On 25 February 2023, the Council adopted the tenth package of restrictive measures in response to Russia’s continuing war of aggression against Ukraine. The agreed package includes bans on: exports of critical technology and industrial goods imports of asphalt and synthetic rubber provision of gas storage capacity to Russians transit through Russia of EU exported dual-use goods and technology […]
EU reviews measures restricting aid to Syria to speed up delivery of humanitarian aid
The Assad regime and its supporters, as well as industries where the regime was making money, are the targets of EU sanctions in force regarding Syria. The sanctions policy does not forbid the EU from exporting goods to Syria, including food, medicine, or medical equipment, and it does not target Syria’s healthcare system. To ensure […]
European Union condemns North Korea’s launch of intercontinental and short-range missiles
The EU strongly condemns the DPRK’s illegal launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on 18 February and the subsequent firing of short range ballistic missiles on 20 February. These were dangerous and reckless actions that blatantly violated UN Security Council resolutions. The DPRK’s intention to continue developing the means to deliver nuclear weapons anywhere in […]
The Council will include REPowerEU chapters in the Recovery and Resilience Facility
The Council formally adopted a regulation modifying the Recovery and Resilience Facility to include REPowerEU chapters. The goal is to increase the EU’s strategic autonomy by diversifying its energy supplies and ending its reliance on Russian fossil fuel imports. This is the last step in the adoption process. In practise, under NextGenerationEU, member states will […]
European Commission approves €460M aid to ArcelorMittal Spain to support decarbonisation of its steel production
The European Commission has approved a €460 million Spanish measure under EU state aid rules to help ArcelorMittal España (“ArcelorMittal”) to partially decarbonise its steel production. The support will help achieve the objectives of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the European Green Pact and reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerate the green transition […]
38th session of EU-China Human Rights Dialogue held in Brussels
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 […]