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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The new von der Leyen Commission is ready to start working on 1 December
The European Parliament has approved the new College of Commissioners that will take office on 1 December. In a vote that took place in Strasbourg, Members of the European Parliament gave their confidence to the new team presented by President von der Leyen. In a speech to the Plenary of the European Parliament, President von der Leyen presented her […]
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Parliament pays homage to the victims of the floods in Spain
President Metsola opened the 13-14 November plenary session in Brussels with a minute of silence for the victims of the flood tragedy in Spain. Following the devastating floods that swept through towns in Valencia and other regions in Spain two weeks ago and have taken at least 223 lives, President Metsola led MEPs in a […]
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Mediterranean cities and regions emphasise need for dialogue and cooperation on water and energy
Local and regional leaders from Mediterranean cities convened in Amman on 4-5 November for the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), where they underscored their commitment to cooperation and dialogue on critical regional challenges including cultural dialogue, water scarcity and the energy transition. ARLEM’s plenary session in Amman, capital of Jordan, was co-chaired by the […]
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Hearings of commissioner nominees begin today
The confirmation hearings for Commissioner nominees in the European Parliament begin today. From Monday to Thursday, parliamentary committees will examine 20 of the Commissioners-designate and assess whether they are qualified both to be members of the College of Commissioners and to carry out the specific tasks assigned to them in the European Commission. The confirmation […]
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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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Commission adopts 2024 Enlargement Package
The European Commission adopted its annual Enlargement Package, providing a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Türkiye, on their respective paths towards EU accession. The assessments are accompanied by recommendations and guidance on […]
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President von der Leyen shows her commitment to the Western Balkans and their European future
Last Saturday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen concluded a four-day trip to the Western Balkans. Travelling to the six capitals, she met with the leaders of Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro. In Tirana, she also delivered a speech at the inauguration ceremony of the new College of Europe’s campus. This trip […]
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Council agrees negotiating mandate for a regulation on facilitating cross-border solutions
Member states’ EU ambassadors today reached agreement on the Council’s negotiating mandate for a new regulation on facilitating cross-border solutions. The proposed regulation aims to facilitate cross-border interactions and promote the development of cross-border regions by making it easier to tackle cross-border challenges, such as the development of infrastructure and the operation of cross-border public services. […]
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