The European Commission has adopted a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, with the aim of bringing some of the benefits of membership to the region in advance of accession, boost economic growth and accelerate much needed socio-economic convergence. The objective should be to enable partners to step up reforms and investments to significantly […]
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Instant payments: Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement
The Council and the European Parliament have reached a political agreement on the instant payments proposal, which will improve the availability of instant payment options in euro to consumers and businesses in the EU and in EEA countries. The new rules will improve the strategic autonomy of the European economic and financial sector as they will help reduce any excessive reliance […]
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Commission decides to register four new European Citizens’ Initiatives
The European Commission decided to register four European Citizens’ Initiatives, entitled: ‘EU Live Bus Stop Info’, ‘Trust and Freedom’, ‘“I’m Going European”: An ECI to Connect your National and European Citizenship’ and ‘Creation of a European Environment Authority’. The organisers of the ‘EU Live Bus Stop Info’ initiative call for the integration of QR codes at bus […]
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EU releases €61 million in humanitarian aid for people in Afghanistan and Afghan refugees in Pakistan
As the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan continues to be of serious concern, the EU has released €61 million in humanitarian aid to address the needs of vulnerable people in the country, as well as refugees in neighbouring Pakistan. A total of €60 million are allocated for humanitarian organisations working in Afghanistan and another €1 million, […]
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Commission announced a substantial EU support package for Jordan
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed H.M. King Abdullah II from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Brussels today. Discussions focused on recent developments and the need to avoid a negative spill-over in the region, where Jordan plays a key stabilising role. During the visit, the Commission also announced a […]
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Stepping up action to prevent shortages of medicines in Europe
Following recent shortages of critical medicine like certain antibiotics last winter, steps have been taken to prevent such shortages occurring in the EU this winter. The European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority and the European Medicines Agency have prepared a list of key antibiotics that could face critical shortages during the winter. The Commission has also launched a European […]
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Political advertising: deal on new measures to crack down on abuse
On Monday evening, EU co-legislators reached a provisional deal on new rules to make election and referenda campaigns more transparent and resistant to interference. The new rules will regulate political advertisements, notably online ads, while also providing for a framework for political actors to advertise more easily across the EU. Commenting after the deal was […]
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Commission sends request for information to AliExpress under the Digital Services Act
Yesterday, the European Commission formally sent AliExpress a request for information under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission is requesting AliExpress to provide more information on the measures it has taken to comply with obligations related to risk assessments and mitigation measures to protect consumers online, in particular with regard to the dissemination of […]
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Better consumer protection: new EU rules for defective products
The EU wants to update the existing rules for defective products to better protect consumers and keep up with the development of new technologies. The existing Product Liability Directive was adopted almost 40 years ago. In September 2022, the European Commission published a proposal to adapt the guidelines to address the technological advantages newer products may […]
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