Ahead of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on 6 February 2025, the European Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President Kallas reaffirm the EU’s strong commitment to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation in Europe and across the world: “Female Genital Mutilation is a violation of human rights and a heinous form of violence against women […]
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Commission announces actions for safe and sustainable e-commerce imports
The Commission is taking action to tackle risks stemming from low-value imports sold via non-EU online retailers and marketplaces hosting non-EU traders. These actions are part of the Communication on E-Commerce, ‘A Comprehensive EU Toolbox for Safe and Sustainable E-commerce’, which the Commission is proposing today. The Commission encourages actions, among others, in the areas of […]
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Trafficking in the fast lane: French-Spanish drug trafficking ring dismantled
A sophisticated drug trafficking network smuggling large quantities of narcotics between Spain and France has been dismantled following a major law enforcement operation. Operation CABRAS, led by the French Gendarmerie under the supervision of the Specialised Interregional Jurisdiction (JIRS) of Rennes, targeted a criminal syndicate responsible for importing cannabis resin, cocaine, and synthetic drugs into […]
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The Commission and Kaja Kallas welcome a key step in holding Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine
Senior legal experts of the European Commission, the European External Action Service, the Council of Europe, Ukraine and 37 States laid down the legal foundations for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The participants also set out the key elements of the “Schuman draft Statute”, the core legal […]
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“We must be better, stronger and faster”: European leaders’ defence conclusions
On 3 February a meeting took place at the Egmont Palace (Brussels, Belgium) between António Costa (President of the European Council), Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Mark Rutte (NATO Secretary General) and Keir Starmer (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom). At the event, several relevant aspects of current political affairs were […]
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The Commission calls for accelerating water protection and flood risk management in Europe
The European Commission yesterday publishes its latest reports on the state of water in the European Union, covering the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the Floods Directive, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The reports highlight progress made in improving the status of EU water bodies over the past six years and identify key […]
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EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement enters into force
The EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) has entered into force, following the completion of Chile’s ratification process. The ITA, which was signed in December 2023, is of key geopolitical importance. It will boost the competitiveness of businesses on both sides, while providing a shared platform for the development of our net-zero economies. This work will be further underpinned by ongoing […]
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The 2025 SME Fund is now operational
The Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office have launched the SME Fund 2025 to provide financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a grant scheme designed to help SMEs to better manage and protect their intangible assets. The SME Fund helps SMEs protect their intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs […]
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Maritime transport: environmental and sustainability challenges persist.
Europe’s maritime sector is making progress towards greater sustainability but will need to increase its efforts over the coming years to meet EU climate and environment goals aimed at reducing energy use, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions as well as better protecting biodiversity. That is according to the second edition of the European Maritime Transport Environmental […]
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