Recovery and resilience plans: Commission must tighten checks and oversight

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The Budgetary Control Committee recommended signing off the Commission’s budget, while voicing concerns on the limited options to check the use of recovery funding. By 19 votes in favour to six against, the Budgetary Control Committee recommended on Wednesday that Parliament grants discharge to […]

Education in Emergencies: EU and UNICEF call for increased commitments to invest in safe and quality education for children in crisis

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Growing levels of displacement and protracted conflicts are having a severe impact on children and youth worldwide, with an estimated 222 million school-aged children and adolescents in need of education. This figure includes 78 million who are out of school. Given this, the European […]

Right to repair: Commission introduces new consumer rights for easy and attractive repairs

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission adopted a new proposal on common rules promoting the repair of goods, which will result in savings for consumers and support the objectives of the European Green Deal by reducing waste, among others. Over the last decades, replacement has often […]

Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the energy drinks sector

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. On 20 March 2023, the European Commission has started unannounced inspections at the premises of a company active in the energy drinks sector in various Member States. The Commission has concerns that the inspected company may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels […]

EU, AU and UN push for urgent action to address the pressing needs of migrants and refugees in Libya

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Joint press release by the European Union, the African Union and the United Nations. On 20 March, the EU-AU-UN Tripartite Taskforce on the Situation of Migrants and Refugees in Libya met in Brussels. The international community and Libyan authorities must work together to improve […]

EU and international donors’ pledge €7 billion in support of the people in Türkiye and Syria following the recent devastating earthquakes

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, a total of €7 billion were pledged by the international community at the ‘Together for the people of Türkiye and Syria’ International Donors’ Conference, co-hosted by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and by the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf […]

Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of VOO and Brutélé by Orange, subject to conditions

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of VOO and Brutélé by Orange. The approval is conditional on full compliance with a commitments package offered by Orange.  Today’s decision follows an in-depth investigation of the proposed acquisition of […]

Venezuelan crisis: Commission releases €75 million in humanitarian funding during 2023 International Solidarity Conference

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the international community is gathering for the second day of the 2023 ‘International Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants and their Host Countries and Communities’, co-organised by the European Union and Canada, to reaffirm its support for Venezuelans in need affected […]

Single Market at 30: Statement by IMCO Chair on Commission communication

This article is brought to you in association with EBRD.This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The Chair of Parliament’s committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection reacts to the new EC communication on the 30th anniversary of the Single Market. Today, European Commission published two communications celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Single Market and setting out how […]

Human rights breaches in Iran, Tunisia and Cambodia

Human rights violations in Iran, Türkiye and Uganda This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on the respect for human rights in Iran, Tunisia and Cambodia. Iran: in particular the poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirls Referring to numerous incidents since November 2022, where thousands of girls and women across Iran have […]

Parliament ready to negotiate with Council for an EU-wide digital wallet

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The new digital identity framework would provide EU citizens with digital access to key public services across EU borders. Parliament on Thursday confirmed -with 418 votes to 103, with 24 abstentions- the negotiating mandate for talks with the EU member states on the revision […]

New European Bauhaus: launch of capacity-building programme to start Ukraine’s reconstruction

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission is launching the New European Bauhaus capacity-building programme for the reconstruction of Ukraine in partnership with Ukrainian organisations. This follows the meeting between the College and the Ukrainian Government held in Kyiv on 2 February, the EU–Ukraine Summit of 3 February, […]

€1.2 million from European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to support 300 dismissed workers in Spain

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission proposed to support 303 workers dismissed by aluminium producer Alu Ibérica in the region of Galicia in Spain with €1.2 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF). The funding will help them find new jobs through […]

Critical Raw Materials: ensuring secure and sustainable supply chains for EU’s green and digital future

EU must respond decisively to any form of coercion against EU member states This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission proposes a comprehensive set of actions to ensure the EU’s access to a secure, diversified, affordable and sustainable supply of critical raw materials. Critical raw materials are indispensable for a wide set of strategic sectors including the net zero industry, the […]

Launch of the EU-NATO Task Force: Strengthening our resilience and protection of critical infrastructure

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The challenges to the European Union’s security and resilience are becoming increasingly complex and dynamic. A range of actors constantly test our resilience, seeking to exploit the openness, interdependence and connectivity of our societies and economies. The weaponisation of energy and the acts of […]

Minimum Income Schemes: Increasing support, accessibility and inclusion

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs want to address the current cost of living crisis with a new law to modernise and strengthen national minimum income schemes in EU countries. On Wednesday, plenary adopted a resolution noting that an EU directive on an adequate minimum income would make minimum […]

Parliament slams repression and show trials in Belarus

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs are alarmed about the ongoing crackdown in Belarus, including the jailing of Nobel laureates and journalists, and call for further sanctions against the country. On Wednesday, Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the Belarusian regime’s continued systematic repression of the country’s people and dissenting […]

International Women’s Day: an invitation for societies to do better

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. n a ceremony marking International Women’s Day, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi and astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti addressed MEPs in Strasbourg.Political group speakers paid tribute to the women heroes who are an inspiration to young girls – to working mothers taking care of their […]

MEPs demand the EU boosts clean tech industry and fights human trafficking

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In a debate with Presidents Michel and von der Leyen, MEPs reviewed the outcomes of the 9 February EU summit and outlined their expectations for the 23-24 March European Council. President of the European Council Charles Michel acknowledged Ukraine’s urgent need for more weapons […]

EU-UK relations: Parliament assesses Windsor Framework and citizens’ rights

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs welcome the deal on the Protocol on Northern Ireland and raise concerns about citizens’ rights, including “pre-settled status” for EU citizens. Assessing how the UK Withdrawal Agreement has been implemented in the three years since Brexit, MEPs note that important improvements are needed […]

EU and Thailand relaunch trade negotiations

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the EU and Thailand announced the relaunch of negotiations for an ambitious, modern and balanced free trade agreement (FTA), with sustainability at its core. This announcement confirms the key importance of the Indo-Pacific region for the EU trade agenda, paving the way for […]

Global Gateway: EU, Latin America and Caribbean partners launch in Colombia the EU-LAC Digital Alliance

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today in Bogotá, Colombia, the European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Digital Alliance was launched, a joint initiative to champion a human-centric approach to digital transformation. It is supported by an initial contribution of €145 million from Team Europe, including €50 million from the EU […]

Managing migration: new initiatives to strengthen European integrated border management and expedite returns

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission adopted a Communication which presents the strategic framework for European integrated border management (EIBM) for 5 years and a Recommendation* to Member States on the mutual recognition of return decisions and expedite returns. In its extraordinary meeting on 9 February 2023, […]

How Africa’s new Free Trade Area will turbocharge the continent’s agriculture industry

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Landry Signé, Senior Fellow, Global Economy and Development Program, Brookings Institution, Chido Munyati, Head of Regional Agenda, Africa, World Economic Forum Agriculture accounts for roughly one-third of the African continent’s GDP, provides a livelihood for 50% of the population […]

MEPs back plans for a climate neutral building sector by 2050

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank.This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament adopted draft measures to increase the rate of renovations and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions on Tuesday. The proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building […]

Climate change: Parliament votes to reduce member states’ emissions by 40%

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The new Effort Sharing Regulation reduces the allowed maximum level of greenhouse gas emissions in member states from transport, buildings and agriculture until 2030. Parliament today adopted with 486 votes to 132 and 10 abstentions the revision of the so-called Effort Sharing Regulation. It […]

Lithuania’s President Nausėda: Ukraine’s fight is also our fight

This article is published in association with United Nations.This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda urged the EU to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom and to keep its doors open to Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. Addressing MEPs in Strasbourg as part of the “This is Europe” debate series, Mr Nausėda shared his […]

Safety Gate: chemical substances top the annual list of health hazards for non-food products

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission published its annual report on the Safety Gate, the European Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products. The report covers alerts notified during 2022, and the responses given by national authorities. Health risks linked to chemical substances was the most […]

Statement by President von der Leyen following her meeting with US President Biden

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Good evening, I am just coming from a bilateral meeting with President Biden. It was a very good meeting, very constructive. We discussed a lot of topics. I want to emphasise four different topics here. The first topic we discussed is the Inflation Reduction […]

Maritime Security: EU updates Strategy to safeguard maritime domain against new threats

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication on an enhanced EU Maritime Security Strategy to ensure a peaceful use of the seas and safeguard the maritime domain against new threats. They have also adopted an updated Action Plan through […]

Parliament and Council negotiators agree on new rules to boost energy savings

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs and the Swedish Presidency of the Council agreed on new energy saving targets in both primary and final energy consumption in the EU. Member states should collectively ensure a reduction of energy consumption of at least 11.7% at EU level by 2030 (compared […]

New York and Washington, D.C.: MEPs attended UN CSW and discussed women’s rights

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On 6-9 March, a delegation of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee attended the UN Commission on the Status of Women and held meetings in Washington, D.C. on women’s rights. Led by the Chair Robert Biedroń, the delegation attended the 67th session of […]

An EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence to ensure a stronger and more resilient EU

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission and the High Representative present for the first time a Joint Communication on a European Space Strategy for Security and Defence. Space systems and services in the European Union are crucial for the functioning of our society and economy, as well […]
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