Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang meets with European Council President Michel
China’s Prime Minister Li Qiang met with European Council President Michel during the East Asia Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos.
11/10/2024
ON THE TOP
DSA: EU Commission launches call for evidence on the protection of minors online
The EU Commission has launched a call for evidence to gather views on its Guidelines on the protection of minors online, which, once adopted, will set out how online platforms should implement high levels of privacy, safety and security for minors online, as required by the Digital Services Act.
31/07/2024
EIB and Deutsche Bank to boost Europe’s wind manufacturers
EIB activates €5 billion initiative for wind industry with €500 million counter-guarantee to Deutsche Bank. Under this pilot project EIB will support Deutsche Bank to issue advance and performance bonds of up to €1 billion to support the construction of new wind projects. The deal is part of the EU Wind Power Package to accelerate the green energy transition in Europe.
31/07/2024
New EU directive encourages repair of goods
This Directive will benefit consumers by avoiding the costs of buying new products, and will lead to less waste, less resources and less greenhouse gas emissions. Member States now have until 31 July 2026 to transpose the Directive into their national law.
31/07/2024
LATEST NEWS TICKER
BUSINESS
Illegal products: EU Commission requests clarification from Temu
Today, the EU Commission has sent a request for information (RFI) to Temu requesting the platform to provide detailed information and internal documents on the mitigation measures taken against the presence and reappearance of traders selling illegal products on its online marketplace.
11/10/2024
Pharma cartel case: EU Commission sends Statement of Objections to Alchem
The European Commission has informed Alchem International Pvt. Ltd. and its subsidiary Alchem International (H.K.) Limited (together ‘Alchem’) of its preliminary view that they have breached EU antitrust rules by participating in a long-lasting cartel concerning an important pharmaceutical product.
13/06/2024
Asylum policy penalty: Judgment of the EU Court: EU Commission v Hungary
Hungary is ordered to pay a lump sum of €200 million and a penalty payment of €1 million per day of delay for failure to comply with a judgment of the EU Court of Justice. The failure, which consists in deliberately avoiding the application of a common EU policy as a whole, constitutes an “unprecedented and extremely serious infringement of EU”, according to the EU Court.
13/06/2024
Pornhub, XVideos, Stripchat: EU Commission requests information on illegal content and protection of minors
The EU Commission requests more detailed information on measures taken to diligently assess and mitigate risks related to the protection of minors online, as well as the to prevent the amplification of illegal content and gender-based violence. Among others the Commission is requiring details on age assurance mechanisms adopted by these pornographic platforms.
13/06/2024
Judgment of the EU Court on the refugee status of a stateless person of Palestinian origin
Judgment of the EU Court in Case C-563/22: Stateless persons of Palestinian origin registered with UNRWA should, in principle, be granted refugee status if UNRWA’s protection or assistance is considered to have ceased.
13/06/2024
Authorities dismantle a €113m fraudulent investment scheme – Eurojust
A fraudulent pyramid scheme was taken down by authorities from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czechia, Lithuania and Liechtenstein, with the support of Eurojust and Europol.
13/06/2024
EU General Court dismisses action by Société du Tour de France against trade mark “Tour de X”
Trade mark law: the action brought by Société du Tour de France against registration of the trade mark Tour de X is dismissed.
That mark may be used, inter alia, for sporting articles and sporting activities.
13/06/2024
DG RTD: Pauline Rouch takes over as Director for the Common Policy Centre
The EU Commission has decided to appoint Pauline Rouch to the function of Director for Directorate ‘Common Policy Centre’ at Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD). This department is responsible for EU policy on research, science and innovation.
13/06/2024
DG MARE: Fernando Andresen Guimaraes promoted to lead Directorate International Ocean Governance and Sustainable Fisheries
In his new role, Mr Andresen Guimaraes, a Portuguese national, will draw on his extensive professional experience, spanning nearly 35 years across various relevant sectors, including over 20 years in management positions in different EU bodies.
13/06/2024
DG GROW: Anna Athanasopoulou appointed as Director Planning, Finance, and Digital Solutions
The EU Commission has decided to appoint Anna Athanasopoulou to the function of Director ‘Planning, Finance and Digital Solutions’ at its Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), (DG GROW).
13/06/2024
Deutschland unterzeichnet Abkommen zur Stärkung der ukrainischen Wirtschaft
Anlässlich der Ukraine Recovery Conference haben auf Initiative Deutschlands führende Exportkreditagenturen und Investitionsversicherer ein Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for the support of Ukraine unterzeichnet.
13/06/2024
EVP Jourová, EU Commissioners Johansson and Lenarčič attend EU Justice and Home Affairs Council
On Thursday and Friday, Vice-President Věra Jourová and Commissioners Ylva Johansson and Janez Lenarčič will attend the Justice and Home Affairs Council, in Luxembourg.
13/06/2024
EU Commission clears acquisition of Monbake by CVC Capital Partners
The transaction relates primarily to the sector of frozen dough and baked products, such as bread, pastry and cake products, primarily in Spain.
13/06/2024
DIGITIZATION
Illegal products: EU Commission requests clarification from Temu
Today, the EU Commission has sent a request for information (RFI) to Temu requesting the platform to provide detailed information and internal documents on the mitigation measures taken against the presence and reappearance of traders selling illegal products on its online marketplace.
11/10/2024
Insight EU Agenda: Upcoming EU events 10 – 16 July 2023
Meetings of EU Commission Members +++ EU Parliament Agenda +++ Agenda of the EU Council +++ Agenda of Informal EU ministerial meetings +++ Meetings of EU Council preparatory bodies +++ ECB schedule of public activities +++ EESC: Skills for employment for persons with disabilities in the context of the green and digital transition +++ EU Comitology meetings.
10/07/2023
IMEC: Press statement by EU Commission President von der Leyen
“We want to make Europe a leader in global semiconductor research, design, testing and production. The Chips Act will formally enter into force only this autumn, but it is already generating an amazing momentum. Since we proposed the European Chips Act in February last year, more than EUR 90 billion of industrial investments in Europe have been announced; for instance, EUR 12 billion for a semiconductor packaging and test facility in Poland; or take the EUR 30 billion for two first-of-a-kind fabs in Magdeburg, Germany. But we also see investments in Dublin, Catania, Grenoble and Dresden.”
07/07/2023
Briefing on the Strasbourg plenary session 10-13 July 2023
EU nature restoration law: MEPs to vote on Parliament’s position +++ MEPs set to greenlight new rules to boost energy savings +++ Semiconductors: Parliament set to approve plans to boost EU chips industry +++ EU enlargement: MEPs to assess progress by Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina .
07/07/2023
EuGH-Entscheidung im Meta-Facebook-Verfahren: Reaktion des Bundeskartellamts
Der Europäische Gerichtshof (EuGH) hat entschieden, dass das Bundeskartellamt im Rahmen von kartellrechtlichen Abwägungsentscheidungen auch datenschutzrechtliche Bestimmungen berücksichtigen darf. Das Verfahren vor dem EuGH geht zurück auf die Entscheidung des Bundeskartellamtes in Sachen Meta (Facebook) aus 2019.
05/07/2023
Insight EU Smart Cities Monitoring 30 June 2023
Speech by President von der Leyen at the Brussels Urban Summit 2023, via video message +++ A vision of unity – interview with Burkhard Jung, Mayor of Leipzig and new president of Eurocities +++ Urban Digital Innovation Executive Leadership Programme +++ Urban Public Space Design project cluster meets NetZeroCities in Brussels.
04/07/2023
EU Commissioner Breton in Korea to boost digital partnership
Tomorrow, Commissioner Breton will co-chair, with Minister for Science and ICT, Lee Jong-ho, the first Ministerial EU-Korea Digital Partnership Council Meeting. This meeting will notably focus on AI and platform regulation, discussing EU’s flagship regulation AI Act, Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, Digital Governance Act and newly-approved Data Act. He will then deliver a keynote speech for the EU-RoK High-level Cyber Security Conference. The Commissioner will also visit Hanwha Aerospace’s Headquarters in Seoul and meet CEO Jea-Il Son to share views on ammunition procurement.
29/06/2023
EU Commission welcomes further digitalization of EU judicial systems to improve cross-border cooperation
The European Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached yesterday by the European Parliament and the Council on the new EU rules on digitalisation of judicial cooperation and access to justice in cross-border civil, commercial and criminal matters, proposed by the Commission in December 2021.
29/06/2023
Digital justice: EU lawmakers conclude deal on digitalisation and citizens’ access to justice
Citizens and their representatives will be able to communicate with competent authorities in cross-border procedures in the EU through a European electronic access point, sending their requests and receiving replies electronically. Authorities will also be able to communicate between themselves and exchange case-related data in civil, commercial and criminal matters through secure, reliable digital channels.
29/06/2023
EU to start digital trade agreement negotiations with Singapore and South Korea
These digital trade negotiations demonstrate the strategic importance of digital trade and the pivotal role of the Indo-Pacific region in this context. They contribute to Europe’s digital transformation and enhance the EU’s role in the Indo-Pacific region.
28/06/2023
War crimes documentation initiative wins EU Ombudsman Award for Good Administration
The Award recognises actions by the EU public administration that have a visible and direct positive impact on the lives of citizens. Prizes in five categories – including excellence in diversity and inclusion, and excellence in open administration – were also awarded.
28/06/2023
SECURITY
NATO holds annual nuclear exercise “Steadfast Noon”
NATO will begin its annual nuclear exercise “Steadfast Noon” on Monday, 14 October 2024, with more than 60 aircraft taking part in training flights over western Europe. Steadfast Noon runs for two weeks and involves fighter jets capable of carrying U.S. nuclear warheads, but does not involve any live weapons.
11/10/2024
U.S. FinCEN seeks comments on Customer Identification Program Requirement
Generally, for a customer who is an individual and a U.S. person, banks are required to collect a full Social Security number (SSN) from a customer. The RFI is being issued in consultation with staff at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
29/03/2024
Disarmament: EU statement on prevention of an arms race in outer space
Ensuring space security and preventing an arms race in outer space are essential conditions for the peaceful exploration and use of outer space in a safe, stable, sustainable and secure manner and for strengthening international peace and security in the common interest of humankind.
29/03/2024
UK: Response to Russia’s veto on UN Security Council mandate renewal
Despite our concerted efforts to negotiate in good faith, Russia’s veto is nothing more than an attempt to silence independent, objective investigations into persistent violations of Security Council resolutions by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and by Russia itself, as it seeks military support from the DPRK to wage its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. The text reflected considerations from all parties who meaningfully engaged in the process. Russia’s veto stands against this hard work and undermines attempts at agreeing to an amenable renewal. We have now seen Russia use its veto to end two Panels of Experts due to its expanding military relationships with those governments.
29/03/2024
UK to nearly double aid for Sudan as humanitarian crisis deepens
This will include funding to UNICEF which will provide emergency and life-saving food assistance to support people particularly in hard-to reach areas in Sudan, including nutrition, water and hygiene services for 500,000 children under 5. It will also support survivors of gender-based violence. The UK is committing an additional £4.95 million to provide 100,000 women and girls with a range of female genital mutilation, child marriage and gender-based violence prevention and response services.
28/03/2024
Sweden allocates SEK120m for Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine through WFP
The Government is allocating SEK 120 million for efforts to fight hunger in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine. This support will be channelled through the World Food Programme (WFP), the largest humanitarian organisation dedicated to fighting hunger. The support has been allocated with immediate effect to WFP’s operations in the aforementioned countries. The funds will be divided evenly between them. The decision to allocate the funds was taken in conjunction with the visit to Stockholm by Executive Director of WFP Cindy McCain.
28/03/2024
UN Human Rights Council 55: UK on human rights situation in the Central African Republic
The United Kingdom welcomes efforts by CAR authorities to extend state authority to address the continued insecurity in remote areas that lack basic services. However, reliance on Russian proxies, with their widespread atrocities against civilians and exploitation of natural resources, threatens to undo this progress. CAR authorities must take concrete measures to hold all perpetrators of human rights abuses and violation to account.
28/03/2024
Sweden: National strategy against violent extremism and terrorism
The strategy is divided into four areas: Prevent, Avert, Protect and Manage. These areas encompass the actors in society that are engaging to avert crime linked to violent extremism and terrorism and, if such crimes are nevertheless committed, to enable managing their consequences. It is difficult to protect society against all threats, but through all relevant actors in society having a clear role in this work, conditions are created for successful efforts to reduce the threats against Sweden and Swedish interests abroad.
28/03/2024
Finland-US defense cooperation proposal under review
The Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) will deepen the close cooperation between Finland and the United States in the areas of security and defence. It establishes the terms and conditions for U.S. military presence in Finland in all security situations. The DCA will make it easier for the United States to support Finland, which reinforces the security of Finland as a NATO member. The agreement will also strengthen the security of the United States and the Nordic countries. The DCA is based on the NATO Status of Forces Agreement and supplements it.
28/03/2024
Ukraine: Zelenskyy coordinates security and economic measures in Sumy
During a working trip to Sumy region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a coordination meeting with the military command and heads of law enforcement agencies on the situation in Sumy region. Representatives of the military command reported to the President on the operational situation, the protection of the Ukrainian-Russian section of the state border, the arrangement of defense lines, and the air defense of the region.
28/03/2024
Gaza war: ‘Direct hits’ on more than 200 schools since Israeli bombing began
Of the 563 school buildings in Gaza, 165 of the 212 that received a direct hit are in areas designated for evacuation by the Israeli military. Data indicates that 62 schools were directly targeted in southern Khan Younis governorate, 14 in the Middle Area governorate, 94 in Gaza governorate, and 42 in North Gaza governorate – which is the most severely affected area to date, with 86.2 per cent of school buildings either directly hit or damaged.
28/03/2024
UK: New sanctions on persons linked to Hamas-supporting media network
The UK Government has announced a full asset freeze against two individuals suspected of providing financial support for Gaza Now – a news agency that promotes the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist groups.
All funds and economic resources in the UK belonging to or controlled by Sultana and Ayash have been frozen. No UK person may make available funds, economic resources and financial services to them or for their benefit, or to any of the companies or organisations they own or control – either over the course of doing business with them or otherwise.
28/03/2024
Switzerland stands firm on nuclear weapons treaty direction
On the basis of a new comprehensive reassessment, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on 27 March 2024, that there is currently no reason to change its position on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which entered into force in 2021. It has therefore reaffirmed the conclusion it reached in 2018 and 2019 and has decided that Switzerland will not join the TPNW for the time being.
28/03/2024
SUSTAINABILITY
Summary of this week’s EU Parliament debate about the automotive industries
With investments of €73 billion in research and development, the automotive industries account for a third of the EU’s private R&D investments. The industry has a positive trade balance in motor vehicles that has risen to almost €100 billion. But it is undergoing a profound transformation which was debated at the EU Parliament, this week. Here is what politicians said.
11/10/2024
EU Commission: Suspend authorisation for non-compliant generic medicines tested by Synapse Labs
In agreement with EU Member States, and following an opinion by EMA, the Commission has today requested Member States to suspend the marketing authorisation for a list of generic medicines tested by the Indian company Synapse Labs, due to insufficient evidence about the reliability of testing data.
24/05/2024
European Battery Alliance: Action plan to be adapted to current geopolitical context
The main objective was to reflect on the successful implementation of the Battery Action Plan adopted by the Commission in 2018, while discussing its possible follow-up, based on the input presented by the Alliance.
24/05/2024
France: EU Commission approves €4bn decarbonisation state aid for manufacturers
The European Commission has approved a €4 billion French scheme to support measures aiming at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the manufacturing sector and help it transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan.
24/05/2024
3rd Forum for the EU Climate Mission: Speech by EU Commissioner Hoekstra
“National policy frameworks provide the overarching structure and support necessary to scale up adaptation measures and ensure consistency across the various regions. The proper alignment of action between these two levels is absolutely critical” – EU Commissioner Hoekstra.
24/05/2024
ACER consults on templates for Power Purchase Agreements
ACER will initiate a public consultation to gather stakeholders’ views on the benefits and drawbacks of introducing voluntary templates for Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) contracts in the EU energy market.
24/05/2024
EU Commission facilitates faster access to medicines for joint clinical assessments
The European Commission adopted new rules for the joint clinical assessments of medicines at Union level, contributing to faster access to medicines for EU patients. These new rules define the timelines and the steps for conducting EU joint clinical assessments.
23/05/2024
Critical raw materials: EU secures access to diversified, sustainable supply (updated)
Critical raw materials are resources that are considered important for the whole European economy and face a high risk of supply disruption. The European Critical Raw Materials Act contains a list of critical raw materials and codifies the methodology used for the assessment in law, which will be used to update the critical raw materials list periodically.
23/05/2024
Habeck legt Konzept “Leitmärkte für klimafreundliche Grundstoffe” vor
“Grüne Leitmärkte” sollen die Nachfrage nach klimafreundlich hergestellten Grundstoffen wie Stahl und Zement stärken und so Investitionen in neue Industrietechnologien und -prozesse unterstützen.
23/05/2024
Key decisions of the EU Commission’s May infringements package
The key decisions taken by the EU Commission are presented in this report. The Commission is also closing 74 cases in which the issues with the Member States concerned have been solved without the Commission needing to pursue the procedure further.
23/05/2024
Eurelectric: Double investments in power distribution or lose the race to net-zero!
Europe’s distribution grids need to be urgently modernised to enable massive electrification of transport, heating and industry, integrate renewables and withstand more frequent extreme weather and cyber threats.
23/05/2024