The EU commends the resolute African-led initiatives to address the root causes of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The EU reaffirms its full support to the Luanda and Nairobi processes and calls on all parties to rapidly implement the decisions taken within their frame. The EU welcomes the political […]
Council approves reinforced rules on granting trade preferences to developing countries
EU member states’ ambassadors today agreed the Council’s negotiating mandate on the revised Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) regulation that grants trade preferences to developing countries. The new framework maintains the main features of the current system, but includes some improvements, such as stronger links to respect for human rights and the environment, and a better monitoring and transparency of […]
Council and Parliament reach provisional deal on EU emissions trading system and the Social Climate Fund
The Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement on important legislative proposals of the ‘Fit for 55’ package that will further reduce emissions and address their social impacts. The deal is provisional pending formal adoption in both institutions. EU emissions trading system The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is a carbon […]
EU adopts Chips Act to address shortage of semiconductors
The Council has adopted its position (‘general approach’) on the proposed regulation establishing a framework of measures to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem, better known as the ‘Chips Act’. The Chips Act addresses the current shortage of semiconductors in Europe. With the Chips Act, the EU aims to double its global market share in semiconductors from 10% to at least […]
Conference on the Future of Europe: feedback event to take place in Brussels
The European Parliament, Council and Commission organise today a feedback event as a follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe. The event will be an opportunity for the three institutions to explain how they are following up on the proposals stemming from the Conference and to exchange with those citizens who participated in the European […]
Council adds the violation of restrictive measures to the list of EU crimes
The Council unanimously adopted a decision to add the violation of restrictive measures to the list of ‘EU crimes’ included in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. Pavel Blažek, Czech Minister of Justice: The EU has responded with determination to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine. It has adopted an unprecedented number […]
Council and European Parliament agree on boosting secure communications with a new satellite system
The Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a regulation establishing the EU’s secure connectivity programme for the period 2023-2027. Providing secure communication services to member states… The programme sets goals for the European Union to deploy an EU satellite constellation called ‘IRIS2’ (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite), which will […]
European Council adds more people to sanctions list on serious human rights violations
The Council added 29 individuals and three entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures in the context of the existing Iran human rights sanctions regime. This is in view of their role in the death of Mahsa Amini and the violent response to the recent demonstrations in Iran. New’s designations include: the four members of the […]
‘Fit for 55’: EU strengthens emission reduction targets for member states
The Council and the European Parliament today reached a provisional political agreement on stronger emission reduction targets for member states under the so-called effort sharing regulation. Pending a formal adoption, the provisional deal endorses an EU-level greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 40% compared to 2005, by 2030, for the sectors not covered by the EU Emissions […]