Every year, there are around 100 places available for paid traineeships, and up to 6 places for paid trainees with a disability. What can you expect from your traineeship? A traineeship at the General Secretariat of the Council (GSC) offers: first-hand experience of the work of the GSC EU knowledge – insight into the processes and policies of the EU […]
Council adds the violation of restrictive measures to the list of EU crimes
The Council unanimously adopted a decision to add the violation of restrictive measures to the list of ‘EU crimes’ included in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. Pavel Blažek, Czech Minister of Justice: The EU has responded with determination to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine. It has adopted an unprecedented number […]
EU budget for 2023: Council and Parliament reach agreement
The Council and the European Parliament have this week reached an agreement on the EU budget for 2023 that places particular emphasis on the EU’s main strategic priorities. Total commitments are set at €186.6 billion. This is an increase of 1.1% compared to the 2022 budget as amended. €0.4 billion have been kept available under […]
Council of the European Union agrees on stricter standards for energy efficiency of buildings
Conclusions of the European Council on Transport, Telecommunications and Energy on October 25, 2022 EU energy ministers adopted a general approach on a proposal setting new requirements for the energy performance of buildings (EPBD). The main objectives of the revised directive are that all new buildings should be zero-emission buildings by 2030, and that existing buildings should […]
Statement by the Members of the European Council: Support to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
In the face of Russia’s war of aggression as well as Moscow’s latest escalation, the European Union stands resolutely with Ukraine and its people. We firmly reject and unequivocally condemn the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. By wilfully undermining the rules-based international order and blatantly violating the fundamental […]
EU countries to continue help Ukraine export food via solidarity lanes
On September 26, 2022, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council took place. These were the main results: Agriculture Discussion on agricultural production and logistics in Ukraine and connections to the EU To continue close coordination to counter the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, ministers were joined by the Ukrainian Minister for agrarian Policy and Food, […]
European Council grants EU candidate country status to Ukraine and Moldova
Wider Europe The European Council held a strategic discussion on ‘Wider Europe’, concerning the EU’s relations with its partners in Europe. In this context, EU leaders also discussed a proposal to launch a European political community. The discussion was guided by the questions ‘what, who and how?’. The aim of ‘Wider Europe’ is to offer a platform for […]
Parliament activates process to change EU Treaties
On Thursday, Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the European Council to agree to start the process to revise the EU Treaties. In light of the array of ongoing and recent crises, MEPs used their prerogative to call for the Treaties to be changed by: reforming voting procedures in the Council to enhance the European Union’s capacity […]
Council adopts proposals aimed at securing the supply of medicines
Background With these proposals, the European Union intends to facilitate the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland on the ground, in line with the measures for Northern Ireland presented by the Commission on 13 October 2021. European Health Union: a stronger role for the European Medicines Agency About the proposals EU ambassadors today agreed on […]