On last 12rh December, the Commission adopted an amended proposal for a ‘Regulation on Facilitating Cross-Border Solutions’ in order to help Member States resolve obstacles that are impacting the daily lives of the 150 million European citizens living in Europe’s cross-border regions. The obstacles that citizens, businesses, and public administrations face in these regions include different technical standards or […]
Read More
Defence of Democracy – Commission proposes to shed light on covert foreign influence
On last 12 December, the European Commission adopted a Defence of Democracy package, ahead of the 2024 European elections. The central piece of this package is a legislative proposal that will enhance transparency and democratic accountability of interest representation activities on behalf of third countries which are aimed at influencing policies, decision making and the democratic […]
Read More
EU and Western Balkans leaders meet in Brussels
One year after the 2022 summit in Tirana, EU and Western Balkans leaders met in Brussels for their fourth annual summit. The summit was an opportunity to reaffirm the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans and also the need for partners’ sustained and irreversible reform achievements, underpinned by EU values and principles. The main topics […]
Read More
Enlargement: how do countries join the EU?
EU enlargement is a way to foster peace and stability in Europe, increase prosperity for Europeans and create opportunities for companies. Countries preparing to join benefit from closer ties with the EU, stronger support for fundamental rights as well as from funding and expertise from the EU to make the process easier. In November 2023, […]
Read More
EU impose new restrictive measures to Iran due to supply unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia
Yesterday, the European Council imposed restrictive measures against 6 persons and 5 entities involved in Iran’s development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) used in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. These are the first listings under the newly established framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. They complement […]
Read More
EU-China summit, 7 December 2023 – Main results
The 24th EU-China summit took place in Beijing, China. This was the first in-person EU-China summit since 2019. President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by High Representative Josep Borrell, represented the EU. They met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang at […]
Read More
EU announces €125 million in initial humanitarian aid for Palestinians for 2024
As the humanitarian situation continues to worsen in the Middle East, the Commission will provide €125 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in 2024. This new funding will support humanitarian organisations working in both Gaza and the West Bank. In Gaza, where the humanitarian needs are at an all-time high, the focus will […]
Read More
Council adopts a new Regulation and Directive to help digitize judicial systems
The Council paved the way for advancing the digitalisation of EU member states’ justice systems and for making them more accessible and effective. The adoption of a Regulation on the digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation and access to justice and of an accompanying Directive will facilitate electronic communication in the context of cross-border judicial cooperation […]
Read More
United Kingdom joins Horizon Europe programme
As of 1 January 2024, the United Kingdom becomes an associated country to Horizon Europe. Its researchers will be able to participate in this research and innovation programme of the EU on the same terms as researchers from other associated countries and will have access to Horizon Europe funding. The final step towards this […]
Read More