The EU and Australia have announced the launch of an innovative Security and Defence Partnership. They have also concluded negotiations on an ambitious and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to launch formal negotiations on Australia’s participation in Horizon Europe, the world’s largest research and innovation funding programme. Through these measures, the EU and […]
Migration: Civil Liberties Committee adopts reform of EU return rules
Third-country nationals with a return decision will be required to cooperate with the return authorities in order to leave the EU territory. Returns to a third country may take place on the basis of an agreement between the Member States and the EU and a third country. Returnees could be detained for up to 24 […]
EC proposes €2 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to support workers laid off from Liberty Steel in Belgium
The European Commission has proposed mobilising €2 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to support 507 workers made redundant following the bankruptcy of Liberty Steel Belgium. Liberty Steel’s production lines in Belgium were shut down in December 2021 due to a shortage of raw materials. Despite efforts to restructure the entity, production never […]
Commission response to the European citizens’ initiative on reducing unsafe abortion in the EU
The European Commission adopted a Communication in response to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “My voice, my choice: for safe and accessible abortion”. This is the twelfth initiative to receive a formal response from the Commission since European Citizens’ Initiatives (ECIs) were launched in 2012. According to the World Health Organisation, around 483,000 unsafe abortions […]
The new European Centre for Democratic Resilience begins its work
At the meeting of the General Affairs Council on February 24, the Commission and the Council Presidency invited EU ministers to celebrate the launch of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience. The aim of the Centre, a flagship initiative of the European Democracy Shield, is to facilitate a consolidated approach involving the whole of society […]
Council gives final green light to measures to improve the efficiency and robustness of the EU asylum system
The Council formally adopted the first EU-wide list of safe countries of origin, as well as a revision of the concept of safe third country. These two legislative acts aim to better harmonise the EU’s migration and asylum framework and increase its efficiency. The EU-wide list of safe countries of origin will help Member States […]
Stability and Growth Pact: Council opens excessive deficit procedure for Finland
The Council has opened an excessive deficit procedure (EDP) for Finland. It has also adopted a recommendation to Finland outlining the net expenditure path and timetable that the country must follow to end its excessive deficit by 2028. The EDP mechanism aims to ensure that EU Member States maintain or restore discipline in their public […]
Commission launches first Annual Migration Management Cycle under the Pact on Migration and Asylum
On November 11th, the European Commission is taking a further step in implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum by launching the first Annual Migration Management Cycle. The Annual Cycle provides a comprehensive overview of the asylum and migration situation in the EU, identifies the migratory situations Member States are facing, and proposes an Annual Solidarity Pool, […]
23rd EU Week of Regions and Cities showcases cohesion policy’s impact
Last October 13, the Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto, and the President of the Committee of the Regions, Kata Tüttő, launched the 23rd European Week of Regions and Cities. Under the motto ‘Shaping tomorrow, together,’ this three-day event brings together 6,500 participants from all over the EU, including policymakers, practitioners, project promoters, civil […]