Thank you very much Mr President, dear Volodymyr, Thank you for your words and thank you for welcoming me for the second time now here in Kyiv. I am deeply touched and humbled by the strength and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Two months after my first visit, we see that the brutal fighting continues in the east and in the south. But I […]
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EU sets up €20 million support for Ukrainian start-ups
The European Commission has launched an ambitious €20 million action to support the Ukrainian innovation community. Through a targeted amendment of the 2022 European Innovation Council (EIC) work programme, the new initiative will support at least 200 Ukrainian deep tech start-ups with up to €60,000 each. In addition, the EIC will offer non-financial support, such as business […]
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EU must sanction judges responsible for repression in Nicaragua
The European Parliament on 9th June condemned the persecution of the opposition, the press and civil society in Nicaragua and called on the EU to take measures to stop the repressive drift in the country. In a resolution adopted with 524 votes in favour, 17 against and 29 abstentions, the fifth on Nicaragua in this […]
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Council adopts negotiating mandate on two proposals to improve information exchange
To step up the fight against cross-border crime, the Council today adopted its negotiating mandates on a proposal regarding digital information exchange in terrorism cases and a proposal to establish a collaboration platform for joint investigation teams. These proposals are part of ongoing efforts to modernise and digitalise cross-border judicial cooperation, making it easier for […]
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The Council notes the need to protect children facing armed conflicts
Against the background of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Council notes the need to protect children facing armed conflicts and their consequences, in particular to protect them from recruitment by armed forces, trafficking in human beings, illegal adoption, sexual exploitation and separation from their families. Fighting child sexual abuse The Council calls on […]
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Parliament activates process to change EU Treaties
On Thursday, Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the European Council to agree to start the process to revise the EU Treaties. In light of the array of ongoing and recent crises, MEPs used their prerogative to call for the Treaties to be changed by: reforming voting procedures in the Council to enhance the European Union’s capacity […]
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Right to safe and legal abortion must be safeguarded, MEPs demand
MEPs condemn the backsliding in women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide including in the US and some EU countries, calling for safe access to abortion. Following a plenary debate on Wednesday, MEPs adopted a resolution on Thursday by 364 votes in favour, 154 against and 37 abstentions reminding the United States Supreme Court that it […]
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Council adopts its position on new rules for consumer credit
The Council agreed its position (‘general approach’) on the revision of the consumer credit directive. The revised directive repeals and replaces the current 2008 directive on credit agreements. Since 2008, the increasing digitalisation of the European economy has led to significant changes in the consumer credit market. This has led to the emergence of new […]
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EU supports ICC investigation Russian war crimes in Ukraine
The European Commission has launched a new project, under its Foreign Policy Instrument, to support the investigation capacities of the International Criminal Court (ICC) with €7.25 million. This project, which was first announced by HRVP in Kyiv, is part of the EU’s efforts to fight impunity for international crimes globally. In particular, it will […]
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