The 38th session of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue was held in Brussels on 17 February 2023. The EU and China welcomed the re-opening of this dedicated channel of communication on human rights issues during President Michel’s visit to China on 1 December 2022. The dialogue included an in-depth exchange of views on human rights […]
A delegation of MEPs will travel to Madrid today to assess the use of recovery funds
A delegation from the EP’s Committee on Budgetary Control is visiting Spain from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 to see how EU recovery funds are being used. MEPs, under the leadership of Committee Chair Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, Germany), want to assess on the ground the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, including the […]
European Commission refers Spain to the CJEU on whistleblower protection
The European Commission has decided to refer the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, and Spain to the Court of Justice for failure to transpose and notify national measures transposing into national law the Directive on the protection of persons reporting breaches of Union law [Directive (EU) 2019/1937]. The directive requires Member States […]
Parliament urges the Commission to guarantee fertiliser supply and take action to lower prices
MEPs urge the Commission to secure fertiliser supplies, take measures to lower prices and increase the EU’s strategic autonomy on fertilisers. Parliament calls for a long-term EU strategy for fertilisers and another for soil nutrients by June 2023, in a resolution adopted by show of hands on Thursday. Russian gas, used in fertiliser production, contributes […]
MEPs back deploying new EU satellites to protect government communications
A €2.4 billion budget will enable the EU to set up the new Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²); Europe’s first multi-orbital satellite constellation. The new satellites will provide a secure communications infrastructure for EU government bodies and agencies, emergency services and European delegations around the world. The scheme will ensure the […]
European Parliament approves end of combustion cars by 2035
On Tuesday, Parliament set new targets for reducing CO2 emissions for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, which is part of the “Target 55” package of measures. The European Parliament voted by 340 in favour, 279 against with 21 abstentions to approve a deal with the Council that will revise CO2 standards for new […]
European Commission signs agreement with ICO to invest €150 million in sustainable infrastructure in Spain
The European Commission and the Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO) signed an agreement under the InvestEU guarantee scheme for up to €75 million. The guarantee package will help leverage ICO funding of up to €150 million to invest in sustainable infrastructure in Spain and other Member States. This public investment is expected to mobilise an […]
Electricity from renewable sources increased by 5% in the EU in 2021
In absolute terms, the production of electricity from renewable energy sources increased by almost 5% from 2020 to 2021. However, also gross electricity consumption increased mainly due to economic recovery after lifting COVID-19 restrictions. As a result, the share of renewable energy sources in gross electricity consumption in the EU only increased by 0.1 percentage points (pp), from 37.4% in 2020 to […]
European Comission publishes the Winter Economic forecast for Spain
Spain weathered relatively well the negative shocks unleashed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in 2022. The resilience of the economy was underpinned by the strong rebound in tourism over the summer season and dynamism of private consumption, also supported by positive labour market developments. Compared to the Autumn Forecast, growth for 2022 is […]