The European Commission and the High Representative welcome the Council’s decision authorising them to enter into negotiations with each of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with the aim of concluding bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreements (SPAs). The aim of the SPAs is […]
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Republic of Korea joins Horizon Europe programme
Last July 17, the Republic of Korea has officially become the first Asian country to associate with Horizon Europe, the EU’s multibillion research and innovation programme. Korean researchers and organisations can now participate in several areas of the programme on equal terms with those for EU Member States. They will be able to join and […]
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The European Parliament rejects the motion of censure against the European Commission
With 175 votes in favour, 360 against and 18 abstentions, the European Parliament on Thursday rejected a motion of censure against the European Commission. The motion was put to a roll-call vote in plenary. It required a two-thirds majority of the votes cast and the backing of a majority of the members of the […]
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EP calls for addressing China’s restrictions on rare earth exports
Parliament is concerned about China’s export restrictions on key raw materials and the impact on the EU economy. On 4 April 2025, China imposed export restrictions on seven rare earth elements and magnets used in the defence, energy and automotive sectors in response to increased US tariffs on Chinese products. Under the new rules, exporters […]
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Commission proposes €23 billion payment to Spain under NextGenerationEU
Last July 7, the Commission positively assessed Spain’s fifth payment request for 23 billion under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. This assessment is a significant step towards the disbursement of EU funds to support Spain’s economic growth and resilience efforts. The Commission found that Spain delivered reforms and investments that will benefit citizens and businesses, focusing […]
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EU and Moldova forge deeper ties at historic first Summit in Chișinău
At the first ever EU-Moldova Summit in Chișinău, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu agreed to deepen cooperation in the interest of EU and Moldovan citizens. The leaders discussed EU accession and related reforms, economic growth as well as security and defence […]
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EU and Ukraine reach agreement in principle on a modernised trade relationship
The Commission has concluded negotiations with Ukraine on the review of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). The agreement in principle on the review of the trade liberalisation provisions under the Association Agreement marks a new phase in establishing a long-term, predictable, and reciprocal framework within the broader context of Ukraine’s accession process. It […]
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Statement by President Von der Ley at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development
“Seville, 30 June 2025 Mr. President of the Conference, Secretary-General Guterres, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me start with a key fact: last year, development aid worldwide stood at just over $200 billion. The annual investment gap on the Sustainable Development Goals, as Pedro Sánchez has pointed out, is in the […]
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New chapter in the cooperation between Europe and Canada
The European Union and Canada have concluded a Security and Defence Partnership and launched cooperation initiatives in industrial policy and digital trade during a bilateral summit held yesterday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa welcomed Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney in Brussels, days after he hosted the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. With the new […]
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