Ryanair had challenged that decision, relating to an aid scheme amounting to €10 billion. In July 2020, Spain notified the European Commission of an aid scheme to set up a solvency support fund. The beneficiaries were (non-financial) strategic Spanish undertakings experiencing temporary difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. That aid scheme provided for […]
Is the clock ticking on AI?
Renowned AI experts call on world governments and tech giants to take action now on AI risks. “Probably none of us will have a job,” Elon Musk stated about AI when speaking remotely at a leading tech conference in Paris on 23 May. The billionaire hasn’t been shy about referring to AI as his biggest […]
European Commission distributes 35 511 travel vouchers to young people under DiscoverEU programme
35 511 young people will receive travel vouchers from the Commission to travel around Europe for free, starting already this summer. The Commission announced today the outcome of the latest round of the DiscoverEU programme, which is part of the Erasmus+ programme. DiscoverEU, as part of the Erasmus+ programme, offers 18-year-old residents of EU Member […]
Commission kick-starts work on a new pilot mechanism to boost the hydrogen market
The Commission is taking further steps to support the development of the European hydrogen market by launching work on a pilot mechanism. The new mechanism was created under the recently-adopted decarbonised gases and hydrogen package, and aims to accelerate investments by providing a clearer picture of the market situation of both off-takers and suppliers and facilitating contacts between them. It will be in […]
European Commission designates Temu as Very Large Online Platform under the Digital Services Act
The Commission has formally designated Temu as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Temu is an online marketplace with an average of more than 45 million monthly users in the European Union. This user number, which Temu has communicated to the Commission, is above the DSA threshold for designation as a […]
European Commission approves up to €1.4 billion for fourth major project of common European interest in the hydrogen value chain
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a fourth Important Project of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI’) to support research, innovation and the first industrial deployment in the hydrogen value chain. The project contributes to the EU’s target of 90% reduction of emissions from the mobility and transport sectors, in order for the […]
Commission establishes AI Office to strengthen EU leadership in safe and trustworthy Artificial Intelligence
The Commission has unveiled the AI Office, established within the Commission. The AI Office aims at enabling the future development, deployment and use of AI in a way that fosters societal and economic benefits and innovation, while mitigating risks. The Office will play a key role in the implementation of the AI Act, especially in relation […]
EU and Australia sign partnership on sustainable critical and strategic minerals
The EU and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a bilateral partnership to cooperate on sustainable critical and strategic minerals. The MoU was signed on behalf of the EU by Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis, and Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton. The signatories for Australia were Resources and Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King, […]
European Critical Raw Materials Act: law to ensure access to a diversified, affordable and sustainable supply enters into force
The European Critical Raw Materials Act entries into force, which aims at ensuring a diverse, secure, and sustainable supply of critical raw materials for the EU’s industry. Secured access to critical raw materials is essential for strategic sectors including clean technologies, digital, defence and aerospace industries. Europe now has a regulatory framework to strengthen domestic […]