The European Union (EU) and China held their 25th Summit in Beijing on 24 July 2025. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met first with Chinese President Xi Jinping and then with Premier Li Qiang. EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Kaja Kallas also took part […]
Commission launches consultation on simplification of environmental legislation
On 22 July the Commission launched a call for evidence to gather views on how to simplify environmental legislation, to reduce bureaucracy while maintaining and better achieving the EU’s environmental objectives of this legislation. The forthcoming omnibus environmental proposal will present measures to simplify legislation in areas such as the circular economy, industrial emissions and […]
Commission unveils anti-fraud revamp to protect the EU budget
Last July 16 the Commission has launched a structured reflection process for the review of the EU Anti-Fraud Architecture. The review complements the preparatory work on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). Its aim is to ensure a strengthened and more efficient protection of the Union’s financial interests. The review of the EU Anti-Fraud Architecture […]
Commission welcomes EU mandate to start negotiations with GCC countries
The European Commission and the High Representative welcome the Council’s decision authorising them to enter into negotiations with each of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with the aim of concluding bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreements (SPAs). The aim of the SPAs is […]
Commission approves up to €403 million in State aid for major EU healthcare project
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the second health-related Important Project of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI’) to support innovations in medical devices. This includes the introduction of novel digital and artificial intelligence (‘AI’) features in medical devices. The IPCEI will support collaborative research and innovation, as well as the first industrial […]
Republic of Korea joins Horizon Europe programme
Last July 17, the Republic of Korea has officially become the first Asian country to associate with Horizon Europe, the EU’s multibillion research and innovation programme. Korean researchers and organisations can now participate in several areas of the programme on equal terms with those for EU Member States. They will be able to join and […]
EP considers budget proposal insufficient to meet Europe’s challenges
MEPs warn that the 1.26% ceiling will force cuts as debt repayments loom and warn about the long-term budget presented by the Commission. Parliament’s co-rapporteurs for the multiannual financial framework (MFF), Siegfried Mureșan (EPP, Romania) and Carla Tavares (S&D, Portugal), together with the co-rapporteurs for own resources,Sandra Gómez López (S&D, Spain) and Danuše Nerudová (EPP, […]
A simpler tax architecture to benefit EU firms and citizens
MEPs on Tuesday adopted suggestions for reforms to the tax architecture to boost competitiveness while continuing to address tax avoidance and evasion. The report, drafted by Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP, CY), was adopted in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee by 46 votes in favour, 2 votes against and 11 abstentions. It will feed into the ongoing legislative […]
EU adopts 18th package of sanctions against Russia
The European Commission welcomes the Council’s adoption of the 18th Russia sanctions package, aimed at further ramping up pressure on the country and supporting EU’s goal of achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. The new measures focus on five building blocks: cutting Russia’s energy revenues, hitting Russia’s banking sector, further weakening its military-industrial […]