On January 15, 2025, the closing event of the multinational project “Building Capacities for Effective Communication of the Benefits of Recovery and Resilience Plans” took place. The project was funded by the European Commission under the technical assistance instrument. During the project, eight member states — Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, and […]
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Rutte to MEPs: “We are safe now, we might not be safe in five years”
On Monday afternoon, MEPs discussed the security situation in Europe and beyond as well as defence and EU-NATO cooperation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In his first public discussion with MEPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Security and Defence and Parliament’s delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly since taking office […]
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In 2024, 46% of the laws approved in Spain are based on European directives and decisions
Of the 24 laws passed in Spain in 2024, 5 implement European regulations or transpose European directives into Spanish law and another 6 contain references to EU recommendations, programmes or initiatives. Among the regulations approved to transpose European directives and implement European regulations are those related to equal representation in listed companies, the exchange of […]
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Venezuela: Council renews restrictive measures
The Council has decided to prolong the restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela for a further year, until 10 January 2026. Additionally the Council reintroduced the travel restrictions applied to four individuals, which had been temporarily suspended in May 2024 with the objective of promoting the organisation of inclusive, credible and competitive elections […]
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EU-Japan strategic partnership: framework agreement enters into force
The Strategic Partnership Agreement, the first bilateral framework agreement, between the EU and its Member States and Japan entered into force on 1 January. This milestone agreement will guide future engagement between the parties and ensure closer political and economic cooperation on an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. Thanks to the SPA, the […]
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Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU – some facts about the country.
On 1 January 2025, Poland took over the presidency of the Council of the EU. The presidency rotates among EU countries every 6 months. During this 6-month period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the consistency of the EU’s work. On this occasion, Eurostat publishes some information and statistics […]
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EU guidance on how to address Europe’s socio-economic challenges in 2025
The European Commission has published further policy guidance to support EU countries preserve macroeconomic stability while promoting growth and improving their competitiveness. This is essential in helping the EU to tackle next year’s socio-economic challenges. The latest guidance includes euro area policies, the Alert Mechanism Report and Joint Employment Report for 2025. According to the Joint Employment Report proposal, […]
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Belarus: Fourth meeting of the Consultative Group with democratic forces and civil society held in Brussels
The 4th meeting of the Consultative Group between the European Union and Belarusian democratic forces and civil society took place on 11 December, in Brussels. The meeting presented the opportunity to reaffirm the EU’s support to the brave Belarusian democratic forces in their quest for a democratic, independent, and sovereign Belarus. In the margins of […]
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Schengen: Council decides to lift land border controls with Bulgaria and Romania
EU member states have decided to remove checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2025. It is a historic moment to finally welcome Bulgaria and Romania as full Schengen members. Lifting checks on persons at the internal land borders with and between those member states […]
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