The European Commission has proposed on 2 July an amendment to the EU Climate Legislation, setting an EU climate target for 2040 of a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to 1990 levels, as called for in the Commission’s policy guidelines for 2024-2029. It will provide certainty for investors, innovation, strengthen the […]
Commission launches strategy to make Europe Quantum leader by 2030
Last July 2, the European Commission has put forward the Quantum Strategy to make Europe a global leader in quantum by 2030. The Strategy will foster a resilient, sovereign quantum ecosystem that fuels startup growth and transforms breakthrough science into market-ready applications, while maintaining Europe’s scientific leadership. Quantum technologies will revolutionise addressing complex challenges, from pharmaceutical […]
Key actions launched to advance the circular economy
Last July 2, the Commission launched several initiatives to accelerate the EU’s transition to a circular economy and prepare the ground for the Circular Economy Act, expected in 2026. Circular economy enhances competitiveness and economic growth by promoting the reuse, recycling and remanufacturing of materials. The forthcoming Act will support the EU’s goals under the Competitiveness Compass and the Clean […]
Commission presents Roadmap for law enforcement data access
The European Commission presented last June 24 a Roadmap setting out the way forward to ensure law enforcement authorities in the EU have effective and lawful access to data. The roadmap is an important deliverable under ProtectEU – the EU’s Internal Security Strategy which the Commission presented in April this year. Terrorism, organised crime, online fraud, drug trafficking, child […]
Europeans view climate action as a priority and support energy independence
A large majority of Europeans believe climate change is a serious problem (85%), according to a new Eurobarometer survey published last June 30. Among those surveyed, 8 in 10 (81%) support the EU-wide goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050. From an economic perspective, more than three quarters (77%) of Europeans agree that the cost of damage due to climate change is much higher […]
EU Justice Scoreboard 2025 highlights strengthened justice systems in the EU
Last June 1, the European Commission published the thirteenth edition of the EU Justice Scoreboard, an annual report providing comparative data on the efficiency, quality, and independence of the justice systems among EU Member States. It shows that citizens in most Member States perceive judicial independence as having improved or remained stable, compared to last […]
EU and Ukraine reach agreement in principle on a modernised trade relationship
The Commission has concluded negotiations with Ukraine on the review of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). The agreement in principle on the review of the trade liberalisation provisions under the Association Agreement marks a new phase in establishing a long-term, predictable, and reciprocal framework within the broader context of Ukraine’s accession process. It […]
Statement by President Von der Ley at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development
“Seville, 30 June 2025 Mr. President of the Conference, Secretary-General Guterres, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me start with a key fact: last year, development aid worldwide stood at just over $200 billion. The annual investment gap on the Sustainable Development Goals, as Pedro Sánchez has pointed out, is in the […]
A more accessible and inclusive European Union for all people
The European Accessibility Act came into force in the EU on the 28th. From that day on, key products and services – such as telephones, computers, e-books, banking services and electronic communications – must be accessible to people with disabilities. The European Accessibility Act is a step forward in reducing the barriers that people with […]