In September 2018, as part of the State of the Union, President Juncker proposed measures to bolster European democracy and protect free and fair elections in Europe. Ahead of the European elections, Commissioner Vera Jourová has written to national political parties calling on them to ensure transparency of political advertising, to be ready to face cyberattacks and to respect […]
EU report: Stepping up bilateral cooperation with the perspective of concluding a new comprehensive EU-Azerbaijan agreement
Over the last year, EU-Azerbaijan cooperation has intensified: Partnership Priorities were endorsed; high-level security and transport dialogues launched; improvements to human rights and fundamental freedoms sought. Concluding a new comprehensive bilateral agreement remains a top priority. The EU report published today sets out the state of play of developments in Azerbaijan since the last meeting of the Cooperation […]
Pushing the boundaries of transnational biodiversity research
Biodiversity – the variability of life on Earth – is of paramount importance for ecosystems and human well-being. Biodiversity loss and change thus pose major scientific and societal challenges. Addressing biodiversity challenges and providing scientific support requires coordinated interdisciplinary research at national regional and international levels. BiodivERsA an EU network of national and local ministries […]
Climate change is causing fish to disappear
Fish are a major source of food and income for millions of people worldwide. Climate change is here to impact both negatively. According to findings published in the journal ‘Science’ climate change is endangering fish around the world reducing populations by up to 35 % in coastal regions near China and Japan. Ocean warming has […]
European Solidarity Corps: New priorities for the period 2021-2027
The new 2021-2027 programme will include volunteering for humanitarian aid outside EU and offer more opportunities for disadvantaged young people. On Tuesday, MEPs adopted the new European Solidarity Corps programme for the 2021-2027 period, the single entry point for solidarity-related activities across and beyond Europe. Traineeships, jobs and network activities in areas related to […]
European Citizens’ Initiative: Commission registers ‘Housing for All’ initiative
The European Commission has today decided to register a European Citizens’ Initiative entitled ‘Housing for all’. The objective of the initiative is “to bring about better legal and financial framework conditions to facilitate access to housing for everyone in Europe”. The organisers call on the European Commission to ensure “easier access for all to social and affordable housing, […]
European elections: abuse of data to be penalised
Parliament wants to protect democratic debate in the European elections by introducing financial penalties for EU parties and foundations abusing data in political campaigns. More than two thirds (67%) of internet users in the EU are concerned that online personal data is used to target the political messages they see, undermining the free and fair competition between […]
Women must have an equal share in politics, say MEPs and national MPs
Less than three months before the European Elections, the Gender Equality Committee held an inter-parliamentary meeting on women’s power in politics on Thursday. One day ahead of International Women’s Day, Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee members debated with more than 20 national MPs from 15 EU member states and Norway during an inter-parliamentary meeting […]
The European Agenda on Migration: EU needs to sustain progress made over the past 4 years
Ahead of the March European Council, the Commission is today taking stock of progress made over the past 4 years and setting out the measures still required to address immediate and future migration challenges. Faced with the most severe refugee crisis the world has seen since the Second World War, the EU managed to bring about a […]