While the Commission will continue to do its utmost to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with the UK, there is now significant uncertainty whether a deal will be in place on 1 January 2021. The European Commission has put forward a set of targeted contingency measures ensuring basic reciprocal air and road connectivity between the […]
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Driving hydrogen mobility forward in Europe
During European Hydrogen Week, stakeholders discussed the achievements of EU-funded flagship projects advancing hydrogen technology in the transport sector. Hydrogen is playing a vital role in the race to create a sustainable European economy. On 23-27 November, the first-ever European Hydrogen Week was held in recognition of this renewable energy source’s important role in Europe’s […]
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Joint statement by the co-chairs of the EU-UK Joint Committee
The co-chairs of the EU-UK Joint Committee – European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and the UK Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Rt Hon Michael Gove – held a political meeting to address the outstanding issues related to the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement. Ensuring that the Withdrawal Agreement, in particular the Protocol on […]
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Poland should stop the stigmatisation of LGBTI people
“Public officials and opinion makers should stop promoting an atmosphere of hate and intolerance vis-à-vis LGBTI people and instead, improve respect for their human rights. Stigmatisation and hate speech carry a real risk of legitimising violence. LGBTI are people, not an ideology”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, in a memorandum published today in […]
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EU-US: A new transatlantic agenda for global change
The European Commission and the High Representative are today putting forward a proposal for a new, forward-looking transatlantic agenda. While the past years have been tested by geopolitical power shifts, bilateral tensions and unilateral tendencies, the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris, combined with a more assertive and capable European Union and a […]
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Blockchain: Enemy or ally in the fight against climate change?
Blockchain, a digital ledger technology, is widely known for its application to cryptocurrencies. Introduced in 2008 to serve as a public transaction ledger for Bitcoin, the technology has given rise to hundreds of cryptocurrencies (e.g. Ethereum, Ripple, NEO, Litecoin), as well as having other emerging applications in diverse fields, including supply chains, digital content, patents, smart contracts, […]
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The convinced European Valéry Giscard dies
Valéry Giscard, who worked for most of his life for the construction of the European Union, dies at the age of 94 from COVID-19. Valéry Giscard d’Estaing was a great European whose stamp is present in great milestones in the history of the European Union, such as the creation of the European Council, the election […]
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EU and Southeast Asian ministers agree on Strategic Partnership
The 23rd ASEAN-EU ministerial video conference brought together foreign ministers of the European Union and their counterparts from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). They reaffirmed the significant role played by ASEAN and the European Union in shaping the political, socio-economic, and security agenda for both regions and globally, […]
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EU arrest warrant: raise mutual trust to ensure recognition of court decisions
Possible enlargement of the list of offenses that allow for more automatic surrender Concern over prison conditions in certain member states The EU Arrest Warrant is an effective tool against serious cross-border crimes and to bring perpetrators of serious crimes to justice, say MEPs, noting some problems that need addressing. With 45 votes to 14 […]
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