The Council approved last September 30th conclusions on the importance of research and innovation for the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy. These conclusions provide guidance for the establishment of a strong and dynamic ecosystem where higher education and research institutions can support the creation and growth of new companies, valorise the results of their research, […]
EU to boost financial literacy and investment opportunities for citizens
The European Commission announced last September 30th two major initiatives to advance the Savings and Investments Union and deliver tangible benefits for all EU citizens. The comprehensive package focuses on improving financial literacy for all and at all life stages and introduces a blueprint for Savings and Investment Accounts (SIAs) – a tool aimed at making […]
Council approves simplification of EU carbon leakage instrument
The Council adopted on 29 September, as part of the so-called “Omnibus I” legislative package, a regulation simplifying and strengthening the EU’s Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (BAM). This Regulation aims to simplify the EU’s EU-ETS and introduce improvements to make compliance economically efficient. The main objective is to reduce the regulatory and administrative burden and […]
Council reimposes restrictive measures to Iran
Last September 29, the Council agreed to reimpose a number of restrictive measures in relation to Iran’s nuclear proliferation activities, that had then been suspended with the entry into force of the Joint Plan of Action (JCPoA or Iran nuclear deal) in 2015. The decision was taken after the reintroduction of the UN sanctions, following of the UN […]
European Commission announces €545 million package to scale up renewables in Africa
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled last September 27 a €545 million Team Europe package to accelerate Africa’s clean energy transition. This announcement, made at the Global Citizen Festival via video message in the context of the United Nations General Assembly, is an important milestone in the ‘Scaling Up Renewables in Africa’ campaign, co-hosted […]
EU backs reinforced Europol role on migrant smuggling and trafficking
The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council to reinforce Europol’s role and inter-agency cooperation in the fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. This regulation was proposed by the Commission in November 2023. The fight against migrant smuggling is a Commission priority, as President von der […]
EU provides additional €50 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Palestine
The European Commission has released an additional €50 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and to address the rising humanitarian needs in the West Bank. This brings total EU emergency humanitarian aid in 2025 to €220 million to Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and to over €550 million […]
EU backs measures to boost security and defence investments
As part of the ReArm Europe Plan, the measures aim to strengthen Europe’s defence technological and industrial base by channelling EU funding to defence and security. The legislation adopted in the Industry, Research and Energy committee will increase funding for defence-related investment by amending existing EU programmes – the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), Horizon Europe, […]
MEPs seek to improve trainees’ working conditions across the EU
To prevent abusive practices against trainees, the Employment Committee wants traineeship contracts with clear provisions on pay, duration and social protection. The Employment and Social Affairs Committee has proposed changes to new EU rules on traineeships, in a report adopted on Tuesday by 42 votes to nine, and with six abstentions. The objective is to […]