The Commission proposes to strengthen the rules that prevent and combat trafficking in human beings. Every year over 7000 people become victims of human trafficking in the EU. That figure can be expected to be much higher as many victims remain undetected. The yearly cost of trafficking in human beings in the EU reaches EUR […]
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EU leaders addressed how to help Ukraine through the winter
EU leaders met in Brussels for a one-day summit. They adopted conclusions on Ukraine/Russia, energy and economy, security and defence, the Southern Neighbourhood, transatlantic relations and other items, covering Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran. Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine The European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and […]
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Commission welcomes the political agreement on new EU rules for pay transparency
The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the Directive on pay transparency measures. The initiative was an important element of the political guidelines of President von der Leyen and the Commission tabled its proposal on 4 March 2021. The new rules will provide for more transparency […]
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Holodomor: EP recognizes famine in Ukraine at Soviet hands as genocide
MEPs denounce that 90 years after the Holodomor famine, Russia is again committing horrible crimes in Ukraine. In a resolution adopted Thursday with 507 votes in favor, 12 against and 17 abstentions, the European Parliament recognizes the famine inflicted by the Soviet regime in Ukraine between 1932 and 1933 – known as the Holodomor – […]
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Cybersecurity: EU holds 8th dialogue with the United States
On 15-16 December 2022, the European Union and United States held the eighth EU-U.S. Cyber Dialogue in Washington, DC. This took place in the context of a dramatically deteriorated cyber threat environment due to Russia’s illegal military aggression against Ukraine, which has underlined the need for enhanced transatlantic cooperation and coordination to prevent, detect and […]
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Commission allocates €186 million to promote sustainable and high quality EU agri-food products
The European Commission will allocate €185.9 million in 2023 to fund promotion activities for sustainable and high quality EU agri-food products in the EU and worldwide. The 2023 promotion policy work programme adopted by the Commission contributes to the realisation of the political priorities of the European Commission for 2019-2024, in particular the Farm to Fork strategy. The promotion […]
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Ukraine: EU agrees ninth package of sanctions against Russia
The Commission welcomes the Council’s adoption of a ninth package of hard-hitting sanctions against Russia for its aggression against Ukraine. This responds to Russia’s continued escalation and illegal war against Ukraine, in particular as Russia is deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, seeking to paralyse the country at the beginning of the winter. The New […]
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Impact of EU sanctions on the Russian economy
Since Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Council has adopted eight packages of sanctions against Russia and Belarus. The sanctions aim at weakening Russia’s ability to finance the war and specifically target the political, military and economic elite responsible for the invasion. The restrictive measures do not target Russian society. […]
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Corruption scandal: MEPs insist on reforms for transparency and accountability
Parliament has reacted to recent allegations with immediate changes and demands for measures to close loopholes in existing transparency rules. Following Tuesday’s debate, Parliament has adopted a resolution on the suspicions of corruption by Qatar and the broader need for more transparency in the EU institutions, with 541 votes in favour, two against, and three abstentions. […]
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