EU leaders greenlit additional funding for the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 and discussed support for Ukraine. They also discussed the situation in the Middle East and agriculture, and paid tribute to former European Commission President Jacques Delors, who passed away on 27 December 2023. Mid-term revision of EU long-term budget 2021-2027 As a follow-up to their meeting in December, EU leaders discussed […]
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Agreement to improve consumer information for honey, fruit jams and juices
The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached by the European Parliament and Council to review and strengthen the existing marketing standards applicable to a honey, fruit juices, jams and milk. The so-called Breakfast Directives lay down common rules on the composition, sales names, labelling and presentation of these products to ensure their free movement within […]
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Commission proposes new initiatives to strengthen economic security
The Commission adopted five initiatives to strengthen the EU’s economic security at a time of growing geopolitical tensions and profound technological shifts. The package aims to enhance the EU’s economic security while upholding the openness of trade, investment, and research for the EU’s economy, in line with the June 2023 European Economic Security Strategy. Today’s proposals […]
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Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of Air Europa by IAG
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of sole control of Air Europa Holding, S.L. (‘Air Europa’) by International Consolidated Airlines Group, S.A. (‘IAG’). The Commission has preliminary concerns that the transaction may reduce competition in the market for passenger air transport services on […]
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Commission launches AI innovation package to support Artificial Intelligence startups and SMEs
The Commission has launched a package of measures to support European startups and SMEs in the development of trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) that respects EU values and rules. This follows the political agreement reached in December 2023 on the EU AI Act – the world’s first comprehensive law on Artificial Intelligence – which will support the […]
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Deal on new stricter anti money laundering rules
The Council and Parliament found a provisional agreement on parts of the anti-money laundering package that aims to protect EU citizens and the EU’s financial system against money laundering and terrorist financing. With the new package, all rules applying to the private sector will be transferred to a new regulation, while the directive will deal […]
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EU Ministers take forward work on 2024 European Semester
The Belgian Presidency presented its work programme for the first semester of the year in the field of economic and financial affairs. The Presidency will focus on finalising the Union’s economic governance review, on continued financial support to Ukraine, and on legislation governing the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union. Moreover, the Presidency will work on […]
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Music streaming sector: EU must ensure just pay for artists and fair algorithms
On Wednesday, the European Parliament called for EU rules to ensure the music streaming sector is fair and sustainable, and to promote cultural diversity. In a resolution adopted by 532 votes to 61 and 33 abstentions, MEPs ask for the imbalance in revenue allocation from the music streaming market to be addressed, as it currently […]
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Commission accepts commitments by Renfe opening up competition in online rail ticketing in Spain
The European Commission has made commitments by Renfe legally binding under EU antitrust rules. The commitments address the Commission’s preliminary competition concerns relating to Renfe’s refusal to supply all its content and real-time data related to its passenger rail transport services to rival ticketing platforms. The Commission’s preliminary concerns Renfe, the Spanish state-owned rail incumbent operator, competes […]
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