This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In a debate on Monday, Budget Committee Members questioned the Commission’s Health Director-General on vaccine availability and the use of the EU budget. In her introductory remarks, Sandra Gallina, Director-General for Health and Food Safety in the European Commission, explained what the Commission is […]Vaccine strategy: Budget MEPs quiz EU health chief Sandra Gallina
February 2, 2021 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In a debate on Monday, Budget Committee Members questioned the Commission’s Health Director-General on vaccine availability and the use of the EU budget. In her introductory remarks, Sandra Gallina, Director-General for Health and Food Safety in the European Commission, explained what the Commission is […]Commission disburses €14 billion under SURE to nine Member States
February 2, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has disbursed €14 billion to nine Member States in the fourth instalment of financial support to Member States under the SURE instrument. This is the first disbursement in 2021. As part of today’s operations, Belgium has received €2 billion, Cyprus €229 […]Questions and Answers: Transparency and authorisation mechanism for exports of COVID-19 vaccines
February 2, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. What is the rationale for the measure? The objective of this measure is to ensure timely access to COVID-19 vaccines for all EU citizens and to tackle the current lack of transparency of vaccine exports outside the EU. The European Union has supported the […]The EU and Japan trade deal celebrates second anniversary by further strengthening ties
February 1, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The 1st of February marks the second anniversary of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The Joint Committee established under the Agreement, co-chaired by Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi, celebrates this anniversary by agreeing important improvements to […]Commission statement on the vaccine export authorisation scheme
February 1, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. To tackle the current lack of transparency of vaccine exports outside the EU, the Commission is putting in place a measure requiring that such exports are subject to an authorisation by Member States. In the process of finalisation of this measure, the Commission will […]European Commission authorises third safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19
January 29, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission has granted a conditional marketing authorisation (CMA) for the COVID‑19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca, the third COVID-19 vaccine authorised in the EU. This authorisation follows a positive scientific recommendation based on a thorough assessment of the safety, effectiveness and quality […]Commission puts in place transparency and authorisation mechanism for exports of COVID-19 vaccines
January 29, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. In an effort to ensure timely access to COVID-19 vaccines for all EU citizens and to tackle the current lack of transparency of vaccine exports outside the EU, the Commission has today put in place a measure requiring that such exports are subject to […]Vaccines: contract between European Commission and AstraZeneca now published
January 29, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Following the renewed request from the European Commission on 27 January 2021, pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has agreed to publish the redacted contract signed between the two parties on 27 August 2020. The Commission welcomes the company’s commitment towards more transparency in its participation in […]Portuguese Presidency outlines priorities to EP committees
January 29, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Ministers are outlining the priorities of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU to parliamentary committees, in a series of meetings. Portugal holds the Presidency of the Council until the end of June 2021. The first set of hearings takes place between […]European Institute of Innovation and Technology: Commission welcomes political agreement on strategy for 2021-2027
January 29, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has welcomed the political agreement reached yesterday between the European Parliament and EU Member States on an update of the legal basis of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) as well as its new Strategic Innovation Agenda for 2021-2027. Trilogue […]Commission welcomes political agreement on the ESF+
January 29, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached between the European Parliament and EU Member States in the Council on the Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The ESF+ will be a key financial instrument to implement the European […]Antitrust: Commission opens formal investigation into possible trade restrictions by Mondelēz
January 28, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Mondelēz has restricted competition in a range of national markets for chocolate, biscuits and coffee by hindering the cross-border trade of these products between EU Member States, which would be in breach […]Empowering Africa: MEPs vote on strategy for a new EU-Africa partnership
January 28, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Europe and Africa must move away from a donor-recipient relationship, said the Development Committee, outlining its vision for a relationship between the two continents. On Thursday, MEPs adopted a wide-ranging strategy on a new EU-Africa partnership by 20 votes, with two votes against and […]MEPs call for binding 2030 targets for materials use and consumption footprint
January 28, 2021 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The EU needs clear policy objectives to achieve a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, toxic-free and fully circular economy by 2050 at the latest, say MEPs. On Wednesday, the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted its report on the new EU Circular Economy […]MEPs: Hold companies accountable for harm caused to people and planet
January 28, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Legal Affairs Committee MEPs pave the way for a new EU law that requires companies to comply with human rights and environmental standards within their value chains. The draft legislative initiative (adopted by 21 votes in favour, one against and one abstention) calls on […]European Commission successfully places first EU SURE bond in 2021
January 27, 2021 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has issued a €14 billion social bond under the EU SURE instrument to help protect jobs and people in work. The issuing consisted of two bonds, with €10 billion due for repayment in June 2028 and €4 billion due for repayment […]
COVID-19: Team Europe supports African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to access finance through digital technology
January 27, 2021 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission, together with the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), has signed today a new initiative of €14.5 million with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) to unlock the potential of digital finance to benefit more than 600,000 women, […]Commission launches debate on responding to the impact of an ageing population
January 27, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission today presented a green paper to launch a broad policy debate on the challenges and opportunities of Europe’s ageing society. It sets out the impact of this pronounced demographic trend across our economy and society and invites the public to express […]State aid: Commission approves €2.9 billion public support by twelve Member States for a second pan-European research and innovation project along the entire battery value chain
January 27, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a second Important Project of Common European Interest (“IPCEI”) to support research and innovation in the battery value chain. The project, called “European Battery Innovation” was jointly prepared and notified by Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, […]EU boosts sustainable cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon
January 26, 2021 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Union will contribute €25 million to enhance the economic, social and environmental sustainability of cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon who are, respectively, the first, second and fifth biggest cocoa producers, generating almost 70% of the world production. This funding […]EU boosts humanitarian aid budget for 2021 as needs rise
January 26, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. As global humanitarian needs worsen further due to the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and the effects of climate change, the European Commission has adopted its initial annual humanitarian budget of €1.4 billion for 2021. This represents an increase of more than 60% compared […]Migrants and asylum seekers on the Greek islands: committee debate
January 26, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs will discuss on Wednesday the situation on the Greek islands and the plans to establish a new reception and identification centre on Lesvos. In a debate with representatives of the European Commission and the NGO Greek Council for Refugees, the Civil Liberties Committee […]Commission study finds positive impact of trade agreements on agri-food sectors
January 26, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU trade agenda is set to have an overall positive impact on the EU economy and the agri-food sector, according to a new study published today. Trade agreements are due to result in substantial increases in EU agri-food exports, with more limited increases […]European Parliament to commemorate 76 years since the liberation of Auschwitz
January 26, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. A virtual ceremony, including speeches by European Parliament President David Sassoli and guests, will be held on Wednesday 27 January. The European Parliament will mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a virtual ceremony, 76 years after the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp was liberated on […]European Commission launches Green Consumption Pledge, first companies commit to concrete actions towards greater sustainability
January 26, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission is launching its new Green Consumption Pledge, the first initiative delivered under the New Consumer Agenda. The Green Consumption Pledge is part of the European Climate Pact which is an EU-wide initiative inviting people, communities and organisations to participate in […]Coronavirus: Commission proposes update to coordinated approach on free movement restrictions
January 25, 2021 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today the Commission proposed an update to the Council Recommendation of last October coordinating measures affecting free movement in the European Union. This is part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to ensure better coordination and communication of travel-related measures at EU level. In light […]Coronavirus: Commission proposes additional safeguards on travel from outside the EU and updated criteria for applying travel restrictions
January 25, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today the Commission is proposing additional safeguards and requirements for international travellers into the EU. New coronavirus variants and the volatile health situation worldwide call for further action to ensure that any travel to the EU takes place safely. To reflect the latest scientific […]Panel of experts confirms Korea is in breach of labour commitments under our trade agreement
January 25, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The panel report published today confirms the EU’s concerns that Korea has not acted consistently with its trade and sustainable development obligations under the EU-Korea trade agreement. The independent panel concluded that Korea needs to adjust its labour laws and practices and to continue […]‘Right to disconnect’ should be an EU-wide fundamental right, MEPs say
January 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament calls for an EU law that grants workers the right to digitally disconnect from work without facing negative repercussions. In their legislative initiative that passed with 472 votes in favour, 126 against and 83 abstentions, MEPs call on the Commission to propose a […]MEPs: Access to adequate housing should be a fundamental European right
January 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs call on the EU to recognise access to decent and affordable housing as an enforceable human right and to push for measures to eradicate homelessness. The resolution – adopted by352 votes in favour, 179 against and 152 abstentions on Thursday – states that […]MEPs: Juan Guaidó is the legitimate interim President of Venezuela
January 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs call on the Council to unequivocally recognise Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim President of Venezuela, and welcome the recent extension of EU sanctions. In a resolution adopted on Thursday by 391 votes for, 114 against and 177 abstentions, MEPs state that they […]Additional and more flexible funding to help those most in need
January 21, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament voted today to continue making additional resources available in 2021 and 2022 in order to provide food and basic assistance to the most deprived. With 649 votes in favour, 7 against and 31 abstentions, Parliament approved the agreement to adapt the FEAD regulation […]Commission welcomes agreement on additional financial support for the most deprived under REACT-EU
January 21, 2021 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Parliament has voted through the political agreement reached by the co-legislators on the Commission’s proposal to provide more funds to support the most deprived in Europe in the recovery phase. EU Member States can soon use money from the Recovery Assistance for […]
