The European Commission decided to exclude Chinese companies from EU government purchases of medical devices exceeding €5 million. This measure follows the conclusions of the first investigation under the International Procurement Instrument (IPI), and allows no more than 50% of inputs from China for successful bids. This response is proportionate to China’s barriers, while ensuring that all the necessary medical devices […]
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Europe’s bathing waters safe for summer swimming
From Europe’s coastal waters to its inland bathing sites, a large majority of Europe’s waters are safe to swim in, according to the latest European bathing water assessment for the 2024 bathing season, published today. It found that over 85% of monitored locations met the European Union’s most stringent ‘excellent’ bathing water quality standards last […]
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Statement by european ministers concerning escalation in the Middle East
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (E3), together with the High Representative of the European Union, met with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva on Friday, 20 June 2025. They shared their grave concerns with regard to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and reiterated their […]
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8 arrests for migrant smuggling and drug trafficking across the Mediterranean
Europol has supported Spanish authorities (Policía Nacional) in a transnational operation against a highly-organised network involved in both migrant smuggling and drug trafficking between Spain and Morocco. Authorities believe the group smuggled over 200 people and obtained over EUR 2.5 million in profits. The action day led to the following results: 8 arrests, including the […]
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EP calls for more coordinated and resilient European electricity grids
Parliament on Thursday put forward measures to modernise the EU’s electricity grid, make it more resilient, integrate renewables and speed up permitting. The text adopted by the plenary calls for the implementation of the European action plan for electricity grids and stresses the need for ambitious investment and substantial improvements in infrastructure, with the aim […]
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Commission welcomes deal to simplify and strengthen carbon border adjustment mechanism
The European Commission welcomed the provisional political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council last June 18 on the Commission proposal to simplify and strengthen the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). On 26 February 2025, the Commission proposed simplifications to the CBAM regulation to reduce administrative burdens for businesses, while maintaining the functionality […]
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Commission refers Spain to CJEU for failure to comply with labor standards
The European Commission has decided to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to fully transpose the Directive on transparent and predictable working conditions (Directive 2019/1152) into national law. EU rules require, for example, that workers receive timely and complete information on key aspects of their employment, such as […]
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Agreement reached to suspend visa-free travel over security and rights concerns
EP and Council teams have reached an agreement on grounds for suspending visa-free travel for short stays into the EU. A reform of the mechanism to suspend short-stay visa-free travel into the EU, agreed today between Parliament and Council negotiating teams, will allow the EU to respond more flexibly when countries backslide on important principles […]
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CETA evaluation shows strong economic and social benefits
A study published last June 16 has found the EU and Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) boosted trade exports and diversified supply chains across all EU Member States. The study – carried out by independent experts, as part of the Commission’s commitment to evidence-based policy making – provides solid proof that open, rules-based, […]
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