The Council adopted last week a decision to conclude the agreement establishing an association between the European Union and its member states, on the one hand, and Central America on the other. This is the final step of the ratification process of the agreement, through which the EU and Central America commit to a close, long-term relationship in […]
New EU funding for ideas to reduce long-term unemployment
The Commission has launched a 23 million eurocall for proposals to help EU Member States develop new ways to combat long-term unemployment and facilitate people’s re-entry into the labour market. This was announced in the recent action plan to tackle labour and skills shortages in the EU. Through this call for proposals, funded under the […]
CJEU: The name Pablo Escobar cannot be registered as an EU trade mark
The public would associate that name with drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. On 30 September 2021, Escobar Inc., established in Puerto Rico (United States), filed an application with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for registration of the word sign Pablo Escobar as an EU trade mark for a wide range of goods and services. […]
Commission asks TikTok for more details on risk assessment of new TikTok Lite application recently launched in Spain
The Commission sent TikTok a request for information under the Digital Services Act, requesting more details on the risk assessment that the TikTok provider should have carried out before deploying the new TikTok Lite app in the EU. The request concerns the potential impact that the new “Task and Reward Lite” programme could have on the protection of minors, […]
European Commission mobilises unallocated European Horizon funds to accelerate green and digital transitions
The Commission has adopted an amendment to the 2023-24 work programme of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme. The amendment mobilises previously unallocated Horizon Europe funds to increase the 2024 budget by almost €1.4 billion to a total of €7.3 billion. This amendment includes an investment of almost €650 million in EU missions […]
European Commission publishes Schengen report setting out new priorities for the coming year
Today, the Commission reports on the State of Schengen over the past year and sets the priorities for the year ahead. The Schengen area has evolved into the world’s largest free travel area. Guaranteeing smooth and secure travel to a population of almost 450 million people, the Schengen area is essential for the European Union’s […]
EU requests consultations under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement on UK permanent closure of sandeel fisheries
The European Union requested consultations with the United Kingdom under the dispute settlement mechanism of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) regarding the United Kingdom’s decision to prohibit the fishing of sandeel, with the aim of reaching a mutually agreeable solution. Effective since 26 March 2024, the closure of the sandeel fishery covers English […]
Europe’s focus on semiconductor innovation with new test facilities
The Public Authorities Board of the Chips Joint Undertaking selected the consortia that will implement four pilot lines for semiconductor technology. It is a major step in the implementation of the European Chips Act, in particular for its Chips for Europe Initiative. These pilot lines are pioneering, state-of-the-art facilities to test, experiment, and validate semiconductor […]
European Commission offers young people 35 500 free DiscoverEU travel vouchers
From this summer, thousands of young people will once again be able to travel across Europe by train for free thanks to the latest call for applications under the DiscoverEU programme. During the European Youth Week with activities, the Commission has launched the latest round of DiscoverEU applications. It will end on Tuesday 30 April […]