The vast majority of bathing sites in Spain met the highest quality level of EU standards (‘excellent’ quality) in 2023, according to the latest annual bathing water report. This represents 87.6% of the most frequented bathing waters in Spain (EU average: 85.4%). Up to 97% of all officially identified bathing waters in Spain met the […]
EU and Australia sign partnership on sustainable critical and strategic minerals
The EU and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a bilateral partnership to cooperate on sustainable critical and strategic minerals. The MoU was signed on behalf of the EU by Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis, and Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton. The signatories for Australia were Resources and Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King, […]
European Critical Raw Materials Act: law to ensure access to a diversified, affordable and sustainable supply enters into force
The European Critical Raw Materials Act entries into force, which aims at ensuring a diverse, secure, and sustainable supply of critical raw materials for the EU’s industry. Secured access to critical raw materials is essential for strategic sectors including clean technologies, digital, defence and aerospace industries. Europe now has a regulatory framework to strengthen domestic […]
Eurobarometer: Expectations of EU citizens ahead of the elections
The latest Standard Eurobarometer released last week shows that Europeans want to see the EU stronger and more independent, especially in the face of the current global challenges, while they are growing optimistic about the future. Expectations for a stronger, more independent and resilient EU More than three quarters of Europeans (77%) are in favour […]
European Commission fines Mondelēz, maker of Milka and Oreo, €337.5m for restrictions on cross-border trade
The European Commission has fined Mondelēz International, Inc. (Mondelēz) €337.5 million for hindering the cross-border trade of chocolate, biscuits and coffee products between Member States, in breach of EU competition rules. The Commission remains committed to bringing down unjustified barriers to ensure a better functioning of the Single Market. Territorial supply constraints by suppliers are a […]
The Commission decides to refer SPAIN to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to implement taxation rules set out by the Merger Directive
The European Commission decided to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failure to ensure correct implementation of the Merger Directive on the common system of taxation applicable to Member States (Directive 2009/133/EC). The objective of the Merger Directive is to remove fiscal obstacles to cross-border reorganisations involving companies situated in two […]
Lead candidates present their bids for the European Commission presidency
On Thursday afternoon, the Eurovision debate between the lead candidates for the presidency of the European Commission took place in the European Parliament. Walter Baier (Austria, European Left), Sandro Gozi (Italy, Renew Europe Now), Ursula von der Leyen (Germany, European People’s Party), Terry Reintke (Germany, European Greens) and Nicolas Schmit (Luxembourg, Party of European Socialists) […]
European Health Union: Progress made in EU health policy over the last four years
The Commission adopted a Communication on the European Health Union, which highlights the strides made in EU health policy over the last four years, for the benefit of citizens in the EU and worldwide. The start of this mandate was marked by the biggest pandemic in a century, which caused human suffering on a worldwide scale and […]
New Eurobarometer shows Europeans’ positive attitude towards language learning
A vast majority of Europeans (86%) believe that everyone should speak at least one foreign language, and almost three out of five (59%) can have a conversation in one. These are some of the results of the new Eurobarometer on “Europeans and their languages” that the Commission published. Coinciding with the world day for cultural diversity, […]