The European Commission has granted a conditional marketing authorisation (CMA) for the COVID‑19 vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer, making it the first COVID-19 vaccine authorised in the EU. This authorisation follows a positive scientific recommendation based on a thorough assessment of the safety, effectiveness and quality of the vaccine by the European Medicines Agency […]
Read More
Eurogroup Statement on the Draft Budgetary Plans for 2021
The Eurogroup discussed the overall budgetary situation and prospects in the euro area, and reviewed the economic and fiscal situation of the euro area member states. The outcome of this discussion is reflected in the next Eurogroup statement. The Eurogroup welcomes the Commission’s analysis of the budgetary situation in the euro area as a whole […]
Read More
New EU financial assistance to address the situation on the Canary Islands
The Commission announced new funding of €43.2 million to Spain to address the needs on the Canary Islands arising from high numbers of people arriving irregularly – some 20,000 people this year. The funding will go towards increasing temporary shelter capacity and improving reception conditions, including access to health assistance, food and sanitation. Financial support […]
Read MoreEurogroup reaches agreement on European Stability Mechanism reform
Main results of the video conference of the Eurogroup, 30 November 2020 Inclusive format Reform of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) The Eurogroup agreed to proceed with the reform of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM): to sign the revised ESM treaty and to launch its ratification. Among other things, the reform establishes a common backstop […]
Read More
European Semester Autumn Package
The European Commission presented its autumn economic policy package, including the Opinions on euro area Draft Budgetary Plans (DBPs) for 2021 and policy recommendations for the euro area. This is the second step in the 2021 European Semester cycle, which started in September with the publication of the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy (ASGS) with the concept of […]
Read More
16.8 million European funds advanced to Spain to fight the pandemic
Seven EU Member States, including Spain, will receive advance payments from the Solidarity Fund to mitigate the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Aid from the Solidarity Fund Germany, Ireland, Greece, Croatia, Hungary and Portugal will also receive advances to cope with the health emergency On Monday, Budgets Committee Members approved €823 million in EU aid […]
Read More
European Commission to empower consumers to become the driver of transition
The European Commission launched the New Consumer Agenda to empower European consumers to play an active role in the green and digital transitions. The Agenda also addresses how to increase consumer protection and resilience during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought significant challenges affecting the daily lives of consumers. More concretely, the Agenda puts […]
Read More
Boeing WTO case: The EU puts in place countermeasures against U.S. exports
The European Commission’s regulation increasing tariffs on U.S. exports into the EU worth $4 billion will be published in the Official Journal of the EU. The countermeasures have been agreed by EU Member States since the U.S. has not yet provided the basis for a negotiated settlement, which would include an immediate removal of U.S. […]
Read More
Agreement between the European Parliament and EU Member States on Europe’s next long-term budget and NextGenerationEU
The European Commission has today welcomed the agreement between the European Parliament and EU Member States in the Council on Europe’s next long-term budget and NextGenerationEU, the temporary recovery instrument. Once adopted, the package of a total of €1.8 trillion will be the largest package ever financed through the EU budget. It will help rebuild […]
Read More