MEPs have proposed a new law to tackle the current cost of living crisis to modernize and strengthen minimum income schemes in member states. On Wednesday, the plenary passed a resolution defending the EU minimum income directive to make minimum income schemes more affordable and effective. It will also ensure the social reintegration of workers […]
Council sets priorities for the EU budget for 2024
Recovery and Resilience Facility The Council discussed how the Recovery and Resilience Fund and the REPowerEU chapter can effectively promote the green transition and ensure Europe’s energy independence from Russia in the context of high inflation and supply chain disruptions. In addition, the Council adopted an implementing decision approving the revised recovery and rehabilitation plan […]
EU adopts space-based connectivity programme
The programme sets goals for the European Union to deploy an EU satellite constellation called ‘IRIS²’ that will provide ultra-fast and highly secure communication services by 2027. The Council has adopted a regulation on the EU’s secure connectivity programme for 2023-2027. This is the last step in the decision-making procedure. The programme sets goals for […]
The Council will include REPowerEU chapters in the Recovery and Resilience Facility
The Council formally adopted a regulation modifying the Recovery and Resilience Facility to include REPowerEU chapters. The goal is to increase the EU’s strategic autonomy by diversifying its energy supplies and ending its reliance on Russian fossil fuel imports. This is the last step in the adoption process. In practise, under NextGenerationEU, member states will […]
Agriculture Council: Ministers discuss possible actions to help ease the situation in Ukraine in the short and long term
Ministers took stock of the market situation in member states, particularly in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine. They further received information from the Commission on the latest developments on agricultural markets. While recent months have shown more stability, energy and input prices remain high, weakening profitability and leading to high consumer prices. Ministers exchanged […]
President Charles Michel in Kyiv to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President Michel is visiting Kyiv, Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and members of the Ukrainian Parliament to discuss EU-Ukraine cooperation in the context of Russia’s war of aggression launched in February last year. Since the outbreak of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the EU has been firmly supporting Ukraine by providing […]
Council agrees on mechanism to limit excessive gas prices
EU energy ministers reached a political agreement on a Council regulation that sets a market correction mechanism to protect citizens and the economy against excessively high prices. The regulation aims to limit episodes of excessive gas prices in the EU that do not reflect world market prices, while ensuring security of energy supply and the […]
Council and Parliament reach provisional deal on EU emissions trading system and the Social Climate Fund
The Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement on important legislative proposals of the ‘Fit for 55’ package that will further reduce emissions and address their social impacts. The deal is provisional pending formal adoption in both institutions. EU emissions trading system The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is a carbon […]
EU leaders addressed how to help Ukraine through the winter
EU leaders met in Brussels for a one-day summit. They adopted conclusions on Ukraine/Russia, energy and economy, security and defence, the Southern Neighbourhood, transatlantic relations and other items, covering Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran. Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine The European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and […]