In 2023, the EU exported 8.5 million tonnes of recyclable products (paper, plastic and glass) to extra-EU countries, a 34% increase from 2022 (6.4 million tonnes), while imports dropped by 19% to 3.2 million tonnes, down from 4.0 million tonnes in 2022.
The EU has had mixed success in providing the building blocks for the emerging renewable hydrogen market, according to a report by the European Court of Auditors. While the EU Commission has taken a number of positive steps, challenges remain all along the hydrogen value chain, and the EU is unlikely to meet its 2030 targets for the production and import of renewable hydrogen.
The rise of fast-fashion, marked by rapid turnover of collections, has led to a sevenfold increase in the global trade of used clothing in the last 4 decades. With more than 80% of all purchased clothing items globally (62% in the EU) being disposed of as general garbage, which is incinerated or landfilled, this represents a massive waste of resources, causing severe environmental and health impacts.
Roberta Metsola won the election in the first round of voting, where she received an absolute majority of 562 votes cast out of 699 by secret paper ballot, among two candidates. She will continue to lead Parliament for the first two and a half years of the 10th legislative term.
At the EU Justice Council meeting in Luxembourg, justice ministers addressed the fight against impunity in the context of Russia’s war of aggression and the implementation of the EU anti-racism action plan.
The European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, which unites states in an internal market, has been the bedrock of our close and special partnership. It has greatly contributed to the prosperity of our societies and economies.
On May 22, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with Cyprus and endorsed the staff appraisal.
“The retail and hospitality sectors are a lynchpin for local communities, making them attractive places to live and work, often offering first-time jobs for young people. In almost all EU countries, retail and wholesale rank top of the list of providing apprenticeships” – EU Commission EVP Dombrovskis.
The funding will support food security and assistance for malnutrition, health care and protection, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter and education activities, as well as the transportation of humanitarian workers and supplies to remote and inaccessible locations.
Mit dem Treffen in Meseberg setzten Präsident Macron und Bundeskanzler Scholz um, was sie zum 60. Jahrestag des Elysée-Vertrags miteinander vereinbart hatten: neben Klausurtagungen im Vollformat soll es immer wieder Begegnungen in kleineren Zusammensetzungen geben, um sich aktuellen Themen zu widmen.
According to the IMF, Germany’s medium-term growth prospects could be bolstered by increasing public investment, including in the green transition and digitalization; offsetting the aging-related decline in the labor force, including by improving the availability of childcare and easing other obstacles to full-time work; enhancing the financing environment for start-ups and innovation; cutting red tape; and deepening economic integration within Europe.
The partnership seeks to enable the EU to diversify its supplies of materials necessary for the green and digital transitions, whilst contributing to the development of Australia’s domestic critical minerals sector.
Financial inflows triggered by Russia’s war in Ukraine continue to moderate but remain above pre-war levels, supporting a positive outlook. In 2024, growth is expected to ease but remain above trend. Inflation is expected to pick-up as monetary policy continues to normalize, and the current account deficit is expected to widen from historic lows.
A strong and timely policy response helped cushion the impact of the pandemic and the energy crisis. Despite a recovery slowdown in 2023, the French economy has remained relatively resilient in the face of financial tightening and weaker euro area external demand.
Today, the European Commission launched a Call for evidence to seek feedback on the scope and content of its evaluation of the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation, as amended in April 2023 (‘MVBER’), and of the related Supplementary Guidelines, also as amended in April 2023 (‘SGL’).
Latvia submitted to the EU Commission the second request for payment under the RRF, covering 40 milestones and three targets.
The upcoming rules to further expand the use of digital tools in company law, provisionally agreed by the co-legislators in March 2024, will significantly reduce administrative burden for EU companies by introducing ‘digital by default’ solutions (e.g., the ‘once-only-principle’, EU Company Certificate and Digital EU Power of Attorney).
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.
6 February 2023 Judicial and law enforcement authorities in the Netherlands and Germany have dealt
Brussels, 6 February 2023 The Nordea Bank Abp will benefit from European Investment Fund (EIF) guarantees
Brussels, 6 February 2023 Today, the EU and India have strengthened their relationship as strategic partners by
FEBRUARY 03, 2023 Author/Editor: Gerardo Uña, Alok Verma, Majid Bazarbash, Naomi N Griffin Fintech payments
SMART CITY DIALOG Einladung zur Teilnahme am Tag der Städtebauförderung – Smart City Dialog Beschleunigter Wandel und
Brussels, 1 February 2023 Tomorrow and on Friday, 3 February, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms,
Brussels, 1 February 2023 Today, the EU and Singapore are strengthening their cooperation as strategic
31 January 2023 PDF download The EIB is continuing to spearhead market developments in the
Brussels, 31 January 2023 On Tuesday, the Committee on Civil Liberties, joined by experts and
Brussels, 31 January 2023 High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell has concluded his visit to Southern Africa. In South Africa,
At the EU Justice Council meeting in Luxembourg, justice ministers addressed the fight against impunity in the context of Russia’s war of aggression and the implementation of the EU anti-racism action plan.
In the debate on European security and defence, ECR Co-Chairman Nicola Procaccini spoke in favour of the creation of a European army to complement NATO. However, he began by criticising the late timing of the debate after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Commission’s tendency to get bogged down in trivialities.
Welcoming Yulia Navalnaya to the chamber, EP President Metsola said that “for many in Russia and outside, Alexei Navalny represented hope. Hope in better days. Hope in a free Russia. Hope in the future.” She stressed that if “history teaches us anything, it is that the pillars of autocracy, in the end, always, always crumble under the weight of their own corruption and people’s inherent desire to live freely. And when they inevitably do, it will be thanks to what Alexei and your family did”.
In the last years, many European illusions have been shattered. The illusion that peace is permanent. The illusion that economic prosperity might matter more to Putin than destroying a free and democratic Ukraine. The illusion that Europe on its own was doing enough on security – be it economic or military, conventional or cyber. As we look around us, it is clear there is no room for any more illusions. Putin used the peace dividend to prepare for this war. As a result, the world is as dangerous as it has been for generations. Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine is now in its third year and is more entrenched and intense than ever.
2023 was a very challenging year. The international system continues to face multiple and overlapping challenges.
We face two wars on our doorstep, while climate, food, and energy crises pose threats to global peace and security, hamper global governance, and slow down sustainable development.
This forces us to fundamentally rethink our Union.
Judicial and law enforcement authorities in Italy, Latvia and Lithuania have taken concerted action against a large-scale money laundering business, centring around a Lithuanian financial institution. Since 2017, an estimated EUR 2 billion has been laundered by two main suspects via a worldwide web of shell companies. The suspects, who now have been detained, offered money laundering online as a service to criminals.
The Special Envoy also addressed the bleak humanitarian situation in Syria a year after deadly earthquakes that struck the north and neighbouring Türkiye, killing thousands and displacing millions. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths, who also briefed the Council, stressed that much more is still needed to address the long-term impact of the earthquakes and the wider humanitarian crisis in Syria, which has only deteriorated over the past 12 months.
Today the UK and US have announced a number of sanctions against those that support, enable or deliver work of the Houthis, the Iran-backed proxy group in Yemen responsible for widespread attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The UK will today sanction 2 individuals and 3 organisations for their role in providing financial or military support to the Houthis, in order to expose and disrupt their efforts to undermine regional stability across the Middle East. The UK will also sanction a Houthi security minister for threatening the peace, security and stability of Yemen by supporting attacks against shipping in the Red Sea.
Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians have visited Europol today in The Hague, the Netherlands, where they heard about the Agency’s work in helping EU Member States fight serious and organised crime across Europe. Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle welcomed their Majesties, who were accompanied by the Belgian Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden.
Orlov had committed no crime or offence, he has exercised his Constitutional right to express his views and voice his opinion about the policies of the government of his country. This sentence goes against the Russian legislation and the Russian Constitution and is clearly politically motivated. We call on the Russian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and to abandon their oppressive legislation used to suppress civil society and independent voices.
On 27 February 2024, the EU gender equality ministers have met in Brussels to look back at the series of achievements of the current term of the European Parliament and Commission and lay ground for the mandate of the next Parliament and Commission. The Belgian Secretary of State for Gender Equality, Equal Opportunities and Diversity Marie-Colline Leroy, chaired the informal ministerial meeting, held at the Egmont Palace in Brussels in the framework of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU.
“China and Europe both have a long and proud history. With strong regional and local traditions. And a track record of development through cooperation and solid technical expertise. This history has taught us many things. I think of the old proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together” – EU Commissioner Ferreira
Thanks to the strong pressure by the Socialists and Democrats, the European Parliament has today debated the war in Gaza and the dire situation of civilians on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. While Israel is threatening a reckless ground operation at Rafah and the International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to ensure its military does not take actions that violate the Genocide Convention, we call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages still in the hands of Hamas.
The EU Commission has approved the acquisition of joint control of NTS Middle East of the United Arab Emirates by ADNOC Drilling Company, Alpha Dhabi Holding, both of the United Arab Emirates, and Tubacex of Spain. The transaction relates primarily to the provision of specialised machining services to the oil and gas sector.
Šefčovič se rend à Paris pour des rencontres sur la transition verte avec des représentants nationaux, le secteur industriel et des étudiants de Sciences Po.
Brussels, 23 April 2024 Today, the Commission announced new calls worth over €1.25 billion to support research under
The Bulgarian Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) adopted a decision imposing a fine of BGN 604,064 (ca.€300,000) on Kozloduy NPP EAD for insider trading on the Bulgarian wholesale electricity market.
The new rules would require all entities handling plastic pellets to take measures to avoid losses. If these occur, they would have to take immediate action to contain and clean up spills.
“It’s ambitious, but feasible if we use all zero and low carbon energy solutions and explore the most promising emerging technologies. Fusion energy is one of them. It is a new, carbon-free energy source, with potential to become a powerful part of the future energy mix” – EU Commissioner Simson.
“Fusion energy technology could play a crucial role in future in our efforts to reach climate neutrality with healthy nature. It could be a real global gamechanger when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and securing, clean, affordable, sustainable energy” – EU Commission EVP Šefčovič.
“When it comes to energy, we face a dilemma: On the one hand, climate change is hitting harder every year, so greenhouse gas emissions must fall. And quickly. On the other hand, we need to end energy poverty, which would drive up emissions if we hold fast to the current energy system” – UNEP
Germany’s Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke takes part in negotiations in Canada on a legally binding agreement: “I’m confident that this milestone for tackling litter will succeed.”
The EU MACP analyses samples randomly collected from 12 food products. For 2022, these were apples, strawberries, peaches, wine (red and white), lettuces, head cabbages, tomatoes, spinaches, oat grain, barley grain, cow’s milk and swine fat.
“On the EU side, we see biomethane as a readily available solution, which can help us immediately replace imported gas from Russia. Under the RepowerEU Plan, we set a target of 35bcm of biomethane production by 2030 – this is ten times our current volume of production!” – EU Commissioner Simson.
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