On last Wednesday 10th January, member states’ EU ambassadors approved a partial negotiating mandate on a proposal to set up a new single dedicated instrument to support Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernisation, while supporting its efforts to carry out reforms as part of its accession path to the EU. The Ukraine Facility would thus pool […]
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Council greenlights partial negotiating mandate for strategic technologies
Member states’ EU ambassadors agreed on the Council’s partial negotiating mandate on the proposed Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). The platform will support investments in critical technologies in the fields of digital and deep tech, clean tech and biotech in the EU. It will reduce the EU’s strategic dependencies and enhance its long-term competitiveness. […]
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Council agrees to lift air and maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria and Romania
EU member states have reached an agreement on removing air and maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria and Romania. The decision has been taken by unanimity, following a written procedure. From 31 March 2024, there will no longer be checks on persons at EU internal air and maritime borders between Bulgaria and Romania and the […]
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Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh
The European Union takes note of the outcome of the Parliamentary elections, which were held in Bangladesh last Sunday and reiterates that the long-term EU-Bangladesh partnership is underpinned by the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The EU regrets that not all major parties participated in this election. The EU welcomes […]
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Commission gives young people a stronger voice in EU policymaking as a legacy of the European Year of Youth
Young Europeans will have greater influence on EU policies. Building on the achievements of the 2022 European Year of Youth, today the Commission announced several actions that give young people a greater say in the decisions that affect them and deepen the youth dimension in a range of EU policies. Putting the needs of young […]
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New rules to fight cross-border payment fraud in the EU enter into force
New transparency rules come into force this 1 January that will help EU Member States to crack down on Value-Added Tax (VAT) fraud. The new rules will provide tax administration of the EU Member States with payment information allowing them to detect VAT fraud more easily, with a particular focus on e-commerce which is particularly […]
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New rules to boost cybersecurity of the EU institutions enter into force
The new Cybersecurity Regulation laying down measures for a high common level of cybersecurity at the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union entered into force the 7 January 2024. The Regulation lays down measures for the establishment of an internal cybersecurity risk management, governance and control framework for each Union entity, and sets up […]
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Priorities of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union
Belgium holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2024, from 1 January to 30 June. Here are the six priorities of the Belgian presidency for this semester. Defending rule of law, democracy, and unity The European Union is based on the respect for fundamental rights, the rule […]
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A new era of corporate taxation in the EU begins
On 1 January, ground-breaking new EU rules came into force introducing a minimum effective tax rate of 15% for multinational companies with activities in EU Member States. Ground-breaking new EU rules come into effect today introducing a minimum rate of effective taxation of 15% for multinational companies active in EU Member States. The framework will […]
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