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 United States will host a NATO Summit in Washington DC on 9-10-11 July 2024. The meetings will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General, and will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
A broader analysis, including other European countries and selected global competitors, shows a changing landscape. Switzerland appears as the most innovative European country. South Korea remains the most innovative global competitor in 2024, while China has surpassed Japan and is progressively closing the gap with the EU.
In total, Ukraine has already concluded 21 bilateral security agreements: with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Japan, the United States, the EU, Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland.
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 Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Baywa Global Produce GmbH (‘Baywa’) of Germany and Nufri Sociedad Agraria de Transformación (‘Nufri’) of Spain.
The EU Commission has approved the creation of a joint venture by E.ON SE and OHB SE, both of Germany. The transaction relates primarily to liquid hydrogen-powered electrical propulsion systems.
The European Commission has approved a €120 million Spanish scheme to support investments in strategic sectors in the region of Asturias to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan.
The Commission today adopted a reasoned opinion in a procedure brought by Italy against Austria under Article 259 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The Eurogroup agreed on a statement on the future of the Capital Markets Union (CMU) in March and yesterday we took the first step towards its delivery.
The so-called FASTER initiative aims to make withholding tax procedures in the EU safer and more efficient for cross-border investors, national tax authorities and financial intermediaries, such as banks or investment platforms.
The Pact on Migration and Asylum was presented by the Commission in September 2020. Alongside non-legislative initiatives, the Pact represents a fresh start on managing migration. Over three years later, the European Parliament and the Council reached political agreement on 5 of the key files in a historic breakthrough.
For a limited time period, Eurostat now offers a data and fact-checking service for the European elections. Media and fact-checkers can ask questions about data and statistics on the European Union.
The Council presidency, the European Central Bank and the European Commission met European social partners today to discuss recent developments of the economic situation, as well as a thematic topic chosen by the presidency: “strengthening the economic base: challenges and opportunities.
“Ministers highlighted the need to strengthen investments in research and development, the importance of education and the steps that need to be taken with regard to taxation, reducing levels of administration, and how we regulate the single market – all of which will overtime make the a EU better place to innovate” – Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup.
The Japanese economy continues to grow after the pandemic, with broad-based price increases following three decades of low inflation. In 2023Q2, real GDP surpassed the peak level in 2019Q3, and the output gap is estimated to have closed. However, the recovery remains uneven.
The IMF Executive Directors welcomed Austria’s strong policy responses which have helped mitigate severe economic shocks in recent years. Directors noted that the economy nonetheless contracted in 2023 amidst high energy prices, elevated inflation, and higher interest rates.
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.
Brussels, 6 December 2022 The Commission has adopted today the main Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24,
Brussels, 5 December 2022 Chair Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany) made the following statement today after
Washington, DC, 5 December 2022 Today, the EU and the US held the third
Brussels, 5 December 2022 The European Commission today organises a first technical workshop on the
Consultations between the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and European External Action Service
02.12.2022 The EU has financed and delivered equipment for a cyber lab, security software and
On 2 December, EU institutions and over 500 citizens assessed the follow-up to the proposals
Brussels, 2 December 2022 The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached yesterday between
Brussels, 2 December 2022 The Commission welcomes the procurement of a new Copernicus data access
Brussels, 1 December 2022 The ministers held a meeting at the Competitiveness Council (Internal Market
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.
To counter this threat, the EU adopted new rules, which entered into application on 7 June 2022. These rules require that terrorist content in the EU is taken down by online platforms within one hour upon receipt of a removal order issued by Member States’ authorities. This helps to counter the spread of extremist ideologies online – which is key for preventing attacks and addressing radicalisation – while safeguarding fundamental rights.
Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström presented the Government’s 2024 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. The Government’s most important foreign policy priorities are support to Ukraine, Sweden’s NATO membership and deepened cooperation in the neighbourhood. Since Russia’s large-scale invasion began in February 2022, Sweden’s support to Ukraine has totalled around SEK 30 billion. Sweden has provided military support, advanced weapons systems and humanitarian and economic assistance. Sweden also supports Ukraine’s closer ties to the EU.
Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the US-Russian tension in Europe has become increasingly profound. The political and military stand-off between the world’s two largest nuclear powers also has ramifications for stability in the High North, as both Russia and the United States have substantial interests in the region.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a Financial Trend Analysis (FTA) today reflecting an increase in Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) reporting associated with the use of convertible virtual currency (CVC) and online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) and human trafficking.
France is adopting sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers who have been guilty of violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. In this regard, 28 individuals have been targeted by an administrative ban on entering French territory.
These measures come at a time when violence perpetrated by settlers against the Palestinian population has been increasing in recent months. France reaffirms its strong condemnation of this unacceptable violence. As we have said many times, it is the Israeli authorities’ responsibility to put an end to it and prosecute its perpetrators.
The EU-Armenia Partnership Council met for the fifth time in Brussels on 13 February 2024. It was chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr Josep Borrell, while the Armenian delegation was led by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Mr Ararat Mirzoyan. Mr Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General European Neighbourhood and Enlargement also attended.
A line has been crossed: these are not demonstrations, these are not protests, they are illegal actions, or even criminal activities which those involved should not be allowed to get away with. The Public Prosecution Service and the police will be responding forcefully, together with the competent authority and this will include the option of issuing fines and retrospective prosecution. The identities of the perpetrators will also be established and registered. The Public Prosecution Service is under the impression that serious criminal offences were committed on Monday evening and two people have since been arrested. Such actions undermine support for the right to demonstrate, which right should not be abused.
‘A ground operation would exacerbate an already catastrophic situation and render humanitarian support practically impossible. We need a sustainable ceasefire now’, said Eide.
Between April and October 2023, Europol coordinated the fourth edition of Operation SHIELD. Law enforcement, judicial, customs, medical and anti-doping authorities from 30 countries across 3 continents joined forces in this global effort targeting the trafficking of counterfeit and misused medicines and illicit doping substances. The operation was also supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Frontex, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and national medicine agencies.
The International Energy Agency was founded in response to the energy crisis. Not the one in 2022, but the original one in 1973. That crisis was also triggered by a war in Europe’s region. But its root cause was the world’s over-reliance on fossil fuels – back then, it was oil. It was a shock for an entire generation. But the world did not learn the lesson. We did not get rid of our dependency on oil. And worse, fossil fuels became massively subsidised. But that crisis was not entirely in vain. Because it taught us that there are ways to protect our energy security. One of them is international cooperation – to diversify our suppliers and build networks of trusted partners. This is why the International Energy Agency was created and why your role has been so central 50 years later, when the Kremlin set off a new energy crisis.
In den nächsten Jahren wird es keine neuen Abrüstungsverträge geben, sagt Alexander Müller (FDP), stellvertretender Vorsitzender des Unterausschusses Abrüstung. Als Delegationsleiter war er vom 4. bis 6. Februar 2024 bei der Genfer Abrüstungskonferenz und hat dort unter anderem mit dem chinesischen Sonderbeauftragten über Chinas diplomatische Rolle im Ukraine-Krieg gesprochen.
“Viel zu lange ist Rüstungspolitik in Deutschland so betrieben worden, als ginge es dabei um einen Autokauf. Wenn ich mir in zwei oder drei Jahren einen VW Golf kaufen möchte das sage ich hier in Niedersachsen einmal , dann weiß ich heute, dass es ihn geben wird. Ich muss dann vielleicht drei oder sechs Monate darauf warten; aber danach steht das Auto auf dem Hof. Aber so funktioniert Rüstungsproduktion eben nicht. Panzer, Haubitzen, Hubschrauber und Flugabwehrsysteme stehen nicht irgendwo im Regal. Wenn über Jahre hinweg nichts bestellt wird, dann wird auch nichts produziert. Das ist ziemlich klar.”
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.
This legislation sets the framework for Member States to reduce emissions and energy use in buildings across the EU, from homes and workplaces to schools, hospitals and other public buildings.
11 April 2024 IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi meets with Romanian Minister of Foreign
The increased share of renewables in the energy mix has allowed us to replace the equivalent of 24 bcm of Russian gas in 2022 and 2023. And emissions from the power sector fell by an impressive 24% in 2023, while our economy also continued to grow.
“Mit dem Green Deal haben wir Energie, Klima und Wirtschaft zusammengeführt. Wir haben dafür gesorgt, dass unser Klimaplan auch unser Wachstumsplan ist. Ich muss einem deutschen Publikum nicht sagen, dass eine starke Mannschaft mit einer guten Abwehr beginnt” – EU-Kommissar Hoekstra
“The European Health Data Space is also about reusing health data for research, innovation, and policymaking, backed by the highest standards of data privacy and protection” – EU Commissioner Kyriakides.
The United States and Iceland committed to continue building upon their existing strong economic ties, deep-rooted cultural and historic relationships, common values of democracy and human rights, and mutual bilateral cooperation.
“Fusion energy is assuredly one of the most complex scientific and technical tasks that science has ever faced. Europe is a global leader in nuclear fusion research. We want to keep this leadership position. Bavaria is undoubtedly leading the way within Europe” – EU Commission President von der Leyen.
The new directive and regulation on the gas and hydrogen markets aim to decarbonise the EU’s energy sector, enhancing the production and integration of renewable gases and hydrogen.
The law will protect consumers against volatile prices. MEPs ensured that consumers will have the right to access fixed-price contracts or dynamic price contracts, and receive important information on the options they sign up to. Suppliers will not be allowed to unilaterally change the terms of a contract.
Brussels, 11 April 2024 The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the names of 255 research
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