The Council has given its final approval to the new EU rules enabling more effective returns of people who are not legally entitled to remain in the EU. As set out in the EU’s comprehensive approach to migration, the new rules, which will come into force in the coming weeks, complement the Pact on Migration […]
Commission invites comments on draft new rescue and restructuring State aid guidelines
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the draft of new Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring non-financial undertakings in difficulty (‘Rescue and Restructuring Guidelines’). The new version will align the existing Guidelines with current social, market and technological conditions. The Commission invites Member States and all other interested parties to comment on the draft […]
The Commission is proposing five joint defence projects to strengthen Europe’s industrial capabilities
The European Commission has proposed five new large-scale projects, known as European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI),to help EU countries strengthen their defence capabilities through the joint development of key military systems. The industrial projects focus on five priority areas: drones and anti-drone systems; maritime and seabed defence; space; air and missile defence; and […]
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 […]
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 […]
Internships – EU Delegations’ Traineeships
The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the European Union’s diplomatic service. It helps the EU’s foreign affairs chief, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to carry out the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. Who can apply Traineeships are offered under 4 different pillars: funded traineeship for young graduates with less than one year […]
The European Commission recommends that Member States continue to save gas in order to secure supply and stabilise markets
Gas savings by businesses and citizens across the EU have made an important contribution to tackling the energy crisis, spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago. Collectively, the EU reduced gas demand by 18% between August 2022 and December 2023, saving around 101 billion cubic metres of gas. These efforts go above and beyond the 15% savings target which […]
Member States fail to reach qualified majority to renew or refuse glyphosate approval
Following an earlier vote in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed on 13 October, in which member states also failed to reach the majority needed to renew or reject the proposal, the European Commission has now decided to propose that the proposal should be rejected. Member States did not reach the required […]