This year’s fire season, which sparked the largest wildfire ever recorded in the EU, has been devastating for humans and the environment. As we are taking stock of this year’s deadly wildfires, some worrying trends emerge. Protected areas appear to have a higher probability of burning than non-protected areas. 41% of areas burnt in the […]
Highlights of the debate on the state of the EU #SOTEU 2023
As every year, September is the time for the #SOTEU, the State of the European Union Debate. This annual meeting, which marks the start of the European political year, is a debate in which the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presents the initiatives and measures proposed for the coming months. This […]
SOTEU 2023: Charting the course for the year ahead
“This is Europe’s spirit. A Union that stands strong together. A Union that prevails together.” Ursula von der Leyen, during her 2022 State of the Union speech In her 2023 State of the Union address, European Commission President von der Leyen will outline the main priorities and flagship initiatives for the year to come, building […]
Summer 2023 Economic Forecast
The EU economy continues to grow, albeit with reduced momentum. The forecast revises growth in the EU economy down to 0.8% in 2023, from 1% projected in the Spring Forecast, and 1.4% in 2024, from 1.7%. It also revises growth in the euro area down to 0.8% in 2023 (from 1.1%) and 1.3% in 2024 […]
Spanish film ’20 000 especies de abejas’ nominated for the European Parliament’s LUX Prize
20 000 species of bees (Spain), Fallen Leaves (Finland), In the Adamant (France-Japan), Smoke Sauna Sisterhood (Estonia-France-Iceland) and Teachers’ Lounge (Germany) will compete for the LUX European Film Public Prize, organised by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy. The five shortlisted films were announced in Venice by five MEPs: Laurence Farreng (Renew, France), […]
Spanish projects awarded with the European Citizen’s Prize 2023
The European Parliament recognises the work of the initiatives “Changing Minds” for cultural exchange between young people with fewer opportunities from developed countries and young refugees and “Trésdesis”, the 3D printed arms given free of charge to those who cannot afford them. This year’s European Citizens’ Prize, awarded annually by the European Parliament, went to […]
EU-LAC: Joint Declaration on a Digital Alliance
The European Union (EU) and Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay have agreed to deepen our partnership by establishing an EU–LAC Digital Alliance. The EU-LAC Digital Alliance is an informal, values-based framework for cooperation, […]
Council debates EU long-term budget
EU’s long-term budget The Council held a policy debate on the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, proposed by the Commission on 20 June 2023. The Commission presented the package to the Council. Ministers provided their initial comments on its main elements: the creation of a Ukraine facility for 2024-2027 the proposed additional […]
2023 Strategic Foresight Report
The European Commission presented the 2023 Strategic Foresight Report, which analyses how to put ‘sustainability and people’s wellbeing at the heart of Europe’s Open Strategic Autonomy’ and suggests ten concrete actions to achieve this aim. The EU is engaged in a profound and ambitious transition to achieve climate neutrality and sustainability in the next few […]