The Commission welcomes the Council’s adoption of a ninth package of hard-hitting sanctions against Russia for its aggression against Ukraine. This responds to Russia’s continued escalation and illegal war against Ukraine, in particular as Russia is deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, seeking to paralyse the country at the beginning of the winter. The New […]
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Impact of EU sanctions on the Russian economy
Since Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Council has adopted eight packages of sanctions against Russia and Belarus. The sanctions aim at weakening Russia’s ability to finance the war and specifically target the political, military and economic elite responsible for the invasion. The restrictive measures do not target Russian society. […]
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Corruption scandal: MEPs insist on reforms for transparency and accountability
Parliament has reacted to recent allegations with immediate changes and demands for measures to close loopholes in existing transparency rules. Following Tuesday’s debate, Parliament has adopted a resolution on the suspicions of corruption by Qatar and the broader need for more transparency in the EU institutions, with 541 votes in favour, two against, and three abstentions. […]
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European Parliament adopt three resolutions on the respect for human rights in China, Chad and Bahrain
Chinese government crackdown on the peaceful protests across the People’s Republic of China MEPs express their support for protesters fighting for fundamental rights who are being persecuted by the Chinese government, notably in the context of the zero COVID-19 policy. They are concerned about violations of freedoms of expression, association, assembly, press and media in […]
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MEPs back plans to boost the deployment of renewables because of energy crisis
Faster procedures to issue permits for renewable energy installations A boost for the EU’s domestic production amid energy crisis The scheme will reduce dependence on fossil fuels imported from Russia In their amendments to the Commission proposal, MEPs shortened the maximum period to approve new installations from twelve to nine months, if located in so-called […]
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EU institutions agree on joint priorities for 2023 and 2024
A Joint Declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2023 and 2024 was signed by the Presidents of Parliament, Council and Commission. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, for the Council of the European Union, and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed the Joint Declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2023 and 2024, building on […]
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Joint EU-US statement following the justice and home affairs ministerial meeting
Joint EU-US statement following the justice and home affairs ministerial meeting On 15 December 2022, the United States hosted the EU-U.S. Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs at Department of Homeland Security Headquarters in Washington D.C. The United States was represented by Secretary for Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and U.S. Attorney General Merrick […]
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Industrial investments in research and development in the EU again on the rise
The 2022 edition of the EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard, published by the Commission, shows that Europe’s industry is back on track in research and development investments with an increase of 8.9% in 2021 compared to the -2.2 % pandemic-related dip in 2020. The EU remains the global leader in R&D investments by the automotive sector, where the transformation […]
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New Common Agricultural Policy: set for 1 January 2023
The approval of all 28 Strategic Plans (one for each EU country and two for Belgium) by the European Commission marks the start of the new Common Agricultural Policy, scheduled on 1 January 2023. €264 billion of EU funding will support European farmers in the transition towards a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector, and help […]
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