The lifting of Chinese sanctions against Members of the European Parliament marks a step in restoring parliamentary dialogue with China. Last April 30, President Metsola informed the Conference of Presidents of the decision of the Chinese authorities to lift the sanctions against any Member (as well as their families) and Committees of the European Parliament. […]
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EU welcomes tribunal’s final ruling in sandeel dispute with UK.
The European Commission welcomes the final ruling by the Arbitration Tribunal, established under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) to settle the EU-UK sandeel dispute, which agreed with the EU’s interpretation of several key issues. The Arbitration Tribunal’s ruling provides clarity on the interpretation of the TCA and its application to fisheries management and […]
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EU approves €58M for Luxembourg under NextGenerationEU
The Commission issued a positive preliminary assessment of Luxembourg’s second payment request for €58 million under NextGenerationEU, the centrepiece of Europe’s recovery efforts to build a greener, more digital and competitive Union. The Commission preliminarily concluded that Luxembourg has fulfilled the milestones and targets required for this second instalment, financed under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument of […]
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€910 million to boost European defence
The Commission is investing €910 million under the 2024 edition of the European Defence Fund (EDF) to create a strong and innovative defence industry in Europe. These investments aim to close key capability gaps—like force mobility and drone defence—through innovation and collaboration across European science and industry. Moreover, and for the first time, Ukrainian defence industries can […]
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Commission approves €612 million in Portuguese aid for energy-intensive companies
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €612 million Portuguese scheme to lower electricity levy rates for energy-intensive companies. The scheme intends to reduce the risk that these energy-intensive companies relocate their activities to countries outside the EU with less ambitious climate policies. An energy-intensive company is a business that consumes […]
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AK rifles and grenades seized as firearms trafficking route into France dismantled
An international firearms trafficking network smuggling assault rifles and grenades into Western Europe has been dismantled following a series of coordinated raids in France, Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the gang, which is believed to have sourced high-powered weapons from illegal markets in the Western Balkans and […]
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Spain receives visit from three European Commissioners
Three European Commissioners are expected to visit Spain this week: Piotr Serafin, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration; Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans; and Apostolos Tzitzikóstas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. European Commissioner Serafin travels to Spain today, Monday 28 April, and Tuesday 29 April as part of […]
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EU takes new step to protect High Seas biodiversity
Last April 24, the Commission is presenting a proposal to integrate the landmark international Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction’ (BBNJ) Agreement, which aims to protect the ocean, tackle environmental degradation, fight climate change, and curb biodiversity loss, into EU law. This will also help the Member States with the implementation in their national systems. Signed by the President […]
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Eurogroup President Donohoe has attended IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings
President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe, has been in Washington this week to attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. As President of the Eurogroup, Minister Donohoe participated in the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meeting as well as in a range of IMF meetings. […]
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