The EU and Thailand announced the relaunch of negotiations for an ambitious, modern and balanced free trade agreement (FTA), with sustainability at its core. This announcement confirms the key importance of the Indo-Pacific region for the EU trade agenda, paving the way for deeper trade ties with the second largest economy in South-East Asia and […]
The European Commission is providing guidance to Member States on the conduct and coordination of fiscal policy for next year
The Commission is providing guidance to Member States on the conduct and coordination of fiscal policy for next year. This guidance comes as discussions on the future economic governance framework are ongoing. Overall, fiscal policies in 2024 should ensure medium-term debt sustainability and promote sustainable and inclusive growth in all Member States. Implications of deactivating the […]
The European Commission proposed a pilot project to strengthen the exchange of information between Europol and Colombia
On 2 March, the Commission proposed a pilot project to strengthen the exchange of information between Europol and Colombia to investigate and bring criminals to justice and to dismantle organised criminal structures that are behind the production and trafficking of drugs. The pilot project, which will be defined by a group of Member States, will […]
European Commission lays the groundwork to make gigabit connectivity available to all citizens and businesses across the EU
The Commission has presented a set of actions aimed to make Gigabit connectivity available to all citizens and businesses across the EU by 2030, in line with the objectives of Europe’s Digital Decade, and to enable the transformation of the connectivity sector in the EU. This initiatives on Connectivity consist of: First, the Commission has […]
An agreement signed by the EIB and the European Commission to boost private sector investment in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission signed agreements totaling EUR 4 billion on February 28, including a guarantee agreement that will mobilize up to EUR 3.5 billion in loans and EUR 500 million in Trust Fund contributions to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries by 2027. The agreement marks an important step […]
Road safety: Updated requirements for driving licences
The Commission has presented proposals to modernise driving licence rules, including the introduction of a digital driving licence valid throughout the EU, and new provisions to facilitate the enforcement of traffic rules across borders. More than 20,000 lives were lost on EU roads last year and the majority of victims were pedestrians, cyclists and users […]
The visit to Spain by the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control to evaluate the recovery funds comes to an end
The delegation met with members of the Spanish Government, including Nadia Calvinho, First Vice-President and Minister of Economy and Digital Transformation; María Jesús Montero, Minister of Finance and Public Administrations; and José Luis Escrivá, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Immigration. They also met with parliamentarians from Castilla-La Mancha, Madrid, Extremadura, Andalusia and Aragon, as […]
European Commission presents package of measures to improve sustainability and resilience of EU fisheries sector
The Commission is presenting a package of measures to improve the sustainability and resilience of the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. It includes four elements: A Communication on the Energy Transition of the EU Fisheries and Aquaculture sector; an Action Plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries; a Communication on the common fisheries […]
European Commission approves third €6 billion payment to Spain under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism
The European Commission has approved a positive preliminary assessment of Spain’s request to pay a grant of EUR 6 billion. 6 billion (net pre-financing) under the NextGenerationEU main instrument: Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRM). Spain submitted a payment request to the European Commission on 11 November 2022 based on the achievement of the twenty-four milestones […]