The European Parliament on Thursday condemned moves by the Public Prosecutor’s Office to invalidate the result of the general and presidential elections in Guatemala. In a resolution adopted with 432 votes in favour, 9 against and 39 abstentions, MEPs denounce the attempted coup d’état on the basis of “unfounded accusations of fraud” and reject all […]
EU companies doubled R&D investment growth in 2022
Europe’s industry significantly increased its investment in research and development in 2022, according to the 2023 edition of the EU Industrial Research & Development (R&D) Investment Scoreboard. EU private R&D investment growth has reached the highest rate since 2015 and more than doubled compared to 2021, with 13.6% increase in 2022. In comparison, China has decreased […]
Council and Parliament reach deal to Reform of electricity market design
The reform of the electricity market is the EU’s long-term response to the energy crisis experienced in 2022. Despite a high share of renewables in energy generation, high spikes in fossil fuel prices (especially gas) have caused a steep increase in electricity prices. This is due to the functioning of the EU electricity market, where the price of […]
EU and Western Balkans leaders meet in Brussels
One year after the 2022 summit in Tirana, EU and Western Balkans leaders met in Brussels for their fourth annual summit. The summit was an opportunity to reaffirm the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans and also the need for partners’ sustained and irreversible reform achievements, underpinned by EU values and principles. The main topics […]
Council approves fishing opportunities for 2024 in EU and non-EU waters
Following three days of negotiations, fisheries ministers agreed on fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, the North Sea, and in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas for 2024. The political agreement reached by the Council is in line with the goal of ensuring the long-term sustainability of fish stocks, while at the same time protecting the livelihoods of communities that […]
Enlargement: how do countries join the EU?
EU enlargement is a way to foster peace and stability in Europe, increase prosperity for Europeans and create opportunities for companies. Countries preparing to join benefit from closer ties with the EU, stronger support for fundamental rights as well as from funding and expertise from the EU to make the process easier. In November 2023, […]
EU ministers meet Ukraine MFA Dmytro Kuleba
The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after an intervention by Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba who joined EU Foreign Ministers in person. He briefed EU ministers on the latest developments on the ground, and highlighted how Ukraine is currently committed on two fronts: the military front – as Putin tries to create a […]
Commission proposes new rules to improve animal welfare
As announced by our Farm to Fork Strategy, the European Green Deal’s agenda for sustainable agriculture and food production, the Commission has today proposed the biggest reform of EU animal welfare rules during transport in 20 years. The Commission is also proposing, for the first time ever, new EU rules on the welfare and traceability […]
EU announces €125 million in initial humanitarian aid for Palestinians for 2024
As the humanitarian situation continues to worsen in the Middle East, the Commission will provide €125 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in 2024. This new funding will support humanitarian organisations working in both Gaza and the West Bank. In Gaza, where the humanitarian needs are at an all-time high, the focus will […]