MEPs adopted new rules on cleaner maritime fuels. During the negotiations with Council, they ensured that ships will have to gradually reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by cutting the amount of GHG in the energy they use (below 2020 level) by 2% as of 2025 to 80% as of 2050. This would apply to ships […]
European Parliament regrets the deterioration of democracy and human rights in Cuba
The European Parliament on Wednesday condemned the systematic violations and abuses of human rights in Cuba and called for EU sanctions starting with President Miguel Díaz-Canel. With 359 votes in favour, 226 against and 50 abstentions, the plenary adopted a resolution – following the debate in plenary on 13 June – calling on the Cuban […]
Council agrees its position on 2024 draft budget
The ambassadors of member states to the EU (Coreper) agreed the Council’s position on the 2024 EU draft budget. In total, the Council’s position for next year’s budget amounts to €187.008 billion in commitments and €141.167 billion in payments. Overall, the Council takes a prudent approach. The Council stresses the importance for the budget for 2024 […]
Commission proposes to strengthen the rights of victims of crime
All the victims of crime across the European Union deserve support. This initiative of the European Commission aims to strengthen their rights across the European Union so that they receive support, access information, seek justice and obtain compensation. The proposed update of the existing Directive establishes minimum rules that go beyond those adopted in 2012, […]
Commission adopts rules for implementing the Foreign Subsidies Regulation
The European Commission has adopted the rules for implementing the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (‘FSR’). The Implementing Regulation details procedural aspects of the implementation of the FSR. It also contains notification forms for concentrations involving foreign financial contributions and for foreign financial contributions in public procurement procedures. The Implementing Regulation The Implementing Regulation adopted takes into account the […]
EU publishes European Innovation Scoreboard 2023
The 2023 edition of the European Innovation Scoreboard and the bi-yearly edition of the Regional Innovation Scoreboard published today showcase that, despite the recent crises, EU Member States and their regions keep improving their innovation performance. The European Innovation Scoreboard 2023 highlights a substantial improvement in the innovation performance of approximately 8.5% since 2016, confirming the EU’s […]
Commission presents EU-Chile agreement to Council for signature authorisation
The modernised EU-Chile agreement has today taken a step towards ratification, with the Commission sending the Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA) and the Interim Trade Agreement (iTA) to the Council for authorising its signature. Once the Council gives its green light, the EU would sign the agreement with Chile. As highlighted during the recent visit of President von […]
The EU wants to introduce minimum standards to make nearly all products on its market sustainable
Ecodesign entails the integration of environmental considerations into product development, aiming to create goods with the lowest possible environmental impact throughout their life cycle. EU manufacturers already have to align with ecodesign rules for energy-related products, such as heaters, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners or computers, reducing energy consumption and negative environmental effects in the design stage. […]
The European Commission has published its Rule of Law Report 2023
The Commission has published its fourth annual Rule of Law Report, taking the pulse of the rule of law situation in each Member State. While Rule of Law concerns remain in some EU Member States, the report has become a key driver for change and positive reforms. In fact, 65% of last year’s recommendations have been, […]