Since 24 February of this year, Russia has gone all out in using its diplomatic network to push its disinformation narratives across different social media platforms. For example, last week the EU launched the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) in support of Ukraine. The aim of the mission is to boost the military capabilities […]
Rules on limited access of EU fishing vessels’ to national waters extended
MEPs confirm existing restrictions for EU vessels fishing in national territorial waters of other EU countries. EU countries will be able to restrict access for fishing vessels of other member states to their national territorial waters within 12 nautical miles of their coast for another ten years. Access will remain granted only to vessels that […]
Commission proposes Action Plan to address challenges
Ahead of the Extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council (Home Affairs) of 25 November 2022, the Commission is presenting an EU Action Plan on the Central Mediterranean. Whilst emphasising that structural solutions will only be found through agreement on the full set of asylum and migration reforms currently being negotiated, the Commission is proposing a […]
EU Cohesion Policy: €37.3 billion to Spain
In 2021-2027, Spain will benefit from €37.3 billion in Cohesion Policy funding to accelerate the country’s green transition, finance innovation and digitisation, increase the employment rate and improve local social services. The strategy and details for these investments are set out in the Partnership Agreement between Spain and the Commission. The strategy will mainly focus […]
Parliament wants new sources of revenue for the EU
Parliament is set to back new sources of revenue for the EU amid the current crises in an attempt to make the budget fit for future challenges. Amid numerous challenges for the EU’s budget, including the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis, the Parliament is set to back proposals […]
Data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR): use of antibiotics in the EU decreases but more needs to be done
On the eve of European Antibiotics Awareness Day (EAAD), a pan-European survey on antimicrobial resistance shows that half of Europeans still incorrectly believe that antibiotics kill viruses. At the same time, 23 % of respondents have taken antibiotics over the past year, the lowest figure since 2009 and clearly showing that the work of Member States […]
EU ports still recovering from pandemic disruptions
Following a significant 45% fall in the number of passengers embarking and disembarking in EU ports in 2020 (compared with 2019), 2021 was more positive, with data showing a partial recovery. Compared with 2020, the number of passengers increased by 16%, reaching 267.9 million passengers from 230 million in 2020. This is still considerably below the levels […]
Chemical weapons: EU imposes further restrictive measures on ten individuals and one entity
The Council decided to impose additional restrictive measures in view of the continued threat posed by the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. The new listings target ten individuals and one entity linked to the poisoning of Alexei Navalny with a Novichok-type nerve agent on 20 August 2020, and the productions of chemical weapons delivery systems in Syria. As concerns the Navalny […]
EU’s landmark rules for online platforms enter into force
Yesterday, the Digital Services Act (DSA), a new set of EU rules for a safer and more responsible online environment, came into force. The DSA applies to all digital services that connect consumers to goods, services, or content. It creates comprehensive new obligations for online platforms to reduce harms and counter risks online, introduces strong […]