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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Coming up: election of Commission president, humanitarian issues
The election of the new president of the European Commission will be the highlight of the upcoming plenary session in Strasbourg on 15-18 July. Vote on the president of the European Commission On Tuesday morning, Ursula von der Leyen (Germany, EPP), the candidate nominated by the European Council, will outline her vision and plans for […]
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EU-U.S. trade talks: milestone reached in mutual recognition on pharmaceuticals
The positive transatlantic trade agenda established in the Joint Statement includes a commitment from both sides to reduce barriers and increase trade in a range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals. The recognition by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Slovakia, the last outstanding EU Member State, marks the full implementation of the EU-U.S. Mutual […]
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European Institute of Innovation and Technology: Commission proposes strategy for 2021-2027
The European Commission has proposed an update of the legal base of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) as well as its new Strategic Innovation Agenda for 2021-2027. The EIT is an independent EU body created in 2008 that is strengthening Europe’s ability to innovate. The proposals adopted today will align the EIT […]
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