The Council adopted a revision of the Single Permit Directive. The law, which updates the 2011 directive currently in place, aims to attract the skills and talent the EU needs and to address shortcomings as regards legal migration to the EU. The directive sets out the administrative procedure for a single permit for both the […]
Council and Parliament strike a deal to improve efficiency of air space management in the EU
The Council presidency and the European Parliament’s negotiators reached a provisional agreement on the reform of the Single European Sky. The aim of the reform is to improve the performance, organisation and management of European airspace and the provision of the air navigation services to increase capacity, lower costs and increase the system’s adaptability, while also […]
Schengen: Council and European Parliament agree to update EU’s borders code
The Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU and European Parliament negotiators today reached a provisional deal on amending the EU law that sets out the rules for the functioning of the Schengen area both at external and internal borders. The agreed changes, which will require approval and formal adoption by both institutions, will […]
Urban wastewater: Council and Parliament reach a deal on new rules for more efficient treatment and monitoring
The Council and the European Parliament’s negotiators reached a provisional political agreement on a proposal to review the urban wastewater treatment directive. The revised directive is one of the key deliverables under the EU’s zero-pollution action plan. While the current directive has proven highly effective in reducing water pollution and improving the treatment of wastewater […]
EU and US united in promoting peace and security worldwide
EU leaders, including the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, met with US President, Joe Biden, and the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in Washington DC. The summit was an opportunity to review […]
The European Council will discuss the current situation in Israel and the region this afternoon
Video conference of the members of the European Council, 17 October 2023 Agenda highlights In light of Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks against Israel and the unfolding tragic scenes in the Gaza Strip resulting from the siege, President Charles Michel has convened an extraordinary European Council meeting, to be held by video conference on Tuesday 17 October […]
EU leaders to discuss long-term priorities on 6 October in Granada
EU leaders will gather in Granada, Spain, to launch discussions on priorities for the years ahead. By taking stock of past work on how to enhance the EU’s strategic autonomy, the discussions will help prepare the EU’s next strategic agenda, a five-year policy plan to equip the EU with general political guidelines and directions. Invitation letter […]
Spain’s co-official languages discussed at the European Council’s annual Rule of Law Dialogue
Main results Catalan, Basque and Galician The Council discussed a request by Spain to include Catalan, Basque and Galician in Regulation No 1/1958, which governs the EU’s language regime. The request was notified to the Council presidency on 17 August 2023, in a letter by Spain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation. Currently, the […]
EU leaders discuss Ukraine, migration and economy at European Council on June 29-30
EU leaders discussed continued support for Ukraine, notably sustainable military and financial support, and how to boost long-term economic strength and resilience in the EU. They also discussed migration, the EU-China relationship and external relations. The EU leaders were joined by NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, for a working lunch to discuss EU-NATO cooperation and Euro-Atlantic security. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressed […]