In January 2024, exports reached €18.4 billion that month, partly due to increased prices of olives, olive oil, and cereal preparations. Imports were worth €13.4 billion. As a result, the EU agri-food trade surplus reached €5 billion, a 27% increase from January 2023. These are the main findings of the latest monthly agri-food trade report […]
Commission launches first-stage consultation of social partners on fair telework and the right to disconnect
The Commission launched the first-stage consultation of European social partners to gather their views on the possible direction of EU action on ensuring fair telework and the right to disconnect. Telework has become widespread, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU Labor Force Survey shows that the overall proportion of people working from home in the EU has almost doubled […]
EU and Japan advance joint work on digital identity, semiconductors, artificial intelligence
The EU and Japan held their second Digital Partnership Council in Brussels. The Council was co-chaired by Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, and by Japanese Minister for Digital Transformation, Taro Kono, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Takeaki Matsumoto, and the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Taku Ishii. The EU and […]
EU aquaculture 2022: 1.08 million tonnes farmed
In 2022, an estimated 1.08 million tonnes of aquatic organisms were farmed in the EU, valued at €4.9 billion. Aquaculture involves the controlled cultivation of fish, molluscs, algae and crustaceans. In 2022, 4 EU countries collectively accounted for about two-thirds (67%) of the total production of farmed aquatic organisms: Spain (25%), France (17%), Greece (13%) […]
MEPs call for a firm response to counter Russian interference
Parliament calls on the political leadership in the EU and member states to counter Russian interference attempts urgently and vigorously. Following several recent revelations of Kremlin-backed attempts to interfere with and undermine European democratic processes, MEPs adopted on Thursday a resolution firmly denouncing such efforts. Any such tactics, they say, must have consequences. Parliament is […]
According to Eurostat, Spain is the country with the highest overqualification rate in the EU
In 2023, the EU over-qualification rate was 22%, with 21% for men and 23% for women. Over-qualification is when people with tertiary education are employed in occupations that do not require such a high level of education. Among the EU countries, the over-qualification rate was highest in Spain (36%), followed by Greece (31%) and Cyprus […]
Eurobarometer: Geopolitical situation makes voting in European elections even more important
This pre-electoral publication reveals a positive, upward trend on key election indicators with just a few weeks to go until EU citizens cast their ballots 6-9 June. Interest in the election, awareness of when it will take place as well as likelihood to vote are all on the rise since the last survey in autumn […]
Commission opens two in-depth investigations under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation in the solar photovoltaic sector
The Commission launched two in-depth investigations under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. The investigations relate to the potentially market distortive role of foreign subsidies given to bidders in a public procurement procedure. The Commission will assess whether the economic operators concerned did benefit from an unfair advantage to win public contracts in the EU. The investigations […]
EU and Japan launch Enhanced Dialogue on advanced materials
The EU and Japan will work together on developing new materials used in critical sectors of the economy. Cementing close collaboration in research and innovation, Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, and Hiroki Matsuo, Vice-Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Cabinet Office, announced the launch of the EU-Japan Enhanced Dialogue on […]