The Council has imposed a tenth package of restrictive measures on four individuals and six entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. That package follows the High Represenative’s declaration on behalf of the European Union to mark the anniversary of the killing of Mahsa Amini on 16 September 2022, while in custody of the Iranian […]
EU condemns illegitimate “elections” in occupied territories of Ukraine
On 8-10 September, regional and local elections were organised in Russia and illegally also in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied. The European Union strongly condemns the holding of these illegitimate so-called “elections” in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol and in parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia […]
Council will sign agreement with Albania on Frontex cooperation
The Council adopted a decision to sign an agreement with Albania on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). The agreement will allow the organisation of joint operations and the deployment of Frontex border management teams in Albania. The deployment of Frontex teams will be subject to the country’s […]
EU leaders discuss Ukraine, migration and economy at European Council on June 29-30
EU leaders discussed continued support for Ukraine, notably sustainable military and financial support, and how to boost long-term economic strength and resilience in the EU. They also discussed migration, the EU-China relationship and external relations. The EU leaders were joined by NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, for a working lunch to discuss EU-NATO cooperation and Euro-Atlantic security. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressed […]
Council adopts EU rules on crypto-assets market
The EU brings crypto-assets, crypto-assets issuers and crypto-asset service providers under a regulatory framework. Setting an EU level legal framework for this sector for the first time, the Council adopted a regulation on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA). MiCA will protect investors by increasing transparency and putting in place a comprehensive framework for issuers and service providers including compliance […]
Council adopts new rules to cut deforestation worldwide
The Council gave the final go-ahead to a regulation that aims to minimise the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with products that are placed on or exported from the EU market. The EU is a large consumer and trader of commodities and products that play a substantial part in deforestation. The new rules […]
Council and European Parliament agree to protect geographical indications for artisanal and industrial products
The Council and the European Parliament reached today a provisional deal on the regulation for geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products. Once this regulation is finally approved, geographical indications (GIs), which up to now were used mainly for foods and beverages, will be enlarged to industrial products whose qualities are essentially linked to the […]
European Council adopts legislation making products safer for European consumers
The Council adopted the General Product Safety Regulation, which strengthens safety standards for products sold both online and face-to-face. The rules will strengthen market surveillance of unsafe products and the rights of consumers who have been sold an unsafe product. The adopted Regulation reinforces product safety and consumer protection, and facilitates the repair, return or […]
European Council sanctions 8 more individuals and 1 entity for human rights violations in Iran
The Council decided to impose restrictive measures on eight additional individuals and one entity responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. The Council is sanctioning Ariantel, an Iranian mobile service provider, which contributed to the telecommunications surveillance architecture mapped out by the Iranian government to quash dissent and critical voices in Iran. New listings also include lawmakers in […]