The European Commission has adopted a number of measures to further simplify its merger review procedures under the EU Merger Regulation. The package of measures includes: (i) a revised version of the Merger Implementing Regulation (“Implementing Regulation”), (ii) a Notice on simplified procedure (“Procedural Notice”), and (iii) a Notice on the transmission of documents (“Notice […]
European Parliament approves Europe’s first ever rules on crypto-assets
Parliament endorsed the first EU rules to trace crypto-asset transfers, prevent money laundering, as well as common rules on supervision and customer protection. On Thursday, MEPs approved with 529 votes in favour to 29 against and 14 abstentions, the first piece of EU legislation for tracing transfers of crypto-assets like bitcoins and electronic money tokens. The text […]
MEPs support establishment of EU rapid reaction force
The EU military instrument for rapid reaction to crises would consist of up to 5000 troops and should reach full operational capability by 2025 at the latest. In a resolution adopted on Wednesday by 444 votes in favour, 96 against and 86 abstentions, MEPs support the proposal to establish the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU […]
European Parliament adopts three resolutions on respect for Human Rights in Russia, Afghanistan and Nigeria
There have been human rights violations in Russia, Afghanistan and Nigeria. The European Parliament takes action. Repression in Russia, in particular the cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alexei Navalny Following the recent sentencing of Russian-British journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison for having criticised Vladimir Putin’s regime, MEPs strongly condemn this politically motivated […]
Ukraine joins EU Civil Protection Mechanism
On 20th April, Ukraine becomes a Participating State of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism – the European solidarity framework that helps countries overwhelmed by a disaster. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, is in Kyiv to officially sign an agreement on behalf of the European Union granting Ukraine full membership of the Mechanism. During his visit, he will […]
Commission takes action to promote work-life balance in Spain and other EU countries
To safeguard the right to work-life balance across Member States, the European Commission decided to continue infringement procedures against Belgium Czechia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Austria, and Slovenia by sending them a reasoned opinion for failing to notify national measures fully transposing EU rules establishing rights on work-life balance for parents and […]
Costa Rica launches the III National Integration Plan and the Protocol for the Protection and Assistance of Migrants
The Costa Rican Directorate General of Migration and Foreigners (DGME) and the MIEUX+ team jointly organized an event in San José on April 13, 2023. The event was an opportunity to present the National Integration Plan 2023-2027 and the Migrant Protection and Assistance Protocol and to celebrate the upcoming closure of the fifth successful project […]
The European Commission adopted a proposal to adjust and further strengthen the current crisis management framework for banks
On 18 April, the European Commission adopted a proposal to adapt and further strengthen the existing EU system of bank crisis management and deposit insurance, with a special focus on small and medium-sized banks. The EU banking sector, which has a strong crisis management system, has become more resilient in recent years. EU financial institutions […]
303 workers made redundant from Alu Ibérica in Galicia receive 1.2 million euros in aid
303 former employees of aluminium producer Alu Ibérica in the Galicia region in Spain should receive €1.2 million in EU aid after the company declared bankruptcy. On Monday, the Committee on Budgets approved Spain’s request for support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF). MEPs acknowledged that “the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war […]