The European Commission has adopted a temporary state aid framework to enable Member States to support the EU economy in the context of the Middle East crisis. The Temporary Framework for State Aid Measures in Response to the Crisis in the Middle East (METSAF) is a specific, temporary framework designed to address the effects of the […]
Definition of rape based on the absence of consent across the EU
Parliament wants the Commission to propose legislation establishing a common definition of the crime of rape based on the absence of free, informed and revocable consent. In a report adopted on Tuesday by 447 votes to 160, with 43 abstentions, MEPs call on Member States that still define rape solely in terms of the use […]
Parliament approves the EU’s renewed trade instrument for development
On Tuesday, Parliament approved the revised rules on the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). The updated rules, approved by 459 votes to 127, with 70 abstentions, allow vulnerable developing countries to export goods to the EU at low or zero tariffs. Several international human rights and environmental conventions have been added to the list of […]
Promoting sustainable agriculture: new guidelines for the CAP 2028–2034
The European Commission has published a new report setting outbest practices for the design of agri-environment-climate (AEC) measuresunder the post-2027 CAP. The purpose of this report is to assist Member States in preparing their future CAP plans by providing concrete recommendations, practical steps and examples on how to design measures that are effective, feasible and […]
The Commission and the European Parliament have signed an agreement to promote closer cooperation
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen,and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, signed the revised Framework Agreement between the two institutions. This agreement reinforces cooperation between the Commission and the European Parliament, strengthens representative democracy, improves dialogue and ensures greater transparency. It establishes an updated framework for cooperation to […]
Parliament’s budget priorities for 2027: social cohesion, competitiveness, security
On Tuesday, MEPs backed a report setting out the Parliament’s priorities for the 2027 EU budget. The text emphasises that the 2027 budget must strengthen Europe’s social model, territorial cohesion and security, and calls for a budget that boosts competitiveness and prosperity, creates and protects quality jobs, and improves security and defence capabilities. Against a […]
Oil and gas coordination groups take stock of the situation in the oil and gas markets
Experts from the European Commission, EU member states and the International Energy Agency (IEA) met today in the Gas and Oil Coordination Groups to discuss the state of the EU’s gas and oil supply security in Europe, as the conflict in the Middle East enters its third month. The Gas Coordination Group confirmed that the […]
EU and ASEAN reinforce Strategic Partnership at 25th Ministerial Meeting in Brunei
The 25th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting convened on 28 April in Bandar Seri Begawan, bringing together Foreign Ministers from the European Union and ASEAN to advance their longstanding partnership and address pressing global challenges. Marking nearly five decades of dialogue relations, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to a rules-based international order, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable development. Ministers welcomed progress under the EU-ASEAN Plan of Action […]
The EU will strengthen the regional dimension of research and innovation
The European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions have signed a new Joint Action Planto strengthen the role of cities and regions in research and innovation (R&I). Under the Joint Action Plan, the Commission and the Committee of the Regions will work together to strengthen the regional and local dimension of the EU’s […]