The European Commission set out its ideas for shaping the Conference on the Future of Europe, which should be launched on Europe Day, 9 May 2020 and run for two years. The Communication adopted is the Commission’s contribution to the already lively debate around the Conference on the Future of Europe – a project announced by President […]
Read MoreBrexit: protecting the rights of EU citizens living in the UK
Parliament is fighting to protect the rights of EU citizens in the UK and of British citizens in the EU after Brexit. Although few of them were allowed to vote during the referendum, the millions of EU citizens living in the UK will be among those affected the most by Brexit. Their rights are covered […]
Read MoreJanuary 2020 euro area bank lending survey
Credit standards remained broadly unchanged for both loans to enterprises and housing loans Demand for loans to enterprises declined, while demand for housing loans increased further Euro area banks use TLTRO-III liquidity largely for granting loans Credit standards – i.e. banks’ internal guidelines or loan approval criteria – remained broadly unchanged for both loans to […]
Read MoreThe effect of wastewater contaminants on crops
Growing antibiotic resistance is risking the health of future populations. As part of the problem stems from antibiotics entering agriculture via treated wastewater. Current situation With increasing demand for freshwater resources due to climate change and global population growth, reusing wastewater has become a viable alternative for crop irrigation in water stressed regions. However, this […]
Read MoreRemembering the Holocaust, fighting anti-Semitism
The International Holocaust Remembrance Day is celebrated every year on January 27, the same date on which in 1945 the Soviet troops released the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. That is why His Majesty Felipe VI on the occasion of the “International Leaders Forum” will attend the Fifth World Holocaust Forum. The Forum will be held on Thursday […]
Read MoreECHA will work on healthier potable water
ECHA will start to compile a list of substances that can be safely used in materials that come into contact with drinking water. The aim is to improve consumer protection and ensure equal safety standards for industry. With the recast of the Drinking Water Directive, ECHA has been given a task to compile and manage […]
Read MoreEIB and BBVA provide €600m to support SMEs
EIB is providing BBVA with a €300m guarantee to expand its SME financing capacity Part of this guarantee – €150m- is being granted with Investment Plan for Europe support The European Investment Bank (EIB) and BBVA are joining forces to provide financing on favourable terms for Spanish SMEs and mid-caps. EU bank Vice-President Emma Navarro […]
Read MoreClimate diplomacy: Council renews the EU’s commitment for climate action
Foreign ministers today discussed climate diplomacy and restated the political centrality of climate action for the European Union. Following the discussion, the Council adopted conclusions on climate diplomacy. This is a clear sign that in 2020 climate will be one of the priorities in the EU’s external policy. Conclusions The Council recalls that climate change is an existential threat to humanity and […]
Read MorePE plenary highlights: European Green Deal, future of Europe, Brexit
During the first plenary session of 2020, Parliament called for more ambitious measures to tackle climate change and to put citizens at the centre of an initiative to reform the EU. Parliament supported the European Commission’s plan for the EU to become climate neutral by 2050 on Wednesday and called for a higher 2030 emissions reduction target […]
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