EU finance ministers and Central Bank governors met with representatives of the European Commission and the ECB at the informal Ecofin Council meeting in Prague today. The finance ministers discussed the impact of the Russian aggression in Ukraine on the European economies and supported the swift adoption of additional financial assistance to Ukraine amounting to […]
Read MoreCouncil adopts full suspension of visa facilitation with Russia
The Council adopted a decision that fully suspends the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia. Consequently, the general rules of the visa code will apply to Russian citizens. This will result in an increase in the visa application fee from €35 to €80, the need to present additional documentary evidence, increased visa processing […]
Read MoreWhat is carbon neutrality and how can it be achieved by 2050?
With the European Climate Law, the EU is committing to carbon neutrality by 2050. What does that mean in practice? Climate change is already affecting the entire world, with extreme weather conditions such as drought, heat waves, heavy raind, floods and landslides becoming more frequent, including in Europe. Other consequences of the rapidly changing climate […]
Read MoreEurobarometer: Citizens’ confidence in the EU is on the rise
The summer 2022 Standard Eurobarometer survey shows increased trust of citizens in the EU, and continued strong support for the EU’s response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. An overwhelming majority of EU citizens support investments in renewable energy and action to reduce the EU’s dependency on Russian energy sources. The approval rate of the […]
Read MoreStatement from Commission on migration and asylum
The Commission welcomes the political agreement between the co-legislators on a Joint Roadmap on the Common European Asylum System and the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. This confirms the joint commitment to take all necessary steps towards the adoption of the legislative proposals related to asylum and migration management before the end of the […]
Read MoreECB raises rates by 0.75 basis point
The Governing Council decided on 8 september to raise the three key ECB interest rates by 75 basis points. This major step frontloads the transition from the prevailing highly accommodative level of policy rates towards levels that will ensure the timely return of inflation to the ECB’s 2% medium-term target. Based on its current assessment, […]
Read MoreCommission registers two new initiatives, on renewable energy and on protecting rural heritage
The Commission decided to register two European Citizens’ Initiatives, entitled ‘Every European house equipped with 1 kW photovoltaic and 0.6 kW wind turbines using EU funding through the municipalities alone’ and ‘Protect the EU’s Rural Heritage, Food Security and Supply’. The organisers of the initiative on renewable energies call for action to build and install […]
Read MoreScience Fiction and Fantasy writers take centre stage at the 7th EU-China International Literary Festival
Leading science fiction and fantasy writers from all across Europe and China will come together at the 7th EU-China International Literary Festival to discuss their work, their creative ideas and the world that inspires them. Organized for the seventh time this year, the festival will take place from September 7-25, 2022, featuring a series of online literary […]
Read MoreStatement by President von der Leyen on energy
We are facing an extraordinary situation, not only because Russia is an unreliable supplier, as we have witnessed over the last days, weeks, months, but also because Russia is actively manipulating the gas market. I am deeply convinced that with our unity, our determination, our solidarity, we will prevail. And we have, over the last […]
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