The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, unveiled last July 10 a new €2.3 billion package of agreements with international and bilateral public financial institutions to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts. It shows the EU’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and its future in the EU. The new €2.3 billion package of […]
Commission issues guidance on sustainability deal to cut CO₂ emissions in EU ports
The European Commission has issued informal guidance on the compatibility with EU competition rules of a sustainability agreement for the joint purchasing and the setting of technical specifications for electric container-handling equipment used in ports. This would accelerate the shift from diesel to electric equipment in EU ports, contributing to reducing CO2 emissions. This informal guidance […]
EU and Moldova forge deeper ties at historic first Summit in Chișinău
At the first ever EU-Moldova Summit in Chișinău, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu agreed to deepen cooperation in the interest of EU and Moldovan citizens. The leaders discussed EU accession and related reforms, economic growth as well as security and defence […]
EU and Ukraine reach agreement in principle on a modernised trade relationship
The Commission has concluded negotiations with Ukraine on the review of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). The agreement in principle on the review of the trade liberalisation provisions under the Association Agreement marks a new phase in establishing a long-term, predictable, and reciprocal framework within the broader context of Ukraine’s accession process. It […]
Parliament and Council seek bringing down prices of gas
MEPs and the Polish Presidency of the Council reached an informal agreement on Tuesday to extend the EU’s 2022 gas storage scheme until 31 December 2027, as it would otherwise have expired at the end of 2025. The provision is designed to ensure gas supply security ahead of the winter season. MEPs and Council also […]
New chapter in the cooperation between Europe and Canada
The European Union and Canada have concluded a Security and Defence Partnership and launched cooperation initiatives in industrial policy and digital trade during a bilateral summit held yesterday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa welcomed Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney in Brussels, days after he hosted the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. With the new […]
Agreement reached to suspend visa-free travel over security and rights concerns
EP and Council teams have reached an agreement on grounds for suspending visa-free travel for short stays into the EU. A reform of the mechanism to suspend short-stay visa-free travel into the EU, agreed today between Parliament and Council negotiating teams, will allow the EU to respond more flexibly when countries backslide on important principles […]
Commission advances on the modernisation of EU-Switzerland relations
Last June 13, the European Commission takes a significant step to strengthen and expand the relationship between the EU and Switzerland. It is submitting proposals to the Council to authorise the signature and conclusion of a comprehensive package of agreements, marking an important milestone towards the ratification of a modernised framework for cooperation. Key Components […]
MEPs approve updated EU-Ukraine road transport agreement
On Tuesday, the Transport and Tourism Committee voted to extend the EU road transport agreement with Ukraine until the end of 2025 to continue facilitating the transport of goods. The EU-Ukraine road transport agreement concluded in June 2022 has proven to be an effective EU response to the transport sector disruptions caused by the Russia’s […]