The European Commission has proposed mobilising €2 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to support 507 workers made redundant following the bankruptcy of Liberty Steel Belgium. Liberty Steel’s production lines in Belgium were shut down in December 2021 due to a shortage of raw materials. Despite efforts to restructure the entity, production never […]
Simplified rules for small mid-cap companies
New laws seek to boost the competitiveness of so-called small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU as they grow beyond SME status with specific measures. On Wednesday 25 February, three European Parliament committees voted in favour of proposals introducing the concept of small mid-cap companies (SMEs) and extending various exemptions to them that have […]
The new European Centre for Democratic Resilience begins its work
At the meeting of the General Affairs Council on February 24, the Commission and the Council Presidency invited EU ministers to celebrate the launch of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience. The aim of the Centre, a flagship initiative of the European Democracy Shield, is to facilitate a consolidated approach involving the whole of society […]
Parliament’s proposals to eradicate poverty in the EU by 2035
On Thursday, Parliament called for more money and coordination to combat poverty and social exclusion in the EU. MEPs call on the European Commission to recognise poverty as a violation of human dignity in its future anti-poverty strategy and to work towards eradicating it by 2035 at the latest. In an own-initiative report, adopted with […]
Parliament calls for the EU to continue taking action to combat cancer
Need for a specific EU health programme in the next long-term EU budget Improving access to treatment for cancer patients across Europe Reducing financial discrimination for cancer survivors In 2024, 2.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the EU and 1.27 million died from the disease. MEPs want the EU to renew its political […]
Parliament highlights the EU’s security and defence partnerships
In a report adopted on Wednesday, Parliament highlights the EU’s security and defence partnerships as key to responding effectively to emerging threats and to enhancing the EU’s global role. The text, prepared by the Security and Defence Committee, argues that the EU’s security and defence partnerships (SDPs) – which seek to bolster joint efforts in security and defence […]
Parliament approves £90 billion support package for Ukraine
60 billion to strengthen Ukraine’s defence, 30 billion in macro-financial assistance and budgetary support. Ukraine must continue with democratic reforms and the fight against corruption. The loan will be financed by the issuance of common EU debt, and Ukraine will repay it once it receives war reparations from Russia. The plenary gave the green light […]
European Parliament approves changes to EU asylum rules
On Tuesday, Parliament approved changes to EU asylum rules to make it easier for applications to be processed more quickly. With 408 votes in favour, 184 against and 60 abstentions, MEPs backed the creation of a European list of safe countries of origin. The plenary also supported a new regulation on the application of the […]
European Climate Law: 90% reduction in emissions by 2040
From 2036, international carbon credits can be used to reduce emissions by up to five points The introduction of the ETS2 emissions trading scheme is postponed until 2028 Follow-up report every two years, with the possibility of updating the climate target for 2040 Parliament has approved a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 […]