With 69% of world production, the EU is the largest manufacturer, exporter and consumer of olive oil in the world. However, due to its high economic value compared to other food products, olive oil is considered at high risk of non-compliances and fraud. For producing Member States, the EU framework for conformity checks effectively contributed to […]
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EU-Vietnam trade deal: interview with MEP Geert Bourgeois
Geert Bourgeois, the MEP in charge of steering the agreements through Parliament, explains the economic, social and environmental benefits. Overview of what changes the EU-Vietnam trade deal would bring about The aim is to eliminate 99% of tariffs within seven years. This should result in €15 billion a year in additional exports from Vietnam to […]
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An EU-funded proyect will unveil some of the Universe’s greatest mysteries
Gamma rays are 10 trillion times more energetic than visible light and our Universe generates a lot of them in association with extreme events. A next-generation telescope array will soon be probing the cosmos for this signal to solve mysteries about phenomena from black holes to supernovas. The electromagnetic (EM spectrum) is the continuous and […]
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Involving citizens to ensure better results in Cohesion Policy
The Commission decided to launch two new pilot actions to involve citizens more when rolling out cohesion projects on the ground. Aim The aim is to support active involvement of citizens and civil society organisations in the way the EU funds are planned, invested and monitored, to ultimately ensure better results. Under these pilot actions, […]
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Safe and clean drinking water in the EU
The EU is ensuring that tap water across the EU is safe to drink. Recently, the Council’s Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) confirmed the provisional agreement that was reached with the European Parliament on 18 December 2019 on a proposal to revise the drinking water directive. Today’s endorsement clears the way for final adoption. Helathy water […]
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Judgment of the European Court of Justice in favour of the free movement of high-ranking sports workers
In the judgment in Generálny riaditeľ Sociálnej poisťovne Bratislava (C-447/18), delivered on 18 December 2019, the Court held that Article 7(2) of Regulation No 492/2011 on freedom of movement for workers,1 which provides that a worker who is a national of one Member State is to enjoy, in the territory of another Member State, the […]
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The history of Europe in Parliament’s timeline
The European Parliament, the only directly elected EU body, is an integral part of the European project. It has undergone a gradual but deep transformation from a consultative body with few formal powers to a co-legislator on an equal footing with the Council of the EU, representing the member states. Interactive history Delve into the interactive […]
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ECB’s subscribed capital to remain steady after Bank of England leaves the European System of Central Banks
Total subscribed capital of the ECB to remain at €10.8 billion ECB to repay Bank of England’s share in its paid-up capital (€58 million) Bank of England’s share in ECB’s subscribed capital to be reallocated among remaining national central banks The European Central Bank (ECB) will keep its subscribed capital steady at €10.8 billion after […]
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How many seats does each country get in the European Parliament?
The distribution of seats in the European Parliament has been modified following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. From 1 February, the Parliament counts 705 seats compared with 751 (the maximum allowed under the EU treaties) before the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on 31 January 2020. Twenty-seven of the UK’s 73 seats have been […]
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