As one year draws to a close and another one begins, let us take look ahead at what’s to come in the EU over the coming 12 months. 2025 promises to be another eventful and challenging year for us all. Both at home and abroad there is much to be done, while there will be […]
EU Budget 2025 aims to reinforce funding for Europe’s priorities
The Commission has proposed an annual EU budget of €199.7 billion for 2025. The budget will be complemented by an estimated €72 billion of disbursements under NextGenerationEU. This substantial financial envelope will support the EU in meeting its political priorities while integrating the changes agreed in the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in […]
EU security and defence: Council sets out five main priorities
The Council approved conclusions on EU security and defence in a context of an unprecedented combination of threats and challenges, such as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and increased tensions in the Middle East, the Sahel and other areas of the world. Since the start of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against […]
Spanish Presidency debriefs EP committees on priorities
Ministers are holding a series of meetings in parliamentary committees to present the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council. Committee on Culture and Education On 7 September, acting Minister for Education and Vocational Training Pilar Alegría said the presidency will focus on educational responses to support Ukraine, ambitious implementation of the European Education […]
Council debates EU long-term budget
EU’s long-term budget The Council held a policy debate on the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, proposed by the Commission on 20 June 2023. The Commission presented the package to the Council. Ministers provided their initial comments on its main elements: the creation of a Ukraine facility for 2024-2027 the proposed additional […]
Portuguese Presidency outlines priorities to EP committees
Ministers are outlining the priorities of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU to parliamentary committees, in a series of meetings. [toc] Foreign Affairs On 26 January, Foreign Affairs Minister Augusto Santos Silva outlined a range of external action priorities to the Foreign Affairs Committee. He spoke of the importance of reviving the transatlantic dialogue […]