The Council today set out a general approach on a Regulation that would allow Member States to gradually introduce, over a period of six months, the digital Entry/Exit System (EES) for border management. The Regulation allows Member States to start taking advantage of the system and gives border authorities and the transport sector more time […]
EU defence policy in figures
The EU and its Member States are determined to increase and enhance joint defence spending in response to the unprecedented security challenges and threats facing Europe today. How much do EU member states spend on defence? Between 2021 and 2024, total defence expenditure by EU Member States increased by more than 30%. In 2024, it […]
EU annual budget 2026: Council sets guidelines for next year’s EU budget
The Council today approved conclusions setting guidelines for the EU’s annual budget for 2026. The guidelines provide political steer to the Commission in preparing the draft budget proposal for next year’s budget. In its conclusions, the Council underlines that the EU budget for 2026 has a key role in the development and delivery of the […]
EU reaffirms global pledge to protect a third of the planet by 2030
The Council approved conclusions in view of the Conference of Parties on the Convention on biological diversity (COP16) and the meetings on the Cartagena protocol and the Nagoya protocol, to be held in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November 2024. The conclusions will serve as the EU’s general negotiating position at the meetings. […]
Lobbying lawmakers: EU audit reveals transparency blind spots
Lobbying EU lawmakers can still slip under the radar, according to a report by the European Court of Auditors. The EU transparency register, which provides information on who lobbies the Commission, Parliament, and Council, has positive features and informs citizens about the potential influence of lobbyists. However, it suffers from weaknesses and information gaps that make […]
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination commemorates the victims of the Sharpeville massacre of 21 March 1960, in which peaceful demonstrators against apartheid were senselessly killed. While this tragic event marked a turning point and ultimately ushered in the transition to democracy and equality in South Africa, the fight against racism continues […]
How does the EU protect you through the new rules for digital platforms?
The European Union has created the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Two laws to better protect users and consumers on the internet. Digital platforms have become very important agents in our daily lives. Today we communicate, buy, search for information or consume audiovisual content through our digital devices. However, this […]
EU condemns illegitimate “elections” in occupied territories of Ukraine
On 8-10 September, regional and local elections were organised in Russia and illegally also in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied. The European Union strongly condemns the holding of these illegitimate so-called “elections” in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol and in parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia […]
Council approves €1 billion in ammunition aid for Ukraine
On 13th April, The Council adopted an assistance measure worth €1 billion under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This measure will allow the EU to reimburse member states for ammunition donated to Ukraine from existing stocks or from the reprioritisation of existing orders during the period 9 February to 31 May 2023. […]