A massive international organised crime ring has been broken up in a joint operation between the Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) and the German Criminal Bureau (Landeskriminalamt) of Hamburg. The disrupted criminal network provided financial services to various criminal organisations mainly linked to drug trafficking. During an action day in May 2022, law enforcement conducted […]
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Extraordinary Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 9 de septiembre de 2022
Main results EU energy ministers held two exchanges of views on the energy situation in the EU. Measures to mitigate high energy prices During the first discussion ministers expressed their preferences on different policy options to alleviate the burden of high energy prices on citizens, public services, businesses and industry, which could be implemented at the EU-level in a short […]
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EU ministers agree statement in support of additional €5 billion assistance for Ukraine
EU finance ministers and Central Bank governors met with representatives of the European Commission and the ECB at the informal Ecofin Council meeting in Prague today. The finance ministers discussed the impact of the Russian aggression in Ukraine on the European economies and supported the swift adoption of additional financial assistance to Ukraine amounting to […]
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Council adopts full suspension of visa facilitation with Russia
The Council adopted a decision that fully suspends the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia. Consequently, the general rules of the visa code will apply to Russian citizens. This will result in an increase in the visa application fee from €35 to €80, the need to present additional documentary evidence, increased visa processing […]
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What is carbon neutrality and how can it be achieved by 2050?
With the European Climate Law, the EU is committing to carbon neutrality by 2050. What does that mean in practice? Climate change is already affecting the entire world, with extreme weather conditions such as drought, heat waves, heavy raind, floods and landslides becoming more frequent, including in Europe. Other consequences of the rapidly changing climate […]
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Eurobarometer: Citizens’ confidence in the EU is on the rise
The summer 2022 Standard Eurobarometer survey shows increased trust of citizens in the EU, and continued strong support for the EU’s response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. An overwhelming majority of EU citizens support investments in renewable energy and action to reduce the EU’s dependency on Russian energy sources. The approval rate of the […]
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Statement from Commission on migration and asylum
The Commission welcomes the political agreement between the co-legislators on a Joint Roadmap on the Common European Asylum System and the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. This confirms the joint commitment to take all necessary steps towards the adoption of the legislative proposals related to asylum and migration management before the end of the […]
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ECB raises rates by 0.75 basis point
The Governing Council decided on 8 september to raise the three key ECB interest rates by 75 basis points. This major step frontloads the transition from the prevailing highly accommodative level of policy rates towards levels that will ensure the timely return of inflation to the ECB’s 2% medium-term target. Based on its current assessment, […]
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Commission registers two new initiatives, on renewable energy and on protecting rural heritage
The Commission decided to register two European Citizens’ Initiatives, entitled ‘Every European house equipped with 1 kW photovoltaic and 0.6 kW wind turbines using EU funding through the municipalities alone’ and ‘Protect the EU’s Rural Heritage, Food Security and Supply’. The organisers of the initiative on renewable energies call for action to build and install […]
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