The High Representative and the European Commission have adopted a Joint Communication setting out a New Agenda for Relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean. It proposes a stronger and modernised strategic partnership, through reinforced political engagement, boosting trade and investment, and building more sustainable, fair and inter-connected societies through Global Gateway investments. President […]
The European Commission has proposed an annual EU budget of €189.3 billion for 2024
The budget will be complemented by an estimated €113 billion in payments for grants under NextGenerationEU, the EU’s post-pandemic recovery instrument. Their combined firepower will keep driving Europe’s ongoing economic recovery and create jobs, while strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy. The EU faced exceptional challenges in the last years, including fast rising inflation, which put considerable […]
Commission presents new Action Plan for the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic routes
The Commission is presenting an EU Action Plan on the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic migration routes. In her letter to the European Council of 20 March 2023, President von der Leyen reiterated the Commission’s ongoing work with the Member States most concerned on the Action plans for the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic too. This Action Plan is also […]
The European Commission will support Member States putting people and their mental health first
The Commission adds a pillar to the European Health Union: a new comprehensive approach to mental health. This approach is a first and important step to put mental health on par with physical health and to ensure a new, cross sectoral approach to mental health issues. With 20 flagship initiatives and €1.23 billion in EU funding from different financial instruments, […]
New European Commission report analyzes links between demographics and climate change
The Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) has today published a new report entitled “Demography and Climate Change – The EU in the Global Context”. The report shows that population growth remains one of the main drivers of emissions. But there is a wide divergence in the relationship between population growth rates and greenhouse gas emission […]
European Commission and WHO launch landmark digital health initiative to strengthen global health security
The European Commission and the World Health Organization (WHO) have announced the launch of a landmark digital health partnership. In June 2023, WHO will take up the European Union (EU) system of digital COVID-19 certification to establish a global system that will help facilitate global mobility and protect citizens across the world from on-going and […]
New unitary patent system launched to make it easier for companies to protect their innovations in Europe
The Commission welcomes the launch of the Unitary Patent system today, which will make it simpler and easier for companies to protect their innovations in Europe and capitalise on their intellectual property. The Unitary Patent system will strengthen the EU’s innovation and competitiveness and complete the Single Market for patents. It will initially cover 17 […]
The European Commission has presented 5 legislative proposals to support clean and modern shipping
The Commission has presented five legislative proposals to modernise EU rules on maritime safety and prevent water pollution from ships. With 75% of the EU’s external trade being seaborne, maritime transport is not only the artery of a globalised economy, but also a lifeline for the EU’s islands, peripheral and remote maritime regions. Although maritime […]
European Commission launches consultation process to improve EU visa suspension mechanism
The Commission adopted a Communication on the monitoring of the EU’s visa-free travel regimes setting out a consultation process. The Communication looks at the functioning of the EU’s visa-free regimes and identifies the main challenges in the areas of irregular migration and security. The Visa Suspension Mechanism is set out in Article 8 of the […]