Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira, together with President of the Committee of the Regions, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, hosted the 2024 REGIOSTARS awards ceremony in Brussels as part of the 22nd European Week of Regions and Cities. The REGIOSTARS awards recognise Cohesion Policy-funded projects across Europe that encapsulate the impact and inclusiveness of regional development and have found solutions to common challenges that European regions […]
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EU brings product liability rules in line with digital age and circular economy
The Council adopted a directive to update the EU’s civil liability law. The new liability rules better take into account that nowadays many products have digital features and that the economy is becoming increasingly circular. Bence Tuzson, Hungarian Minister of Justice stated “The product liability rules that the Council adopted today are good news for […]
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Council adopts conclusions on climate finance
The Council approved conclusions on climate finance ahead of the United Nations framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC) meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024 (COP 29). In its conclusions, the Council underlines that the EU and its member states are committed to the current goal of developed countries to collectively mobilise […]
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Commission proposes an EU Digital Travel application for easier and safer travel
Today, the European Commission adopted two proposals to digitalise passports and identity cards, also called ‘EU Digital Travel application’, for individuals travelling to and from the Schengen area. Both EU citizens and non-EU citizens are subject to systematic checks when crossing the EU’s external borders. Currently, these checks are made physically at the border crossing […]
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Commission proposes 12 months to phase-in EU deforestation regulation
The Commission published last week an additional guidance documents and a stronger international cooperation framework to support global stakeholders, Member States and third countries in their preparations for the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation. Given feedback received from international partners about their state of preparations, the Commission also proposes to give concerned parties additional time to prepare. If approved by […]
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From industrial side stream to clean source for biofuels
A new process looks to turn black liquor, a by-product of the pulp and paper industry, into a low-emission biofuel. Cited by the International Energy Agency as the fifth most important fuel on Earth, black liquor has the potential to become the new black gold. “Black liquor is a common by-product of the pulp mills […]
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Commission protects dolphins and small cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay
The Commission adopted on 30 September a delegated act establishing measures in the Bay of Biscay by 2025 to prevent incidental catches of dolphins and other small cetaceans caused by fisheries. These measures are the subject of a joint recommendation by Belgium, Spain, France and Portugal. Unless the European Parliament or the Council objects within […]
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Europeans need more information to prepare for emergencies, says Eurobarometer survey
The European Commission has published the results of an opinion poll showing that the majority of EU citizens feel that they need more information to prepare for disasters and emergencies. In addition, the survey showed that citizens feel most exposed to risks related to the impact of climate change, but also to social and security […]
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InvestEU is playing a key role in making the EU more sustainable and competitive
The Commission has presented the mid-term evaluation of InvestEU, the EU’s flagship investment programme to facilitate better access to finance for businesses across Europe, in support of common priorities. Halfway through its duration, InvestEU has already unlocked ¤218 billion in additional investment, and 90% of the EU guarantee has been allocated. The programme consists of […]
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