of that protection to prohibit the marketing by a third party of software which merely changes variables transferred temporarily to a game console’s RAM.
Published on 18 February 2022 Hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the transport sector is
Published on 18 February 2022 Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, alongside Adina Vălean, the European Commissioner for Transport,
Brussels, 8 February 2022 “Check against delivery” Fellow leaders, We had to wait 18 months
Brussels, 18 February 2022 The European Union is filing today a case against China at
17 February 2022 The European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and Network has elected the chair of
Munich, 7 February 2022 Keynote speech by Vice-President Schinas at the Munich Cyber Security Conference
Published on 16 February 2022 President Macron delivered an address today, Wednesday, 16 February 2022
Further measures necessary to avoid children’s exposure to chemicals Risks posed by connected toys need
February 15, 2022 Renew Europe welcomes the growing political momentum for the establishment of a
Strasbourg, 15 February 2022 What is Space Traffic Management (STM)? STM is here defined as
On 17 October, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, ensuring a rules-based international order, competitiveness, migration, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, external relations and other items.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Allied leaders from the Western Balkans in Skopje on Wednesday (22 November 2023). Hosted by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski of North Macedonia, the meeting was attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania, President Zoran Milanović of Croatia, and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić of Montenegro.
In light of international developments, the Government will increase its support to the University of Gothenburg which, via the Segerstedt Institute, spreads knowledge of working methods to combat antisemitism. This year, the Government will provide another SEK 1 million, and it intends to provide another SEK 3 million to support these efforts in 2024.
Finnish Government has decided to close the border crossing points of Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius at the eastern border as of Friday 24 November 2023 at 00.00. All border crossings at the eastern border will be centralised at the border crossing point of Raja-Jooseppi. The Government decided on these new restrictions at an extraordinary session on 22 November 2023. The decision will remain in force until 23 December 2023.
The agreement will make it possible to send more humanitarian aid to Gaza than before. It will now be possible to send supplies to northern Gaza, where there are still hundreds of thousands of civilians. I hope this will give the people of Gaza a much-needed break after almost six weeks of warfare and the enormous human suffering resulting from Israel’s military actions.
“We deplore the Kimberley Process’ inability to consider the consequences for the global rough diamond sector of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We regret that despite the significant revenues generated by Russia’s diamond exports and the Kimberley Process’ core mandate to break the link between the trade in diamonds and conflict, it was not possible to reach consensus to include an item on the agenda and discuss the matter” – EU statement.
Today, the Commission has paid €1.5 billion under the Macro-financial Assistance + package for Ukraine worth up to €18 billion. Today, the Commission has paid €1.5 billion under the Macro-financial Assistance + package for Ukraine worth up to €18 billion. With this instrument, the EU seeks to help Ukraine cover its immediate funding needs, with stable, predictable and sizeable financial support in 2023. With today’s payment, Ukraine has so far received €16.5 billion this year under Macro-financial Assistance +.
In the same vein, we will continue with determination to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace for Ukraine. This builds on the 10-point peace plan of President Zelenskyy. In 10 days, we will meet in Dubai for the start of COP28. The world needs global unity to fight climate change because the effect of climate change disproportionally hits the most vulnerable. We need global emissions to peak before 2025, and phase out unabated fossil fuels.
The goal of Blue Dot Network certification is to promote quality infrastructure that is financially, environmentally, and socially sustainable; consistent with international standards, laws and regulations, and that benefits all users and stakeholders in our respective societies.
I wholeheartedly welcome the agreement reached on the release of the 50 hostages and on a pause in hostilities. Every day these mothers and children are held hostage by terrorists is one too many. I share the joy of the families who can soon embrace their loved ones again. And I am so grateful to all those who have worked tirelessly through diplomatic channels in recent weeks to broker this agreement.
I strongly condemn the launch of a military satellite by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, using ballistic missile technology in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. This raises tensions and poses a serious risk to regional and international security. North Korea must stop its reckless behaviour, abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, and engage in diplomacy in good-faith.
The Foreign Affairs Council, in its development configuration, was briefed about the situation in Ukraine, aid to Palestine, implementation of the Gender Action Plan III and follow-up to the EU-CELAC Summit.
The Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and Office of Foreign Assets Control, along with the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), co-hosted a virtual FinCEN Exchange to discuss attempts by Russia to evade export controls. The Exchange included representatives from small- to mid-size financial institutions, law enforcement, and government agencies.
The European Energy Exchange (EEX) will add natural gas products for Baltic-Finnish markets to its platform, currently operated by GET Baltic within EEX Group. The product portfolio will comprise products for the gas spot (Within-Day, Day, Weekend) and derivatives (Month, Quarter, Season, Year) products for Lithuania, common market area of Latvia-Estonia and Finland.
CAR EMISSIONS: European Court of Auditors on reducing car emissions: Easier said than done +++ SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENTS: Keynote speech by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis at the EU Sustainable Investment Summit 2024 +++ Keynote speech by EU Commissioner McGuinness at the EU Sustainable Investment Summit 2024 +++ Closing keynote by EU Commissioner Gentiloni at the EU Sustainable Investment Summit +++ CLIMATE RESEARCH: Charting Europe’s path towards an ambitious 2040 climate goal +++ PARIS AGREEMENT: Bold climate action: new report reveals potential €1 trillion savings for EU – CAN Europe
IEA: Clean sources of generation are set to cover all of the world’s additional electricity demand over the next three years +++ NUCLEAR ENERGY: IAEA video: Nuclear Advocates Call for More Nuclear Energy +++ ENERGY GRID: Completion of key Polish electricity line to help Baltic States once synchronised with the European network +++ ENERGY REGULATION: New CEER publication: “What Regulators Stood for in the Second Half of 2023” +++ Energy Community Secretariat calls for a dialogue on reforms in the Ukrainian gas sector
It is now nearly two years since the beginning of the war, and I remind you that it is the first time in history that a war is being fought amid the facilities of a major nuclear power programme. This includes several of Ukraine’s five nuclear power plants and other facilities that have come under direct shelling. All NPPs have lost off-site power at some point.
2024 EU drug markets analysis from the EMCDDA and Europol: What are the latest changes in the EU opioids market? How are global geopolitical developments impacting supply? Are heroin trafficking routes changing? To what extent do synthetic opioids pose a threat to Europe?
The EU agriculture ministers convened in Brussels on 23 January 2024 at the first Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Finland had prepared an agenda item concerning large carnivores, wishing to support the European Commission’s initiative to downgrade the conservation status of wolf under the Bern Convention. Finland urged to make the same changes to the annexes of the Annexes to the Habitats Directive.
The Commission has concerns that, between 2011 and 2019, the six salmon producers, exchanged commercially sensitive information, relating to sales prices, available volumes, sales volumes, production volumes and production capacities, as well as other price-setting factors. The suspected aim of this alleged conduct was to reduce normal uncertainty in the market for spot sales of Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon into the EU.
This is the reason why we want to bring together, around this table, a pretty diverse group of actors of Europe’s agri-food sector. I am very glad to see you all here. I am glad to see representatives from our farmers, farm workers and rural communities, who are the custodians of our best traditions and who bring life to our countryside. We also have the industries around the table, you who put food on the table. We have members of consumers and environmental groups, because all of society cares about the countryside and our food, but also the financial sector and academia are here in this room.
EU Climate Advisory Board: focus on immediate implementation and continued action to achieve EU climate goals +++ AUTOMOTIVE EMISSIONS: EU-Rechnungshof: Sind unsere Autos wirklich umweltfreundlicher geworden? +++ EU COUNCIL: Draft REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on substances that deplete the ozone layer, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (first reading) – Adoption of the legislative act
DRINKING WATER: Drinking water to become safer thanks to new EU-wide hygiene standards for materials and products in contact with water +++ HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS: ECHA adds five hazardous chemicals to the Candidate List +++ SPACE: Keynote speech by Executive Vice-President Šefčovič at the 16th European Space Conference on ‘Space as an enabler of the European Green Deal: A look to the future’ +++ EU Commissioner Sinkevicius delivers a speech at the 16th European Space Conference +++ BIODIVERSITY: What is it, and how can we protect it?
OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY: ENTSO-E publishes the first Offshore Network Development Plans paving the way towards the implementation of European Offshore renewable energy targets +++ Speech by Commissioner Simson at ENTSO-E’s launch of the first Offshore Network Development Plans +++ TotalEnergies and European Energy Expand their Collaboration to Offshore Wind +++ BMWK: EU accelerates expansion of renewable energy +++ BATTERY TECH: Battery-only electric cars continued to increase in 2022 – Eurostat +++ Germany: TotalEnergies Acquires Kyon Energy, a Leading German Battery Storage Developer +++ ENERGY REGULATION: CEER publishes 2024 Work Programme +++ NUCLEAR ENERGY: EDF’s Hinkley Point C Update
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