On 19th July the EU opened accession negotiations with Albania. This follows a decision by the Council on 25 March 2020 to open accession negotiations, which was endorsed by the members of the European Council on 26 March 2020, as well as the approval by the Council on 18 July 2022 of the Negotiating Framework […]
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EU-China: A stable global economy is a shared responsibility
Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and Vice-Premier Liu He chaired today the 9th EU-China High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue (HED). Commissioner Mairead McGuinness also participated in the exchanges, in particular on financial services. The HED focused on global economic challenges, disruptions of supply chains caused by COVID-19 and the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including on food, energy and […]
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DMA: Council gives final approval to new rules for fair competition online
On 18 July, the Council gave its final approval on new rules for a fair and competitive digital sector through the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA ensures a digital level playing field that establishes clear rights and rules for large online platforms (‘gatekeepers’) and makes sure that none of them abuses their position. Regulating the […]
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Foreign information manipulation and interference: Council approves conclusions stepping up EU’s engagement and ability to respond
The Council today approved conclusions on foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its war propaganda have underlined the urgency of tackling foreign information manipulation and interference targeting not only Russian, but global audiences. The conclusions underline how foreign information manipulation and interference is often used as part of broader hybrid campaigns and […]
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ECDC releases publications on COVID-19 vaccination strategies
Following the joint statement from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on 11 July 2022, ECDC has released Preliminary public health considerations for COVID-19 vaccination strategies in the second half of 2022. ECDC, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, has […]
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Droughts in Europe in July 2022: almost half of the EU +UK territory at risk
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has published the “Drought in Europe – July 2022” report, an assessment of Europe’s drought situation based on the European Drought Observatory. The analysis of the evolution and impact of the prolonged drought in the EU shows that a staggering portion of Europe is currently exposed to warning (44% of […]
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EU and Azerbaijan enhance bilateral relations, including energy cooperation
On 18 July in Baku, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson met with President Ilham Aliyev and Azeri Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov to strengthen the existing cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan. The two Presidents signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy. Currently, the EU […]
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Foreign Affairs Council, 18 July 2022
Russian aggression against Ukraine The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine. At the beginning of the meeting the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, briefly addressed EU ministers via video conference, and briefed them about the latest developments on the ground and the dramatic effects of the Russian aggression on the civilian population in […]
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Ministers discuss agri-food market situation and agree to boost EU aquaculture
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Ministers discussed the implementation of the new CAP and the approval of strategic plans. They exchanged views on the preparation process at national level and stressed the need to have the strategic plans approved as soon as possible. Ministers also discussed the impact of the Russian war against Ukraine on the ongoing implementation of the new green […]
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