On behalf of the EU, the Belgian Presidency of the Council has signed the protocol to include provisions on cross-border data flows in the agreement between the EU and Japan for an Economic Partnership. The protocol will provide greater legal certainty, ensuring that data flows between the EU and Japan will not be hampered by […]
Read More
EU and US take stock of trade and technology cooperation
The European Union and the United States held the fifth meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Washington, D.C. The meeting allowed ministers to take stock of the progress of the TTC’s work and to provide political steer on key priorities for the next TTC Ministerial meeting, which will take place in […]
Read More
Guatemala: Council establishes dedicated framework of restrictive measures in support of democracy
The Council established a dedicated framework for restrictive measures in support of democracy and a peaceful and orderly transfer of power in Guatemala. This decision will allow the European Union to hold accountable those obstructing a democratic transition following the 2023 general elections, which resulted in a clear victory of President-elect Bernardo Arévalo, as attested […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
Council agrees to lift air and maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria and Romania
EU member states have reached an agreement on removing air and maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria and Romania. The decision has been taken by unanimity, following a written procedure. From 31 March 2024, there will no longer be checks on persons at EU internal air and maritime borders between Bulgaria and Romania and the […]
Read More
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh
The European Union takes note of the outcome of the Parliamentary elections, which were held in Bangladesh last Sunday and reiterates that the long-term EU-Bangladesh partnership is underpinned by the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The EU regrets that not all major parties participated in this election. The EU welcomes […]
Read More
Commission launches three new initiatives to support Ukrainian researchers and innovators
Yesterday, the Commission has launched three new initiatives boosting the EU research and innovation cooperation with Ukraine New Horizon Europe Office in Kyiv; New European Innovation Council (EIC) action to support the Ukrainian deep tech community; New European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Community Hub. Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, […]
Read More
Human rights breaches in Belarus, Tanzania and Tibet
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on the human rights situation in Tanzania, Belarus and Tibet. The Maasai communities in Tanzania MEPs urge the Tanzanian government to immediately halt ongoing forcible evictions of Maasai communities in the country’s Ngorongoro District due to, among other reasons, plans to turn large parts of traditional grazing […]
Read More
Rwanda and the European Union strengthen partnership
Today, President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen met to discuss how to take the EU-Rwanda partnership forward, including with mutually beneficial investments under the EU Global Gateway strategy. The European Union and its Member States in a Team Europe approach are investing more than €900 […]
Read More