Every year, the harmful effects of tobacco continue to take their toll on the health of citizens and our societies. The considerable cancer burden associated with tobacco exposure is an unfortunately well-known reality, with lung cancer accounting for around 12% of all new cancer diagnoses in the EU in 2020. It is the fourth most […]
European Defence Fund: €1 billion to boost the EU’s defence capabilities
The Commission has announced the adoption of the second annual work programme of the European Defence Fund (EDF). The EDF 2022 work programme will allocate up to a total of €924 million in funding. One week after the Joint Communication on Defence investment gaps, the Commission unlocks new funding to invest together and better in strategic defence capabilities. Additionally, the […]
Special Address by President von der Leyen at the World Economic Forum
Thank you very much Klaus, Ladies and Gentlemen, Indeed, following your introduction, dear Klaus, it is difficult to believe that in Davos today we are talking about war. Because the Davos spirit is the antithesis of war. It is about forging ties and together finding solutions for the big challenges of the world. You might […]
Commission urges Member States to transpose EU copyright rules into national law
Last Thursday, the Commission has decided to send reasoned opinions to Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland over their failure to notify the Commission of transposition measures on copyright and related rights applicable to certain online transmissions (EU Directive 2019/789). The Commission has also today sent reasoned opinions to Belgium, […]
Commission reveals 12 winners of VET Excellence Awards
The European Vocational Skills Week is ongoing across Europe and beyond from 16 to 20 May. Organised by the European Commission every year, it is an occasion to celebrate best practices in Vocational Education and Training (VET), bringing together everyone involved – from local, to national and regional authorities, students, teachers and education and training organisation stakeholders […]
New agreement to recognise COVID-19 as an occupational disease
On 18th May, Member States, workers and employers in the EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH) reached an agreement on the need to recognise COVID-19 as an occupational disease in health and social care and in domiciliary assistance and, in a pandemic context, in sectors where there is an outbreak in […]
European Commission’s May infringement proceedings package against Spain
In its usual package of infringement decisions, the European Commission is taking legal action against Spain for failing to comply with its obligations under EU law in the following areas: Environmental impact assessment Maritime Spatial Planning Market Abuse Directive Internal energy market Energy efficiency Protection of workers from carcinogenic chemicals The main decisions adopted by […]
Commission’s emergency measures to improve energy markets
In response to several months of exceptionally high and volatile energy prices, the Commission sets out on 18th May a series of additional short-term measures to tackle high energy prices and address possible supply disruptions from Russia. It also presents a number of areas where the electricity market design can be optimsied, making it fit […]
A group of Member States committed to contribute €270 million to the ALMA initiative
The first Member States have expressed their commitment to implement the Commission’s new initiative ALMA (‘Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve’) to support disadvantaged young people on their way into the job market or further education. At an event on youth employment organised by the Commission last week, it announced that so far more than half of Member States […]