The European Parliament will vote on a proposal to have more common rules for EU elections and the addition of an EU-wide constituency. The EU elections determine the representatives of Europeans at EU level, but how they are organised is largely decided at national level. This means that countries vote on different days, only national […]
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EU COVID Certificate: committee backs one-year extension to ensure free movement
On Thursday, the Civil Liberties Committee endorsed proposals to keep the EU Digital COVID Certificate framework in place for another year. To ensure that EU citizens can benefit from their right to free movement regardless of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs approved two reports to […]
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Chile and Europe united for the development of Green Hydrogen
In Santiago de Chile yesterday, 28 April 2022 , with the participation of Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the work plans that the EU and Chile have jointly defined for sustainable transformation were presented to Chile’s ministers and leaders. The European Union (EU) and Chile are […]
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Commission announces the winners of the first Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards
Today, the European Commission announced the winners of the first European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards, aimed at highlighting towns, cities and regions across the EU leading by example in inclusive policies. The winners, spread across five Member States – Croatia, Germany, Romania, Spain and Sweden – have been recognised for their work to build […]
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Josep Borrell’s statement on the alignment of some countries regarding measures threatening Ukraine’s independence
On 21 April 2022, the Council adopted Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/6601. The Council decided to add two individuals to the list of persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania2, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and […]
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Visa Digitalisation: Visa travel to the EU becomes easier
This week, the Commission has proposed the digitalisation of the Schengen visa process, replacing the visa sticker, and introducing the possibility to submit visa applications online through the European online visa platform. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum set the objective to fully digitalise visa procedures by 2025. It is an opportunity to effectively improve […]
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Biodiversity and peace: joint EU cooperation priorities with Colombia
As part of his visit to Colombia to prepare for the Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity (COP 15), which will take place in the second half of 2022, the Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkeviĉius, has presented the joint priority areas of cooperation with Colombia. The European Union (EU) will provide […]
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Commission tackles abusive lawsuits against journalists and human rights defenders ‘SLAPPs’
27th April, the European Commission took action to improve protection of journalists and human rights defenders from abusive court proceedings. Strategic lawsuits against public participation, commonly known as ‘SLAPPs’, are a particular form of harassment used primarily against journalists and human rights defenders to prevent or penalise speaking up on issues of public interest. The […]
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Ukraine’s reconstruction: the messages of Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel
Both European leaders sent messages of encouragement to both the Ukrainian president and the Ukrainian people, hoping for a speedy recovery and restoration of the country after the Russian-initiated conflict. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began her remarks to the Ukrainian leader by referring to him by both his presidential title and his […]
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