What is causing the food crisis? Russia’s war in Ukraine is driving food prices up to an all-time high. Global agricultural commodity prices have been constantly rising since mid-2020 against the backdrop of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, soaring fertiliser and energy prices and a global deterioration of macroeconomic conditions. Russia’s military aggression against […]
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ECB will apply flexibility in reinvesting redemptions coming due in the PEPP portfolio
The Governing Council met to exchange views on the current market situation. Since the gradual process of policy normalisation was initiated in December 2021, the Governing Council has pledged to act against resurgent fragmentation risks. The pandemic has left lasting vulnerabilities in the euro area economy which are indeed contributing to the uneven transmission of […]
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Commission launches infringement proceedings against the UK
The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against the United Kingdom for not complying with significant parts of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland. Despite repeated calls on the UK government to implement the Protocol, it has failed to do so. This is a clear breach of international law. The aim of these infringement […]
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Defence and energy autonomy seen as key to 2022
A Eurobarometer shows that European citizens support massively a common security and defence policy and expect the EU to phase out its dependency on Russian sources of energy. The survey also confirms the large support for the EU’s response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The EU’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – In line with […]
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Forest fires: European Commission puts its firefighting fleet in place for the 2022 season
As of today, the EU’s fleet of firefighting aircraft will be operational to help European countries fight forest fires throughout peak season. The fleet is part of rescEU, a European reserve of resources that responds to emergencies. Positioned in Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Sweden, 12 firefighting airplanes and 1 firefighting helicopter will be […]
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Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the water infrastructure sector over alleged bid-rigging
The European Commission is conducting unannounced inspections in a Member State at the premises of companies active in the construction of networks and treatment plants for drinking water and wastewater. The Commission has concerns that certain companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on […]
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EU renews its support for the Palestinian people with a €224.8 million assistance package
On 14th June, the European Commission has approved a new bilateral allocation to Palestine worth €224.8 million. This new assistance package will support the Palestinian Authority and crucial projects in the occupied Palestinian territory. This package complements previous contributions, such as €92 million to support UNRWA, bringing the total EU assistance to the Palestinians in 2021 to €317 million. […]
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The EU and FIIAPP, through the ICRIME project, deliver modern equipment to the Scientific Police of the Dominican Republic
In order to strengthen actions in the fight against organized crime in the member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA), the Dominican Republic’s Forensic Police received a donation of innovative equipment that will allow them to improve their forensic investigation capabilities. This donation is part of the actions contemplated in the project “Cooperation […]
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MEPs call on UK not to adopt new bill
The UK Contact Group co-Chairs David McAllister, Bernd Lange and Nathalie Loiseau issued the following statement on Tuesday after a meeting with Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič. “We are deeply concerned with the UK’s unilateral action, which constitutes a serious and unacceptable breach of international law. The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill puts into question the credibility […]
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