Last June 13, the European Commission takes a significant step to strengthen and expand the relationship between the EU and Switzerland. It is submitting proposals to the Council to authorise the signature and conclusion of a comprehensive package of agreements, marking an important milestone towards the ratification of a modernised framework for cooperation. Key Components […]
EU adopts plan to improve cybersecurity crisis management
Telecoms ministers adopted on 6 June the EU Master Plan for Cybersecurity Crisis Management, which provides guidance for the EU’s response to large-scale cybersecurity incidents or cybersecurity crises. The EU Cybersecurity Master Plan is an important guidance resource through which Member States can improve their preparedness for cybersecurity incidents, as well as their detection and […]
Europe-Japan cooperation in AI-based manufacturing technologies
The EU-Japan.AI project was launched in 2021 to advance long-term cooperation and knowledge sharing between the EU and Japan for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven innovation in manufacturing. To this end, the project consortium created an open web platform that would connect all stakeholders and facilitate the exchange of information between them. These initiatives will continue well […]
EU and Japan reinforce tech and digital partnership
The EU and Japan held their third Digital Partnership Council last May 12 in Tokyo to reinforce tech and digital cooperation between the EU and Japan. The Council was co-chaired by Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, alongside Masaaki Taira, Minister for Digital Transformation, Masashi Adachi, State Minister of Internal Affairs and […]
CoR and Commission launch network for local and regional politicians
A new network aimed at encouraging locally and regionally elected politicians to engage more with the European Union and the benefits it can bring to their communities was officially launched on 10 April. The EU Local Councillors Network, which already has 3000 participants, builds on the success of two similar existing initiatives and aims to […]
MEPs and Ukrainian parliamentarians discussing a common European future
Meeting on Tuesday, leading members of the European Parliament and of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada signalled their strong support for Ukraine’s EU accession process. At their second meeting, held remotely on Tuesday, European Parliament and Verkhovna Rada parliamentary committee chairs, MEPs and Ukrainian parliamentarians discussed the ongoing cooperation between the two institutions to prepare Ukraine […]
Combatting unfair trading practices in the agrifood supply chain
Last April 7th, member states’ representatives in the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) approved the Council’s negotiating mandate on a regulation concerning new rules aimed at combatting cross-border unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain. Main elements of the proposal The proposal aims to set up a comprehensive set of rules for cross-border cooperation […]
EU and Mongolia hold Joint Committee in Ulaanbaatar
The European Union (EU) and Mongolia held their annual Joint Committee meeting under the EU-Mongolia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, in Ulaanbaatar on 4 April. The meeting offered the opportunity to reaffirm that partnership between the EU and Mongolia is based on democracy, human rights, the rule of law, multilateralism and the respect of the principles […]
Modernising the cohesion policy to meet current challenges
Cohesion policy is the EU’s main investment policy. It plays a key role in reducing disparities between EU regions to promote economic, social, and territorial cohesion, and making the EU more competitive, sustainable, and equitable. Under its mid-term review of the cohesion policy, the European Commission is proposing amendments to existing laws and inviting EU […]