In 2022, the prices of museums, libraries and zoological gardens in the EU increased by +4% compared with 2021, up from +3% in 2021 compared with 2020, as measured by the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP). During the pandemic year of 2020, the HICP for these cultural goods and services was at a five-year low of +2% compared […]
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Statements by Josep Borrell on behalf of the EU on the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
As we mark the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this year’s theme for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) – “Together Always: United in Diversity” – is a timely reminder that all human beings, regardless of who they are, whom they love, and how they see and define themselves, […]
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The European Commission proposes the most ambitious reform of the EU Customs Union since its creation in 1968
The measures proposed today present a world-leading, data-driven vision for EU Customs, which will massively simplify customs processes for business, especially for the most trustworthy traders. Embracing the digital transformation, the reform will cut down on cumbersome customs procedures, replacing traditional declarations with a smarter, data-led approach to import supervision. At the same time, customs […]
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Artificial intelligence, blockchain and the future of Europe
Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are two of the most significant disruptive technologies of our time, set to have a major impact on future societies and economies. But the European Union accounts only for 7% of annual equity investments in both technologies, while the US and China together account for 80%. However, the EU excels […]
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First EU-India Trade and Technology Council
The European Union and India have held their first ministerial meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) today in Brussels. The TTC is a key forum to deepen the strategic partnership on trade and technology between the two partners. Geostrategic challenges have reinforced the EU and India’s common interest in ensuring security, prosperity and […]
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Council adopts EU rules on crypto-assets market
The EU brings crypto-assets, crypto-assets issuers and crypto-asset service providers under a regulatory framework. Setting an EU level legal framework for this sector for the first time, the Council adopted a regulation on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA). MiCA will protect investors by increasing transparency and putting in place a comprehensive framework for issuers and service providers including compliance […]
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EU prisons: prison numbers and overcrowding
In 2021, there were 475 038 prisoners in the EU, equivalent to 106 prisoners per 100 000 people. The prisoner rate increased after a decline in 2020 (104 prisoners per 100 000 people) but remained the second-lowest figure since the turn of the century. The highest prisoner rates per 100 000 people in 2021 were […]
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2023 State of Schengen: achievements and key priorities
The Commission is presenting the second State of Schengen Report. This report is part of the Commission’s initiative to further reinforce the Schengen governance through a yearly reporting exercise presenting the state of Schengen, identifying challenges and best practices, as well as priority areas for action. The State of Schengen Report will serve as basis for […]
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Objective: Putting Europe at the forefront of the supercomputing revolution
The updated CORDIS project information package includes the latest research funded by the European Consortium for High Performance Computing (EC EuroHPC) leading to advances in climate modelling, personalised medicine and energy saving strategies. Supercomputers are advanced systems with extremely high capabilities, capable of solving computational problems that are orders of magnitude too complex for typical […]
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