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 […]
Von der Leyen in South Africa: begins talks on a new trade and investment agreement
President Ursula von der Leyen and President António Costa are attending the EU-South Africa Summit in Cape Town to strengthen Europe’s strategic partnership with the country. During the Summit, Europe and South Africa agreed to launch talks on a new generation of trade agreements: a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership. South Africa will be the […]
Kaja Kallas hosts first Youth Policy Dialogue on EU Foreign Policy
On 6 March, High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Kaja Kallas will host the first Youth Policy Dialogue on EU Foreign Policy in Brussels. This event marks a step towards a more inclusive and youth-driven approach to the EU’s actions around the world. The event will bring together 25 young individuals, aged 19-30, from diverse backgrounds and regions […]
European Commission and World Bank Group Join Forces to Expand Energy Access in Africa
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga announced today following a meeting in Brussels their intent to align the European Commission’s ‘Scaling Up Renewables in Africa’ initiative with ‘Mission 300′, which aims to provide electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. With some 600 million people in Africa […]
New Directorate General to Strengthen Mediterranean and Gulf Ties
Following President von der Leyen’s call for a more focused approach to the EU’s wider neighbourhood, especially the Mediterranean, with a Commissioner in the new College dedicated to this portfolio, the European Commission has set up a new Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA). In line with the President’s Political Guidelines […]
Solomon Islands: First Partnership Dialogue between the EU and Solomon Islands
On 4 February, the European Union and Solomon Islands held their Partnership Dialogue, the first under the new Samoa Agreement, which is the basis for cooperation between the EU and the Pacific. In the margins of the Dialogue, Solomon Islands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka met High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas, […]
Europe teams up with partners and launches global forum to accelerate the clean energy transition
A new Global Energy Transition Forum was launched today in the margins of the World Economic Forum, in Davos, by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen along with international partners. The forum will bring around the table partners across the world, from Brazil to Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Peru, South Africa, the United […]