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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Ukraine Facility: Council agrees on elements of new support mechanism for Ukraine
On last Wednesday 10th January, member states’ EU ambassadors approved a partial negotiating mandate on a proposal to set up a new single dedicated instrument to support Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernisation, while supporting its efforts to carry out reforms as part of its accession path to the EU. The Ukraine Facility would thus pool […]
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New rules to boost cybersecurity of the EU institutions enter into force
The new Cybersecurity Regulation laying down measures for a high common level of cybersecurity at the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union entered into force the 7 January 2024. The Regulation lays down measures for the establishment of an internal cybersecurity risk management, governance and control framework for each Union entity, and sets up […]
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Council clears the way to extend child sexual abuse protection measure
EU member state ambassadors agreed on the Council’s negotiating mandate for a regulation prolonging an interim measure to combat online child sexual abuse. In 2021, the EU adopted a law which allows providers of certain online services to derogate from data protection rules in the electronic communications sector. Providers of so-called number-independent interpersonal communications services […]
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EU condemns North Korea reckless and dangerous missile launch
The EU strongly condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) launch of another intercontinental ballistic missile on 18 December, for the fifth time this year, following the launch of a short-range ballistic missile the day before. The DPRK must cease these illegal and dangerous launches, which blatantly violate UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) and undermine […]
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EU adopts 12th package of economic and individual sanctions
The Council adopted a twelfth package of economic and individual restrictive measures in view of the continued Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. These measures deliver a further blow to Putin’s ability to wage war by targeting high-value sectors of the Russian economy and making it more difficult to circumvent EU sanctions. Diamonds The EU […]
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Fourteen young victims of “lover boys” saved in Spain with support from Europol and Eurojust
The Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) and the Romanian Police (Poliția RomFourteen young victims of “lover boys” saved in Spain with support from Europol and Eurojustână), supported by Europol and Eurojust, have dismantled a criminal network involved in human trafficking for sexual exploitation. The investigation resulted in simultaneous action days in Romania and Spain between […]
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EU leaders agreed to start accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova
At the EU summit in Brussels, leaders decided to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. They also agreed to start negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary conditions are met and granted Georgia candidate status. EU leaders discussed continued support to Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, enlargement and reforms, the mid-term […]
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Commission proposal to strengthen the Single Market by tackling legal and administrative obstacles in Europe’s cross-border regions
On last 12rh December, the Commission adopted an amended proposal for a ‘Regulation on Facilitating Cross-Border Solutions’ in order to help Member States resolve obstacles that are impacting the daily lives of the 150 million European citizens living in Europe’s cross-border regions. The obstacles that citizens, businesses, and public administrations face in these regions include different technical standards or […]
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