The European Commission and KfW, the German development bank, announced the signing of a guarantee agreement worth up to €135 million to expand access to finance through alternative channels for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Western Balkans, the Eastern Neighbourhood, North Africa and the Middle East, and Turkey. Supported by the European […]
Europe’s health and competitiveness are being undermined by the slow implementation of anti-pollution laws.
A mid-term review of the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan concluded that faster implementation is needed. Areview of the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Planconcludes that Member States must act swiftly and decisively if the EU is to achieve its pollution reduction targets for 2030. The report highlights the close link between environmental protection and public […]
The European Commission and the European Parliament strengthen the EU’s access to space
At the 18th European Space Conference, five disruptive innovations received the Revolutionary Innovation Award for European Launch Solutions, in the presence of Commissioner Andrius Kubilius and MEP Christophe Grudler. Each winner received €950,000 for their innovation, which will redefine Europe’s access to space, strengthen our strategic autonomy and improve the competitiveness of the European space […]
EU approves landmark Declaration on the integrity of climate change information
The European Union has endorsed theDeclaration on the Integrity of Climate Change Information,following its approval by the Council on 20 January. This Declaration was launched during COP30 by the Global Initiative for Integrity of Climate Change Information, established by UNESCO, the Government of Brazil and the UN. It establishes shared international commitments to address the […]
The Commission establishes a working group to strengthen food safety controls on imports
The European Commission has established a task force to maintain and strengthen the EU’s capacity to ensure that imports comply with Union standards, while supporting employment and growth for EU producers. The task force will focus in particular on food and feed safety, pesticide residues and coordinated EU follow-up measures on specific imported products. It […]
Commission approves second wave of SAFE defence funding for eight Member States
Following the approval of the first wave of defence funding, the European Commission has cleared a second group of national defence plans under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, marking another major step in making the Union safer. The Commission submitted a proposal to the Council to approve financial assistance for Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and […]
The Commission seeks opinions to boost women’s participation in research and innovation
The European Commission has launched a call for data to help shape the first Action Plan for Women in Research, Innovation and Start-ups. This initiative aims to make the EU the leading destination for women in research and innovation by the end of the decade. EkaterinaZaharieva, Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation, said:“Wewantwomen in research […]
EU and Council of Europe to form advance team for Ukraine aggression tribunal
The European Union and the Council of Europe have signed an agreement on the financing of an advance team to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, within the framework of the Council of Europe. The aim of the joint project is to create a team to prepare the institutional, logistical […]
EU and Ecuador conclude negotiations for Sustainable Investment Agreement
The European Commission has concluded negotiations with Ecuador on a Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA). This SIFA, the first negotiated with a Latin American country, will be instrumental in promoting EU investments in Ecuador. The deal will support the creation of a more transparent and efficient business environment in Ecuador by addressing challenges such as […]