The European Commission has granted a conditional marketing authorisation (CMA) for the COVID‑19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca, the third COVID-19 vaccine authorised in the EU. This authorisation follows a positive scientific recommendation based on a thorough assessment of the safety, effectiveness and quality of the vaccine by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and is endorsed […]
Fresh air, shut screens beat lockdown blues, study says
Going outdoors and switching off screens lead to more happiness during the COVID-19 crisis. Mental health continues to be a focal topic with many European countries tightening measures, imposing further restrictions and reimposing lockdowns as the coronavirus pandemic surges to begin 2021. New research published in the ‘Journal of Happiness Studies’ reveals that spending time […]
EIB and Banca March support spanish companies affected by the COVID-19 crisis
The EIB Group will provide a total of €270 million to Banca March via three agreements, to mobilise over €600 million for Spanish companies. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Banca March are joining forces once again to support the economic recovery of Spanish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs – up to 250 employees), mid-caps (between 250 […]
The EU will begin vaccination on December 27
The EU will begin vaccination on December 27. This is what the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has assured on her Twitter account: It’s Europe’s moment. On 27, 28 and 29 December vaccination will start across the EU. We protect our citizens together. We are #StrongerTogether#EUvaccinationdays pic.twitter.com/6VxDumysBL — Ursula von der […]
G20 summit, 21-22 November 2020
President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen represented the EU at the 15th G20 Leaders’ summit hosted by Saudi Arabia on 21-22 November 2020. G20 leaders met in virtual format to address the way forward how to tackle together the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, finance the development and deployment […]
16.8 million European funds advanced to Spain to fight the pandemic
Seven EU Member States, including Spain, will receive advance payments from the Solidarity Fund to mitigate the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Aid from the Solidarity Fund Germany, Ireland, Greece, Croatia, Hungary and Portugal will also receive advances to cope with the health emergency On Monday, Budgets Committee Members approved €823 million in EU aid […]
How the pandemic has changed forever the way we teach
This year’s global pandemic exposed as never before the urgent need to revolutionise teacher training as skills centres and vocational education and training schools were closed around the world, forcing a sudden switch to online learning. Countries that had already started investing heavily online and blended education (where digitally-based distance learning is combined with practical […]
Eurogroup statement on COVID-19 developments this autumn
At the outset of Eurogroup meeting, members of the Eurogroup offered condolences to Austrian and French colleagues on the recent horrific attacks and reiterated that Europe will always stand together. The Eurogroup had a thorough discussion on the economic outlook in view of current COVID-19 developments. The Eurogroup was briefed by the Director of the […]
Main results of the European Council meeting, 15-16 October 2020
On 15 and 16 October, EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss the epidemiological situation, relations with the United Kingdom, climate change and foreign affairs, in particular relations with Africa. COVID-19 The European Council assessed the current epidemiological situation, which is unprecedented and gives rise to very serious concern. Leaders welcomed the progress achieved so far […]