The Council launched today EUNAVFOR ASPIDES. The objective of this defensive maritime security operation is to restore and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf. Operation ASPIDES will ensure an EU naval presence in the area where numerous Houthi attacks have targeted international commercial vessels since October 2023. In close cooperation […]
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European Commission initiates formal proceedings against TikTok under the Digital Services Act
The European Commission has opened formal proceedings to assess whether TikTok may have breached the Digital Services Act (DSA) in areas linked to the protection of minors, advertising transparency, data access for researchers, as well as the risk management of addictive design and harmful content. On the basis of the preliminary investigation conducted so far, including on the basis […]
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Council and European Parliament extend measures to combat child sexual abuse online
The Council presidency and European Parliament representatives reached a provisional agreement on a regulation prolonging an interim measure to combat online child sexual abuse. Based on the agreement, this interim measure will be extended until 3 April 2026. On the basis of a derogation from data protection rules in the electronic communications sectors that was […]
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Joint statement by President von der Leyen and High Representative/Vice-President Borrell on the death of Alexei Navalny
We are shocked and grieved by today’s reports about the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny. Our thoughts are with his wife Yulia Navalnaya, his family and with all those in Russia and beyond who believe in a democratic and peaceful future for Russia. We will honour his memory as a freedom fighter. Alexei […]
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Immobilised Russian assets: Council decides to set aside extraordinary revenues
The Council adopted a decision and a regulation clarifying the obligations of Central Securities Depositories (CSD) holding assets and reserves of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) that are immobilised as consequence of EU’s restrictive measures. After Russia launched its illegal and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU, in coordination with […]
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EU leaders greenlight €64.6 billion in additional funding
EU leaders greenlit additional funding for the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 and discussed support for Ukraine. They also discussed the situation in the Middle East and agriculture, and paid tribute to former European Commission President Jacques Delors, who passed away on 27 December 2023. Mid-term revision of EU long-term budget 2021-2027 As a follow-up to their meeting in December, EU leaders discussed […]
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EU reaffirms trade support for Ukraine and Moldova
The Commission has proposed to renew the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year, while reinforcing protection for sensitive EU agricultural products. This is done in line with EU commitments to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. These Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs) have been in place […]
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Israel-Hamas war: MEPs call for a permanent ceasefire under two conditions
MEPs demand that all hostages are immediately and unconditionally released and the terrorist organisation Hamas is dismantled. In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs express their deepest sorrow over the innocent victims on both sides. They call for a permanent ceasefire and to restart efforts towards a political solution provided that all hostages are immediately […]
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European Commission and EIF join forces to boost investment in defence innovation
The European Commission and the European Investment Fund (EIF) have joined forces to step up their support to EU’s defence and security through the launch of the Defence Equity Facility. The initiative, consisting of €100 million from the European Defence Fund and an additional €75 million from the European Investment Fund, will significantly expand EIF’s investment capacity to support, […]
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