Europol supported the French National Police (Police Nationale/OLTIM) and the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) in dismantling an organised criminal network smuggling migrants from Spain to France. The investigation was initiated in November 2022 and targeted individuals, based in Marseille, suspected of smuggling migrants between Spain and France. Europol’s analysis of the operational data made […]
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Commission approves Spain’s new “Río Negro” geographical indication
The European Commission has approved the inclusion of ‘Río Negro’ wines in the Register of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Rio Negro” wines are white and red wines produced in the province of Guadalajara in Spain. They are known for their high aromatic intensity: the whites are dominated by citrus, floral and fruity series, with […]
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A provisional agreement on new rules for driving licences
Last March 25th, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement on the update of the driving licence directive. This update of the directive will have an important impact on the issuing of driving permits throughout the EU, updating the minimum requirements related to fitness of drivers across the EU, harmonising rules […]
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New online debate on the Citizens’ Engagement Platform
Building on the Youth Policy Dialogues of the first 100 days of the new mandate, the Commission is now launching a new online debate on the Citizens’ Engagement Platform. This brings the most prominent themes raised by young people into an open, EU-wide discussion. Youth Policy Dialogues are an annual initiative that allow young people to engage directly […]
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Commission selects 47 strategic projects to secure and diversify access to raw materials in the EU
The Commission has adopted, for the first time, a list of 47 strategic projects to boost national strategic raw materials capacities, which in turn will strengthen the European raw materials value chain and diversify sources of supply. The new strategic projects mark an important milestone in the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), […]
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Commission approves €5 billion German State aid scheme to help industries decarbonise production processes
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €5 billion German scheme to help companies subject to the EU Emission Trading Scheme (‘ETS’) decarbonise their production processes. The scheme contributes to the achievement of Germany’s energy and climate targets as well as of the EU’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness objectives. The German scheme The scheme […]
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European citizens want the EU to protect them and to act as one
The European Parliament’s Winter 2025 Eurobarometer survey shows historic levels of approval for EU membership, linked to peace and security. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “Two thirds of Europeans want the EU to play a greater role in protecting them. This is a clear call to action, to which we will respond. Europe needs […]
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Commission finds that arbitration award ordering Spain to pay a compensation is illegal and incompatible State aid
The European Commission has concluded that an arbitration award, in which Spain is ordered to pay compensation to Antin for the modification of a renewable electricity support measure, constitutes illegal State aid. In the decision, the Commission instructs Spain not to pay any compensation based on the arbitration award. The decision also requires Spain to […]
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Council adopts regulation on financial benchmarks to ease burden on SMEs
The Council adopted on 24 March a regulation on financial benchmarks, which aims to cut red tape for EU companies, in particular for SMEs. Benchmarks are generally used by companies and investors in the EU as a reference in their financial instruments or contracts. This Regulation amends a 2016 Regulation as regards the scope of […]
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