The Permanent Representatives Committee endorsed a Council recommendation on the conversion of hryvnia banknotes into the currency of member states hosting people escaping the war in Ukraine. The objective is to further support refugees who are having difficulty exchanging their banknotes into EU currencies. The recommendation invites member states to set up national schemes that […]
Charles Michel: Europe’s values, freedom and democracy will prevail
Just two weeks ago in this parliament, we expressed our shock and horror. The martyrdom of Mariupol, crimes against the city, crimes against its people. And today we express our outrage at crimes against humanity – against innocent civilians – in Bucha and in many other cities. Yet more proof that Russian brutality against the […]
Council agrees on 8th environmental action programme
The Council adopted its position on the 8th Environmental Action Programme (EAP). This programme will guide the development and implementation of environmental policy until 2030. The adoption of the Council’s position follows a provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament in December 2021 and is the final step in the adoption procedure. The 8th EAP […]
Council adopts proposals aimed at securing the supply of medicines
Background With these proposals, the European Union intends to facilitate the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland on the ground, in line with the measures for Northern Ireland presented by the Commission on 13 October 2021. European Health Union: a stronger role for the European Medicines Agency About the proposals EU ambassadors today agreed on […]
Support for Ukraine and the energy situation in Europe
Russian military action in Ukraine is causing major damage to the country’s energy capacities. Energy ministers have said that they are willing and ready to provide assistance to Ukraine in this regard. Moreover, these military operations are leading to an increase in gas prices in the EU as well as in international oil prices. This […]
Spanish government calls on Russia to put an immediate end to military invasion of Ukraine
The Government of Spain calls on Russia to put an immediate end to the military invasion of Ukraine The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, participated during the night of February 24 in Brussels in the extraordinary European Council to address the military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation during which they held a […]
Coordinated maritime policies: Gulf of Guinea and northwestern Indian Ocean
EU Foreign Ministers met on February 21, 2022 in Brussels to discuss a number of current issues affecting the European Union. The meeting was chaired by Josep BORRELL, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Foreign Ministers discussed recent developments in Russia’s military activities around Ukraine. This was followed by a discussion on […]
EU agrees to give Europol more powers and resources in its fight against crime
The Council presidency and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a draft regulation amending the Europol regulation. The provisional agreement is subject to approval by the Council and the European Parliament before going through the formal adoption procedure. On the basis of a Commission proposal, the European Parliament and the Council agreed to […]
Europe’s priorities in the field of agriculture and fisheries
Following the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 17 January 2022, the European ministers set several objectives and priorities in the field of agriculture and fisheries. Agriculture – Priorities of the French presidency These priorities include, on the one hand, the reciprocity of trading standards – in other words, ensuring (chiefly by means of ‘mirror […]