The Council decided to impose restrictive measures on eight additional individuals and one entity responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. The Council is sanctioning Ariantel, an Iranian mobile service provider, which contributed to the telecommunications surveillance architecture mapped out by the Iranian government to quash dissent and critical voices in Iran. New listings also include lawmakers in […]
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Council adopts new rules on pay transparency
The Council has adopted new rules to combat pay discrimination and help close the gender pay gap in the EU. Under the pay transparency directive, EU companies will be required to share information about how much they pay women and men for work of equal value, and take action if their gender pay gap exceeds 5%. […]
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Geopolitical consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
At a meeting on 24 April, EU foreign affairs ministers focused on military support, restrictive measures, food security, and accountability but also the implementation of the action plan on the geopolitical consequences of this war. The EU aims to strengthen its partnerships around the world to reinforce global stability and growth. Sudan The Foreign Affairs […]
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Josep Borrell arrives in Colombia to strengthen relations with Latin America and the Caribbean
As part of the EU’s priority to strengthen relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, and ahead of the EU-CELAC Summit to be held in Brussels in July this year, EU High Representative and European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell will visit Colombia from April 25-30. On April 25, HRVP Borrell will represent the European […]
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EU and Norway sign Green Alliance to strengthen joint climate action
The European Union and Norway have established the Green Alliance to strengthen joint efforts on climate action, environmental protection and cooperation in the transition to clean energy and industry. The agreement was signed in Brussels by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. President von der Leyen said: “Norway is […]
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EU-US consultations underline shared commitment to Human Rights
In Brussels, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, and US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the US Department of State, Erin Barclay, co-chaired the 2023 EU-US Human Rights Consultations. The EU and United States reaffirmed their strong mutual commitment to the transatlantic partnership and underscored its […]
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Do you know how the European Union promotes reading?
International Book Day is celebrated every 23 April. The date coincides with the deaths of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. The initiative was launched by UNESCO in 1995 and aims to promote reading and protect copyright. This date is celebrated all over the world by book lovers. A cultural […]
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Main results of the informal meeting of environment ministers
Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari hosted an informal meeting of EU environment ministers in Stockholm on 18–19 April, which was also attended by business leaders from across the EU. The focal points of the meeting included the green transition and the role of business in promoting biodiversity, circularity and competitiveness. The meeting […]
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European Parliament agrees to start negotiating with Member States on reform of asylum and migration policy
Plenary agreed to open talks with EU member states on several migration and asylum policy files. MEPs approved entering into interinstitutional negotiations on all the files on which they voted. Screening of third-country nationals The decision to start negotiations on this new regulation was confirmed with 419 votes in favour, 126 against and 30 abstentions. For the centralised […]
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