The Maastricht Treaty established the European Union, paved the way for the single currency: the euro and created EU citizenship. The Maastricht Treaty was signed on 7 February 1992 and had a profound impact on the development of European integration. The EU, as we know it today, owes its name and its nature to a […]
LIFE Programme: European City Facility
Objective Under this topic, a ‘European City Facility’ shall be run under the LIFE CET programme, which builds on the experiences gained from the current Horizon 2020 European City Facility[1] (H2020 EUCF) and envisages an appropriate follow-up and upscale of its fundamental approach(es). Significantly enhanced investments will be needed to attain the ambitious objectives of the EU climate and energy […]
Europe in danger: What next for EU Security and Defence?
The classical distinction between war and peace is diminishing and the European Union faces increased competition, intimidation and coercion. International politics is increasingly transactional, EU values and multilateralism are being challenged, whereas democratic freedoms and international law are questioned. In short, Europe is in danger. How can the Union operate in such an increasingly competitive […]
EU challenges Russian export restrictions on wood at WTO
Today, the EU is requesting consultations with Russia at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning export restrictions placed by Russia on wood products. The export restrictions consist of significantly increased export duties on certain wood products and a drastic reduction in the number of border crossing points through which exports of wood products can take […]
Step into Mesolithic Europe!
The earliest documented burial provides us with indications of funerary practices and female personality in the early Mesolithic period. The 10,000-year-old burial was discovered in a cave in Liguria, northwestern Italy, and included at least sixty-six shell beads, four pendants and an eagle owl claw along with the infant’s remains. According to the study, these […]
The EU aims for a secure digital marketplace for citizens and businesses
On 25 November 2021, the Council agreed on a general approach for the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), two key legislative files to help create a safe and open digital space for EU citizens and businesses. Over the last two decades, digital platforms have become an integral part of our lives – it’s hard […]
Clear opportunities to decouple Europe’s waste generation from economic growth
In most European countries and in the EU as a whole, waste generation is growing but at a slower pace than the economy. However, there are no signs that the overall objective of reducing the total generation of waste is close to being achieved, according to a European Environment Agency report published today. The report’s […]
Commission launches infringement procedure against Poland for violations of EU law by its Constitutional Tribunal
The European Commission has decided to launch an infringement procedure against Poland because of serious concerns with respect to the Polish Constitutional Tribunal and its recent case law. The Constitutional Tribunal, in its rulings of 14 July 2021 and 7 October 2021, considered the provisions of the EU Treaties incompatible with the Polish Constitution, expressly challenging the […]
EU and US officials discuss efforts to donate and deliver 1.7 billion vaccine doses around the world
Senior European Commission officials met last week with senior White House and other U.S. government officials on progress and next steps towards achieving the US-EU Agenda for Beating the Global Pandemic Vaccinating the World, Saving Lives Now, and Building Back Better Health Security. Led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s Head of Cabinet […]