The Council has agreed on a mandate to open negotiations with the European Parliament on a Regulation establishing a new European framework for fisheries and aquaculture statistics. The new framework will modernise the collection and use of statistical data on fisheries and aquaculture across the European Union, thereby enabling the use of reliable and timely […]
Coal and Steel Research Fund: Council adopts position to make steel and coal industries cleaner and more competitive
The Council has reached an agreement (general approach) on a package of two proposals to reform the Coal and Steel Research Fund. The two Council Decisions aim to accelerate and simplify investments in research and innovation to promote competitiveness and a green and just transition for the steel sector and mining regions in the EU. […]
EC proposes €2 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to support workers laid off from Liberty Steel in Belgium
The European Commission has proposed mobilising €2 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to support 507 workers made redundant following the bankruptcy of Liberty Steel Belgium. Liberty Steel’s production lines in Belgium were shut down in December 2021 due to a shortage of raw materials. Despite efforts to restructure the entity, production never […]
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 […]
EU and Tajikistan held 11th Cooperation Council meeting in Brussels
The European Union (EU) and the Republic of Tajikistan held its eleventh Cooperation Council meeting on 19 November, in Brussels. The meeting was chaired by Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and by Constantinos Kombos, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, on behalf of Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs […]
Parliament and Council seek bringing down prices of gas
MEPs and the Polish Presidency of the Council reached an informal agreement on Tuesday to extend the EU’s 2022 gas storage scheme until 31 December 2027, as it would otherwise have expired at the end of 2025. The provision is designed to ensure gas supply security ahead of the winter season. MEPs and Council also […]
New agreement to improve consultation of workers in international affairs.
Parliament and Council negotiators have reached a provisional agreement to improve the functioning of European Works Councils and strengthen their role. European Works Councils (EWCs) represent EU workers in large multinational companies that operate in at least two EU or European Economic Area countries. They are designed to ensure that workers receive proper information and […]
Protecting children from unsafe toys
The agreed draft legislation comes in response to a number of emerging challenges, such as risks relating to digital toys and the surge in online shopping. On 10 April evening, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on new EU toy safety rules to enhance the protection of children’s health and development. The deal […]
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 […]