On Monday afternoon, MEPs discussed the security situation in Europe and beyond as well as defence and EU-NATO cooperation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In his first public discussion with MEPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Security and Defence and Parliament’s delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly since taking office […]
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In 2024, 46% of the laws approved in Spain are based on European directives and decisions
Of the 24 laws passed in Spain in 2024, 5 implement European regulations or transpose European directives into Spanish law and another 6 contain references to EU recommendations, programmes or initiatives. Among the regulations approved to transpose European directives and implement European regulations are those related to equal representation in listed companies, the exchange of […]
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Venezuela: Council renews restrictive measures
The Council has decided to prolong the restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela for a further year, until 10 January 2026. Additionally the Council reintroduced the travel restrictions applied to four individuals, which had been temporarily suspended in May 2024 with the objective of promoting the organisation of inclusive, credible and competitive elections […]
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EU-Japan strategic partnership: framework agreement enters into force
The Strategic Partnership Agreement, the first bilateral framework agreement, between the EU and its Member States and Japan entered into force on 1 January. This milestone agreement will guide future engagement between the parties and ensure closer political and economic cooperation on an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. Thanks to the SPA, the […]
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Belarus: Fourth meeting of the Consultative Group with democratic forces and civil society held in Brussels
The 4th meeting of the Consultative Group between the European Union and Belarusian democratic forces and civil society took place on 11 December, in Brussels. The meeting presented the opportunity to reaffirm the EU’s support to the brave Belarusian democratic forces in their quest for a democratic, independent, and sovereign Belarus. In the margins of […]
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Schengen: Council decides to lift land border controls with Bulgaria and Romania
EU member states have decided to remove checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2025. It is a historic moment to finally welcome Bulgaria and Romania as full Schengen members. Lifting checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between those member states […]
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Parliament calls for new elections in Georgia
Due to significant irregularities, MEPs reject the outcome of the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia and call for them to be re-run within a year. On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the 26 October parliamentary elections in Georgia, an EU candidate country, for being neither free nor fair, representing yet another manifestation […]
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What is the EU’s disaster response?
The frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Europe is increasing. Largely due to climate change and urbanisation, Europeans have had to deal with more extreme weather including heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, floods and storms in recent years. Natural disasters in Europe As the European Environmental Agency points out, global temperatures have been increasing, with 2023 being the warmest year […]
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Parliament approves up to €35 billion loan to Ukraine backed by Russian assets
On Tuesday, MEPs gave their green light to an extraordinary loan of up to €35 billion to Ukraine, to be repaid with future revenues from frozen Russian assets. With 518 votes in favour, 56 against and 61 abstentions, Parliament endorsed the new macro-financial assistance (MFA) to help Ukraine against Russia’s brutal war of aggression. This […]
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