What will Europe’s environment look like in 25 years? Will we achieve our common vision of ‘living well, within the limits of our planet’? Will we be able to limit global warming and build climate-resilient cities surrounded by healthy nature? Europeans are increasingly concerned as recent European Parliament elections showed. Europe’s next generation is also […]
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North Korea: EU renews its autonomous sanctions on individuals and entities
The Council reviewed its autonomous list of those subject to restrictive measures under the sanctions regime against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). It confirmed the sanctions in place, which consist of a travel ban and an asset freeze, on the listed individuals and entities. The individuals and entities listed are under sanctions for […]
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Imports of hormone-free beef: EU-US agreement confirmed
The European Union and the United States of America will soon sign an agreement reviewing the functioning of an existing trade arrangement ensuring an autonomous tariff quota (TRQ) for imports of high-quality beef into the EU. This will provide a solution to a longstanding dispute in the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the issue. The Council today adopted a […]
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European Union presents EU progress on Sustainable Development Goals at UN High Level Political Forum in New York
Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica and Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella are attending the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development this week, to present the EU’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals – both within the European Union and internationally. A detailed review of progress will be presented at the main EU side-event co-hosted with Finland on Thursday […]
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Juncker Plan: €800 million for innovative small and medium-sized businesses in eleven countries
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and ProCredit Group are providing €800 million to innovative small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the core element of the Investment Plan for Europe, or “Juncker Plan”, and the InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility. Financing innovative SMEs The EIF-backed financing is now available through ProCredit banks […]
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What to expect from the new Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Finland took over the six-monthly presidency of the EU Council on 1 July. Finnish MEPs explained their expectations for this period. The slogan of the Finnish presidency is “sustainable Europe, sustainable future” and during the six-month term sustainability will be key. Instead of giving traditional presidency gifts, Finland will use the budget to offset greenhouse […]
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Croatia declares its intention to join the euro area
In the margins of the Eurogroup meeting, representatives of the eurozone member states, the European Central Bank (ECB) and Denmark met in the presence of the European Commission and Croatia to discuss prospects of Croatia’s participation in the ERM II. Croatia’s intention to join ERM II shows that the eurozone is a solid anchor of […]
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European Commission supports seamless mobile phone use throughout Cyprus
As of this past weekend, Cypriot mobile subscribers can use their telephones throughout the territory of Cyprus without interruption, as previously mobile services were cancelled when crossing the green line between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This confidence-building initiative was reconfirmed by the two leaders, President Nicos Anastasiades and […]
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The 2019 European elections: A pro-European – and young – electorate with clear expectations
European Parliament publishes first results of its post-electoral Eurobarometer survey. Results of the survey A significant increase in young people with a pro-European mind-set cast a vote in the 2019 European elections, according to an in-depth Eurobarometer survey across all 28 member states. Conducted in the weeks after the elections, nearly 28.000 citizens throughout the […]
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