The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €612 million Portuguese scheme to lower electricity levy rates for energy-intensive companies. The scheme intends to reduce the risk that these energy-intensive companies relocate their activities to countries outside the EU with less ambitious climate policies. An energy-intensive company is a business that consumes […]
Read More
AK rifles and grenades seized as firearms trafficking route into France dismantled
An international firearms trafficking network smuggling assault rifles and grenades into Western Europe has been dismantled following a series of coordinated raids in France, Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the gang, which is believed to have sourced high-powered weapons from illegal markets in the Western Balkans and […]
Read More
Spain receives visit from three European Commissioners
Three European Commissioners are expected to visit Spain this week: Piotr Serafin, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration; Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans; and Apostolos Tzitzikóstas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. European Commissioner Serafin travels to Spain today, Monday 28 April, and Tuesday 29 April as part of […]
Read More
EU takes new step to protect High Seas biodiversity
Last April 24, the Commission is presenting a proposal to integrate the landmark international Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction’ (BBNJ) Agreement, which aims to protect the ocean, tackle environmental degradation, fight climate change, and curb biodiversity loss, into EU law. This will also help the Member States with the implementation in their national systems. Signed by the President […]
Read More
Eurogroup President Donohoe has attended IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings
President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe, has been in Washington this week to attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. As President of the Eurogroup, Minister Donohoe participated in the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meeting as well as in a range of IMF meetings. […]
Read More
MEPs advocate storage refill flexibility to bring down prices
The draft law adopted on Thursday seeks to address speculation on the gas market and bring down prices, by introducing greater flexibility in rules on gas storage refilling. The Industry, Research and Energy Committee has backed the Commission proposal to extend the EU’s 2022 gas storage scheme until 31 December 2027; it was otherwise set to end […]
Read More
Updated rules for safer roads, less air pollution and digital vehicle documents
For better road safety and air quality across the EU, the Commission is proposing a comprehensive overhaul of the EU’s road safety and vehicle registration rules. The new rules will take into account the growing presence of electric vehicles and adapt to emerging technologies. They will introduce enhanced inspections, including periodic technical inspections for electric vehicles and advanced driver-assistance […]
Read More
MEPs endorse gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System
On Wednesday, the Civil Liberties Committee endorsed plans to gradually roll out the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders. Civil Liberties Committee MEPs adopted a draft position on the proposed gradual launch of the Entry-Exit System (EES) at EU external borders by 54 votes in favour, 2 against and with 10 abstentions. Once […]
Read More
Europol backs takedown of gang smuggling hazardous cars from US
Europol supported an action led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Berlin (Germany) and Vilnius (Lithuania), which involved around 1 000 police, tax and customs officers carrying out 200 searches in ten countries. The investigation targeted a vast criminal organisation active in smuggling badly damaged cars from the United States (US) into the […]
Read More