Following President von der Leyen’s call for a more focused approach to the EU’s wider neighbourhood, especially the Mediterranean, with a Commissioner in the new College dedicated to this portfolio, the European Commission has set up a new Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA). In line with the President’s Political Guidelines […]
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Von der Leyen’s remarks to EU ambassadors
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered yesterday a speech at the annual EU Ambassadors Conference. The speech was the occasion for the President to thank the EU diplomatic corps for their work and exchange with them on the European Union’s priorities in foreign policy and diplomacy. President von der Leyen highlighted the interconnected nature of the world: […]
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Solomon Islands: First Partnership Dialogue between the EU and Solomon Islands
On 4 February, the European Union and Solomon Islands held their Partnership Dialogue, the first under the new Samoa Agreement, which is the basis for cooperation between the EU and the Pacific. In the margins of the Dialogue, Solomon Islands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka met High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas, […]
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EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement enters into force
The EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) has entered into force, following the completion of Chile’s ratification process. The ITA, which was signed in December 2023, is of key geopolitical importance. It will boost the competitiveness of businesses on both sides, while providing a shared platform for the development of our net-zero economies. This work will be further underpinned by ongoing […]
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The Commission acts to ensure the correct and timely transposition of EU directives
The Commission adopts a series of infringement decisions due to the failure of Member States to notify the measures adopted to transpose certain EU directives into national law. Letters of formal notice are sent to Member States that have not notified national transposition measures for directives whose transposition deadline has recently expired. In this case, […]
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Tariffs on agricultural products and fertilisers, new measures against Russia and Belarus
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to impose tariffs on a number of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, as well as on certain nitrogen-based fertilisers. The agricultural products affected by the new tariffs constitute 15% of agricultural imports from Russia in 2023 that had not yet been subject to increased tariffs. Once adopted by the Council, […]
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Democratic Republic of the Congo receives €60 million in humanitarian aid from EU
The European Commission today announced new humanitarian support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with an initial amount of €60 million for 2025. Following the latest developments in the East of the country, the European Union stands ready to boost emergency assistance, particularly for the newly displaced populations in and around Goma. The […]
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Georgia: Council suspends visa-free travel for diplomats and officials
Today, the Council decided to suspend parts of the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement. This may lead to Georgian diplomats and officials having to apply for visa when travelling to the EU. “Fundamental rights and democratic values are core principles of EU integration. Officials that represent a country which trample down these values should not […]
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Commission approves International Paper’s acquisition of DS Smith subject to conditions*
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of DS Smith Plc (‘DS Smith’)by International Paper Company (‘InternationalPaper’). The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments offered by the parties. The Commission’s investigation International Paper and DS Smith are two vertically integrated paper and packaging companies. The Commission’s […]
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