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 […]
Council commits 23.04 billion euros to combat climate change by 2021
In 2021, the European Union and its 27 member states committed €23.04 billion in climate finance from public sources to support developing countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Council approved the figure, in preparation for the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27), which will […]
Environment Council: Climate Summit COP 27
EU environment ministers approved Council conclusions that will serve as the EU’s general negotiating position for the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP 27). All eyes will be on us in Sharm El-Sheikh. The EU has always been at the forefront of climate action and we will continue to lead by example. Protecting our planet for future […]
Council of the European Union agrees on stricter standards for energy efficiency of buildings
Conclusions of the European Council on Transport, Telecommunications and Energy on October 25, 2022 EU energy ministers adopted a general approach on a proposal setting new requirements for the energy performance of buildings (EPBD). The main objectives of the revised directive are that all new buildings should be zero-emission buildings by 2030, and that existing buildings should […]