The new EU rules aim at protecting consumers online from credit card debt, overdrafts and loans that are unsuitable for their financial situation. In a text adopted by the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, with 42 votes in favour, 1 against and 1 abstentions, MEPs say that legislation should cover credit agreements of up […]
Circularity can enhance greenhouse gas emission savings when renovating Europe’s buildings
Building renovation is a key contributor to improving energy efficiency and to achieving a climate neutral European Union (EU) by 2050. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing investigates how circular economy principles can enhance the benefits of building renovation. It finds that, through 2050, circularity can significantly reduce the use of materials and contribute significant […]
Agreement reached on European crypto-assets regulation (MiCA)
The EU brings crypto-assets, crypto-assets issuers and crypto-asset service providers under a regulatory framework for the first time. The Council presidency and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the markets in crypto-assets (MiCA) proposal which covers issuers of unbacked crypto-assets, and so-called “stablecoins”, as well as the trading venues and the wallets where crypto-assets are […]
Commission endorses Spain’s second payment request
The European Commission has today endorsed a positive preliminary assessment of Spain’s second payment request for €12 billion in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU. On 30 April 2022, Spain submitted to the Commission a payment request based on the achievement of the 40 milestones and […]
EU leaders to discuss EU enlargement, Ukraine and the economic situation
European Council, 23-24 June 2022 The European Council will discuss the wider Europe, Ukraine, EU membership applications from Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, economic issues, the Conference on the Future of Europe and external relations. Ahead of the European Council meeting EU and Western Balkan leaders will meet in the morning of 23 […]
European Semester 2022: country-specific recommendations agreed
On June 17, the Council agreed its Country Specific Recommendations on the member states’ National Reform Programmes of 2022 and the Council opinions on the updated Stability or Convergence Programmes. This step is part of the 2022 European Semester programme, which enables member states to coordinate their economic, employment and fiscal policies. Next steps The […]
Recovery plans: MEPs push for wise use of money, democratic oversight
Countries should use the more than €700 billion available under EU recovery plans to adapt to new social and economic realities, MEPs say. The EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility was set up at the height of the Covid-19 crisis to help EU countries support struggling businesses and people. While the EU’s economy rebounded in 2021 after […]
EU renews its support for the Palestinian people with a €224.8 million assistance package
On 14th June, the European Commission has approved a new bilateral allocation to Palestine worth €224.8 million. This new assistance package will support the Palestinian Authority and crucial projects in the occupied Palestinian territory. This package complements previous contributions, such as €92 million to support UNRWA, bringing the total EU assistance to the Palestinians in 2021 to €317 million. […]
State aid: Commission approves 500 million Finnish scheme
The European Commission has approved an €500 million scheme to support companies active in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022, based on Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’), recognising that […]