Foreign investment screening and export controls play a critical role in safeguarding European security and public order. This is the result of two reports adopted yesterday by the European Commission: the report on the screening of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), and the report on the Export Controls Regulation. In 2021, the Commission analysed more than […]
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EU Roadmap with Civil Society Bolivia 2019-2024
A capable civil society is a crucial component of any democratic system and is an asset in its own right. It represents and fosters pluralism and can contribute to more effective policies, equitable and sustainable development, and inclusive growth. Civil Society is an important actor in the promotion of peace and conflict resolution. The Roadmap […]
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General product safety regulation: Council adopts its position
Member States agreed on a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the proposal for a regulation on general product safety (GPSR). An increasing number of consumers buy goods and products online – a trend which was reinforced by the Covid-19 pandemic. To keep up with challenges linked to this trend, the GPSR proposal modernises the rules […]
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Agreement on foreign subsidies: ensuring equal competition in the EU
Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on Thursday 30 June on new tools ensuring that foreign subsidies granted by non-EU countries to companies do not distort the internal market. The new draft regulation will enable the Commission to investigate subsidies granted by non-EU public authorities to companies operating in the EU. If it finds that the […]
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Council agrees on new rules to drive down deforestation and forest degradation globally
The Council adopted its negotiating position (general approach) on a proposal to limit the consumption of products contributing to deforestation or forest degradation. The Council agreed to set mandatory due diligence rules for all operators and traders who place, make available or export the following products from the EU market: palm oil, beef, timber, coffee, cocoa and soy. […]
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EU renews its Agenda on International Ocean Governance
The European Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy unveiled the renewed EU agenda on International Ocean Governance (IOG), proposing actions for a secure, clean and sustainably managed ocean. With this policy, the EU confirms its active role in international ocean governance and its commitment to strengthen implementation […]
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Council adopts conclusions on global food insecurity
Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine has disastrous consequences for the Ukrainian people, and also for people all over the world. The EU is fully committed to working with its global partners to address the worst consequences on food security, and has taken swift and comprehensive measures. In this light, the Council today […]
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Council conclusions at the start of the 12th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference
The European Union is committed to an open and rules-based multilateral trading system, with a modernised WTO at its core. The EU supports an ambitious and realistic package for the 12th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (MC12), and expects all WTO members to make a constructive contribution, according to their needs and capacities. The Council […]
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EU-US strengthen coordination on export controls on Russia
The European Commission and the US Commerce Department have agreed to strengthen coordination on the enforcement of export controls on Russia, building on the excellent cooperation under the US-EU Trade and Technology Council. In a meeting in Brussels, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, US Ambassador to the European Union Mark Gitenstein and Assistant Secretary […]
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