The Commission has announced the adoption of the second annual work programme of the European Defence Fund (EDF). The EDF 2022 work programme will allocate up to a total of €924 million in funding. One week after the Joint Communication on Defence investment gaps, the Commission unlocks new funding to invest together and better in strategic defence capabilities. Additionally, the […]
MEPs to visit tech companies in Silicon Valley, US
A delegation from the Internal Market Committee will travel to Silicon Valley to meet with leading tech companies including Google, Meta, Apple, Airbnb, eBay, Paypal and Uber. From 23 to 27 May, an Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee delegation will go to the Silicon Valley, where MEPs will meet with tech companies, local authorities […]
Council agrees to strengthen EU cyberspace
The last Monday, the Council approved Lconclusions on developing the Union’s cyber posture. The posture aims to demonstrate the EU’s determination to provide immediate and long-term responses to threat actors seeking to deny the EU a secure and open access to cyberspace and affect its strategic interests, including the security of its partners. Cybersecurity initiatives […]
EU guidelines on tax policy
In its 2022 European Semester spring package, the European Commission has provided Member States with support and guidance on tax policy. Fiscal policy guidance The activation of the general escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact in March 2020 allowed Member States to react swiftly and adopt emergency measures to mitigate the economic and […]
Indonesia is connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate system
Good news for Indonesian and European travellers: EU and Indonesia have agreed the mutual recognition of their COVID vaccine certificates. This means that, when entering the EU or travelling between EU Member States, holders of the Indonesian vaccine certificate can use it under the same conditions as people holding the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC). […]
5th UfM Ministerial on Employment and Labour
Union for Mediterranean Ministers in charge of employment and labour have agreed joint actions for a better integration of social and labour markets in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Governments will focus on a stronger participation of young people and women in their societies and economies. They also stressed the need to continue measuring the impact of […]
Ukraine’s financing gap and longer-term reconstruction
The Commission has set out plans in a Communication for the EU’s immediate response to address Ukraine’s financing gap, as well as the longer-term reconstruction framework. This Communication follows from the European Council call to address the consequences of the war in Ukraine via a dedicated Europe-led effort. Immediate response and short terms needs Since […]
Climate change: MEPs push for accelerated EU action and energy independence
Emissions Trading System reform: free allowances for industries phased out more quickly and citizens included later in ETS II Broader scope and faster implementation in new carbon leakage instrument Stricter trajectory, more transparency and less flexibility for member states’ greenhouse gas emissions in other sectors New EU carbon sinks goal will increase EU 2030 reduction […]
Press freedom 2022: how are EU countries rated?
Journalism is coming under intense pressure as press freedom confronts an increasingly divided world, fuelled by disinformation. While Europe remains the most secure continent for journalists and media freedom, oppressive policies in certain countries and Russia’s war against Ukraine paint a worrying picture of the situation across the continent. Freedom of expression, media freedom and […]