The Commission has proposed to prohibit products made with forced labour on the EU market. The proposal covers all products, namely those made in the EU for domestic consumption and exports, and imported goods, without targeting specific companies or industries. This comprehensive approach is important because an estimated 27.6 million people are in forced labour, […]
Read More
State of the EU: Ukraine, energy, climate change, economy
In the annual State of the European Union debate, MEPs quizzed President von der Leyen on the Commission’s work in the past year and its upcoming plans. Opening the debate, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “It is a special honour to have Olena Zelenska with us on this important day. We are here against an alarming […]
Read More
2022 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen
A UNION THAT STANDS STRONG TOGETHER INTRODUCTION Madam President, Honourable Members, My fellow Europeans, Never before has this Parliament debated the State of our Union with war raging on European soil. We all remember that fateful morning in late February. Europeans from across our Union woke up dismayed by what they saw. Shaken by the resurgent […]
Read More
SOTEU 2022: live streaming
The European Parliament in Strasbourg is hosting the State of the Union Debate today from 9 a.m. onwards. This event marks the start of the European political year. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will outline the priorities for the new political year and discuss them with the Members of the […]
Read More
Commission joins forces with local and regional government associations to boost sustainable development
The European Commission has signed framework partnership agreements with five global associations of local authorities: the Association Internationale des Maires Francophones (AIMF), the Commonwealth Local Governments Forum (CLGF), Platforma/Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), and the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA). Supported by €50 million from the NDICI-Global Europe instrument, the agreements support […]
Read MoreState of the EU debate 2022: here’s how to follow it
What is the State of the European Union debate? Every September, the President of the European Commission comes to the European Parliament to discuss with MEPs what the Commission has done over the past year, what it intends to do in the coming year and its vision for the future. This is known as the […]
Read More
Council adopts full suspension of visa facilitation with Russia
The Council adopted a decision that fully suspends the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia. Consequently, the general rules of the visa code will apply to Russian citizens. This will result in an increase in the visa application fee from €35 to €80, the need to present additional documentary evidence, increased visa processing […]
Read More
Eurobarometer: Citizens’ confidence in the EU is on the rise
The summer 2022 Standard Eurobarometer survey shows increased trust of citizens in the EU, and continued strong support for the EU’s response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. An overwhelming majority of EU citizens support investments in renewable energy and action to reduce the EU’s dependency on Russian energy sources. The approval rate of the […]
Read More
Commission proposes full suspension of Visa Facilitation Agreement with Russia
The Commission is proposing to fully suspend the EU’s Visa Facilitation Agreement with Russia. A country like Russia, waging a war of aggression, should not qualify for visa facilitations as long as it continues conducting its destructive foreign policy and military aggression towards Ukraine, demonstrating a complete disregard to the international rules-based order. The suspension […]
Read More