In a vote held on Wednesday, MEPs took stock of the state of fundamental rights in the EU in 2024 and 2025. The values enshrined in Article 2 of the EU Treatyand in theCharter of Fundamental Rightsmust be respected in all EU policies and fully implemented by Member States, according to a report adopted by […]
The Commission welcomes this important step towards modernising the EU’s social security coordination rules
Representatives of the EU Member States have approved theagreementbetween the Council Presidency and the European Parliament on therevision of the rules on social security coordination. The European Commission welcomes this approval. The revised rules represent an important step towards fair labour mobility within the EU. They make it easier for people to work, live or […]
The EU and Armenia strengthen their ties at their first summit held in Yerevan
The first EU-Armenia Summit will take place on 4 and 5 May in Yerevan. This meeting marks a significant step forward in their relations and reaffirms the European Union’s firm commitment to Armenia’s sovereignty, resilience and reform agenda. The summit will bring together President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister António Costa, representing the […]
The EU-Mercosur interim trade agreement is now provisionally in force
The provisional application of the Agreement on International Trade (AIT) will create new opportunities, boosting exports of industrial goods, services and agri-food products to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It will eliminate or drastically reduce tariffs on key exports such as cars and pharmaceuticals, and provides for an initial tariff reduction for most agri-food products, […]
The European Commission is partnering with the European Defence Agency on BraveTech EU
The European Commission and the European Defence Agency (EDA) have signed a Contribution Agreement to launch the second phase of theBraveTech EU initiative. This marks a significant step forward in EU-supported defence innovation. Under this agreement, the EDA will receive €35 million to implement the next phase of the programme. BraveTech EU, announced on 11 […]
The EU-funded POP-ART project helps to protect public spaces using advanced technology
Large public gatherings, such as festivals, concerts or major sporting events, attract thousands of people. Those attending these events expect not only to enjoy a pleasant experience, but also to feel safe. However, the challenges are growing due to threats such as terrorism, the malicious use of drones and sudden outbreaks of violence. Police and […]
The Commission adopts a temporary state aid framework to support sectors affected by the crisis in the Middle East
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 […]