On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Natura 2000 network, the EU Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius announced the winners of the 2022 edition of the Natura 2000 Awards. The six winners include projects from Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal, Spain and a cross-border project from Germany, Austria, […]
Read MoreCommission refers five Member States to the Court of Justice of the EU
The European Commission decided yesterday to refer Czechia [INFR 2020/0510], Ireland [INFR 2020/0531], Romania [INFR 2020/0555], Slovakia [INFR 2020/0563] and Spain [INFR 2020/0521], to the Court of Justice of the European Union over the failure to transpose the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (“AVMSD”, Directive (EU) 2018/1808), with a request to impose financial sanctions in accordance with Article 260(3) TFEU. The AVMSD governs EU-wide coordination of […]
Read MoreApiculture in the European Union
Honeybee colonies are essential for agriculture and the environment. They ensure plant reproduction by pollination, whilst beekeeping contributes to the development of rural areas. Beekeeping is practised in all EU countries and is characterised by diverse production conditions, yields and beekeeping practices. The EU is the second largest honey producer after China, but the […]
Read MoreIndonesia is connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate system
Good news for Indonesian and European travellers: EU and Indonesia have agreed the mutual recognition of their COVID vaccine certificates. This means that, when entering the EU or travelling between EU Member States, holders of the Indonesian vaccine certificate can use it under the same conditions as people holding the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC). […]
Read MoreGCC: EU unveils Strategic Partnership with the Gulf
The last Wednsaday, the High Representative and the European Commission adopted a Joint Communication on a ‘Strategic Partnership with the Gulf’ with the aim to broaden and deepen the European Union (EU)’s cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and its Member countries. A strengthened partnership is beneficial both for the EU and for the […]
Read More5th UfM Ministerial on Employment and Labour
Union for Mediterranean Ministers in charge of employment and labour have agreed joint actions for a better integration of social and labour markets in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Governments will focus on a stronger participation of young people and women in their societies and economies. They also stressed the need to continue measuring the impact of […]
Read MoreNato Salesman of the year is surprised by his own efficiency
Yesterday morning, Finland and Sweden simultaneously handed in their official letters of application to join NATO, a momentous step for the two historically militarily non-aligned countries. The decision was a direct reaction to Russia’s war in Ukraine. According to Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, “a chain of events leading to the applications had begun last December, with a statement […]
Read MoreThe Government of Spain supports Finland and Sweden’s future NATO membership
The Government of Spain supports the decision of the governments of Finland and Sweden to apply for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the result of a profound debate of their political and social forces and of a calm and responsible evaluation of the situation of the security architecture in Europe following Russia’s military […]
Read MoreUkraine’s financing gap and longer-term reconstruction
The Commission has set out plans in a Communication for the EU’s immediate response to address Ukraine’s financing gap, as well as the longer-term reconstruction framework. This Communication follows from the European Council call to address the consequences of the war in Ukraine via a dedicated Europe-led effort. Immediate response and short terms needs Since […]
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