On 27 July 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald J. Trump agreed a deal on tariffs and trade. The transatlantic partnership is a key artery of global trade and is the most significant bilateral trade and investment relationship in the world. EU-US trade in goods and services has doubled over the last decade, surpassing €1.6 trillion in 2024, […]
European citizens’ panel invites citizens to contribute to new EU budget
This weekend, from 28-30 March, the first session of the European Citizens’ Panel on the new EU budget takes place in Brussels. As part of this European Citizens’ Panel, 150 randomly selected citizens from the 27 EU Member States will meet to discuss which EU-funded priorities and actions bring the most added value to Europeans. […]
Combating racial discrimination in the EU
Last Friday, March 21st, it was marked the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The European Union has been founded on the values of respect for human dignity and rights, freedom, democracy, and equality. No-one in the EU should be discriminated based on its racial or ethnic origin. In 2020 the European […]
EU road fatalities to fall by 3% by 2024, yet progress remains slow
On March 18th, the European Commission published preliminary figures on road fatalities for 2024. Around 19,800 people were killed in road crashes in the EU last year, a slight 3% drop compared to 2023. It is the equivalent to 600 fewer lives lost. Even if road fatalities decreased more significantly in 2024 than they did in 2023, the […]
Regions and cities join forces for public procurement revision
The Network of Regional Hubs (RegHub) held an event in Brussels on 7 February to launch the upcoming CoR consultation on the evaluation of the 2014 Public Procurement Directives and to prepare the launch of the next phase of the network. In the morning, the Hubs took part in an interactive session which looked back […]
The new von der Leyen Commission is ready to start working on 1 December
The European Parliament has approved the new College of Commissioners that will take office on 1 December. In a vote that took place in Strasbourg, Members of the European Parliament gave their confidence to the new team presented by President von der Leyen. In a speech to the Plenary of the European Parliament, President von der Leyen presented her […]
EU assists Spain in channelling aid following floods
Following Spain’s activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism this weekend in response to the devastating floods in the country, France and Portugal immediately mobilised machinery and waste management vehicles to support operations in the affected areas. Other European countries have also offered their assistance and the Commission is in permanent contact with the Spanish […]
Hearing with Teresa Ribera, nominee for Executive Vice-President of the European Commission
Three parliamentary committees on Tuesday examined Teresa Ribera, nominee for vice-president of the European Commission for Clean, Fair and Competitive Transition. The European Commission’s vice-presidential candidate for Clean, Fair and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, was examined by three parliamentary committees on Tuesday. During her opening speech, Ms Ribera paid tribute to the victims of the […]
Chips competence centres to strengthen semiconductor expertise across Europe about to kick-off
Following the recent call, the Commission announced today the selection of 27 Chips Competence Centres across 24 Member States and Norway to enhance technical expertise and skills development in the semiconductor sector. Co-financed by the EU and national contributions, the first wave of Competence Centres represents an investment of over EUR 170 million. A second […]