The Council adopted new rules on last 13th November, which will allow people who plan to travel to the Schengen area to apply online for a visa. The Schengen area is a zone of 27 European countries which have abolished many types of internal border controls. The possibility of applying for a Schengen visa online […]
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Europol signs an agreement with France to work with the host country of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Europol has signed an agreement with France to support the host country of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in strengthening security at this major global event. With this agreement, Europol will further facilitate operational information exchange and international law enforcement cooperation during the games. The agreement covers several important arrangements designed to ensure the […]
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Parliament backs plans for better access to, and use of, data
The “Data Act”, already agreed between MEPs and member states, aims to stimulate innovation by eliminating barriers to data access. The new legislation establishes rules on the sharing of data generated through the use of connected products or related services (e.g. the Internet of Things, industrial machinery) and allows users to access the data they […]
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Commission sends requests for information to TikTok and YouTube under the Digital Services Act
Yesterday, the European Commission has formally sent TikTok and YouTube requests for information under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission is requesting the companies to provide more information on the measures they have taken to comply with their obligations related to protection of minors under the DSA, including the obligations related to risk assessments […]
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EU increases humanitarian aid to Gaza by €25 million
As part of the EU’s continued support to people in Gaza, the Commission will provide a further €25 million in humanitarian aid. This quadruples EU humanitarian assistance to over €100 million for Gaza this year. The new assistance will be provided to humanitarian organisations to deliver life-saving aid, in particular focusing on water and sanitation, […]
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Commission welcomes G7 leaders’ agreement on Guiding Principles and a Code of Conduct on Artificial Intelligence
The Commission welcomes the agreementon 30th October by G7 leaders on International Guiding Principles on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a voluntary Code of Conduct for AI developers under the Hiroshima AI process. These principles and the voluntary Code of Conduct will complement, at international level, the legally binding rules that the EU co-legislators are currently finalising under the EU AI Act. President of […]
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Rafah crossing point opens: EU welcomes safe passage for EU citizens and injured people
The EU welcomes the evacuation of a number of EU citizens and other foreign nationals, as well as injured persons via the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt yesterday. Background The EU has tripled its humanitarian assistance to Gaza to €78 million, aiming to enable our partners to continue their invaluable humanitarian work. The […]
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Spanish Presidency debriefs EP committees on priorities
Ministers are holding a series of meetings in parliamentary committees to present the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council. Committee on Culture and Education On 7 September, acting Minister for Education and Vocational Training Pilar Alegría said the presidency will focus on educational responses to support Ukraine, ambitious implementation of the European Education […]
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78 involved in large-scale cannabis trafficking arrested in Spain and Italy
The criminal network is linked to more than six tonnes of intercepted shipments of cannabis and hashish. Europol supported the Italian Financial Guard (Guardia di Finanza) and Spanish Regional Catalan Police (Mossos d’Esquadra) in dismantling a large criminal network behind several tonnes of cannabis being trafficked to the EU. The investigation, also supported by Eurojust, […]
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