MEPs on Thursday approved draft legislation to improve the labelling and durability of products as well as cracking down on misleading advertising. The proposed new directive, which gives consumers greater decision-making rights in the process of organic processing, was adopted in plenary by 544 votes to 18, with 17 abstentions. Its main aim is to […]
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The European Commission approves an aid scheme of 837 million euros to Spain for the production of car batteries
The European Commission has approved a €837 million Spanish scheme to support the production of batteries for the industrial chain of electric and connected vehicles to foster the transition to a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the […]
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Commission launches pilot system to monitor semiconductor supply chain
The European Commission has launched the Semiconductor Alert System, a new pilot system to monitor the semiconductor supply chain. The pilot allows stakeholders to raise awareness on any critical disruption along the semiconductors’ value chain and helps the Commission to gather information needed to establish a precise assessment of risks and to quickly react to any potential crisis situation via the European […]
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The General Court of the European Union annuls Germany’s €6 billion bailout of Lufthansa
The Commission committed several errors, in particular, by considering that Lufthansa was unable to obtain financing on the markets for the entirety of its needs, by failing to require a mechanism incentivising Lufthansa to buy back Germany’s shareholding as quickly as possible, by denying that Lufthansa held significant market power at certain airports, and by […]
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European Parliament gives green light to EU accession to Istanbul Convention
On Wednesday, Parliament approved the EU’s accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women. Six years after the EU signed the Istanbul Convention – the first legally binding international instrument on preventing and combating violence against women and girls – it has still not been ratified because of the refusal of […]
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EU is one step closer to first Artificial Intelligence rules
To ensure a human-centric and ethical development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Europe, MEPs endorsed new transparency and risk-management rules for AI systems. On Thursday, the Internal Market Committee and the Civil Liberties Committee adopted a draft negotiating mandate on the first ever rules for Artificial Intelligence with 84 votes in favour, 7 against and […]
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European Commission raises EUR 9 billion in new issue for recovery fund and Ukraine
The sixth syndicated transaction for 2023 by the European Commission, which issues EU-Bonds on behalf of the EU, raised €9 billion today in a dual-tranche deal. Two tranches were included in it: a new 3-year line with a due date of October 5, 2026, for which €5 billion were issued, and a tap of a […]
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The European Parliament calls for better controls on the implementation of recovery funds, citing the case of Spain
On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved the implementation of the EU’s 2021 budget for most of the EU institutions, except the European Council. Most of the EU’s expenditure is managed by the European Commission, whose budgetary performance was approved by the European Parliament with 421 votes in favour, 151 against and 5 abstentions. In 2021, […]
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EU launches Humanitarian Air Bridge to provide essential supplies to Sudan
In view of the rising humanitarian needs due to the raging conflict in Sudan, the EU launched a Humanitarian Air Bridge transporting critical supplies to our humanitarian partners in Port Sudan. The 30 tonnes of essential items, including water, sanitation and hygiene as well as shelter equipment were transported from the warehouses of the United […]
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