As committed during the negotiations on the long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the European Commission has completed its proposal for a next generation of own resources. This package includes a new temporary statistical own resource based on company profits. Following the political agreement on the Fit For 55 package, which seeks to ensure EU policies contribute […]
People at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2022
In 2022, 21.6 % of the EU population — or some 95.3 million people — were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The shares of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion varied across the EU countries in 2022. The highest values were reported in Romania (34%), Bulgaria (32%), Greece and Spain (both […]
The EU and NATO deepen their strategic partnership
The Council took note of the eighth progress report on the implementation of the 74 common proposals endorsed by the EU and NATO Councils on 6 December 2016 and 5 December 2017. The report highlights and elaborates on the tangible progress achieved between June 2022 and May 2023, across all areas of cooperation. Whilst tackling the gravest […]
MEPs see “strong indications” that the governments of Morocco and Rwanda have spied on high-profile EU citizens
Based on a year-long investigation into the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware, MEPs argue that the illicit use of spyware has put “democracy itself at stake” and call for credible investigations, legislative changes and better enforcement of existing rules to tackle abuse. The resolution was adopted with 411 votes in favour, 97 against, […]
Council and European Parliament agree on rules to digitalise the visa procedure
Council negotiators and the European Parliament have provisionally agreed on rules to digitalise the visa procedure. The regulation introduces the possibility to apply for a visa online and replaces the current visa sticker with a digital visa. The goal of the proposal is twofold: to make the visa application procedure more efficient and to improve […]
EU-US Critical Minerals Agreement
The European Commission has adopted its negotiating directives for a Critical Minerals Agreement (CMA) with the United States. The objective is to foster EU-US supply chains in critical raw materials needed in the production of electric vehicle batteries. In 2022 alone, the EU exported €8.3 billion worth of critical raw materials relevant to this industry. […]
MEPs call for new rules to avoid the exploitation of trainees across the EU
Parliament urges the Commission to propose legislation to ensure the quality of traineeships across the EU. On Wednesday, plenary adopted with 404 votes in favour, 78 against and 130 abstentions a report calling on the Commission to propose a directive on Quality Traineeships and to update the existing Quality Framework for Traineeships. According to MEPs, […]
Horizon Europe: Industrial manufacturing for lower-cost solar thermal components and systems
Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Reduced consumption of materials. Reduced environmental footprint of the European solar thermal manufacturing industry. Increased competitiveness of the European solar thermal manufacturing industry. ScopeSupport will be given to innovative solutions to manufacture components and/or sub-systems and/or systems […]
MEPs want more ambitious EU support for outermost regions
With 589 votes against 22 and 16 abstentions, MEPs adopted their position on Commission´s strategy for outermost regions. Individual action plans and resources Parliamentarians want EU policy to focus more on competitiveness and provide for a tailor-made approach reflecting the needs of each outermost region as current policies do not consider their specificities sufficiently. They […]