The European Commission is renewing and strengthening the framework for the European Capitals of Culture beyond 2033, applying the lessons learnt from more than forty years of experience to the next generation of the programme. The aim is to simplify the selection process, strengthen the long-term legacy and sustainability planning, and facilitate joint applications from […]
A new strategic vision for the outermost regions, strengthening the EU’s global reach
The European Commission adopted a Communication setting out a new strategic vision for the EU’s outermost regions – French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint-Martin (France), the Azores, Madeira (Portugal), and the Canary Islands (Spain). From the Atlantic to the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and South America, the outermost regions are a unique part of […]
The Commission is proposing a new European Innovation Act to promote innovative European ideas and make them globally competitive
The Commission has proposed a new European Innovation Act to help ensure that Europe’s most innovative ideas are developed, funded and scaled up in Europe. A key initiative under the EU Strategy for Start-ups and Scale-ups and the EU Competitiveness Compass, the proposal will strengthen the EU’s long-term competitiveness, prosperity and technological sovereignty. Europe boasts […]
State of the Union 2026
What is SOTEU? The State of the Union Address (SOTEU) is an annual address delivered by the President of the European Commission to the European Parliament, in which the Union’s priorities for the coming year are set out. It is a key moment in EU democracy: an opportunity to reflect on the past year outline […]
MEPs want a new law to protect workers’ mental and physical health
The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs urges the Commission to draw up legislation to protect workers from work-related psychosocial risks and work-related stress. Last Wednesday, MEPs agreed on a series of recommendations for a new EU draft law to ensure minimum requirements for preventing, eliminating or reducing work-related psychosocial risks that could lead to […]
Serbia and enlargement: MEPs expect a genuine commitment to EU values
The Serbian government continues to assert that EU accession is its strategic objective, but MEPs warn that this is often not reflected in its actions. Progress towards EU accession involves not only adopting reforms, but also their thorough and comprehensive implementation, MEPs warn in a report on Serbia adopted on Wednesday with 468 votes in […]
A solid start: first progress report on the ‘One Europe, One Market’ roadmap
Following the signing of the Joint Declaration on the EU’s legislative priorities for 2026 and the ‘One Europe, One Market’ roadmap, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have worked closely together to effectively deliver on all the priorities set out therein. Progress will be reviewed on a quarterly basis. The June 2026 progress […]
The committee is inviting comments on the multiannual fisheries plans
The European Commission is invitingcomments on the Multi-Annual Management Plans (MAMPs) for fisheries in the EU’s marine basins. The consultation period will run for four weeks on the Commission’s “Have Your Say” portal. The Commission is asking EU countries, the fishing industry, scientific institutions, non-governmental organisations, regional authorities and coastal communities to share their views […]
Slovakia: MEPs call for measures to protect EU values and the EU budget
Parliament wants the Commission to assess whether there is a clear risk that the Slovak government will seriously breach the EU’s founding values. In a resolution adopted on Wednesday by 347 votes to 165, with 25 abstentions, MEPs express their deep concern at the deterioration in respect for democracy, the rule of law and fundamental […]