This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The negotiators of the European Commission and the United Kingdom have today reached a deal on the terms of the Article 50 Withdrawal Agreement. All aspects of the Withdrawal Agreement have now been finalised and agreed at negotiator level. This agreement marks a decisive […]European Commission recommends to the European Council (Article 50) to find that decisive progress has been made in Brexit negotiations
November 15, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The negotiators of the European Commission and the United Kingdom have today reached a deal on the terms of the Article 50 Withdrawal Agreement. All aspects of the Withdrawal Agreement have now been finalised and agreed at negotiator level. This agreement marks a decisive […]Romania: MEPs are deeply concerned about judicial independence and rule of law
November 14, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The EP is “deeply concerned” about the reform of the Romanian judicial and criminal laws, which risks undermining separation of powers and the fight against corruption. In a resolution wrapping up the plenary debate held on 3 October with Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă, the […]
MEPs call for EU rules to better protect minorities’ rights
November 14, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In the face of persistent discrimination, Parliament calls for common rules to ensure that the rights of all national minorities are redressed and respected across the EU. In the face of persistent discrimination, Parliament calls for common rules to ensure that the rights of […]
Adriatic Sea: MEPs adopt multiannual plan for fisheries
November 14, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. New draft rules on how, where and when small pelagic fish, such as anchovy and sardine, can be caught in the Adriatic Sea were adopted on Tuesday.The proposed multiannual plan, approved by 342 votes to 295 and 24 abstentions, would establish fishing opportunities for […]
Energy: new ambitious targets on renewables and energy efficiency
November 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament approves binding 2030 target for renewables (32%) and an indicative target on energy efficiency (32.5%) that will play a crucial role in meeting the EU’s climate goals. Parliament on Tuesday confirmed the provisional agreement reached with the Council in June on energy efficiency […]European Accessibility Act: Parliament and Council negotiators strike a deal
November 9, 2018 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Key products and services, like smartphones, ticketing machines and banking services, will have to be made more accessible to people with disabilities. The new directive, provisionally agreed by Parliament and Council negotiators on Thursday, aims to improve the daily lives of people with disabilities […]Autumn 2018 Economic Forecast: sustained but less dynamic growth amid high uncertainty
November 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Growth in the euro area is forecast to ease from a 10-year high of 2.4% in 2017 to 2.1% in 2018 before moderating further to 1.9% in 2019 and 1.7% in 2020. The same pattern is expected for the EU27, with growth forecast at […]Commission proposes fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and North Sea for 2019
November 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Yesterday the Commission presents its proposal ahead of the December Fisheries Council where Member States should agree next year’s fishing quotas. The European Commission proposes fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 89 stocks: for 62 stocks the fishing quota is […]Endocrine disruptors: A strategy for the future that protects EU citizens and the environment
November 7, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today the Commission has adopted a Communication, confirming its commitment to protecting citizens and the environment from hazardous chemicals. The Communication also outlines how the Commission intends to ensure that the EU approach remains the most modern and fit-for-purpose in the world. The Communication […]European Citizens’ Initiative: Commission registers ‘Mandatory food labelling Non-Vegetarian / Vegetarian / Vegan’ initiative’
November 7, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has today decided to register a European Citizens’ Initiative entitled ‘Mandatory food labelling Non-Vegetarian / Vegetarian / Vegan’. The initiative states that: “Vegetarians and vegans struggle across the EU to identify suitable food. We must study the ingredients list of a […]MEPs demand Bulgaria’s and Romania’s swift accession to Schengen area
November 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. EU ministers should admit Bulgaria and Romania to the border check-free Schengen area as soon as possible, the Civil Liberties Committee urges. MEPs reiterated on Monday their call on EU Ministers to take a swift and affirmative decision on the accession of Bulgaria and […]New EU rules to boost crowdfunding platforms and protect investors
November 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee voted on Monday on its position on common rules on the creation and functioning of European crowdfunding service providers for business. The adopted text aims to help crowdfunding services to function smoothly in the internal market and to foster […]Trade Committee MEPs give greenlight to landmark EU-Japan trade agreement
November 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The European Parliament’s Trade Committee gave its recommendation to approve the EU’s landmark trade agreement with Japan on Monday. The Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Japan will eventually remove almost all tariffs on goods. It opens up services, including e-commerce, maritime transport, […]EU trade agreements deliver on growth and jobs, support sustainable development
November 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The better access to foreign markets negotiated by the EU benefits European companies, workers and consumers. According to the second annual report about the implementation of trade agreements issued today, these agreements – covering nearly 70 markets all over the world – are proving […]Commission launches new tool to support digital teaching and learning in schools
October 26, 2018 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has today unveiled a new tool to help all schools in the EU, as well as in Russia, Georgia and Serbia, to assess how they use digital technology for teaching and learning. In the EU, SELFIE (Self-reflection on Effective Learning by […]MEPs back plans to halt spread of drug resistance from animals to humans
October 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Plans to limit the use of antibiotics on farms, in order to keep food free from resistant bacteria, were adopted by Parliament on Thursday. Veterinary medicines must not under any circumstances serve to improve the performance or compensate for poor animal husbandry, says the […]Facebook-Cambridge Analytica: MEPs demand action to protect citizens’ privacy
October 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. As follow-up action to the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal, MEPs call for a full audit on Facebook and new measures against election meddling. In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs urge Facebook to allow EU bodies to carry out a full audit to assess data […]Food supply chain: A step closer to ending unfair trading
October 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament approved on Thursday its negotiating mandate for a new EU law to do away with unfair trading in the food supply chain. The Parliament’s negotiating team has now received a green light to start negotiating with the Council’s Austrian Presidency on the final […]Parliament demands ban on neo-fascist and neo-Nazi groups in the EU
October 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament is concerned by the increasing normalisation of fascism, racism and xenophobia and calls on EU member states to ban neo-fascist and neo-Nazi groups. In a resolution passed with 355 votes to 90 and 39 abstentions, MEPs denounce that the lack of serious action […]Reform of road use charges to spur cleaner transport and ensure fairness
October 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. EU countries imposing time-based road use charges will need to switch to distance-based ones for trucks and buses from 2023, and vans from end of 2027, under draft rules adopted today. The draft rules aim to help meet EU emission reduction targets for the […]MEPs demand end to EU arms exports to Saudi Arabia
October 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the European Parliament calls on EU countries to unite and impose an EU-wide arms embargo on Saudi Arabia. In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs condemn in the strongest possible terms the torture and killing of Saudi […]Oleg Sentsov awarded the 2018 Sakharov Prize
October 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov has been awarded this year’s European Parliament Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. European Parliament President Antonio Tajani announced the laureate in the Strasbourg chamber at noon on Thursday, following an earlier decision by the Conference of Presidents (President […]LIFE Programme: Member States to benefit from quarter of a billion euros of investments in environment, nature and climate action
October 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved an investment package of €243 million from the EU budget for projects under the LIFE programme supporting nature, the environment and quality of life in Europe’s transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon future. The EU funding under the […]Strengthening security through an EU-wide information system
October 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The improved Schengen Information System will contribute to the EU’s fight against terrorism, cross-border crime and irregular migration. MEPs adopted on Wednesday three draft regulations that will update the Schengen Information System (SIS), the most widely used information system for security and border management […]EU Budget 2019: focus on the young, on migration and innovation
October 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs set the overall EU Budget for 2019 at €166.34 billion for commitments and €149.3 billion in payments. Negotiations with the Council take place in November. In their budgetary resolution, MEPs reaffirm their priorities: “sustainable growth, innovation, competitiveness, security, tackling root causes of refugees […]Erasmus+: an expected budget of €3 billion to be invested in young Europeans and to help create European Universities in 2019
October 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. For 2019, funds available for Erasmus+ are expected to increase by €300 million or 10% compared to 2018. Today, the Commission published its 2019 call for proposals for the Erasmus+ programme. From an expected budget of €3 billion for next year, €30 million has been […]Plastic Oceans: MEPs back EU ban on throwaway plastics by 2021
October 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks or cotton buds, will be banned in the EU under plans adopted on Wednesday. These products, which make up over 70% of marine litter, will be banned from the EU market from 2021, under […]Drinking water: new plans to improve tap water quality and cut plastic litter
October 24, 2018 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs backed plans on Tuesday to improve consumers’ trust in drinking water from the tap, which is much cheaper and cleaner for the environment compared to bottled water. The legislation tightens the maximum limits for certain pollutants such as lead (to be reduced by […]Commission Work Programme 2019: Delivering on promises and preparing for the future
October 24, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission today presented its Work Programme for 2019, setting out three main priorities for the year ahead: reaching swift agreement on the legislative proposals already presented to deliver on its ten political priorities; adopting a limited number of new initiatives to address […]European Commission requests that Italy presents a revised draft budgetary plan for 2019
October 24, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has identified in the draft budgetary plan submitted by Italy for 2019 a particularly serious non-compliance with the fiscal recommendation addressed to Italy by the Council on 13 July 2018. In line with the relevant rules, the Commission has adopted an […]Portugal: €4.66 million in aid for 1,460 dismissed workers and jobless young
October 23, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Following the dismissal of 1,161 textile workers in three regions, the most disadvantaged among them should receive EU aid worth €4,655,883 to help find new jobs. The measures, co-financed by the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), would provide the 730 workers facing the greatest […]Schengen: new rules for temporary checks at national borders
October 23, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Internal border checks within the Schengen area would be limited to a maximum of one year, instead of the current two-year period, the Civil Liberties Committee agreed. The Schengen Borders Code currently under revision allows member states to temporarily carry out checks at internal […]
