The Council has agreed its position on the main elements of the new AgoraEU programme for the promotion of culture, the media and civil society in Europe. The programme will be included in the next multiannual financial framework (MFF), which will run from 2028 to 2034. The AgoraEU programme aims to promote common values such […]
The Council supports the move to take bio-based innovations from the laboratory to production
The Council adopted last March 17 conclusions on the EU’s new Bioeconomy Strategy, which welcome the vision of a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy by 2040, promote the use of circular and bio-based solutions across all relevant sectors—as non-fossil alternatives—and support innovation and investment. The bioeconomy uses renewable biological resources, such as plants, animals and microorganisms, […]
SAFE instrument: Council clears the way for financial assistance to eight Member States and the conclusion of the agreement with Canada
The Council adopted a series of implementing decisions making financial assistance available to eight EU Member States under the SAFE instrument: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Portugal and Romania. A second batch of Council Implementing Decisions on financial assistance for Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland has been authorised by the […]
Council establishes position for the progressive launch of a new digital border management system
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 […]