President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has launched the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, a new forum mandated to shape a shared vision for the future of the EU’s farming and food system. The Strategic Dialogue, announced by the President in her 2023 State of the Union address, will address challenges and […]
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The keys to the EU’s new Artificial Intelligence law
Did you know that the EU will be the first to establish clear rules for the use of Artificial Intelligence? Here’s what they will consist of. Last December, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on what is the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation. This law stems from the European Commission’s 2021 […]
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Practical arrangements for the participation of Commissioners in European and national elections
The European Commission has issued, based on guidelines adopted in 2019, a reinforced guidance on ethical standards for Members of the Commission who take part in electoral campaigns for the European Parliament. In addition, dedicated guidelines have also been developed regarding participation in election campaigns at Member State level. Both guidelines build on opinions of the Commission’s Independent Ethical Committee and […]
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European Commission proposes structured dialogue with Spain on the Spanish General Council of the Judiciary
In its 2022 and 2023 Rule of Law Report for Spain, the Commission had made the following recommendation: “Proceed with the renewal of the Council for the Judiciary as a matter of priority and initiate, immediately after the renewal, a process in view of adapting the appointment of its judges-members, taking into account European standards […]
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27 January: Holocaust Remembrance Day: “Hitler did not win!”
27 January marks the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. On Thursday, Irene Shashar, a survivor of the Warsaw ghetto, addressed MEPs in a plenary session in Brussels to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. “We pay tribute today to the victims of the Holocaust […]
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Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of Air Europa by IAG
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of sole control of Air Europa Holding, S.L. (‘Air Europa’) by International Consolidated Airlines Group, S.A. (‘IAG’). The Commission has preliminary concerns that the transaction may reduce competition in the market for passenger air transport services on […]
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Commission decides to register two new European Citizens’ Initiatives
The European Commission decided to register two European Citizens’ Initiatives, entitled ‘Ban on conversion practices in the European Union’ and ‘European Citizens’ Initiative in Defence of Agriculture and Rural Economy in Europe’. The organisers of the ‘Ban on conversion practices in the European Union’ initiative call for a ban on interventions aimed at changing, repressing or suppressing […]
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Commission proposes to improve European Works Councils to strengthen transnational social dialogue
The Commission proposes to revise the European Works Councils (EWCs) Directive to further improve social dialogue in the EU. EWCs are information and consultation bodies that ensure that employees are involved in decisions related to transnational issues. They concern companies with more than 1,000 employees operating in at least two EU or European Economic Area […]
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Commission launches AI innovation package to support Artificial Intelligence startups and SMEs
The Commission has launched a package of measures to support European startups and SMEs in the development of trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) that respects EU values and rules. This follows the political agreement reached in December 2023 on the EU AI Act – the world’s first comprehensive law on Artificial Intelligence – which will support the […]
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