The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed H.M. King Abdullah II from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Brussels today. Discussions focused on recent developments and the need to avoid a negative spill-over in the region, where Jordan plays a key stabilising role. During the visit, the Commission also announced a […]
EU Regions with the highest life expectancy
During the last decade, life expectancy in the EU rose at a relatively consistent pace until 2019, when life expectancy at birth was 81.3 years. Since then, 2020 and 2021 have recorded declines in life expectancy. In 2021, the overall life expectancy at birth in the EU was 80.1 years. The life expectancy for women […]
EU increases humanitarian aid to Gaza by €25 million
As part of the EU’s continued support to people in Gaza, the Commission will provide a further €25 million in humanitarian aid. This quadruples EU humanitarian assistance to over €100 million for Gaza this year. The new assistance will be provided to humanitarian organisations to deliver life-saving aid, in particular focusing on water and sanitation, […]
European Commission Statement on antisemitic incidents in Europe
The spike of antisemitic incidents across Europe has reached extraordinary levels in the last few days, reminiscent of some of the darkest times in history. European Jews today are again living in fear. We have seen a resurgence of antisemitic incidents and rhetoric in the European Union and worldwide: Molotov cocktails thrown on a synagogue […]
The EU wants to reinforce its role as a benchmark in the space industry
The Spanish presidency of the Council aims to make further progress in achieving a European policy in the field of space and to specify and strengthen the role of the European Union as a benchmark in the space industry. During this presidency, Council Conclusions are sought to be adopted on space traffic management (STM), a […]
EU food prices: olive oil up 75% since January 2021
After substantial increases in 2022, food prices in the EU continued to rise also in 2023. Data for the second and third quarters of this year show that the prices of some items registered a slower increase. In September 2023, prices of eggs, butter and potatoes in the EU are higher than in January 2021 […]
Gaza: EU leaders call for humanitarian access
EU leaders discussed the unfolding situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine and the revision of the EU’s long-term budget 2021-2027. They also discussed economic growth in the EU, migration and external relations. A Euro Summit was held in the margins of the meeting. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine EU leaders reiterated […]
EU gender equality reaches new milestone: is progress accelerating?
Ten years ago, EIGE introduced the Gender Equality Index as a marker for the status quo of gender equality in the EU. Each edition came with more or less the same conclusion: progress is at a snail’s pace. However, in this year’s edition we see the biggest annual jump in the overall score in the […]
Spanish Presidency debriefs EP committees on priorities
Ministers are holding a series of meetings in parliamentary committees to present the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council. Committee on Culture and Education On 7 September, acting Minister for Education and Vocational Training Pilar Alegría said the presidency will focus on educational responses to support Ukraine, ambitious implementation of the European Education […]