The European Defence Agency (EDA) confirms that two additional staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. Both staff members have been at home in self-isolation since 2 March and have thus not returned to the Agency since symptoms appeared. Given that both staff members had been in close contact with the first staff member who […]
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This week in Brussels: long-term budget, climate law, COVID-19
MEPs will discuss the Coronavirus outbreak, the EU’s long-term budget and the situation at the Greek-Turkish border during the plenary session on 9-12 March. Agenda Coronavirus Following the rapid spread of the Coronavirus, MEPs will assess EU efforts to come up with a coherent EU-wide response on Tuesday. They will vote on a resolution on Thursday. […]
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Statement of the Foreign Affairs Council about the crisis in Idlib and the situation at the EU external borders with Turkey
The EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs met last week for an extraordinary Council meeting to discuss the crisis in Idlib and the situation at the EU external borders with Turkey. The Council acknowledges the increased migratory burden and risks Turkey is facing on its territory and the substantial efforts it has made in hosting 3,7 […]
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How much do governments spend on defence?
In 2018, the 27 EU Member States’ government expenditure on defence amounted to €162 billion, representing 2.6% of total government expenditure. This is equivalent to 1.2% of GDP. Overall, in the EU, general government expenditure on defence as a percentage of GDP slightly decreased since the beginning of the time series in 2001 (1.4%). Highest ratio of government expenditure on […]
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EU Civil Protection Mechanism must be sufficiently funded to save lives
The Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee called for sufficient means to match the needs of the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism programme post-2020. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism (CPM) has supported member states to save lives in the midst of earthquakes, hurricanes and floods, fighting forest fires and evacuating EU nationals in crisis – […]
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International Women’s Day 2020: Beijing Declaration 25 years after
The European Parliament is marking the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration on gender equality.For this year’s International Women’s Day on 8 March, The European Parliament is marking the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration on gender equality. The Beijing Declaration In 1995, the UN’s 4th World Conference on women adopted a resolution regarding the […]
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The new R+I Bulletin No. 10 is now available!
The new R+I Bulletin No. 10 is now available! This new edition summarises all the European Union’s activity in the field of R+I over the last months. The bulletin is structured into News; Calls and Awards; Statistics and Infographics; Recommended bibliography; and finally Magazines and periodicals and Media Collection. In this February edition we can […]
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EU-UK future relations: crucial to ensure EU leverage and unity
Negotiations on a future partnership started on Monday the 2nd. David McAllister, Chair of Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, following the start of EU-UK negotiations on a future partnership on Monday 2 March gave a statement focusing on: “With negotiations kicking off today, we are entering into a crucial phase that will set the tone for […]
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Council of the European Union forward look: 2 – 15 March 2020
The Council of the EU is the institution representing the member states’ governments. Also known informally as the EU Council, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies. Below we offer the agreed agenda for the next two weeks: Environment Council, 5 March 2020 The Council will adopt conclusions on […]
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