The European Commission has upgraded its online platform “eLeniency” to ensure that companies who are parties to cartel and antitrust proceedings can easily and securely access documents online. This new version allows for an efficient interaction with the parties, and adapts the tool to today’s new working methods. The eLeniency platform, introduced in 2019 as a one-way […]
Metsola: situation in Iran and in Nicaragua, and remembered the victims of the Lampedusa shipwreck nine years on, at the opening of the session.
Opening of 3-6 October plenary session in Strasbourg Welcoming Franco-Iranian professor Azadeh Kian as Parliament’s guest in Strasbourg, President Metsola said that the situation in Iran remains of great concern, and noted that the brutal death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini has marked a turning point, with women leading the push for change. The European Parliament […]
EU increases support to the protection of human rights defenders worldwide
Human rights are increasingly under threat worldwide. Against this global backdrop, the European Union reconfirms its strong support to human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy, and their defenders worldwide. On 29 September Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen signed €30 million, a substantial increase, for the new phase of the EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism, in the presence of civil […]
Council and Parliament reach provisional political agreement on access to Union waters, extending the current rules for fishermen for another ten years
The Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement as regards the regime for access of fishing vessels to member states’ territorial waters. The provisional agreement extends the rules of the access to Union waters – which were about to expire at the end of […]
Council agrees on emergency measures to reduce energy prices
EU energy ministers have reached on 30 september, a political agreement on a proposal for a Council Regulation to address high energy prices. The regulation introduces common measures to reduce electricity demand and to collect and redistribute the energy sector’s surplus revenues to final customers. Electricity demand reduction The Council agreed to a voluntary overall […]
EU and Spain provide €28.5 million for the payment of social allowances to poor Palestinian families
The European Union and Spain provided €28.5 million for the payment of social allowances through the National Cash Transfer Programme benefitting 111,000 vulnerable Palestinian family. The EU supports the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), which is responsible for the provision of basic social protection to the most vulnerable families in the West […]
Nazaret Mateos Álvarez winner of the award for Best Organic Farmer
The Commission unveiled the eight winners, from farmer to restaurant, of the first ever EU organic awards. Coming from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden, they all represent the growth and innovation of the European organic sector and value chain, and its contribution to reducing agriculture’s impact on the climate and the […]
European Health Union: cancer screening
As part of the EU Cancer Screening Scheme to be put forward under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission presents a new approach to support Member States increasing the uptake of cancer screening. Focusing on detection of cancers at an early stage, the objective of the proposed recommendation is to increase the number of screenings, covering […]
Fundamental rights in the EU: long-standing problems exacerbated by COVID-19
Parliament’s latest assessment of the state of fundamental rights in the EU identifies numerous concerns and demands member states act in defence of European values. On Thursday, MEPs assessed the state of fundamental values in the EU in 2020 – 2021, identifying areas of concern and proposing ways to protect freedom, equality and the rule […]