The Council adopted a regulation that will make instant payments fully available in euro to consumers and businesses in the EU and in EEA countries. The new rules will improve the strategic autonomy of the European economic and financial sector as they will help reduce any excessive reliance on third-country financial institutions and infrastructures. Improving the possibilities […]
EU countries agree on migration and asylum pact
EU member states’ representatives (Coreper) approved the provisional deal that was reached between the Council presidency and the European Parliament on 20 December 2023, constituting a pact of five key laws which will reform the EU’s asylum and migration system. Pact on asylum and migration The five EU laws of the pact touch upon all […]
Schengen: Council and European Parliament agree to update EU’s borders code
The Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU and European Parliament negotiators today reached a provisional deal on amending the EU law that sets out the rules for the functioning of the Schengen area both at external and internal borders. The agreed changes, which will require approval and formal adoption by both institutions, will […]
Urban wastewater: Council and Parliament reach a deal on new rules for more efficient treatment and monitoring
The Council and the European Parliament’s negotiators reached a provisional political agreement on a proposal to review the urban wastewater treatment directive. The revised directive is one of the key deliverables under the EU’s zero-pollution action plan. While the current directive has proven highly effective in reducing water pollution and improving the treatment of wastewater […]
Guatemala: Council establishes dedicated framework of restrictive measures in support of democracy
The Council established a dedicated framework for restrictive measures in support of democracy and a peaceful and orderly transfer of power in Guatemala. This decision will allow the European Union to hold accountable those obstructing a democratic transition following the 2023 general elections, which resulted in a clear victory of President-elect Bernardo Arévalo, as attested […]
The Council and the European Parliament reach breakthrough in reform of EU asylum and migration system
The Spanish presidency of the Council and the European Parliament have reached a deal on the core political elements of five key regulations that will thoroughly overhaul the EU’s legal framework on asylum and migration. The five EU laws that the Spanish presidency and Parliament have agreed on touch upon all stages of asylum and […]
Council and Parliament strike deal on new rules to safeguard media freedom
The Council has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a new law to safeguard media freedom, media pluralism and editorial independence in the EU. The European media freedom act (EMFA) will establish a common framework for media services in the EU’s internal market and introduce measures aimed at protecting journalists and media […]
EU will have first-ever law on artificial intelligence
Following 3-day ‘marathon’ talks, the Council presidency and the European Parliament’s negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on the proposal on harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (AI), the so-called artificial intelligence act. The draft regulation aims to ensure that AI systems placed on the European market and used in the EU are safe and respect fundamental rights and EU values. […]
Mental health: member states to take action across multiple levels, sectors and ages
Almost one in two Europeans has experienced an emotional or psychosocial problem in the last year. The recent context of compounded crises (the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the climate crisis, unemployment, and the food and energy price increases) has further worsened the situation, in particular for children and young people. In its conclusions, the Council […]