The 19th EU-Canada summit took place in St John’s, Canada. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, represented the EU. Leaders emphasized EU-Canada’s shared commitment to democratic values, multilateralism and the international rules-based order as the bedrock of their relationship. They also announced new areas of cooperation […]
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Future of the EU: Parliament’s proposals to amend the Treaties
Following the Conference on the Future of Europe and in the context of unprecedented challenges and multiple crises, MEPs put forward proposals to change the EU. Parliament is advocating reforms that will enhance the EU’s capacity to act and strengthen the say of citizens. Key among the proposals by MEPs are: a more bicameral system […]
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EU cybersecurity exercise to foster cooperation and promote free and fair EU elections
To evaluate and strengthen current working methods ahead of the 2024 elections, EU institutions have organised a cybersecurity exercise. National and EU partners tested their crisis plans and possible responses to potential cybersecurity incidents affecting the European elections. The exercise is part of the measures being implemented by the European Union to ensure free and […]
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First EU-Angola agreement on sustainable investment facilitation
The EU and Angola has signed a Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA), the first EU agreement of its kind, during the EU-Angola Business Forum in Luanda. It responds to Angola’s ambition to diversify its economy beyond the oil and gas sectors, which historically attracted most foreign investment. The agreement, with its commitments to improve business […]
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Value of EU trade deals surpasses €2 trillion
The value of EU trade through free trade agreements with global partners surpassed €2 trillion for the first time in 2022, according to the 3rd Annual Report on the Implementation and Enforcement of EU Trade Policy. The European Commission report shows that trade with our top 20 trade agreement partners grew by close to 30% […]
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Mexico and the European Union hold the 11th High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights in Mexico City
On November 17th, Mexico and the European Union held the 11th High Level Dialogue on Human Rights in Mexico City. The Dialogue addressed an extensive array of human rights issues in Mexico and the European Union, including gender equality and the care agenda, femicides, combating gender-based and domestic violence, migrant rights, xenophobia, enforced disappearances, torture prevention, […]
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Agreement to update the EU Cybersecurity Regulation
To enhance EU’s cyber resilience by enabling the future adoption of European certification schemes for ‘managed security services’, member states’ representatives (Coreper) reached a common position on the proposed targeted amendment of the EU’s cybersecurity act (CSA) of 2019. ‘Managed security services’, provided to customers by specialised companies, are crucial for the prevention, detection, response, and recovery from cybersecurity […]
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Commission refers Spain to the Court of Justice of the EU for failure to fully transpose the directive on reconciliation of work and family life
The European Commission has decided to refer Belgium, Ireland and Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to notify national measures fully transposing EU rights on Work-Life Balance for parents and carers (Directive (EU) 2019/158). The Work-Life Balance Directive, adopted in 2019, is an important legislation which aims to enable working parents to better […]
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New European Union rules on short-term accommodation rentals
As part of the ongoing efforts to promote a balanced tourism ecosystem within the EU, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a draft regulation on data collection and sharing for short-term accommodation rental services. Simpler, harmonised system of data collection The proposal for a regulation aims at enhancing transparency in […]
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