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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Commission endorses Spain’s second payment request
The European Commission has today endorsed a positive preliminary assessment of Spain’s second payment request for €12 billion in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU. On 30 April 2022, Spain submitted to the Commission a payment request based on the achievement of the 40 milestones and […]
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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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MEPs focus on inflation and economic divergence with ECB President Lagarde
Inflation and the new anti-fragmentation mechanism soon to be launched by the European Central Bank were the two main topics raised by MEPs with ECB President Lagarde. Attending the first Monetary Dialogue in Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee since the attack by Russia on Ukraine and a significant uptick of inflation across the Eurozone, European Central […]
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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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UfM Blue Finance Conference: Investing in a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Mediterranean
The UfM conference on Blue Finance aims at: Providing an overview of the current investment opportunities for the sustainable development of the Mediterranean Blue Economy and Offering practical guidance on the procedures to follow; 2. Discussing the enabling conditions (policy/regulatory environment; technical assistance; etc.), to attract funding 3. Organising direct networking opportunities and matchmaking sessions […]
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European Semester 2022: country-specific recommendations agreed
On June 17, the Council agreed its Country Specific Recommendations on the member states’ National Reform Programmes of 2022 and the Council opinions on the updated Stability or Convergence Programmes. This step is part of the 2022 European Semester programme, which enables member states to coordinate their economic, employment and fiscal policies. Next steps The […]
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Eurogroup statement on the future of the Banking Union of 16 June 2022
The Eurogroup in inclusive format issued a statement on the future of the Banking Union. The creation of the Banking Union in 2014 was a powerful response to the financial crisis, with significant progress on an EU single rulebook, on the establishment of a new European architecture for supervision and resolution, and on reducing risks. This has […]
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Recovery plans: MEPs push for wise use of money, democratic oversight
Countries should use the more than €700 billion available under EU recovery plans to adapt to new social and economic realities, MEPs say. The EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility was set up at the height of the Covid-19 crisis to help EU countries support struggling businesses and people. While the EU’s economy rebounded in 2021 after […]
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