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 […]
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 […]