Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President responsible for the Promotion of our European way of life, will visit the Canary Islands in view of the migratory challenges facing the archipelago. He will meet the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo Battle. The Vice-President will travel tomorrow to Tenerife, where he will visit, together with President Clavijo Batlle, […]
Read MoreMario Draghi outlines his plan to improve Europe’s competitiveness
On Tuesday, Mario Draghi outlined his blueprint for improving Europe’s competitiveness through closer cooperation in core areas and massive investment in shared objectives. Mr Draghi, author of a report on European competitiveness requested by the President of the European Commission, said that the EU needed to focus on three crucial issues: closing the innovation gap […]
Read MoreCommission recommends stronger measures on smoke-free environments to better protect public health
Today, the Commission has recommended to better protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke and aerosols through the revision of the Council Recommendation on smoke-free environments. The new initiative recommends that Member States extend smoke-free environment policies to key outdoor areas, to better protect people in the EU, particularly children and young people. These areas include outdoor recreational areas where children are likely […]
Read MoreNew structure of the European Commission: Priorities and balance in the new leadership team
In a meeting today with the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission presented the planned structure for the new College of Commissioners, based on her political guidelines and the outcome of intensive negotiations with Member States. The main focus of this team is on prosperity, security and democracy, […]
Read MoreA week to raise awareness about sustainable urban mobility
This week, we get things moving by celebrating European Mobility Week. This is the European Commission’s annual flagship awareness-raising campaign on sustainable urban mobility, which takes place every year from 16-22 September. It culminates on Sunday with the popular car-free day in participating towns and cities. Over 70% of EU citizens live in urban areas, […]
Read MoreHigh Representative on behalf of the European Union urges Iran to protect women’s rights
On the anniversary of the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, we honour her memory and the ‘Women, Life, freedom’ movement driven by the courage and determination of countless Iranians, especially women. Two years ago, Iranians have taken to the streets to demand respect for fundamental freedoms. With the dire human rights situation in Iran, especially […]
Read MoreFuture Commission discussed by EP leaders
EP leaders had an exchange of views with the President-elect of the Commission on the new College of Commissioners. At the invitation of European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen today discussed with leaders of the Political Groups of the European Parliament on the structure and portfolios of the proposed new […]
Read MoreCommission proposes first fishing quotas for 2025 in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea
Today, the Commission adopted its proposal for fishing opportunities for 2025 for the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. The proposal promotes the sustainable management of fish stocks in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas and delivers on the political commitments made in the MedFish4Ever and Sofia Declarations The remaining fishing opportunities will be proposed after the results of the General Fisheries Commission […]
Read MoreEmployment rate up, labour market down in Q2 2024
In the second quarter of 2024, the employment rate of people aged 20-64 in the EU stood at 75.8%, an increase of 0.2 percentage points (pp) compared with the first quarter of 2024. Labour market slack – encompassing those with unmet employment needs, a large part of which includes unemployed persons – amounted to 11.0% of the extended labour force aged 20-64 in […]
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