On Monday 20th, the Council approved conclusions on the implementation of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific stressing that the EU should further intensify its strategic focus, presence, visibility and actions in the Indo-Pacific with the aim of contributing to our joint stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development, underpinned by the promotion of democracy, […]
Council agrees its position on rules to phase out Russian gas imports under REPowerEU
The Council today agreed on its negotiating position on the draft regulation to phase out imports of Russian natural gas. The regulation constitutes a central element of the EU’s REPowerEU roadmap to end dependency on Russian energy, following Russia’s weaponisation of gas supplies and repeated disruptions of gas supplies to the EU with significant effects on the European […]
New chapter in the cooperation between Europe and Canada
The European Union and Canada have concluded a Security and Defence Partnership and launched cooperation initiatives in industrial policy and digital trade during a bilateral summit held yesterday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa welcomed Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney in Brussels, days after he hosted the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. With the new […]
Nearly one in four children in the EU (24%) faced the risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024.
In 2024, 19.5 million children in the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This figure represented 24.2% of children under the age of 18, down by 0.6 percentage points (pp) from 2023 (24.8%). At the country level, in 2024, the highest values were reported in Bulgaria (35.1%), Spain (34.6%) and Romania (33.8%). In contrast, Slovenia (11.8%), Cyprus (14.8%) […]
Building Resilience in the Black Sea: The EU’s Strategic Vision
Yesterday the EU is putting forward a new strategy for a stable and secure Black Sea region. This Strategy aims to boost connections and growth, by linking Europe with the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and beyond. Amidst Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the strategy will also reinforce the EU’s geopolitical role as a reliable actor in the Black Sea region. The […]
President Ursula von der Leyen in Uzbekistan to take the EU-Central Asia partnership to the next level
President Ursula von der Leyen, together with President António Costa, will attend the first ever EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Friday 4 April. This visit is a strong signal of the EU’s political commitment to a deeper and stronger partnership with Central Asia. European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen said: “We are heading to Samarkand to […]
The European Committee of the Regions’ perspective on the European Union
The European Committee of the Regions is holding the second plenary session of its new term of office on 2 and 3 April, with debates focusing on economic growth, EU enlargement and the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Raffaele Fitto, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and […]
European Youth Goals Awards
The European Youth Goals Awards recognise young changemakers across Europe whose projects contribute to achieving the European Youth Goals. The awards are organised by the Cities of Learning Network, which fosters accessible, inclusive, and engaging learning experiences for young people. Eligibility criteria Teams of at least four young people aged 13 to 30, independent or supported […]
EU organises ninth international conference to support transition in Syria
The European Union is convening its ninth international conference in support of Syria today, 17 March in Brussels. This year’s event comes at a historic moment, following the fall of the Assad regime, when the Syrian people have the opportunity to take back control of their destiny and rebuild their country. High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas, […]